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Club Motto: "Grow, Share & Show"  |
 Lets Talk about Episcias Episcias,(ee-piss' cee-ah) sometimes called flame or peacock violets, native from Southern Mexico to Brazil, are remarkable for their stunning foliage, always eye-catching even when not in bloom. Brilliantly colored blossoms are abundantly produced, and the stolons root readily wherever they touch the soil. Grown similarly to African violets, Episcias can tolerate higher humidity, and bloom best with brighter light. Episcias are a member of the Gesneriad family, just as are African violets, Florist Gloxinia and streptocarpus.  Epicia's are a root plant They love the heat and hate the cold. Episcias come in many wonderful leaf patterns. Some have colorful blossoms too. In Florida, you can grow them outside in the spring, summer and fall. They do well in a hanging basket and would make a nice ground cover in the yard in the shade. Just remember when the temperatures start to fall and reach 60 outside, they are going to die or be severly damaged. 
I keep my episcias in the house in the winter in solo cups under lights. In the spring, I plant 3 plants in a hanging basket.  They usually have produced stolons over the winter so I tack them down in the soil with hair pins. I put them outside in the shade and in a matter of 4 weeks, I have a full basket. They will continue to produce stolons and I tack them down to the soil until I have a full basket before I let them go over the edge.  Their main pest seems to be mealybugs and you need to constantly watch out for those cotton looking varments. Orthonex works following the directions on the label. Pests and Problems: fungal leafspots, stem blights and root rots, aphids, mealybugs;leaf margins turn brown from low humidity and too dry, leaves scorch in full direct sun; die back if too much water or little air circulation .  
Just remember when it starts getting cool to take your baskets inside or make cuttings and grow them in small pots in the house for the winter. These are terrestrial plants from Mexico to Brazil and the West Indies. They belong to the family of Gesneriads Episcias have beautiful foliage and brilliant flowers. They grow well under fluorescent lights or in a bright window. They are sensitive to temperatures below 60 degrees. 
They are an easy, colorful and fun plant to grow.
Until next time, Happy Growing, Mollie |
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Sunday, 2 March 2008