My Tiny Garden - Streptocarpus Harlequin Damsel

I almost lost this one.

I received it from a friend as a young plant and soon after it bloomed for me. But then summer came and seems like this climate is loved by mealybugs and they decided to move to my African Violets and this Streptocarpus. It seems that Violets can handle the treatment. But Streps are more delicate and fussy to what you are doing to them. I tried to wipe the eaves, splay the eaves, water with special bug killer...

streptocarpus harlequin damsel 2.jpg
_{Nikon D5500 + Sigma 106 (f/13, 1/100, 105mm, ISO100)}

I did eventually win, but the plant was on it's way to flower heaven. Didn't grow, didn't bloom and the leaves looked like they were chewed by a dog.

streptocarpus harlequin damsel 5.jpg
_{Nikon D5500 + Sigma 106 (f/13, 1/100, 105mm, ISO100)}

It took it few months to start growing healthier leaves. It is still smaller than it should, but it bloomed again :) I think it will be fine now.

streptocarpus harlequin damsel 3.jpg
_{Nikon D5500 + Sigma 106 (f/13, 1/100, 105mm, ISO100)}

They are actually not hard plants to grow. They don't like too much water or direct sunlight. Just like African Violets, if you are more familiar with them. Propagation is also the same - you take a leaf, stick in a soil and you will get few little plants soon.

I also tried to grow them from seeds and used this one here as one of the parents in cross pollination. Got some amazing colours you can check HERE, HERE and HERE :)

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_{I only post my own photos.}