Thanks Sharon. I was just looking through Logee's catalog, preparing for a fall order. The "akio" is a new one on me. Are you sure Logee's didn't mispell and it should really be "aiko"? The flowers look the same to me.

mwedzi:Awwwww!You're being super kind! I misspelled it, of course. That's what it is! Anyway, I loved them and since I ordered, I noticed there's another one-moonwalker. You know what that means!!

Susan

Actually Susan, looking through their catalog, Logee's did indeed spell it "akio". They're going to have tons of people out there puzzled. But it is definitely a variety I'm interested in. You have to let us know how it does for you, and post pics!

The foliage is almost blue-green. Very lovely!

well, this typo (if that's what it is) is funny, Akio being a guy name and Aiko being a gal name (as is Keiko).... lol.

Logees, though a great source for plants, isn't as good with gesneriad names as the specialists--so its 'Aiko'. 'Moonwalker' is not another rosette plant though. So be forewarned: its a shrub. A nice tropical plant that makes large dark purple flowers on a plant that will grow a foot or more tall and spread out about a foot. Chirita includes plants like the rosettes of somewhat succulent leaves like 'Aiko', speciosa, fimbrisepala, 'Kazu', 'Silver Surfer' etc. etc., but also it includes a few shrubs like moonii, walkeri, and the hybrid of these two which is, of course, 'Moonwalker'. Chirita also includes fast growing annuals, that come very fast into flower, set seed on their own and die. They are all fun, but if you want the rosette forms you need may be disappointed if you get something else. By the way, the rosette chritas are easy to propagate from leaves. I always recommend (and sometimes I even follow my own advice...) putting down a few of the older leaves when getting a new variety.

Jon

I just love to read Jon's posts! You are so very knowledgeable. Please tell us more!

I have nothing really against annuals but I hope I don't happen upon an annual Chirita because I'd be so disappointed. I guess I'd better watch out for that!

Anyway, maybe that's what I like about Chiritas so much is because their leaves are almost succulent like. But after seeing these 2 from Logee's, a new love affair has begun.

Susan

I have gotten some really nice plants from Logees, and I like that they send all year around so when I 'have' to have something RIGHT NOW even if it's winter they will send them and they will be in good shape. But it's not just gesneriad names they're not good with. I really wish they would pay attention. Names may not be important to everybody, but they sure are to me and to a lot of us on these forums.