Calceolaria Identification needed

[ChrisB]

I got this calceolaria as 'John Innes' from the seed ex this year.  However, it doesn't look like it is if the googled pix are correct.  I'm guessing it may be C. biflora but would like another opinion if poss.  I've collected seed but won't send it in unless I'm a bit more sure of its id.   Any help much appreciated.

[Maggi Young]

Looks like Calceolaria andina to me, Christine.  perhaps var andicola  - the leaves look comparatively  large 

[ChrisB]

Thanks Maggi...

[Maggi Young]

Thanks Maggi...

   

Well, we'll see what anyone else has to say...... 

[Lesley Cox]

I couldn't argue with that Maggi and Chris. I don't think it's biflora and isn't 'John Innes' sterile? If that's so, it looks like someone else has received the seed wrongly named as JI and sent it in without checking first. Don't we just love those who don't bother to look in a book, or even open Google?

[ChrisB]

I agree Lesley, I knew what I didn't have but figuring out what it is proved a bit more difficult.  I've not grown many of these before.  It's jolly enough but looks as if it's going to throw its seed about a bit more generously than I want, so I'll be chopping off the stems before any more ripen.

[Maggi Young]

Don't think too harshly of a plant which seems keen to volunteer its seeds, Christine . These Calceolaria tend not to live very long and you could soon be grateful for the volunteers plants you get around.

[Lesley Cox]

I think I've lost every calceolaria I've ever had because I assumed they'd go on and on, then suddenly they're gone without notice. Especially I wish I'd been more careful with C. tenella and while biflora and falkladica seeded about for a couple of years, suddenly they didn't and that was that! But no matter how careful and loving I've been to 'Walter Shrimpton' or fothergillii or uniflora, every one had gone. I'm told that they are martyrs to greenfly or any such pest but mine never waited around to find out. I've had all of them for a week only and they were going, going, gone. I've tried repotting, or planting out or spraying with fungicides/pesticides/you name it but NO they just hate me and my environment - which is cool and very clean. They should love it!

[ChrisB]

If you want a bit of seed to have another go Lesley, I could send you some.  I have a lot!  And it's easy to harvest too, just have to catch the pods before they open wide.