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Saintpaulias, or, as they are more commonly known, African Violets, are members of the family called Gesneriaceae, which covers 125 genera and over 2,000 species worldwide. This is an impressive group of plants with the majority having showy flowers which has made them very popular as house plants. Although belonging to one family the habit of growth is diverse and includes fibrous rooted (Saintpaulia, Streptocarpus, Columnea and Episcia), scaly rhizomes (Achimenes and Koehleria) and tuberous (Sinningia or Gloxinia type) plants. The first three genera mentioned above are probably the most commonly grown in Kenya and below are more details.
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Saintpaulia: There are over 20 species in the African Violet genus and the original wild ones were found many years ago mainly on one mountain range in Tanzania but are seldom seen today as they bear relatively insignificant flowers. Following many decades of breeding we have today magnificent flowering plants with a range of colours, flower sizes, singles and doubles and even miniatures, as well as variations of foliage including variegated sports. |
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Streptocarpus: There are over 130 species to be found growing indigenously in Africa with the majority in southern Africa and several in Kenya as well as other parts of East and Central Africa and also Madagascar. Sometimes called Cape Primroses they have been grown since the 1830’s and over the past 90 years or so have seen extensively bred to arrive at the many stunning hybrids we have to day, with a wide range of flower sizes and colours. |
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Columnea: This is a genus of over 200 species the majority of which are epiphytic and can make excellent plants for a hanging basket or for pots that can be positioned on a high shelf so as to display the hanging foliage with its mass of bright orange flowers. The indigenous species are to be found in many countries of Tropical America including Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama. Again there has been breeding of this genus over many years to produce variations on the theme of trailing leaf stems which flower from every leaf node in season and some has resulted in variegated foliage which combined with the flower colour is quite stunning. |
The three genera mentioned above all require similar growing conditions of light, temperature and water. They need good light but never direct sunlight which would burn the foliage. Ideally, a temperature in the mid 20’s degrees C and not falling below 15 is best for these plants. It is very important not to over-water, particularly the streptocarpus and is best left until the top two centimetres or so of the potting mix has become quite dry. African violets do not like water on their leaves so it is good practice to water from the bottom by standing the pot in a saucer of water and letting the potting mix absorb the moisture and removing the pot as soon as it reaches the surface. The potting mix needs to be quite fibrous and reasonably free draining with feeding rich in potash to encourage flowering. Propagation is quite simple and can be carried out using leaf cuttings in the case of African violets and Streptocarpus and by stem cuttings for Columneas.
To complete the picture it is only fair to mention some of the other genera in the Gesneriaceae family which include Aeschynanthus, Chirita, Episcia, Alsobia, Nematanthus, Achimenes, Gloxinia, Koehleria, Smithiantha and Sinningia. These are sometimes seen in Kenya but are less commonly grown.
Plants Galore Garden Centre
Directions: Use the Limuru Road from Muthaiga and continue past the Village Market and the turning into Runda. 200 m beyond the Runda turning take the murram track on the right hand side, where there is a Plants Galore sign board. After the bridge over the river fork right; the Centre is 100 m on the right. You can’t miss it! Telephone: 0773 612589 or 0705 223298. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.plantsgalore.co.ke
