BOON KIAT:
Since young, I am very attracted to plants that produce babies.
For Episcia, the sight of seeing the minute shoot appearing
at the leaf axil slowly transforming into a stolon has really
enthralled me deeply. I am not so impressed with plants that produce
sideshoots as they tend to look messy when maintenance is not
done regularly.
Secondly,
I find these plants are very considerate to their owners who grow
them as it is so easy to propagate them by detaching the stolons
and stick them into the soil. They will just root and grow into
a new plant with no fuss. You don't need good gardening skills
to grow them.
Thirdly, I
feel that plants that produce stolons seem to like me a lot as
they don't die that easily though that is only confined to the
heat loving ones. Finally, a mother plant full of stolons is auspicious
perhaps during Chinese New Year season. Chinese believes that
having many sons is a blessing just like the laughing Buddha is
often depicted with numerous sons in Chinese culture.
Last but not
least, they are easy to grow in Singapore and do not need air
con to survive unlike the African violets.
GLORIA:
I like them primarily for their huge variation in leaf pattern
and texture. Most people who like Begonia also like Episcia
for this same reason, but I find Episcia, in general, to
be easier than Begonia to grow in our climate.
MAMAT:
I enjoy it because they look nice and easy to grow for some species.
There is a choice of whether to grow them laterally or let them
hang down. Best of all, they produce stolons that I can easily
plant and then give away to friends. The ease at which these plants
grow can let newbies gain some confidence.
My grandmother
started with my gardening hobby with Epsicia when I was
just a small toddler. She gave me and the rest of the family several
different plants: the local green one, some hairy and non-hairy
red ones plus some brown ones. Living in the kampung* since
young, these plants were just like weeds then as you can see them
everywhere. Due to their prevalence then, I never really gave
them a second thought, until when I saw them on sale in nurseries.
We were like trampling all over them back in kampung days!
To bring bring back those pleasant memories of kampung
life, I went to buy a pot of Episcia. My mom, upon seeing
the plant, went on to say. "Hey, why did you buy the weeds from
kampung to grow?"
That pot of
plant rekindled my interest for Episcia and I wanted to
have as many different kinds I can get my hands on. Now, I got
to know that some are not as easy to grow as the common green
one - the plant that I took for granted. Now, I cherish it very
much as it is actually a very pretty plant and the requirements
for growing it are anything but easy.
*kampung:
the Malay word for "village", a term that is used to describe
the rural settlements that many locals reside during the early
years of urbanization i.e. 1960s to 70s.
MONA:
I grow Episcia mainly for their beautiful, yet, variable
colourful foliage. Not to forget their chameleon-like behaviour
- grown in a different lighting condition, they turned to a different
color.
SEAN:
I like growing Episcia because they are fuss-free plants
to grow outdoors. They are also free flowering and have nice foliage
even even when not in bloom.
Above:
One of Boon Kiat's favourites - Episcia 'Blue Heaven'.
BOONKIAT:
I like 'Pink Panther' the most due to its HUGE pink flowers that
look very contrasting against the two-toned leaf. Pink is also
an auspicious colour. However, I find 'Pink Panther' needs full
sun to grow well. Another favourite is the 'Star of Bethlehem'
- it is the only chimera Episcia and I just could not resist
the dark brown leaves that look like chocolates flakes from afar.
I also like 'Blue Heaven' for its frilled pale blue flowers that
blends well against the furry green leaves. It is rare to find
an Episcia with plain green leaves, which stands out against
the other variegated Episcia.
GLORIA:
I haven't got one favourite yet!
MAMAT:
Favourite? Hmm… perhaps it's the fuss-free, good old, green E.
cupreata as it seems to be doing fine under my hands. It can
grow so well in plain soil, without the fanciful mix of perlite
or vermiculite, peat or compost. They produce huge leaves and
reward me with many stolons and frequent flushes of flowers. The
patterned leaves are an added beauty and the nice green shade
gives a cooling visual effect - not brash or harsh. I have yet
to get hold of another cultivar that can be as wonderful and as
easy to grow as E. cupreata. I am also searching for those
species similar to those I have seen in my kampung days. I hope
someone would be kind enough to donate or sell some of the more
common Episcia plants that are acclimatised to our climate.
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MONA:
My favourite Episcia is 'Silver Skies'. It
is easy to grow and very hardy. Unlike the others,
I have no problem of leaves turning brown and
plant dying back with this one.
Left:
Mona's favourite - Episcia 'Silver Skies'.
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SEAN:
My favourite Episcia is 'Alice Outback' as it
has beautiful, dark, purplish pink leaves with green veins.
The flowers are orange with a yellow throat and they are
produced in abundance if grown properly.
Right:
Sean's favourite - Many red-leaved Episcia plants
are difficult to identify. This picture shows a plant whose
probable identity is 'Alice Outback'.
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