fall, harvest, frost...

These are seed pods from the Sinningia tubiflora I have out on the balcony.  I only set a few this year, and harvested them a few weeks ago, before I left for a trip.  I thought if I waited until after the trip, they would all split... so what you can see in the photo are pods at different stages of ripeness.  I'm not sure if the green one will have viable seed, although they looked developed.  I guess I'll do a test sowing.

I only set a few pods because there is plenty in each pod!

We've had a few consecutive cool and wet days, so all of my cool-intolerants are inside now.  S. tubiflora is still green outside, but I'll be bringing them in soon.  The balcony boxes don't get much sun this time of year, and the potting mix is very water retentive.  Boxes get colder than the ground, so cold and wet during the days as well as nights won't be good for the tubers.....

SECTION R - Commercial Displays

Class 78 Display table with a grouping of gesneriads (fewer than 10 plants)

Entry No. 496, Commercial Display, exhibited by Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses, Inc..  Score: 95. First Place.

Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Class 48 - trained or sculptured

SECTION I - Trained or Sculptured Gesneriads - An educational 3"◊5" white card stating what training the exhibit received and how it is to be viewed (all sides or from the front) is suggested.
Class 48 Bonsai, topiary, espaliered, or other style

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Entry No. 440, Columnea 'Gold Heart', exhibited by Charlene Marietti.  Score: 92. First Place.
Entry No. 289, Chirita linearifolia, exhibited by Carolyn Conlin-Lane.  Score: 83. Third Place.
Entry No. 411, Alsobia 'Iris August', exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: not scored.

Class 46C - collection of single genus

SECTION H - Collections of Gesneriads - A grouping of 3 to 5 different plants in flower or grown for ornamental qualities, or in combination (Saintpaulias must be in flower). Exhibitor must provide a white card (not to exceed 8-1/2"◊11") with identification of plants. In Class 46, exhibitor is encouraged to reflect variety as this is a consideration in judging. In Class 47, exhibitor must provide educational information on the card.
Class 46C Plants of a single genus, either species, cultivars or hybrids

Click through for more photos.  (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 203, Collection of Streptocarpus, exhibited by Lee Stradley.  Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 439, Sinningia Collection, exhibited by Charlene Marietti.  Score: 83. Second Place.
Entry No. 228, Collection of Sinningias, exhibited by David Zaitlin.  Score: 82. Third Place.

Class 46B - collection of single genus

SECTION H - Collections of Gesneriads - A grouping of 3 to 5 different plants in flower or grown for ornamental qualities, or in combination (Saintpaulias must be in flower). Exhibitor must provide a white card (not to exceed 8-1/2"◊11") with identification of plants. In Class 46, exhibitor is encouraged to reflect variety as this is a consideration in judging. In Class 47, exhibitor must provide educational information on the card.
Class 46B Plants of a single genus, either species, cultivars or hybrids

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Entry No. 157, Chirita Collection, exhibited by Beverly Williams.  Score: 92. First Place.
Entry No. 260, Sinningia Collection, exhibited by Karyn Cichocki.  Score: 87. Second Place.
Entry No. 395, Chirita Collection, exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 84. Third Place.
Entry No. 380, Episcia Collection, exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 81.

Class 46A - collection of single genus

SECTION H - Collections of Gesneriads - A grouping of 3 to 5 different plants in flower or grown for ornamental qualities, or in combination (Saintpaulias must be in flower). Exhibitor must provide a white card (not to exceed 8-1/2"◊11") with identification of plants. In Class 46, exhibitor is encouraged to reflect variety as this is a consideration in judging. In Class 47, exhibitor must provide educational information on the card.
Class 46A Plants of a single genus, either species, cultivars or hybrids

Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 316, Petrocosmea Collection, exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 409, Petrocosmea Collection, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 87. Second Place.
Entry No. 464, Petrocosmea Collection, exhibited by Lee Linett.  Score: 85. Third Place.

