Tiny gloxinia

Family Gesneriaceae. Grows on rocky humid mountain slopes in Brazil.

Perennial herbaceous plants, dwarf, up to 2.5 cm tall. Leaves ovate, rounded, up to 1 cm long, hairy-pubescent. Petiole short. Flowers only slightly elevated above the leaves, solitary on pedicels 1.5-1.8 cm tall; corolla with a short spur, lilac above, white below; throat white. Blooms in May-August. A highly ornamental dwarf plant.

Tubers are planted 16-20 or more per pots and shallow dishes. The potting soil has the following composition: leaf-mold - 1 part, peat - 1 part, humus - 1 part, light turf soil - 1 part, sand - 1 part. Care consists of maintaining a high temperature, within 20-24°C, 18°C at night, high air humidity, and watering with warm water (in winter). After flowering, approximately in October, watering is first reduced and then stopped; until January the tubers remain in dry soil. Annual repotting (or every other year) is necessary. At the end of January-February the plants are watered again, after which intensive growth is observed. The plants are also propagated by seed.