4 - Saintpaulia inonantha Production in a Protected Environment

Question 1

Describe potting up of leaf petiole cuttings of Saintpaulia ionantha.

Answer 1

• Young plantlets must be potted up into 90 or 100mm pots
• Pot separately to avoid a multi-crown plant
• Use appropriate compost (e.g. John Innes No. 1)
• Do not bury the central growing point of the plant
• Centralise it in the pot
• Handle with care to avoid damage
• Water the plant to settle it into the pot (without wetting foliage).

Question 2

Describe the watering of Saintpaulia ionantha.

Answer 2

• Water from below to avoid scorching the hairy leaves
• The plant will take up the water by capillary action as required
• Alternatively a drip system can be installed the pot below the canopy of the foliage
• Use rain water or soft water to avoid a build up of lime in the pot.

Question 3

Describe the feeding of Saintpaulia ionantha.

Answer 3

• A base dressing can be included in the potting compost to provide a range of major and minor nutrients, slow release
• The plants can also be liquid fed through the irrigation system, which coud contain specific nutrients (e.g. potassium to encourage improved flowering)

Question 4

Explain the repotting of Saintpaulia ionantha.

Answer 4

• Carried out when plant is pot bound
• Pot into pot one size larger
• Use John Innes No.2 growing media
• Knock the plant carefully out of its pot, tease the roots
• Remove any dead or dying foliage
• Place in the centre of a larger pot
• Gently add new growing media to the same height as the previous pot (do not bury the crown).

Question 5

Name the symptoms and control of vine weevil, which affects Saintpaulia ionantha.

Answer 5

• Larvae will eat the roots, causing growth to become stunted, wilting and chlorosis
• Biological control: parasitic eelworm Steinernema kraussei. The nematode is watered onto moist pots from August to September after the adult has stopped laying eggs. Pots must be kept moist for two weeks.