Cape primrose 'Watermelon Wine' Streptocarpus 'Watermelon Wine'

Water

Cape primrose requires consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged. Typically, it should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Depending on the environment, this might be once a week. It's best to water this plant from the bottom by placing the pot in a tray of water and allowing it to soak up moisture for about 30 minutes. Ensure the plant receives approximately 8-16 onzes of water during each watering session, adjusting as necessary for your home's humidity and temperature.

Light

Cape primrose thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. It should be placed in a location where it receives plenty of light but is shielded from the harsh midday sun. An east-facing window where the plant can get gentle morning sun or a north-facing window is typically ideal for this plant.

Temperature

Cape primrose prefers temperatures between 65-75°F and can struggle in conditions outside of 60-80°F. The ideal temperature for promoting growth and flowering is within this range. It's important to protect the plant from drafts and extreme temperature fluctuations to keep it healthy.

Pruning

Pruning Cape primrose is important to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch off spent flowers and any yellowing leaves to maintain the plant's appearance and promote health. The best time to prune is after a flush of blooms when you can see which stems are spent.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

For a Cape Primrose, use a light, fast-draining mix like one part peat moss, one part perlite, and one part loamy soil. Aim for a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

Repotting

Cape Primroses should be repotted once a year or when they outgrow their pots, best done in spring or early summer.

Humidity & Misting

Cape Primroses prefer a moderate to high humidity level, ideally between 50-60% for optimal growth.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Cape Primroses in bright, indirect light indoors, avoiding direct sun.

• Outdoor

  Ensure Cape Primroses are in shaded spots outdoors, protected from direct sunlight.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

Streptocarpus 'Watermelon Wine', commonly known as Cape primrose, starts its life cycle when seeds germinate in warm, moist soil. After germination, seedlings begin to grow, developing a rosette of elongated leaves. As the plant matures, it forms a cluster of leaves and starts to produce flowering stems. Flowers, resembling watermelon with their pink and green hues, bloom predominantly in spring and summer but can appear throughout the year in favorable indoor conditions. After pollination, the plant sets seed, which can be collected and sown to produce new plants. Finally, although Cape primrose is a perennial, it may become less vigorous after a few years, at which point it can be propagated by leaf cuttings to refresh the stock.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Propogation: Streptocarpus 'Watermelon Wine', commonly known as Cape Primrose, can be effectively propagated by leaf cuttings, a method frequently used for this species. The best time to propagate Cape Primrose by leaf cuttings is during the growing season, typically from late spring to early fall. You take a healthy leaf and cut it into sections, each with a vein. The leaf sections are then placed vein-side down in a moist potting mix or a propagation medium. It is important to maintain a warm and humid environment, using a plastic cover or propagator to create a mini-greenhouse effect, while ensuring that the soil remains moist but not soggy. Roots usually develop in a few weeks, after which individual plants can be potted up.