Exhibit only class (and others from GHA)

Class 83 (not a real class)
Exhibit only - not for judging

Entry No. 349, Streptocarpus 'Heartland's Snowbaby', exhibited by Dale Martens. 
Entry No. 350, Streptocarpus 'Heartland's Baby Egrets', exhibited by Dale Martens. 
Entry No. 351, Streptocarpus 'Heartland's Boyish Grin', exhibited by Dale Martens. 
Entry No. 352, Streptocarpus 'Heartland's Purple Martin', exhibited by Dale Martens.

Click for photos of these and some others. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Class 36F - Petrocosmea (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 36F Petrocosmea

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Entry No. 331, Petrocosmea 'Shortnin' Bread', exhibited by Julie Thompson.  Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 231, Petrocosmea 'Shortnin' Bread', exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 92. Second Place.
Entry No. 311, Petrocosmea 'Shortnin' Bread', exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: 89. Third Place.
Entry No. 156, Petrocosmea 'Fluffer Nutter', exhibited by Beverly Williams.  Score: 88. Honorable Mention.
Entry No. 163, Petrocosmea 'Fluffer Nutter', exhibited by Doris Brownlie.  Score: 88. Honorable Mention.
Entry No. 256, Petrocosmea 'Shortnin' Bread', exhibited by Nancy Kast.  Score: 85.
Entry No. 310, Petrocosmea 'Fluffer Nutter', exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: 83.
Entry No. 401, Petrocosmea 'Momo', exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: not scored.

Class 36E - Petrocosmea (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 36E Petrocosmea

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Entry No. 397, Petrocosmea flaccida, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 91. First Place.
Entry No. 399, Petrocosmea parryorum, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 90. Second Place.
Entry No. 326, Petrocosmea barbata, exhibited by Emma Bygott.  Score: 89. Third Place.
Entry No. 404, Petrocosmea barbata, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 88. 
Entry No. 406, Petrocosmea floribunda, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 88. 
Entry No. 410, Petrocosmea nervosa, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 88. 
Entry No. 116, Petrocosmea kerrii, exhibited by Lynn Cook and Troy Ray.  Score: 86.

Class 36D - Petrocosmea (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 36D Petrocosmea

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Entry No. 346, Petrocosmea begoniifolia, exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 92. First Place.
Entry No. 214, Petrocosmea minor, exhibited by LaDonna Hopson.  Score: 91. Second Place.
Entry No. 416, Petrocosmea minor, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 89. Third Place.
Entry No. 504, Petrocosmea species #5, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: not scored.

Class 36C - Petrocosmea (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 36C Petrocosmea

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Entry No. 398, Petrocosmea sericea 'HT-1', exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 92. First Place.
Entry No. 327, Petrocosmea sericea, exhibited by Emma Bygott.  Score: 91. Second Place.
Entry No. 408, Petrocosmea sp. 'HT-2', exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 89. Third Place.
Entry No. 328, Petrocosmea sp. 'HT-2', exhibited by Emma Bygott.  Score: 78.

Class 36A - Petrocosmea (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 36A Petrocosmea

Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 216, Petrocosmea forrestii, exhibited by LaDonna Hopson.  Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 232, Petrocosmea forrestii, exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 93. Second Place.
Entry No. 450, Petrocosmea forrestii, exhibited by Alicia Belyo.  Score: 91. Third Place.
Entry No. 330, Petrocosmea forrestii, exhibited by Julie Thompson.  Score: 85. 
Entry No. 407, Petrocosmea forrestii, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 79.
Entry No. 308, Petrocosmea forrestii, exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: not scored.

Coming next week...

Coming next week are photos of the rest of the Petrocosmea, the collections, and a few remaining classes.  That will conclude my photos from the 2009 Convention.  There's no doubt that there were a LOT of entries!  (And I didn't cover any of the classes without live plant material.)

