|
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EPISCIAS & AFRICAN VIOLETS by Nancy Robitaille Faded Jade by Nikki The culture of episcias is very similar to African violets and growers can even “get by” by raising them exactly like African violets. But there are subtle differences. When you know these differences you will be able to raise more luscious, more colorful episcias thriving with health. The first thing on the voyage to lovelier episcias is to learn from where each hybrid’s parents come. Episcias were originally found in Northern and Southern Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, West Indies, Southern island of the Lesser Antilles and other tropical areas. They are seen growing in the wild from full sunlight to tropical shaded woodlands. Most epicias need as much or more shade than African violets. When you know from where they were discovered you get a better idea of the ideal conditions under which they should be grown.
According to research there are over forty species of Episcias but only ten or so are well-known. Those grown and used as hybridizing parents are: E. cupreata, calyx green inside, sometimes flushed red outside. Narrow, hairy, not toothed, pointed lobes orange-red, approximately three-eights inch. E. lilacina, with flowers of white with lavender blue throats boasts having the largest flowers of all the episcia species, and E. reptans, oblong hairy lobes, pale rose red outside, inside, blood red. These have translucent papillae at the throat. Lobes are toothed and are about one-half inch long which widens slightly toward the throat. E. cupreata and E. reptans are two highly variable species which can change continuously. Origination of Species: E. cupreata is from the Pacific Island Ecosystems, Figi, Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau, Central and South America, etc. E. Cupreata prefers shade to part sun. E. Cupreata grows in the range of nine to twelve inches tall by a spread of two feet. It needs regular watering. E. lilacina by Mrs. John  E. lilacina is very tender to temperature and may die when temperatures go below 60 degrees F. This episcia and its hybrids prefer shade. Its origin is Panama to Nicaragua. E. Lilacina grows to six inches tall and needs abundant watering. This species can be difficult to bloom indoors but the very fine foliage makes it worth growing. Some of the other species are E. dianthiflora, (requires very high humidity) E. punctata, E. fimbriata (may have disappeared from cultivation.), E. xantha, E. viridifolia, E. prancei, E. melittifolia (transferred to Nautilocalyx). Several species episcia have also been transferred to other genus. Episcia colors: E. Strawberry Patch by Nikki Episcia flowers are tubular with five petals (lobes) which sometimes show pinked or fringed edges. The range of color is wide: red, scarlet, orange, orange-red, orange-yellow, wine, pink, yellow, lilac or blue and white. These have patterns as well. Foliage colors are just as wide: light emerald and jade green, bronze, copper and silver-leafed as well as brown, pink and white. These have texture of smooth or pebbled, glossy or matte finish as well as iridescence and have scarablike markings of bronze, copper, green and silver. Foliage varieations are numerous. Healthy episcias should be able to flower from spring to fall when requirements are met. Episcias can be propagated from most any part of the plant. Stolon propagation is quickest. Cut stolon from plant, pin it down onto fresh soil and place a plastic bag for humidity. Plantlets may be obtained by setting an episcia leaf in soil although this method is much slower than propagation by stolen. These plants can also be propagated by seed. Temperature:
Sixty degrees F. is about as low as an episcia should have to endure and 65 to 90 degrees F. is a much more welcomed temperature. Amazingly enough, a temperature of 110 degrees F. will not be injurious to the plant if you provide daily mistings. Episcia roots should never be allowed to dry out. When temperatures are lower than 60 degrees F. the edges of the leaves turn brown or the whole leaf will shrivel up and often will fall off.
Some varieties grow in the lower 65 F. to 80 F. range. In the medium temperatures 65 F. to 90 F., all the light green, medium green and silvery cupreata-type hybrids will grow well. From 65 F to 110 F. all the dark brown and bronze hybrids as well as the pink, lilac and magenta colored ones thrive. Episcias cultivars can overlap these temperatures, of course. Sudden drops in temperature should be avoided. Top growth will be killed at 50 degrees F. Even though the plant looks like it is really finished, it can resprout in three to four weeks if the old leaves and soil mix are shaken off and replaced and a plastic bag is put over the plant. Actually making a new plant from a stolon will grow faster than the plant that has suffered such neglect. Light: E. cupreata by Mona  Experts give conflicting data concerning light for Episcias. In “African Violets Gifts From Nature, Robey, on page 70, says, “All the members of the genus Episcia perform best when grown in bright light. In fact, Episcia are outstanding bloomers when provided with more light than most African violets receive.” Virginie & George Elbert, authors of “The Miracle Houseplants,”say, “There have been very misleading indications from experts that Episcias require even less light than African violets. If we grew them only for their leaves, this might be true but, since we want flowers, considerably more light is needed. The confusion results from a difference between indoor and greenhouse growing.” …”The majority of Episcias require 500 to 800 footcandles for good flowering under fluorescent lights.” If I am not mistaken, African violets need 1000 footcandles of light. The majority of Episcias require 500 to 800 footcandles for good flowering under fluorescent lights, kept around 6 inches from the lights which is slightly less than African violets. Episcias are less tolerant of light than most gesneriads. In fact, the name “episcia” comes from “espiskios” which means “shaded.” However, episcias can take dense shade or full sun depending on the variety and from where its parents come. The cupreata-type hybrids will make beautiful large leaves but offer few flowers in low light. The darker the leaf the more light they need so place darker varieties in the middle of a light stand.
|
