Hi,

The Violet Barn sells Lipstick plants and Columnea and ship to Canada. Here is that link:

The Violet Barn

Yes, I agree you shouldn't try that particular source. The best source is African violet club or Gesneriad club shows. There should be lots available at the American Gesneriad Society convention in Vancouver this year.

Violets4you sells on e-bay and carries some columnea. She may have some lipstick plants too, but I know she was going to stop carrying them as they took too much space.

I stumbled across Mountian View Tropicals while looking for a Canadian source of Gesneriads.

Mike

I am looking to obtain rhizomes or seeds for Smithiantha "temple Bells" especially want Clara Curtis.

Susan -

I never saw Smithiantha "Clara Curtis".

Anyway - there are 2 vendors that always carry Smithianthas -
belislesviolethouse.com
lauray.com

You cannot get seeds of the named hybrid - they only propagate through the rhizomes. You can order seeds of the species from Gesneriad Society seed fund if you are a member.
You can look on ebay - and the seller "sallys_garden" has rhizomes od different varieties and seeds of his own smithiantha crosses. If you grow new plants and you like the hybrids - you can contacty the hybridizer and agree on how to name the hybrid. He would give you the prefix - and you will come with the rest - somehing like Florida - Susan's Bikini

Good Luck

irina