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Growing Micro-mini Sinningia

by: 5170scottw( 1800Feedback score is 1000 to 4,999) Top 1000 Reviewer
26 out of 29 people found this guide helpful.


With the micro-mini Sinningia, a full grown plant can be less than two inch across. Sinningia pusilla is one of the world's smallest flowering houseplants. The foliage is medium green with darker veins. The flowers are lavender with a white throat. There is a small group of  Sinningia that fit in this group. There are dozens of species and hybrids in this genus. These plants produce small tubers like the Florist Gloxinia or Sinningia speciosa. If your plant dies back do not throw it away. These plant go through resting phases. Store the tuber in a cool dry place and wait for it to sprout again. It usually sprouts within a month or so.

Lighting. When using a covered terrarium can be grown in a north window that never receives direct sunlight or under flourescent tubes. Under lights they need a duration of 10-14 hours a days. This is best achieved with a timer.

Soil. Any soil mix that you use for violet should work. I use my water wicking mix. This is one part peat moss, one part perlite and one part vermiculite. You can add a pinch of characoal to absorb impurities. I put a one inch layer of perlite below to allow the excess water a place to collect.

Humidity. 
Unless you are living in a tropical rainforrest without air conditioning, you will need terrariums. This plant will dry out easily so needed the added humidity of a container. I have used clear plastic food containers. The glass bowls, egg-shaped glass, and small aquariums will all work.

Watering. I use water with water soluble fertilizer. I believe that any liquid or water soluble fertilizer will work. I use the same thing as my violet. This is Jack's Classic African Violet Food 12-36-14. It easier to use the same thing for my gesneriads.

Propagation. There are two ways. One is growing from seed. The species will grow true from seeds. The seeds are sprinkled on the surface of the moist soil in a terrarium. You can mist the seeds to help with germination. The small seedlings can be replanted for more space when larger. It will take several months before they will bloom. If you want to produce seeds. A small clean brush can be used to pollinate flowers on one plant or between flowers on different plants. Remember if you use any pollen from other species or hybrids. You will create new hybrids. The other way is  to remove a stem and root it. It will eventually grow a tuber.

Species and Varieties. This is only a partial list. There are hundreds of species and varieties of Sinningia

Sinningia concinna The flowers are lavender with spotted throated. This plant is rare in cultivation. It has been used to create a large number of hybrids.

Sinningia pusilla The flowers are lavender with a white throat. The foliage is the same for these plants medium green with darker veins.

Sinningia rio des padras This is similar to S. pusilla but has more white on the petals. The name is the location that it was found.  It is a newer species. It is easy to flower. I have some that I bought a few months ago. It is so tiny that it is hard to get a good picture. The leaves have darker redish on the veins.

Snowflake The flower is white with three lobes on each petal. This propagated by cutting. This is harder to find.

Bright Eyes The flower is larger. This hybrid is sterile but if it produces seeds they will not be true.

Ruffled Wood Nymph. This is just like Wood Nymph but has three lobes on the each petal like Snowflake.

White Sprite The is a white flower form of  S. pusilla. This should come true from seed. It is possible to get some normal colored flowers in the group.

Wood Nymph is a hybrid between Sinningia pusilla and Sinningia concinna. The flower is half way between the two species. This plant is wanted by many collecters.


Guide ID: 10000000001576788Guide created: 08/10/06 (updated 04/08/08)

 
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