Image – allegrolokalnie.pl
El Streptocarpus 'Pretty Turtle' It is a beautiful plant, it is one of those that you would love to place in a place that is always in sight to be able to enjoy and, why not?, pamper it a little every day.
But what are its characteristics? And the most important, how to take care of it? And of course, since not much is known, we can assume that it is exotic, and that therefore it will have somewhat special needs.
What is the Streptocarpus 'Pretty Turtle' like?
Image – thompson-morgan.com
Plants of the genus Streptocarpus are herbaceous perennials native to both Africa and neighboring Madagascar. Its size is relatively small, since they do not usually exceed 30 centimeters, which is what happens with the cultivar 'Pretty Turtle'. But how is our protagonist different from the others?
Neither more nor less than in the color of its leaves. Its nerves are whitish in color, which contrasts with the dark green of the rest of the limb.. In addition, the drawings that are seen remind us of the shell of a turtle, which is why it is known as 'Pretty Turtle' (it means pretty turtle in English).
The flowers are small, 1-1,5 centimeters, bell-shaped and lilac in color. They arise from a small floral stem, which sprouts from the center of the plant.
What are the care that must be given?
It is a herb that can last us many years if we provide a series of care throughout the year. Therefore, I am going to tell you how you can make it survive:
Is it indoor or outdoor?
Image – itstaim.ee
Before getting into the subject, you should know that the Streptocarpus 'Pretty Turtle' is very, very sensitive to cold and does not tolerate frost. Therefore, I recommend growing it as a houseplant year-round, or at least during the fall and winter if you live in a place where temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
Another important detail that you should know is that it needs high air humidity, and that if it is going to be indoors, you should put it away from drafts.
Should it be in the shade or in the sun?
It needs a lot of (natural) light, but it is not a plant that has to be placed in full sun, nor next to a window through which the sun's rays enter directly.
In fact, its leaves are quite tender in that sense, since they burn easily since they are not prepared to withstand the impact of lightning so directly.
What type of soil or substrate does it require?
We are talking about a very special plant, so we will have to put the best soil we can find on it. If it is going to be in a pot, it will be highly recommended to plant it in one with a universal substrate from Fertiberia, Flower or similar; and if it is going to be in the garden, this type of soil must be rich in organic matter, with a spongy texture, and it must also drain water quickly.
When do you have to water it?
Watering the Streptocarpus 'Pretty Turtle' will be moderate, because it cannot be without water for a long time. Moreover, when you are very thirsty, you will immediately see that the leaves "fall"; but as soon as it is hydrated again, they recover their normal and healthy shape.
But beware: If you are going to have it in a pot, it is very important that it has holes at its base., and that it is not inside a pot without holes. Even if you have a plate under it, you need to remember to always drain it after watering. It does not support drought, but excess water in many cases ends with the death of the plant (regardless of what it is).
If you have doubts, check the soil moisture with a stick. In this way, you will know if you have to add water or not.
When should it be paid?
The season of subscriber begins in spring and ends in late summer or early fall. The Streptocarpus 'Pretty Turtle', being a tropical plant, only grows with a minimum temperature of 10 degrees and a maximum of 30ºC, therefore, it can be fertilized during the months in which these temperatures are recorded.
For this, it is necessary to use fertilizers that are liquid, since these are absorbed more quickly by the roots. For example, Compo universal fertilizer, or any other. Of course, read the instructions for use and follow them so that there are no problems.
At what time can it be transplanted?
If you want to plant it in the garden or in a larger pot, you have to do it when the roots start to grow outside the pot where you are now. In addition, the change must be made in spring, when temperatures are at least 18ºC.
What do you think of the Streptocarpus 'Pretty Turtle'?