Episcia Collection - Strawberry Mist

I had tried to grow this one way before and failed miserably thinking that it's a hardy type. It shrivelled slowly in weeks time and disappeared. It was a small cutting given to me by a friend.

I thought it was a very sensitive and a difficult one which can only be cultivated in greenhouse. Years back - these species are considered rare and not easily available. Now it has flooded the market and the price is very much cheaper and affordable.

It was doing fine for a season then suddenly as I suspected it had behaved exactly like the first time. I had kept a close watch over this one. Propagating Strawberry Patch is considered fairly difficult but not impossible. They tend to rot easily and difficult to root.

More care is required during the propagation period as they are not the type that you would consider like trim and poke into the soil plants. It needs more TLC.

There is a big confusion between the two similar species:

 Strawberry Patch and Strawberry Mist.
The difference is S.Patch has a fine thin black lining at the leaf perimeter edges whereas S. Mist doesn't have such lining.
(So minute difference right?   Yeah.. It's annoying)

Of all the Episcias I have,

I had not seen this one bloom - I'm guessing that this one is a bit fussy as its a red leaf type.
(instead of the green or brown types)
and therefore takes a longer time for it to photosynthesize
(there is no green pigmentation on them)

Regardless the setbacks, it's truly an adventure to cultivate this particular hybrid.

There is a sense of accomplishment having this one in the garden.
To know that you can handle a little pressure in having sensitive plants and you are able to cultivate it.

UPDATED DECEMBER 2019

It has been like a year cultivating this particular episcia and I wanted to write some updates about my experience on this one. I had found that only this particular pink version colored foliage types somehow seemed to be difficult & sensitive to cultivate.

This one is a slow grower and may succumb to root rot if over-watered. I had lost most of this particular type and may not pursue to purchase a new one to try again.

Their care & needs are similar to begonias - high humidity, shade loving plant and proper feeding regime to ensure stability and well balanced plant.

Below are the pictures about the episcia in my garden in this one year duration:

Episcia Names and Images

Please click on the link on the title above for the post.

Here is the link where I had put together a list of all the Episcias that I had come across. A database of all the different types & their characteristics.