After that, we'll be blogging slowly so add us to your RSS feed, or subscribe to posts via email (see the right side of the page).

Next meeting: Saturday October 10 - Chirita slideshow

Bumping up....

Our next meeting will be on Saturday October 10, 2009, 11am, at our usual location, the National Arboretum in Washington, DC. That's also the weekend of the orchid show and sale, so arrive early and see both!

We will be watching a replay of Peter Shalit's slides from his presentation at The Gesneriad Society Convention. Audio/narration will be provided by Brian Connor.  (I should clarify that Peter will not - unfortunately - be here.)

Class 33D - Chirita (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 33D Chirita

Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 159, Chirita 'Destiny', exhibited by Doris Brownlie.  Score: 94. First Place.
Entry No. 339, Chirita 'Destiny', exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 93. Second Place.
Entry No. 384, Chirita 'Destiny', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 92. Third Place.
Entry No. 340, Chirita 'Patina', exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 91. 
Entry No. 201, Chirita 'Patina', exhibited by Lee Stradley.  Score: 83.
Entry No. 105, Chirita 'Patina', exhibited by Bev Promersberger.  Score: 80.

Class 33B - Chirita (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 33B Chirita

Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 125, Chirita 'Stardust', exhibited by Carol Hamelink. Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 160, Chirita 'First Time', exhibited by Doris Brownlie. Score: 94. Second Place.
Entry No. 381, Chirita 'Starburst', exhibited by Richard G. Carr. Score: 86.
Entry No. 382, Chirita 'Stardust', exhibited by Richard G. Carr. Score: 82.
Entry No. 386, Chirita 'Silver Surfer', exhibited by Richard G. Carr. Score: 84.
Entry No. 515, Chirita 'Stardust', exhibited by Kristina Schmid. Score: 93. Third Place.

Class 38A - other species grown not for flowers

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 38A Other gesneriad species

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Entry No. 301, Sinningia leucotricha, exhibited by Betsy R. Sherwin.  Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 234, Sinningia speciosa 'Regina', exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 92. Second Place.
Entry No. 474, Cobananthus calochlamys, exhibited by Gussie Farrice.  Score: 91. Third Place.
Entry No. 509, Amalophyllon clarkii, exhibited by Jo Anne Martinez.  Score: 90. Honorable Mention.
Entry No. 315, Ornithoboea arachnoidea, exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: 88. 
Entry No. 436, Columnea orientandina, exhibited by Charlene Marietti.  Score: 87. 
Entry No. 202, Drymonia cuyabenensis ined., exhibited by Lee Stradley.  Score: 84.

Class 34B - Episcia (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 34B Episcia

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Entry No. 229, Episcia 'Heartland's Graybeard', exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 162, Episcia 'Jim's Dark Cloud', exhibited by Doris Brownlie.  Score: 94. Second Place.
Entry No. 161, Episcia 'Jim's Rosy Cheeks', exhibited by Doris Brownlie.  Score: 89. Third Place.
Entry No. 206, Episcia 'Chocolate Velour', exhibited by Barbara Stewart.  Score: 79.

October issue of Petal Tones

Yup, the October 2009 issue of Petal Tones is up on the website.  Check it out.

Class 34A - Episcia (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 34A Episcia

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Entry No. 459, Episcia lilacina 'Blue Nile', exhibited by Arleen Dewell.  Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 117, Episcia 'Silver Dust', exhibited by Carol Hamelink.  Score: 92. Second Place.
Entry No. 379, Episcia 'Karlyn', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 82. Third Place.

Class 35 - Episcia (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 35 Episcia with pink-and-white leaf variegation

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Entry No. 318, Episcia 'Pink Dreams', exhibited by Jill Fischer.  Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 435, Episcia 'Pink Smoke', exhibited by Charlene Marietti.  Score: 89. Second Place.
Entry No. 317, Episcia 'Pink Smoke', exhibited by Jill Fischer.  Score: 88. Third Place.
Entry No. 118, Episcia 'Pink Dreams', exhibited by Carol Hamelink.  Score: 87.
Entry No. 357, Episcia 'Cleopatra', exhibited by Stephen Maciejewski.  Score: 85.

