Chinese gesneriads

[Tony Willis]

I have a propagated a number of these all from Chen yi ,so probably wrongly named but still beautiful, to swap. I generally keep them frost free but have tried some in an unheated greenhouse and they have survived okay. Also a few European ramonda plants.Not looking for anything in particular but would prefer gesneriads so open to offers. Some examples shown below.
Chirita liboense chen yi
 Chirita monantha
 Chirita speciosa g37
 Hemiaboae calveri
 Petracodon delbeata  g61
 Tremacron aurantiaca

[Lesley Cox]

All very yummy, especially 2 and 6 which has leaves that are sooooo Ramonda-like.

[jomowi]

Tony

The Tremacron looks to be correctly named, the first two look like Chirita but the rest I am not sure.  Look at the Flora of China on the web.  Are you sure the Hemiaboae is correctly spelt.  I think it should be Hemiboae.

The Tremacron is thought to be hardy by Ray Drew but I have not found it to survive outside here in Aberdeen although it does (just) at least in our recent relatively mild winters in the cold frame,

Can you spare a leaf or so from the Hemiboae and the Petracodon?  they look to be worth a try.

Brian Wilson  Aberdeen

[Tony Willis]

Brian

the spelling is a typing error.

I have in fact left a tray of seedlings of chirita monantha outside all winter and they have survived. I only raised them to prove I could and so neglected them.
Another couple of species were in a cold greenhouse and survived okay but I have not tried any planted outside. Ray has quite different winter conditions to me, I think I am milder and much wetter.

Yes no problem on the spares and I will email you directly after the weekend. It is the Harrogate flower show tomorrow ands I am away walking in Scotland for the weekend,

[Anthony Darby]

I'm with Lesley. They look superb. I tried a Trinidadian gesnerid I brought back last October but it damped off. I have a yellow flowered monocot which has flower buds, so that should be interesting? Wouldn't mind trying some of these hardier types in exchange for something you fancy Tony?

[yijiawang]

Excellent plants, as you known, There are over 400 species own Gesneriaceae in China. A book named Plants of Gesneriaceae in China ，nice pictures for you confirm your babies name.

[Lesley Cox]

A great shame (for me) that none of these lovely things is on our bio index and so we can't bring in seed, even if it is ever available. Just as well I'm not travelling to China for the Olympic Games, as I could be tempted to be very naughty!

[WimB]

That Tremacron aurantiaca is a real stunner...

[Giles]

Dear Wim,
.....oooh no!!!!!
...it's got all its 'bits' hanging out,
(so undignified)

Giles

[Paul T]

2 and 5 are great, but #6 is a stunner.  Wonderful display or intriguing flowers and great leaves.  Never seen it before, nor likely to in a hurry again I'd imagine unfortunately.  It is VERY nice.  Well done in growing them so well!! 

Giles,  sometimes having your "bits" hanging out can look quite effective!! 

[WimB]

Flower "bits" hanging out never really schocked me... I'm used to this fellow flowering in my garden every year (although there is not much hanging)

[Lesley Cox]

As an EASILY shockable lady of advancing years, I'll keep right away from this conversation. I'm tempted though.

[Paul T]

Dracunculus has the same sort of chock value as that Amorph.  Never been a problem for me (the smell is more shocking than the exposed bits!!  )

I'm pleased to see you've resisted temptation Lesley..... but how long can that last? 

Back to the Gesneriads..... One thing I do like about that Tremacron aurantiaca is the exposed style and stamen etc.  Gives a very different look.  That and the strong yellow colour make it something I will certainly look out for in the future, if I can ever remember the name of course! 

And finally.... out of interest, how long do Gesneriad seed stay viable for?  Are they a very limited viability, or does it depend on the genus and species?

[Anthony Darby]

Flower "bits" hanging out never really schocked me... I'm used to this fellow flowering in my garden every year (although there is not much hanging)

Good gracious. Is that hardy? Now there's a plant I must get!

[WimB]

Actually it is "hardy" in Belgium. It comes up every year but it never flowers if you leave it outside for the winter. So the picture I showed you was of a plant in a pot.