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Caring for Mini Sinningia

dave_in_virginia

15 years ago

I have two mini sinningia, S. Dollbaby and S. Leo, purchased from Albert Buell when he still had his greenhouse in Eastford, CT. These have been in 3" pots for years and not given any special treatment. Their tubers have grown to 1-1/2"x2-1/2" and 2"x3", respectively, and are healthy-looking and rot-free. However, neither plant grows very vigorously when they are actively growing, and only sprout from one central location on each tuber. Should I simply re-pot these and give them a little more TLC when they sprout in the spring, or would dividing the tubers perhaps re-invigorate them? Are there dormant eyes on the perimeter of the tuber that would sprout if first divided? Thanks.

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Comments (7)

irina_co
15 years ago
Dave - you are super sinningia grower!

Most of the time the buds are in the center - and if they die - you have a healthy tuber which never sprouts. I would cut the tip of new growth with 4 leaves and root it. And continue growing the mamas until they will be turnip size. You are going for the record!

Irina
bubba62
15 years ago
I have several such plants which have been in the same pots for going on 20 years, and I agree with the above advice. The problem with repotting is that drainage is paramount when growing all Sinningias, and larger pots, which increase soil volume, create conditions in which the soil stays wet for too long and can rot the tuber. I think a cooler, drier rest period after the current flowering stem goes dormant naturally is the best way to reinvigorate these plants; I've grown hundreds from seed, so I've done lots of experimenting. I even treat a few dozen as "bedding out" bulbs in the summer, bringing them in after the first light frost and storing them in bags of nearly dry peat/vermiculite mix over the winter, just as I do with the larger S. tubiflora, S. selloviae, and related hybrids. They all seem to grow most vigorously in spring after a rest period.
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Rick - remember me? I sent you the White Sprite sinningias. Do you remember the type of soil that was used packing the tubers sent to you? That is what I grow my micro mini sins in, it is a fine grade germination mix from Fafard and sinningia do very well in it. Keep it simple, no need for exotic soil mixes to grow these guys. Use a fine textured soil mix - really don't think you need to go to the extent of chopped long fibered sphagnum, etc. You know that mini sins grow, bloom and then want to go dormant, right? Your plants may just need a rest, let them dry out and sit dry for a month or so, then spray them down with water to see if they will sprout and grow again. The dry foliage needs to be cleaned off during dormancy, sometimes they will signal you with green that they want to get back to growing after being dry and dormant for a period without first giving them H20 - it sounds from your description that your plants are going through their normal cycle and it isn't anything to be overly concerned about. Here is a picture of my S. pusilla growing in Fafard germination mix right out of the bag. I DIDN'T need to stand on my head and pee into my pocket to get these to grow well and neither should you. Good luck with your sinningias!
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In my experience Sinningias are fool-proof if you let them develop the shoot. If you plant them before it - sometimes it takes longer - or they can rot. Light really stimulates their growth. Usually the top of the tuber has an indentation, bottom is rounded. If your AV soil is 1:1:1 peat -perlite- vermiculite - you can just add a bit of perlite. If it is a store made soil - add a lot. I use mason twine #18 for wicks - get it in HD - or half of the plys of an acrylic thread - so it won't get too wet. For drainage I put a layer of coarse perlite. You can put whatever - I am a coarse perlite afficionado - I buy it in 4 cubic feet bales. HD variety = small to dust- is not working for me. perlite in a ziplock baggie will work too - need to keep it sprinkled every so often - so it adds just a little bit of humidity. Peat is a not a good media for seeds - you already got the idea why plus it is acid. Next time - try to use rewetted fluffed Jiffy pellets - or AV mix -with extra perlite of course. If your peat gets too wet - use the paper towel somewhere on the edge to soak water off. Next time do not water it - use the sprayer. good Luck irina
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irina_co
15 years ago
Bubba -

we all would love to come and visit your personal sinningia paradise!

ATTENTION FOLKS - BUBBA HAS HIS PERSONAL SITE on My Page - and it is UNBELIEVABLE!

Especially in winter with all this snow...

I.
bubba62
15 years ago
Thanks so much Irina - you'd be disappointed, I'm sure - it's a big mess right now, due to lack of time. And by the way, some snow would be welcome right now, since we have a forecast in the lower teens for the next two nights. I' know that's nothing to heartier Northern gardeners (and plants), but everything's relative; I spent my one half hour of gardening time yesterday wrapping palm trunks in polar fleece, while being unable to feel my fingers!
dave_in_virginia
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks to you both. I'll follow Jeff's advice in the spring and see what happens. Right now, the tubers are resting in my (cool) sunroom, out of pots, washed clean and ready to go in the spring. When they start to sprout, I'll pot them up and see what happens.
deniseks
15 years ago
Hi, how do I get to Bubba's site. can you send me a link please.
I thought I was 'bad' leaving a mini sin a same pot for 10years, but apart from being a bit yellow in the leaves it grew and flowered great.
Deeinoz
bubba62
15 years ago
Hi Dee-

It's just a blog I update fairly infrequently - here's the link:

Thanks for asking!

JJ

Here is a link that might be useful: Transitional Gardener Blog

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