February 10th, 2011: Episcia 'Pink Smoke' (Episcia ) by gessiegail

The Bloom of the Day for February 10th, 2011 was Episcia 'Pink Smoke' (Episcia ).

View the bloom of the day here: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/botd.php?date=2011-02-10

Lovely plant, love the foliage!

I don't think I've ever seen this plant, but I LOVE IT!!! It is so pretty. Will have to look it up and see if I can grow it in my zone 6b

Gessiegail is not on DG anymore but she sure grows awesome plants, the one pictured is no exception ... it's and absolutely gorgeous Episcia!

Marti: Episcia are Gesneriads, tropical plants: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcia and usually grown as houseplants in North America.

There are more than 100 beautiful Episcia listed in Plant Files: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/b/Gesneriaceae/Episcia/none/cultivar/0/

Gorgeous! I agree pixie - live that foliage;o)

plantladylin, thanks for the site. Yes I like them alot and will have to try and find some. Maybe while I'm in Calif in May I can find some and bring them back for houseplants.

I so need this plant. I have a big terrarium all ready for it for several years. Maybe this is the year I track one down.

Episcia's are great plants, many have really beautiful foliage! http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=episcia&cp=7&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=o2pUTZ_ZOoGCgAfG8PDeCA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQsAQwAQ&biw=1280&bih=726

I've bought plants from The Violet Barn in the past, very reasonably priced ... small plants but extremely healthy: http://www.robsviolet.com/

I haven't bought from Gary but know many who have, and they rave about his plants: http://www.garys-out-of-africa.com/catalog.htm

Same for Dave's Violets: http://www.davesviolets.com/ - I think this is a favorite source for many folks on the AV forum .

Another option for Episcia or other Gesneriads (African Violets, Chirita's, Streptocarpus etc.) is possible trades with one of the many wonderful and knowledgeable folks on the African Violet Forum: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/av/all/

Thanks so much Lin!

BTW, I just so love all your enthusiasm over anything plant. You remind me of me. LOL

^_^

Kell, I really love the Bloom of the Day feature ... it's so much fun seeing everyone's blooming beauties, and reading and learning about plants that are new to me!

My son looked at the nursery near his house in Ventura and they have this beautiful plant with several different color of flowers. So when I get to his house I'm going to buy as many different colors of flowered ones as I can find.

I have pink panther which I have had for morre than10 years. It is not as pretty as this one. I also have sundog and chocolate soldier, african violets and achimenes. I lost my old fashioned common purple one a few years ago. This pink is beautiful and the foliage is outstanding. Luciee