Gesneriad Episcia

For those of you that are not familiar with Episcias here is what the judge's manual of the American Glozina And Gesneriad Society has to say about Episcias.

Episcia: New world genus with plants characterized by often striking foligage in various shades or green, pink, or bronze color, sometimes with metallic sheen. These plants often exhibited in foliage class. Flowers are red, pink, yellow, white or lavender. Plants often displayed with or without tolons, as hanging plants or as a single rosette. Plants grow rapidly and require warmth.

Episcia

The following article is one that Linda Golubski handed out at a workshop she presented, at a convention I attended.

I have heard the episcia described as the "peacock" of the gesneriad family. If you look at all of the colors the leaves come in from pink to lime green to edged and the flowers from yellow to orange, pink, red or lavender - what an array!

Episcias have a shallow root system and will grow better for you in a pan or bulb type pot. They can use your favorite African violet soil and should be repotted as often as you repot your violets every 3 to 4 months.

Because of the growth pattern of the episcia it is important to remember that if you want a nice, compact plant you need to keep the stolens off while the plant is establishing itself. When the plant is getting ready to bloom or your getting ready for a show a few stolens are okay, but remember that the stolens take strength from your main stalk. Don't let the plant get too leggy. Cut the tops off the stalks and place them in fresh soil and cover. They will reroot themselves very quickly. You can also take a couple or stolens and "pin" them down to the top of the soil. They will root themselves and restart your episcia.

I guess at this point I should explain what a stolen is. A long stem will grow out of a leaf axil. At the end of this stem will be a plantet or stolen.

Episcias like warmth and humidity. From personal experience I can tell you not to put them outside until you are sure the temperatures will not dip below 60 or 65 degrees.

The light you use for your violets is perfect for episcias. Do no expose to direct sunlight or they will burn.

For fertilizer, use your favorite violet variety. I would not suggest bloom boosting as most episcias are grown for their foliage rather than their blossoms. I can only think of two exceptions off the top of my head, Tropical Topaz - yellow flower and Pink Panther - pink flower.

There are a few varieties that like terrarium culture - Unpredictable Valley, Pink Brocade and Cleopatra come to mind.

Episcias are easy to grow, colorful and for the most part forgiving. Try one!

My Episcias

Episcia "Limeade"

Episcia "Silver Skies"

Episcia "Strawberry Patch"