Sinningia tubiflora, commonly called hardy white gloxinia, can be grown outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone 10. The plant has dark green, fuzzy leaves reminiscent of velvet and produces abundant, elegant white blossoms. With some basic care and an understanding of its growth habits, you can enjoy sinningia tubiflora as part of your landscape plan.
Sinningia Tubiflora
Sinningia tubiflora is a member of the gesneriad family, which also includes African violets and the cape primrose. The plant grows from tubers and is considered hardy, since it may withstand short periods at temperatures below freezing. But it does best outdoors in warmer climates where winters are cool but frost-free. Its white, long tubular flowers are very fragrant and give the plant the second part of its name.
Requirements
If you purchase sinningia tubers, plant these about 6 inches deep, placing the tubers horizontally and about 12 inches apart. Plant nursery specimens in a hole larger than the root ball and at about the same level as they were in the original containers. Sinningia tubiflora prefers a bright, sunny location that receives direct sun for at least six hours every day. It does best in a spot that drains well, tolerating dry spells and requiring only occasional watering during its growing season.
Promoting Blooms
Sinningia tubiflora produces blossoms from late spring through summer if given adequate nutrients. Treat your plants every few weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, applying it to both the foliage and the surrounding soil. The plants will also benefit each season from one or two applications of fish emulsion, an organic fertilizer that provides trace minerals not found in standard fertilizers.
Dormancy
Sinningia tubiflora becomes dormant during late fall and winter, losing its leaves and stopping its growth. The dormant period provides an opportunity to trim back old stems and generally tidy up your plants, helping keep them under control and promoting strong growth the following season. Sinningia tubiflora requires a cool, dormant period to set blooms for the following year, so keep your plants outdoors during winter to ensure a good display of flowers the following spring and summer.
Reference: homeguides.sfgate
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
