African Violets and Gesneriads: spring 'Secret Easter Bunny' trade, 1 by begoniacrazii

begoniacrazii wrote:
Allison, what material do you use to wick with (cotton?)
they are in the pots that they came in, of course they were blooming when I got them, then the blooms just 'melt' at the stem. I water by setting them in a bowl of tepid water. I let them soak up what they can in about 30 minutes and then let them drain. I don't feed them. What do they prefer. I can get some AV food it that's what they like, but will MG work too? What numbers are best (NPK).

They are in a west facing window except for the first photo which in on a dresser about 10' away from that same window. No direct light but bright indirect light. (diffused through that pleated shade) Temps are 60's to low 80's (it was 84º here yesterday).

Should I pot them down when I buy them? Or repot and change the soil? I just slip the pot they came in into one of those decorative clay pots, they aren't actually repotted.
Yes, here's that one that has a new leaf and nubbies.