Class 37 - other green and white variegated grown not for flowers

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 37 Other gesneriads with green-and-white leaf variegation

Click through for more photos.

Entry No. 428, Columnea 'Broget Stavanger', exhibited by Olive Ma Robinson.  Score: 99. First Place.
Entry No. 312, Streptocarpus candidus 'Wahroonga', exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: 94. Second Place.
Entry No. 513, Columnea 'Broget Stavanger', exhibited by Kristina Schmid.  Score: 86. Third Place.

Baltimore AV Sale Oct 3-4, 2009

The Baltimore African Violet Club will be holding their annual sale this weekend. Details below:

Sponsored by: Baltimore African Violet Club 
Location: Harford Mall
Address: 696A Bel Air Rd, Bel Air, MD 21014 
Event Date: 10/3/2009 - 10/4/2009 
Time: Sat. 9 am to 9:30 pm Sun. 11 am to 5 pm
Contact for info: Diane Richardson mdianerichardson@verizon.net

Hundreds of beautiful African violets and other exotic houseplants will be offered for sale. The sale will also feature leaves, cuttings, and many growing supplies including soil mix, plant rings, self-watering pots and much more. Experienced growers will be there to answer your growing questions. This event is free to the public.

Class 32B - other flowering Old World

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 32B Other Old World gesneriads

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Entry No. 230, Chiritopsis repanda, exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 250, Chiritopsis repanda var. guilinensis, exhibited by Nancy Kast.  Score: 85. Second Place.

Class 32A - other flowering Old World

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 32A Other Old World gesneriads

Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 244, Boea hemsleyana, exhibited by Nancy Kast.  Score: 97. First Place.
Entry No. 255, Primulina tabacum, exhibited by Nancy Kast.  Score: 85. Second Place.

Class 31C - flowering Streptocarpus hybrids

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 31C Streptocarpus, subgenus Streptocarpus, hybrids

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Entry No. 186, Streptocarpus 'Dale's Scarlet Maccaw', exhibited by Gail Gray.  Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 451, Streptocarpus 'Raspberry Splash', exhibited by Mel Grice.  Score: 93. Second Place.
Entry No. 452, Streptocarpus 'Chorus Girl', exhibited by Mel Grice.  Score: 92. Third Place.
Entry No. 370, Streptocarpus 'Spin Art', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 87.
Entry No. 377, Streptocarpus 'Greta', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 85.
Entry No. 378, Streptocarpus 'Suzie', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 84.

Class 31A - flowering Streptocarpus hybrids

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 31A Streptocarpus, subgenus Streptocarpus, hybrids

Click through for more photos.  (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 139, Streptocarpus 'Shy Blue', exhibited by Carol Hamelink.  Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 187, Streptocarpus 'Bethan', exhibited by Gail Gray.  Score: 94. Second Place.
Entry No. 338, Streptocarpus 'Butter Blues', exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 89. Third Place.
Entry No. 189, Streptocarpus 'Gwen', exhibited by Gail Gray.  Score: 81. 
Entry No. 376, Streptocarpus 'Bristol's Jumping Jack', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 80.

Class 31B - flowering Streptocarpus hybrids

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 31B Streptocarpus, subgenus Streptocarpus, hybrids



Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 138, Streptocarpus 'Summer Parfait', exhibited by Carol Hamelink.  Score: 92. First Place.
Entry No. 188, Streptocarpus 'Crystal Charm', exhibited by Gail Gray.  Score: 86. Second Place.
Entry No. 372, Streptocarpus 'Night Beacon', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 85. Third Place.
Entry No. 447, Streptocarpus 'Crystal Charm', exhibited by Paul Lee.  Score: 84. 
Entry No. 374, Streptocarpus 'Midnight Blue', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 75. 

