Culture. In many respects they require similar treatment. All require acid soil 
containing a large proportion of peat, sphagnum or leaf mould. If grown in pots, sand 
or Sponge Rok,—a manufactured product should be added to improve drainage. Sponge 
Rok helps aerate the compost also in pots or baskets. 
All of the following plants need frequent watering. They are in porous soils that 
quickly dry out and they should never become quite dry. Warm water is best. If the 
sun touches wet foliage, unsightly spots result. All are shade or semi-shade plants and 
all do best if given liquid fertilizer at 3 or 4 week intervals. All must be kept free of mite, 
mealy bug or other pests. 
Best Temperature for nearly all is 60° to 80°. Those we list are tropicals. Strepto- 
carpus like cool temperatures, 50° to 70° or cooler. 
Gloxinias. The valid botanical name is, “Sinningia.” Only the hybrids are of garden 
value. They are vastly different from the wild Sinningia and we do not care much for 
the forms, such as “Slipper type” that revert back to their wild prototype. The best 
Gloxinias grown in America are the product of two California firms, Antonelli and 
Vetterlee. This applies to the named varieties, Emperor William, etc., as these are re- 
produced from seed and are variable. 
Culture. There should be much coarse sand in Gloxinia soil, the balance mostly peat 
and leaf mould. Soil formula advised for Amaryllis is excellent. They need rather more sun 
than most of their relatives. If plants are “leggy” they did not get enough sun. 
Gloxinias. The old time ten. Improved. California grown, 1144” to 144” tubers, in 
the following sorts: Blanche de Meru, rose, white throat; Emperor Frederick, scarlet, 
white border; Emperor William, violet, white border; Etoile de Feu, scarlet; Mont Blanc, 
pure white; Prince Albert, frilled, dark violet; Princess Elizabeth, blue, white throat; 
Roi des Rouges, frilled, dark crimson; Tigrina, from light rose to dark lavender. Character- 
istics are the small tiger spots; Violaceae, soft violet. Price 40c ea. 6 for $2.00, if all one 
kind or assorted and in one bag. Complete collection, labelled, $3.75. 
New Hybrid Gloxinias, Originated and grown by Vetterlee or Antonelli. Tigrinia 
Crimson Rose and Pink Edge are described by their names. 50c ea. The following are all 
1954 Antonelli introductions. Blue Heaven, a new blue. Ruby. Bushy, scarlet. Stardust, 
huge burgundy red. Velvet Queen. Huge, ruffled, velvet red. 90c ea. All six new varieties 
for $4.35. 
Complete Collection of 16 listed Gloxinias labelled for $7.90. 
Gloxinia Seed, Houdyshels, saved from our named varieties, assorted. This contains 
the largest number of seed. Antonelli hybrids, from their best new varieties, assorted. 10 
or more seed. Beacon. Rich dark red flowers. This and the following named varieties 
come true to name. Crimson Glow. Name describes color. Free blooming. Rose Sensation. 
Brilliant carmine rose. Swiss Emblem. Brilliant scarlet red, white margin. Your choice 
of packets 50c ea. The 6 packets for $2.75. The number of seed in each packet is in pro- 
portion to their unit value and from 10 to 50. Tho tiny, every seed grows. Send stamped 
addressed envelope for all seed packets. 
Culture. Place fine grained vermiculite or terralite in the bottom of a plastic refriger- 
ator dish 14” deep and moisten well. Plant seed very thinly over surface. Keep covered 
with lid until plants are ready to pick out. One must make sure that moisture does not 
escape and add water if it does. They may be picked out and transplanted into 2” pots 
after second pair of leaves develop. We also plant seed in 9” pans, half filled with peat 
and milled sphagnum. When planted cover pot with glass. We grow many rare seeds 
by either method, including African Violets. Gloxinias flower at about 5 months. 
Streptocarpus are fibrous rooted evergreen and can only be moved as growing plants. 
The culture is much the same as for Gloxinias except as to temperature. They thrive in a 
cool house and are easily grown in a lath house in summer. The color range is similar. The 
flowers are smaller and freely produced. They are followed by long twisted seed pods, 
hence their name. $1.25 ea. 
Streptocarpus seed. Assorted colors from fine strains. Handle as advised for Gloxinia 
seed. $1.00/pkt. and self addressed stamped envelope. 
S. Wiesmoor Hybds. These are claimed to be entirely new and superior to any others. 
Zz 
