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Episcia care and Propagation From Stolen Hybridizing Episcia from seeds Episcia or "flame violet" are the most beautiful of all gesneriads, known for their very colorful, textured foliage. Great under lights or in a warm window. Blooms in blue, pink, red, and yellow. Episcias, like violets are generally shade lovers, they don't tolerate prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. I grow mine under lights. If adequate natural light is not available , twin tube fluorescent lights are ideal. Place the tubes eight to ten inches above the foliage. I have my lights set on timers ,which gives them 10 -12 hours of light . The two most important things to remember when growing episcias is warmth and humidity. Episcias are tropical plants that require warmth, and love humidity Minimum temperature for them is 65f degrees Below 50f degrees, most will quickly die. . They will tolerate temperatures as high as 80f degrees with moderate (40-50%) humidity, and much higher temperatures with high (70% or more) humidity and moist soil. As for soil, water, and feeding, I give episcias pretty much the same care as I do my African violets. A light, soilless mix is best, and let soil become slightly dry between watering. If kept too dry, leaf edges may become brown or curled. I feed plants regularly, using a well balanced fertilizer, at 1/4 tsp. per gallon of water, with every watering. Fertilizer may be increased to 1/2 tsp. per gallon of water during spring and summer, when plants are actively growing. Propagation is extremely easily. Pick a nice size stolen from your parent plant note all the extra stolen ,which should be removed
Keep the center four leaves of these plantlets, and keep no more than 1/2" of the stolon. Also remove any small buds or smaller plantlets from the one being rooted. Once you removed the lower last set of leaves and the extra stolen ,your little starter plant should look like this If the plantlet's leaves are too large, the ends of these can be removed
Dip in some rooting hormone ,not necessary ,but will help speed root formation
Press the stolon and its base into moistened soil
and place in a closed, transparent, container.
Rooted plants can be removed from the container in three weeks
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