Class 30 - flowering Streptocarpus species

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 30 Streptocarpus, subgenus Streptocarpus, species


Click for more photos.

Entry No. 278, Streptocarpus johannis JT-04-06, exhibited by Bob Stewart.  Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 476, Streptocarpus lilliputana, exhibited by Bill Price.  Score: 87. Second Place.

Class 16 - flowering Episcia, Alsobia

SECTION C - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Fibrous-Rooted
Class 16 Episcia, Alsobia




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Entry No. 111, Alsobia 'Cygnet', exhibited by Lynn Cook and Troy Ray.  Score: 97. First Place.
Entry No. 109, Episcia 'Silver Dust', exhibited by Lynn Cook and Troy Ray.  Score: 90. Second Place.
Entry No. 224, Episcia 'My Precious', exhibited by Jay Sespico.  Score: 84. Third Place.
Entry No. 110, Episcia 'Kee Wee', exhibited by Lynn Cook and Troy Ray.  Score: 83. 

A Passion for Petrocosmea

If it's not already on your browsing list, check out Tim Tuttle's blog at http://petrocosmea.blogspot.com/.  No further introductions necessary, I'm sure.

Class 36B - Petrocosmea (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 36B Petrocosmea


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Entry No. 233, Petrocosmea rosettifolia, exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 449, Petrocosmea rosettifolia, exhibited by Alicia Belyo.  Score: 91. Second Place.
Entry No. 309, Petrocosmea menglianensis, exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: 88. Third Place.
Entry No. 403, Petrocosmea sp. 'Yumebutai', exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 85.
Entry No. 400, Petrocosmea menglianensis, exhibited by Nancy Carr.  Score: 83.
Entry No. 193, Petrocosmea rosettifolia, exhibited by Neale W. Stuart-Merriman.  Score: 82.

Class 27 - flowering standard Saintpaulia hybrids/cultivars

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 27 Saintpaulia hybrids or cultivars classified as standards

Click through for photos. I don't have a good photo of Optimara Annabelle, but you can see it on The Gesneriad Society's website.

Entry No. 345, Saintpaulia ''Optimara Annabelle'', exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 98. First Place.
Entry No. 485, Saintpaulia 'Halo's Aglitter', exhibited by Mary S. Schaeffer.  Score: 89. Second Place.

Class 33C - Chirita (no flowers)

SECTION E - Gesneriads Grown for Ornamental Qualities Other Than Flowers - Decorative fruit and calyces are permitted, but no flowers or buds showing color. A plant should have some special quality of color, texture or growth habit to be entered in this section.
Class 33C Chirita

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Entry No. 329, Chirita 'Cynthia', exhibited by Julie Thompson.  Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 383, Chirita linearifolia, exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 93. Second Place.
Entry No. 107, Chirita sp. USBRG 98-083, exhibited by Bev Promersberger.  Score: 92. Third Place.
Entry No. 205, Chirita 'Moonlight', exhibited by Barbara Stewart.  Score: 88.
Entry No. 106, Chirita 'Nimbus', exhibited by Bev Promersberger.  Score: 86.
Entry No. 108, Chirita 'Little Dragon', exhibited by Bev Promersberger.  Score: 85.
Entry No. 393, Chirita 'Moonlight', exhibited by Richard G. Carr.  Score: 80.
Entry No. 514, Chirita hybrid, exhibited by Kristina Schmid.  Score: 80.

