Japanese name: ストレプトカーパス Scientific name:Streptocarpus
[Overview]
Annuals, evergreen perennials or monocarpic plants, and subshrubs.
There is a group that has no developed stem and bears basal leaves in a rosette, and a group that has a developed stem.
Some species have a single, greatly developed cotyledon leaf.
In the stemmed type, the leaves are simple and opposite or whorled.
In all of them, the flowers are borne in cymes in the leaf axils.
The corolla is tubular to funnel-shaped, and the tip is divided into 5 lobes in a two-lipped form.
There are 2 stamens and 2–3 staminodes.
It flowers all year round if the temperature can be maintained.
The fruit is a capsule.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division, cuttings or leaf cuttings.
It prefers airy, well-drained soil.
In autumn to spring, place it in a sunny spot, and in summer place it in cool partial shade.
In winter, bring it indoors, for example to a windowsill.
It prefers somewhat high air humidity but dislikes wet soil, and long rains can cause root rot, so place it where it will not be rained on.
Water after the soil has dried, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
In dry periods, mist the leaves with a sprayer.
Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring and autumn.
Remove spent flowers promptly.
Pests include scale insects and spider mites.
