Since I can't garden outside, I ordered some seeds for a gesneriad mix, some sinningias, and achimenes from Ebay. I'll be planting them soon, that way they'll be up and sprouted (hopefully) by the time the seed-planting rush begins in February-March. Anyone else growing from seed?

I haven't grown Gessies from seed in a very long time ... unfortunately the older I get, the worse my attention span seems to be. I got a packet of miscellaneous seeds once from (I think) the Gesneriad Society but I don't remember what all were contained in the packet; they germinated rather quickly if my memory serves me correctly and I had some beautiful plants from the group.

I got a mostly-caudiciform mix from Ebay, I'll see what sprouts.

Never grown from seed but looking forward to your updates!! Have fun Celene!

I germinated some seed of Sinningia sellovii that I collected from my plant. They were very fast and easy. Actually, the hardest part is not over-sowing them. They had a very high germination rate and, despite trying to sow thinly, the pot still ended up looking a bit like a chia-pet.

Danita do you still have the plant? Wanna post pics?? Thanks Cheers (I'd love to see what this plant looks like!)

I do have the plant still but I grow it outside much of the year. It's gotten really cold already so it doesn't look like much of anything right now. It is actually borderline hardy here with good drainage if planted in the ground. However, I have pine voles that I worry will eat the tubers so I keep it in a container. Despite being brought inside for the worst of last year's horrible winter, it still got quite a bit of damage. If it looks better next year, I'll try to post some pics. In the meantime, here is a link that has some decent photos of Sinningia sellovii and discussion:
http://www.network54.com/Forum...

The hummingbirds really do go mad for Sinningia sellovii. They'll even pass by the Salvia to feed from it and go over it at least twice to make sure that they get every drop of nectar.

Oh, here is my "Chia Pet." I even dropped the pot in the floor at one point and had to scoop the soil back into the pot. There would have probably been even more seedlings otherwise.

Your link didn't have any photos (that I could see) but just googled the plant and man is that pretty! I didn't realize they get so big!! Really interesting blooms on this plant! Thanks Danita, I may have to try my luck with this one!

Greg, let me know if you want a cutting or a tuber, when it warms up in spring. It's a really nice plant.

ok celene, we can do a plant trade at that time!! (if I remember )

When you grow from seed, do they form bulbs or tubers??? I have never seen any seed offered anywhere, where do you find them???

Used to be if you were a subscribing member of the Gesneriad Society you could get seeds from them.

Park Seeds offers seeds for Saintpaulia (African Violet): http://parkseed.com/flowers/c/...

There are miscellaneous E-bay vendors who sell seeds for various Gesneriads:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fresh-...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hybrid...

Wow, I didn't know you could grow from seed.

Was killing some time before going out to teach a lesson. ...........Dang, I should never have looked at this thread. Now I want one !

I'll be growing them from seed shortly. The best (easiest) source of seed is the Gesneriad Society, but you have to be a member to have access to their seed list. It's quite extensive for species and hybrids. I bet they have seed from 1000 plants (I'm looking at the list). http://gesneriadsociety.org/ Also a lot of members of local and national African violet clubs have seed from various gesneriads. I found that joining one of those groups was worth its weight in gold. You have access to all kinds of plants that aren't publicly available.

Is there any fee to join??

I think it's $25 or so.

Do you belong Celene? Is that per year or a one time membership?

Per year. I think my membership lapsed while I was dealing with my house fire, but I'll rejoin here soon.