Class 3 - upright flowering tuberous Sinningia species

SECTION A - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Tuberous
Class 3 Other Sinningia species with upright growth pattern

This was an awesome class.  Unfortunately, I don't have closeups or judging info for all of them.  Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 121, Sinningia sp. 'Florianopolis', exhibited by Carol Hamelink.  Score: 97. First Place.
Entry No. 132, Sinningia amambayensis, exhibited by Carol Hamelink.  Score: 96. Second Place.
Entry No. 508, Sinningia iarae x 'Skydiver', exhibited by Jay Sespico.  Score: 87. Third Place.
Entry No. 221, Sinningia sp. 'Florianopolis', exhibited by Jay Sespico.  Score: 84. 
Entry No. 360, Sinningia araneosa, exhibited by Stephen Maciejewski.  Score: 79.
Entry No. 220, Sinningia aggregata, exhibited by Jay Sespico.  Score: 75.

Class 1 - Sinningia speciosa

SECTION A - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Tuberous
Class 1 Sinningia speciosa species or hybrids (upright or pendent flowers)

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Entry No. 365, Sinningia speciosa 'Carangola', exhibited by Ben Paternoster.  Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 167, Sinningia speciosa 'Cabo Frio', exhibited by Wallace Wells.  Score: 88. Second Place.
Entry No. 299, Sinningia speciosa 'Gilbert's Grape', exhibited by Betsy R. Sherwin.  Score: 86. Third Place.

Class 2 - rosette flowering tuberous Sinningia species

SECTION A - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Tuberous
Class 2 Other Sinningia species with rosette growth pattern

Click for photos.





Two quite differently sized species in this class:

Entry No. 460, Sinningia macropoda Dwarf, exhibited by Arleen Dewell.  Score: 90. First Place.
Entry No. 284, Sinningia sp. 'Rio das Pedras', exhibited by Paul Susi.  Score: 79. Third Place.

Class 4A - rosette flowering tuberous Sinningia hybrids

SECTION A - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Tuberous
Class 4A Other Sinningia hybrids with rosette growth pattern


Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Class 4 was split into A and B.  In 4A were:

Entry No. 367, Sinningia 'Heartland's Dancing', exhibited by Ben Paternoster.  Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 430, Sinningia 'Simply Scentsational', exhibited by Charlene Marietti.  Score: 92. Second Place.
Entry No. 236, Sinningia 'HCY's Voodoo', exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 91. Third Place.
Entry No. 240, Sinningia 'Heartland's Dancing', exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 90. Honorable Mention.
Entry No. 431, Sinningia 'HCY's Blue Dolphin', exhibited by Charlene Marietti.  Score: 89. 
Entry No. 241, Sinningia 'HCY's Lady Lady', exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 88. 
Entry No. 259, Sinningia 'Peridots', exhibited by Karyn Cichocki.  Score: not scored.
Entry No. 298, Sinningia 'Amizade', exhibited by Betsy R. Sherwin.  Score: not scored. 

Photos of Class 4B are back over here.

(Navigating flickr.com: Photo sizes in the slideshow view are larger than the standard page-by-page view. While in slideshow, you can click "show info" to see the description. Wherever possible, I've included info from the judging sheets in the descriptions - for educational and informational purposes.)

Eucodonia 'Adele' rhizomes

Just to piggyback on Brian's post below, at left is a photo of Eucodonia 'Adele' rhizomes.  These were brought in to one of our meetings by Jim Roberts, who did a presentation on growing gesneriads in LECA (expanded clay aggregate).  LECA is a hydroponic medium, and can be used to grow plants "semi-hydroponically" - i.e., with an inch or two of water in the bottom. For more on growing in LECA, see Jim's article in the August 2008 issue of the Petal Tones newsletter (newsletter archive here, and here's a direct link to August 2008 PDF).  Of course, fall is not exactly the best time of year to repot most plants into a new medium - that's best done when the plants are actively growing. If you want to try it now, pick a plant that keeps growing through the winter.

Fun With Smithiantha and Eucodonia

by Brian C. 

