Gloxinia: autumn care, preparation for winter, pruning, storage methods

For successful development and large, beautiful flowers, indoor gloxinia requires a dormant period from mid-autumn to late winter. During this time, the plant's leaves fall, leaving only the tuber. The gardener must create favorable conditions to maintain the gloxinia's viability during this period. Otherwise, the plant will become less attractive, stretch out, and bloom poorly.

Proper autumn care to preserve gloxinia until spring

Mature indoor gloxinias require a long period of rest during the winter. If the plant has already flowered at least once and formed tubers, it enters dormancy. The larger the tuber, the more successfully it survives. Young gloxinias, living only in their first year, may not need to go dormant for the winter. The tuber of such plants is less than 2 cm in diameter, so without the right conditions, they dry out and die.

The onset of the dormant period

Gloxinia is native to South America. Therefore, its growth follows the seasonal patterns of this region. Dormancy, when gloxinia is harvested for winter storage, usually occurs in September or October. This is when drought sets in in its native habitat.

If this doesn't happen on time, flowering periods shift. According to the rules, they should fall in spring and summer. To avoid this, winter preparation is carried out in early autumn. If flowering occurs late, wait until it finishes, and then carry out special preparatory measures.

Preparing for winter

Winter care for gloxinia indoors involves creating a special microclimate to preserve the viability of the tubers. The plant requires preliminary preparation for winter. In September or October, after flowering, the light intensity is reduced. To achieve this, move the pot to a north-facing window. The temperature is maintained at no more than 15 degrees Celsius. A potassium fertilizer is applied once. Watering is gradually reduced, moistening the soil with a small amount of water once every seven days.

When the leaves begin to die back, stop watering completely. During this period, the top of the gloxinia should not be trimmed to allow nutrients to drain from the green mass into the tuber. If this rule is not followed, vegetation will resume. When the green part of the gloxinia has completely died back on its own, cut it off, leaving a 1 cm stump.

Storing tubers

After completing the preparatory work, mature gloxinia tubers are removed from the soil for storage. This can be conveniently done by transshipment:

1. Transfer the soil lump from the pot into a larger, wide container.
2. Using your fingers, carefully knead the soil and divide it into several parts.
3. The tuber is removed and the remaining soil is cleaned off.

Methods and conditions for storing tubers

Various methods are used to overwinter gloxinia at home. A plastic bag filled with a mixture of wet sawdust and washed, oven-warmed river sand is suitable for storing developed roots. The mixture should be slightly moistened. Otherwise, the tubers will sour from lack of air and too much water.

The prepared mixture is poured into the bottom of a thick bag. The prepared tuber is then placed inside and covered with the remaining material, completely hiding it from view. After this, the bag is stored in a suitable location for wintering.

The premises for successful storage of tubers in winter must meet the following requirements:

• lack of intense lighting;
• air temperature not lower than +3 degrees and not higher than +15 degrees;
• humidity from 60 to 90%.

These conditions are closest to the natural ones gloxinias experience in their native habitat. The easiest way to create the necessary microclimate is by placing bags of bulbs in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator, designated for vegetables. This method of storing gloxinias is suitable if you have only a few plants.

Another suitable option is to place the bags of tubers on a glazed, but unheated, loggia or balcony. In this case, the air temperature should not exceed 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Otherwise, the tubers will emerge from dormancy prematurely.

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If you have a deep cellar in your home where the temperature is maintained at 5°C (41°F) in winter, you can place the gloxinia roots there. Ideally, this room should be free of mold or mildew and maintain constant humidity. In these conditions, there's no need to add additional moisture to the soil in the bag. It will always remain in optimal condition.

If there's no space in a refrigerator, suitable balcony, or cellar, bags of tubers can be placed under a bathtub. This ensures adequate humidity and light, while only the temperature remains high.

During storage, the tubers are inspected periodically to detect any signs of rot. If signs of damage from rot appear, the damaged areas are cut back to the healthy tuber and the cut surfaces are sprinkled with ash or crushed activated charcoal.

Storage in soil

Caring for the plant in winter is much easier if you leave the roots in the soil. Preparing the plant in this case is done in the usual way. Then, move the container containing the root system to a cooler room. You can place it on the floor near the balcony door, but avoid heating devices. This ensures an optimal temperature.

Another option is to place the planter on an unheated glazed balcony or move it to a cellar. Any room where the temperature is significantly lower than during the growing season will do.

