Empress Mix (Gloxinia)

(10 in/25 cm) Best potted plant blend of solid colors and picotee shades. European strain. Pelleted Seed. Pkt. contains 25 seeds.

GLOXINIA

Annual 10 - 12 in/25 - 31 cm Approx. 800,000 seeds per oz/28 g

GREENHOUSE: Gloxinia may be seeded several different times throughout the season. A Dec. - Jan. sowing is preferred for June flowers. Sow May 30th for Xmas plants. Germinate at 75°F/24°C day and night, soil temp. for 20 days. Do not cover the fine seed just press it into the surface. Use Jiffy Mix or milled sphagnum as a medium, rather than soil. Use lights for a 15 hour daylight exposure. Longer periods of light will cause seedlings to try to produce premature tubers. If this happens the seedlings will stop all growth and die. Each color will germinate at it's own speed, with blue and white first and reds, bicolors etc. last. For a good mixture - remember, your best colors will be the smallest seedlings and will usually germinate last.

TRANSPLANT when seedlings are large enough to handle into flats spaced 1.5 in/4 cm in both directions, or potted into 2.25 in/6 cm pots. To finish, transplant into 5 or 6 in/13 or 15 cm pots (which are 4/5 full) about 2 months later. Use equal parts soil, sand and leaf mold as a potting mix. Grow at 70°F/21°C, provide high relative humidity at this point to prevent leaves from becoming too brittle. Shade periodically from intense sunlight. when finishing, the lower crown point will induce more compact growth, and prevent stretching. Do not let plants dry out - it is disastrous. A weakened plant attracts Red Spider and Mites. Give plants plenty of heat, moisture and light shade.