Growers already producing Saintpaulia, Gloxinia or other gesneriads should try the market. for Streptocarpus. Modern varieties are greatly improved in flowering performance and produce more smaller leaves. Single plants in an 11cm pot, or three plants to a 15/15cm pot will flower and be ready for sale in 10 weeks (from young plants) in the spring/summer period. Under winter conditions, 3 to 4 weeks should be added. Substrate should be porous and well-drained providing a pH 5.8-6.4 (e.g. a mixture of 60% peat and 40% perlite). Plants produces fibrous roots so over-watering must be avoided. Flower stalks are produced from the base of the leaves therefore the more leaves, the more flowers. At the beginning of production, the main aim is leaf production, requiring an ideal night temperature of 18°C-23°C while the day temperature should not rise above 26°C. Once adequate leaves have been produced, growing temperatures can be lowered a little. Flower initiation in not photoperiodic and occurs naturally in flushes. One or two modern varieties however flower continuously. A finishing temperature of 12°C-15°C is recommended. Plants might need partial shading in summer months (too much light will lead to the bleaching/scorching of the leaves). Sleeving or protecting plants during shipment can be a problem due to the conformation of leaves. Flower drop can be best avoided by shipping plants when only a few flowers are open on each flower stem together with a good number of buds at an advanced stage. Some chemicals used to prolong the vase-life of flowers also reduce flower drop in Streptocarpus. While modern varieties are available from seed (some F1 hybrids are available) most are vegetatively propagated and available as cuttings. "GrowerTalks"/Floranova. See catalogue and new book of specialist grower Dibleys Nurseries, England. Fax 0044 1978 790668 E-mail: sales@dibleys.com www.dibleys.com