Gloxinia 2002

I found my post for 2016.
I think it will still be relevant now.
I wrote this when my collection was only 4 years old.
I like to thoroughly study what I am interested in. Perhaps this has always been my trait.

This post is about the houseplant "GLOXINIA" - but this name is incorrect, the correct name of the species is Sinningia Speciosa - that is, Sinningia Speciosa Beautiful)

FEEDING Sinningia Speciosa

Mineral fertilizers

Sinningia Speciosa is a fast-growing plant: only a few months pass from planting the tuber to flowering. The leaves grow large and very quickly, the flowers are also quite large - on average 8-10 cm in diameter. An adult tuber on a bush can have more than 20 flowers during one flowering period, and in hybrids this number can double.

To build up such a large amount of green mass, plants need high-quality nutrition. Feeding Sinningia speciosa should begin a month after planting the tuber, 3-5 times a month. You can alternate root and foliar feeding (on the leaves). Stop feeding when the plant has finished flowering.

Plants, depending on the growing season, need different nutrients:

Nitrogen - needed during the period of green mass growth.

Phosphorus - needed for the development of the root system, tuber growth and bud formation.

Potassium - needed during flowering.

Calcium deficiency will affect flower stalks, etc.

Sinningia speciosa is a tuber and ornamental flowering plant, so phosphorus is an indispensable nutrient for it. It must be present in the fertilizer in large quantities.

Nitrogen should not be ignored during the growth period of young plants. In order for the plant to actively grow a tuber, it is necessary to ensure the development of the aboveground part. Nitrogen is also needed in the first month after planting the tuber - this is necessary for the formation of leaf mass, which is needed for photosynthesis.
Potassium is needed by plants during the flowering period for the growth of flowers.

Fertilizer for Sinningia speciosa should be complex, with a predominance of one or another element depending on the growth phase of the plant. You can also choose a universal fertilizer or fertilizer for flowering plants, which is sold in any flower shop.
I use Peters Professional Scotts Everris fertilizer for root feeding and Plantafol for foliar feeding. I also really liked Kemira Lux and Master fertilizers.

Fertilizers should be dissolved in a concentration of 0.5-2 g per 1 liter of water. It is better to fertilize with a weak solution, but more often. You can add fertilizer with each watering, but its concentration should be 0.2-0.5 g per 1 liter of water.
Sick, newly transplanted plants and those preparing for dormancy should not be fertilized. Fertilize only in a moist substrate, otherwise the roots can be burned. You should also not overfeed the plants.

Natural fertilizers

Sinningia speciosa loves organic fertilizers.
Chicken manure, horse manure and mullein can be used for feeding.
Since the chemical composition of such fertilizers can vary significantly depending on various factors, they should be used in a weak concentration.

Approximate chemical composition of natural fertilizers (fresh):

Mullein: nitrogen - 0.5%, phosphorus - 0.23%, potassium - 0.59%, calcium - 0.4%.

Horse manure: nitrogen - 0.7%, phosphorus - 0.28%, potassium - 0.65%, calcium - 0.2%.

Chicken manure: nitrogen – 1.63%, phosphorus – 1.5%, potassium – 0.85%, calcium – 2.4%.

Recipes for using organic fertilizers:

1. Pour a 1 cm layer of rotted mullein on top of the drainage.

2. Place fresh horse manure in a ring around the edge of the pot.

3. 200 g of rotted manure (mullein or horse) per 5 liters of water, insist for a day, water 20-50 g under the plant.

4. 200 g of fresh mullein or horse manure per 10 liters of water, insist for a week, apply 20-50 g under each plant.

5. 1 tbsp. spoon of fresh chicken manure or 50 g of dry per 10 l of water, insist for a week, apply 20-30 g under the plant.

6. 1 part mullein to 4 parts of water, mix, cover with a lid for a week, stir periodically. When it ferments (the bubbles disappear and the solution becomes lighter), dilute 1:10 and water 20-50 g under each plant. A similar solution can be made with horse manure in a ratio of 1:5, and with chicken manure - 1:12.

These conclusions are based on my practical and theoretical experience. If someone can supplement or correct me, I will be very grateful.

2016.