I really enjoy growing Smithianthas and (recently) Eucodonias. Good culture is rewarded by spectacular flowers and velvety foilage. If only I could be more consistent! More information about the joys and difficulties growing these beautiful gesneriads is coming soon to Petal Tones. Ultimately, I would like to cross a Smithiantha with Gloxinia erinoides (if such a cross was possible) to get a smaller plant with a more compact spire of flowers. The Smithiantha is S. 'Pat’s Pets Donkey', a cross between S. cinnabarina and S. canarina. Eucodonia 'Adele' is also shown with a single lavender flower.

Class 5 - upright flowering tuberous Sinningia hybrids

SECTION A - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Tuberous
Class 5 Other Sinningia hybrids with upright growth pattern

In this class is one of my personal favorites from the show, Sinningia 'Tomorrow', a Peter Shalit creation.  The upright flowers are very human-pollinator-friendly ;-)  (I don't know if it is fertile...?)

Click through for more photos. (Go straight to the slideshow.)

Entry No. 155, Sinningia 'Deep Purple Dreamin', exhibited by Beverly Williams.  Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 235, Sinningia 'Gabriel's Horn sport', exhibited by Tim Tuttle.  Score: 92. Second Place.
Entry No. 164, Sinningia 'Tomorrow', exhibited by Peter Shalit.  Score: 91. Third Place.
Entry No. 341, Sinningia eumorpha x  'Sultan', exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 90. Honorable Mention.
Entry No. 304, Sinningia florianopolis x (leopoldii x self), exhibited by Paul Kroll.  Score: 86. 
Entry No. 343, Sinningia 'California Sunset', exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 81.
Entry No. 342, Sinningia 'Gabriel's Horn', exhibited by Sylvia Taub.  Score: 70. 

..and we're already talking about the spring show

We had a good meeting on Saturday - our first since the Convention and we're already talking about our Show in March 2010. 

Ken Maier's presentation on gesneriads in Ecuador was excellent - made doubly educational thanks to Larry Skog providing names for most of the gesneriads.  We're really lucky to have them in our group.  Ken also had photographs of some amazing bugs and fungi.

Next meeting: October 10.  (That would be the same day as the orchid society's fall show.  Come early, visit both....)

Photo: the raffle table.

Class 24 - flowering Saintpaulia species

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 24 Saintpaulia species

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Entry No. 257, Saintpaulia ionantha ssp. grotei 'Silvert', exhibited by Karyn Cichocki. Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 412, Saintpaulia shumensis cl shumensis Mather EE, exhibited by Nancy Carr. Score: 93. Second Place.
Entry No. 104, Saintpaulia orbicularis 'purpurea', exhibited by Bev Promersberger. Score: 85. Third Place.
Entry No. 486, Saintpaulia ionantha ssp. grotei, exhibited by Mary S. Schaeffer. Score: 84. Honorable Mention.

Meeting on Sat 9/12, 11am, National Arboretum

Yup, we are back. Meeting this Saturday at the National Arboretum in D.C. Doors open 10:30, program starts 11:00 - Ken (Andy) Meier will be talking about his orchid gesneriad trip to Ecuador.

Class 22B - flowering Chirita hybrids

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 22B Chirita hybrids

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Entry No. 290, Chirita 'Cynthia', exhibited by Carolyn Conlin-Lane. Score: 95. First Place.
Entry No. 516, Chirita 'Nimbus', exhibited by Carol Hamelink. Score: 94. Second Place.
Entry No. 307, Chirita 'Rachel', exhibited by Paul Kroll. Score: 93. Third Place.
Entry No. 273, Chirita 'Rachel', exhibited by Mary Bozoian. Score: 91.
Entry No. 448, Chirita 'Diane Marie', exhibited by Jo Anne Martinez. Score: 85.