The top layer of soil should be moistened occasionally. Avoid overwatering, but don't let the soil dry out completely. A bathtub is a good place to store tubers this way. For additional cooling, it's recommended to occasionally spread ice cubes on the soil surface.

Advantages and disadvantages of storage methods

The proposed methods for preserving the viability of tubers are used depending on the age and condition of the plant. They have their pros and cons:

• young gloxinia is left in the ground for the winter, this way there is a greater chance of preventing the tuber from drying out;
• If there is no suitable place to place pots or a lot of flowers, then the outdoor method is more suitable;
• When storing tubers in bags, the risk of rot increases, so they are checked frequently;
• It is most convenient to keep bags of gloxinia in the refrigerator during the winter;
• If there is no suitable room or large refrigerator, it is best to store the roots in the bathroom;
• Gloxinias purchased in the fall can be preserved using the soilless method with mandatory preliminary disinfection.

Winter care for young gloxinias

For young plants, the winter dormancy period is different. Flowers in their first year of life develop a very small tuber. Therefore, without additional moisture, it will die in winter. Such plants are not put into dormancy. Since daylight hours are short at this time of year, plants are provided with supplemental lighting, extending it to 12 hours.

It's important to maintain an optimal air temperature. If the room is too hot, the plant will develop aerial parts and elongate its stems instead of developing root mass. Therefore, maintain the temperature at 20 degrees Celsius. Water the plant sparingly to avoid causing tuber rot.

Gloxinias that have already bloomed once require a special approach. They have already developed a medium-sized tuber. Therefore, conditions are created for the flower to remain dormant. To achieve this, place the pots on the north side and water them occasionally with a small amount of water. When daylight hours lengthen, the rested gloxinia will begin to grow again.

Awakening of gloxinia

As winter ends, young shoots begin to emerge from the tubers. This signals the plant's emergence from dormancy. Fresh soil is then prepared, lightly watered, and the tubers are planted. They don't need to be planted too deeply; it's best to leave the tops exposed. Watering begins seven days after planting. Avoid overwatering to avoid promoting fungal diseases.

During the initial growing season, weak shoots are removed, leaving only a few of the strongest. This is necessary to ensure better tuber development. The vigor of the tuber determines how beautiful and profusely the gloxinia will bloom.

Possible problems

If tubers were stored in unsuitable conditions, they will germinate prematurely. There are several solutions to this problem:

1. If very small sprouts have appeared on the tuber, they are left and the amount and volume of moisture is reduced.
2. Large shoots are cut off, and the root is returned to its storage location. In the spring, it is replanted in prepared soil.
3. The tuber is immediately planted in a container and illuminated with fluorescent lamps. This causes the plant to grow weak and thin. At the end of winter, the top of this flower is trimmed off and rooted in another pot. After a short time, the gloxinia will produce new shoots.
4. The awakened tubers are kept in cooler conditions to slow down their development. At the same time, high-quality natural light is provided.

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When a flower does not awaken at the appointed time, its vitality is restored as follows:

1. Place 2-3 tablespoons of light soil on the bottom of a plastic bag, then moisten it with water.
2. Place the bulb on the soil and seal the bag.
3. The bag is placed in a well-lit place so that the temperature inside is between +24 and +28 degrees.
4. Every 3 days the bulb is aired.

After 15 days, the tuber produces sprouts. Their number depends on the quality of light. The better the light, the more sprouts will form. The awakened plant is transplanted into a pot, leaving two shoots on the tuber. The unwanted shoots are trimmed off and used as a propagation medium.

While in the greenhouse, the tuber may turn green. This is normal; after planting in the ground, it will return to its normal color. Sometimes, upon awakening, roots appear first, rather than green matter. In this case, it is also transplanted into a pot, and sprouts appear within a few days.

Wintering without rest

When gloxinia doesn't enter dormancy, it loses its appeal and becomes very leggy. This lack of rest results in fewer flowers. To avoid this, the plant is forced into dormancy.

To do this, cut off the top of the flower in October, before it wilts on its own. The containers are moved to a dark, cool room.

When the plant finishes flowering, trim off the top part, leaving a couple of lower leaves. Soon, new leaves will emerge from the axils. Continue caring for this gloxinia as usual.

Conclusion

With proper preparation and timely implementation of all recommendations, gloxinia overwinters successfully. With the arrival of spring, the awakened plant begins to actively develop and soon delights with beautiful and abundant blooms.