Streptocarpus - trim leaves to keep a certain size?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I just purchased my first streptocarpus... I read that you can trim the leaves, but is it bad for the plant to trim? Just wondering if they start to get too long can I trim them back to keep the plant a certain size or would this hurt it's blooming potential?

I was reading back through older posts and saw someone mention a certain kind of "wavy" scissors to keep the edges looking natural. Great idea!

Featured Answer

irina_co

8 years ago

Yup =- Fiskars Deckle pinking shears...

I think you already have the answers in your posting - good intuition. Yes you can trim the tips or damaged and aging leaves - and it is good, stimulates its growth and doesn't hurt a plant - but if you go overboard and whack the large plant to compact size - you reduce the factory producing the energy for bloom.

If you are repotting the plant, dividing it - you will need to trim the leaves quite severely to reduce the water demands on disturbed roots. It will look ratty for a while but plant will bounce back.

The idea of trimming - is to remove the damage and trim the way that the plant and a leaf shape looks natural. If many leaves are reduced to 1/2 - it won't look too natural no matter how well you trim the edge. On the other side - some varieties will throw once in a while a super long leaf - Roulette Cherry can do it - I would get it shortened.

So lets think about it as a haircut - every so often you can go to a fancy salon, spend time and money - and look your best. Or if your son is going to spend 2 months in a summer camp - just give him a buzz cut. You do what is necessary.

To look their best - they need space. Lots of space. They do well on the natural light - the largest ones can be grown in hanging pots.

Again - I talk too much..

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Comments (6)

AnneCecilia z5 MI
8 years ago
Never, Irina. Again, that is one of the best explanations I've yet read on the subject. Clear as a bell and always made clearer with analogies that make me smile.

I do trim those longer leaves if they grow in such a way that they are pushing against the shelf and tipping the pot over when it is lightweight (just before watering.) Otherwise, I am trying to leave them alone. Streps do need a lot of space - but if you don't have much room there are some smaller growing streps, "compact growers" as they call them, that can fill the bill. Dale Martens has hybridized many of these.
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irina_co
8 years ago
Yup. I do grow some of Dale's. But still - how many mature streps you can grow on 1 sq foot of real estate? - 1 compact or 1/4th of large. You give them less - and they start playing pushing game. You turn around - and another one hit the floor... again...

I like your approach - leaf is on the way - trim it. It is not - leave it alone.

I know a lady who "loves" streps and wants to have them all... or about - so she literally carves them to grow them pot to pot. Gives me shivers.

The plant - any one - should be grown to the top of its potential. Streps are not about blossoms only. So trimming is good when it is done to enhance the beauty.

Still preaching to the choir...

Irina
Kitchenlady (Tennessee, Zone 7a)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you both so much for the information! I purchased Victorian Valentine from David Thompson on ebay... I spent too much but this one was calling to me. LOL I also bought Bristols Oriental Art and Bristols Lollipop from Robs Violet Barn that will get here later this week. Oh and a Bob Serpin african violet.

I used to grow violets and orchids quite successfully under fluorescent lights in our spare bedroom but then we had a baby and you know how that goes... The "baby" is almost 8 now though and I'm finding I have more time for my plants so I'm starting a new collection. I've never grown streptocarpus (or even heard of it) before but seems like they are very similar to AVs.

Thanks again! I love this forum.
irina_co
8 years ago
As long as you do not overwater them...

Yup - people here are super nice... with a healthy sense of humor. Priceless!
dbarron
8 years ago
Kitchenlady, your 'baby' could probably tolerate being in a bedroom jungle as long as the lights timer (if you use lights) is set to approximate his bedtimes. Who knows, it might instill a lifelong addiction to plants.