Class 22A - flowering Chirita hybrids

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 22A Chirita hybrids

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Entry No. 103, Chirita 'Nimbus', exhibited by Bev Promersberger. Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 336, Chirita 'Vertigo', exhibited by Sylvia Taub. Score: 91. Second Place.
Entry No. 337, Chirita 'Nimbus', exhibited by Sylvia Taub. Score: 87. Third Place.
Entry No. 394, Chirita 'Kitaguni', exhibited by Richard G. Carr. Score: 85.
Entry No. 388, Chirita 'Piccolo', exhibited by Richard G. Carr. Score: 84.

Class 25 - flowering miniature Saintpaulia hybrids/cultivars

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 25 Saintpaulia hybrids or cultivars classified as miniatures (max of 6" diameter)

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Entry No. 291, Saintpaulia 'Rob's Twinkle Pink', exhibited by Carolyn Conlin-Lane. Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 294, Saintpaulia 'Skagit Lil Filly', exhibited by Carolyn Conlin-Lane. Score: 95. Second Place.
Entry No. 362, Saintpaulia 'Honey Blue Ace', exhibited by Bob Clark. Score: 94. Third Place.
Entry No. 225, Saintpaulia 'Kentucky Baby Bells', exhibited by Jay Sespico. Score: 89.

back in a week...

I came across this juvenile female Archilochus colubris (Ruby-Throated Hummingbird) at a local park (Huntley Meadows in Alexandria, VA) and realized I never posted about Dr. Silvana Martén-Rodríguez' presentation at the Convention on "Pollinators and Floral Evolution in Caribbean Gesneriads". It was very informative, and the video clips of hummingbird and bat pollination (or non-pollination) were great. Highly recommended, if you have an opportunity to see/hear/read about her research.

I'll be back in a week with the rest of the Convention photos.

Class 26 - flowering semi-miniature Saintpaulia hybrids/cultivars

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 26 Saintpaulia hybrids or cultivars classified as semi-miniatures (max of 8" diameter)

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Entry No. 292, Saintpaulia 'Raspberry Sizzle', exhibited by Carolyn Conlin-Lane. Score: 96. First Place.
Entry No. 293, Saintpaulia 'Optimara Little Omaha', exhibited by Carolyn Conlin-Lane. Score: 94. Second Place.
Entry No. 113, Saintpaulia 'Mac's Luxurious Leisure', exhibited by Lynn Cook and Troy Ray. Score: 75. Third Place.

(Navigating flickr.com: Photo sizes in the slideshow view are larger than the standard page-by-page view. While in slideshow, you can click "show info" to see the description. Wherever possible, I've included info from the judging sheets in the descriptions - for educational and informational purposes.)

Class 28 - flowering trailing Saintpaulia

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 28 Saintpaulia trailers

Click through for photos and judges' comments.

Entry No. 473, Saintpaulia 'Rocky Mountain Trail', exhibited by Gussie Farrice. Score: 78. Third Place.

Class 21B - flowering Chirita species

SECTION D - Old World Gesneriads in Flower
Class 21B Chirita species

Click through for scoring info.

Entry No. 391, Chirita latifolia, exhibited by Richard G. Carr. Score: 93. First Place.
Entry No. 306, Chirita brassicoides 'Marble Leaf', exhibited by Paul Kroll. Score: 89. Second Place.

Class 8 - flowering Achimenes

SECTION B - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Rhizomatous
Class 8 Achimenes

Click through for the judges' comments.

Entry No. 261, Achimenes candida USBRG 96-150, exhibited by Karyn Cichocki. Score: 87. Second Place.

Class 6 - other flowering tuberous New World with leaves <1"

SECTION A - New World Gesneriads in Flower - Tuberous
Class 6 Other Sinningia species or hybrids (largest leaf less than 1" long)

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Entry No. 283, Sinningia pusilla 'White Sprite', exhibited by Paul Susi. Score: 94. First Place.
Entry No. 251, Sinningia 'Little Tiger', exhibited by Nancy Kast. Score: 93. Second Place.
Entry No. 282, Sinningia pusilla, exhibited by Paul Susi. Score: 84. Third Place.