I was surprised at how many places I thought would carry it didn't. So I stopped when I found it at Rob's Violet Barn, an excellent place to buy anyway. Hope that helps!

DTM:

Most don't sell E. 'Cleopatra' because she's so temperamental and difficult to grow. A bubble bowl is a must in a majority of environments.

There are other pink and green varieties which are a bit easier. I have: E. 'Unpredicatable Valley' and E. 'Pink Dreams.' Both are in bubble bowls and thriving. I bought these two from meow2 on eBay and was thrilled with the size and health of the plants.

I don't plant directly in the bowls. I leave the plants in their original pots, surround with marbles and cover the opening with plastic wrap.

Hope this helps.

Linda

Hi,

My gesneriad, E. Pink Brocade, is planted directly in a bubble bowl in a mix recommended by Dale Martens. It is doing well in that environment under a flourescent lamp.

Vicki

Okay, just to show off the advantages of withering heat and humidity--the most beautiful Cleopatra I ever grew, I think, was one I used for a ground cover in the shade outside. It's really hard to get that much vivid color in a bubble bowl with fluorescent lights. (It may have been 'Pink Brocade.' I think they are often sold interchangeably. They really aren't; as Linda says Cleopatra is more finicky, tho' not really hard in a bubble bowl.) And for the record, tho' I'm not sure it's terribly important but more a matter of what works for you, I grow mine directly in the bowl in sphagnum moss with a little potting mix immediately around the roots.

Hi All,

I just found the synonym for 'Cleopatra' - guess what? It is 'Pink Brocade' which was what is given in the gesneriad register.

I am intrigued after reading what greenelbow1 posted and went to check on the register...

Wilson
Singapore