Why do little projects always turn into big ones for me?
So I read that in yesteryear, Alsobias and Episcias were both in the Episcia genus. They later were seperated and one of the differences is that in general, Episcias are terrestrial and Alsobias are epiphytic. We all know tha Alsobia dianthiflora is a shy bloomer, and I wondered if it were in more epiphytic "soil", it might bloom better. So today I repotted: one in 1:1 sieved perlite and Miracle-gro potting mix, and one about 2:1 sieved perlite and Mircle-gro potting mix.
But when I went to repot, I discovered an unripe pod.
Having experience with Siningia seed pods that were blushed brown that still contained green seed, surely, I thought this one was unripe. But I didn't have anything to loose as that particular piece had already been severed from the main plant, so I cut it open. And to my surprise the seeds were black, normally indicating maturity. Close inspection seems to verify:
So put the camera stuff away and finish repotting.....
And then what's this? A shriveled old seed pod? Why yes it is. So set up the camera again...
I can't think of any reason to grow Alsobia dianthiflora from seed except for curiosity, but I guess I will try seeds from them both.
