If you like bright unusual plants, we recommend you to pay attention to streptokarpus. A beautiful flower will certainly decorate your window sill and bring freshness to the room. In our article we will tell you how to get streptokarpus, the cultivation of which is carried out from seeds at home.
Plant description
The literal translation of the name of the plant - "twisted box". It is fully consistent with the appearance of the flower. 
Important! Streptokarpus does not like drafts. They contribute to the development of flower diseases and its death!There are about 130 species of plants, which mainly grow in areas with a humid climate. According to the characteristics, all types can be divided into three groups:
- flowers with one leafy stem;
- plants that do not have a stem (a rosette of leaves is present);
- flowers with hairy leafs, which are about 80 cm in length. Such shrubs have well developed flower stalks.
For pest control streptokarpus use the following tools: "Fitosporin", "Fundazol", "Trichodermin", "Skor".Thanks to the fruitful work of breeders, various colors and forms of flowers were bred, the number of varieties was increased - in our time there are several thousand. Also to the merits of breeders include:
- creating a two-color streptokarpus;
- creation of fantasy, very unusual textural colors of the petals, forming a mesh;
- removal terry and semi-double streptokarpusa;
- breeding miniature and variegated plants.
Highlights in seed reproduction
To get a healthy plant that will please the eye, you must adhere to certain rules and recommendations. Only in this case, you can be sure that all efforts will not be in vain.
Read also about how to grow other plants from seeds: geyher, muraiu, plumeria, adenium, cactus, statice, chrysanthemum, bacopa, mimulyus, brugmansii.
Landing dates
The ideal period for planting seeds is February - April. It is at this time that the sun begins to warm, which will contribute to the rapid growth of the flower.
How to choose seeds
Today, you can buy streptokarpusa seeds in any flower shop. A huge variety of varieties allows you to choose a plant to your taste. As a rule, the seeds are packed in a paper bag. Be sure to pay attention to the date, buy only fresh material.
Did you know? Streptokarpus - one of the few plants that can create artificial conditions for year-round flowering. To do this, it will be enough to provide him with lighting in the form of an ordinary lamp.
Of course, just picked seeds would be ideal. You can ask them from your friends. As practice shows, it is this material that has the best germination and gives great chances to grow a beautiful flower. The seeds of streptokarpus are very small, in size they can be compared to a grain of sand, therefore, when opening the package, be careful - you can easily scatter them.Landing technology
Planting streptocarpus seeds - a painstaking process, which should be approached with great attention and accuracy.
Initially, it is necessary to prepare shallow bowls, at the bottom of which it is necessary to make a drainage. Peat mixed with sand is poured over the drainage.
The seeds of streptocarpus are very small, so they are usually sown on the surface. You do not need to cover them with soil. Before planting, it is necessary to moisten the substrate, that is, to sow the seeds already on the wet soil. 
After the seeds are in the pot, the container should be covered with glass or film. The bowl should be in a warm room with a temperature not lower than 21 ° C. From time to time, the tank should be ventilated, since they require fresh air for the rapid growth of seeds. You need to water the seeds from the pallet - when the soil is moistened from above, the seeds will simply wash out.
Important! Choose the right pot for the plant: the ratio of diameter and height should ideally be 1.5: 1.To protect the seeds from temperature fluctuations, you can cover the trays with paper. Of course, it is quite difficult to achieve such conditions on an ordinary window sill, so it is better to purchase or build a greenhouse under the lamps. After the seedlings have the first leaves, it is necessary to gradually accustom them to life outside the greenhouse.
When the real leaves start to grow, you can make the first pick. To do this, you need to choose a larger capacity, planting plants so that they do not interfere with the growth of each other. After distribution of the seedlings, they are watered, covered again with a film and left in a warm place. 
Conditions for seedling germination
In order for the seeds to germinate quickly and correctly, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- to monitor the condition of the soil mixture - it is important to maintain light humidity;
- watering can be carried out exclusively through a pallet or using a spray;
- observe the humidity of the air - the optimal rate is from 80%;
- ventilate the seed container every day;
- Observe the temperature regime - seeds germinate at + 20-25 ° C;
- ensure that seedlings receive diffuse sunny color;
- have patience - germination occurs in 10-20 days.
Aftercare for sprouts
After 30 days after the first picking, it is necessary to conduct the second.
Did you know? Homeland plants is the Cape Province of South Africa, so the second, equally common name of the flower - "Cape primula".It is required to prepare the substrate correctly. For this you need to mix:
- leaf soil - 2 parts;
- sod soil - 1 part;
- sand - 1 part;
- bone meal - 1 tbsp. spoon.
Brief advice on flower care:- Pay attention to the light: the flower likes clear weather and sunlight. In the summer, in the hot season from 10:00 to 16:00 it is better to move the pot to a more shaded place.
- Maintaining temperature is very important for the plant. If the temperature is more than +25 ° C, you can forget about flowering. The optimal rate is + 18-23 ° C.
- The ideal indicator of air humidity is 60-80%.
- Watering is recommended to use purified water. Moisturizing is necessary when a light crust forms on the soil surface.
