Leaf colour patterns, vegetative and sexual reproduction of Episcia ...

Materials and Methods: The investigated plants were marked and each of them received a
number. At periodical intervals the spots with the marked plants were visited, the progress of the
development was written down and photographs were taken. Additionally, injuries or
malformations, which influence the normal development, were documented.
Results: The bud development can be roughly divided into four stages. Table 2 shows each
stage of bud development including the time period. The records started with stage 1, in which
the flower bud as such is clearly recognizable. At this stage the petals are not yet visible. Only the
sepals are easy to identify. They are densely white-pilose.
In stage 2 the petals become visible though they are still green. They have about the same
length as the sepals. The petal lobes form a globular corolla bud. Out of this part through the
unfolding of the petal lobes the corolla limb forms later on. Slight changes of colour to pink-lilac
can be observed with the petals.
In stage 3 the tube elongates. The petals have grown longer than the sepals. The corolla bud
overtops the sepals. The petal lobes located on the outside can already be discerned. The spur
begins to form. The tube takes on the colours of bright pink to lilac. The sepals have nearly
reached their full length.
In stage 4 the flower bud is shortly before opening. The corolla is now obviously coloured in
lilac and the tube has considerably grown in length. The spur bends upwards to the rear of the
flower but has not reached its full size yet. The outer petal lobes can easily be distinguished. The
anterior globular section of the flower hat turned upwards resulting in the inclined position of the
corolla limb in relation to the tube.
The total duration of the bud development process described above is about 19 to 23 days.
Subsequently, the process of anthesis begins.
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