Paxton's Magazine of Botany p. 199 (1844)

GLOXINIA SPECIOSA SEEDLINGS

1. Cerina 2. Speciosa superba      3. Cartonii

The simplicity of the hybridising process, and the facility of procuring seeds of the various species of Gloxinia, and especially of G. speciosa, have induced many to attempt the production of novelties. These endeavours have been successful in bringing out many delightful improvements on the original kinds. But as in all cases where plants are once brought under the florist's notice, an infinity of seedlings have also been raised which exhibit little or no superiority over the parent species; we have, consequently, selected the three represented in the accompanying plate, with a view to give prominence to some of the most eminent improvements. They are all sufficiently distinct from each other to be admitted into the same collection; and at present stand unrivalled in their respective classes.

The first, Cerina, is a seedling raised by Messrs. Mountjoy and Son, of the Ealing Nursery, who favoured us with specimens in the summer of 1843, accompanied by the following remarks:—"Our Gloxinia cerina was raised from seeds of G. rubra crossed with Sinningia guttata, and it partakes very much of the habit of the Sinningia, flowering up the stem more freely than Gloxinias generally do, and the foliage is quite distinct from any other Gloxinia we ever saw, being much rounder and more villose: the whole habit and growth of the plant is extremely robust, even when in a very young state. We have found that it, as well as all the varieties of Gloxinia, produces flowers of a much finer colour when flowered in a cool-house, than if kept constantly in the stove."

The other varieties, Nos. 2 and 3, were obtained at Messrs. Henderson's Nursery, at Pine-apple Place. Superba is a seedling raised by those gentlemen about two years ago, and is chiefly remarkable for the unusual depth and richness of its violet hue, far eclipsing the original species. Cartoni, we understand, was obtained by Mr. Carton, gardener to the Duke of Northumberland at Sion, by a similar cross-fertilization to that employed by Messrs. Mountjoy and Son, when they produced their Cerina.

The main art in managing Gloxinias well, is to give them a porous and well enriched soil, to grow them in a warm and moist atmosphere, and as soon as they begin to flower to remove them to a cooler house, and afterwards to dry them off gradually and keep them free from moisture till they again begin to grow. The richest colours are usually produced in a somewhat mellowed light; indeed, an examination of a flowering specimen frequently exhibits a few blossoms partially shaded by the leaves, and in almost all cases these will be found of a richer tint than the more exposed blossoms. We have particularly observed this in Cartoni and Cerina.