African Violets and Gesneriads: Will I never learn??, 1 by 1gardengram

1gardengram wrote:
Bought two AVs from ebay. I know, I know, shouldn't have done that.

Auction was for "mature blooming size" plants. They came with just two pots sitting in a box without protection or packing material. So....of course they were smashed. I rescued all the leaves I could, but even including the broken leaves, these plants are not "mature blooming size". Or at least I would not have listed them as such. (See picture) This plant lost maybe three or four small leaves, so you can see how small it was to start with. "Ready to bloom"? I don't think so.

I complained to the seller and she said she did not have any more and I should just start the leaves. I had already done that, but I paid for mature plants, not leaves. The one in the picture below had chunks of styrofoam stuck into the pot. Never saw that one before.

But today she said she found some more plants she had forgotten about, so she is sending a replacement plant. I told her I would accept that.

Not that it matters now, but what would "mature" mean to the rest of you? Perhaps I expected too much. Is it size or age or number of leaves........?

I look at all the beauties here on DG and watch all your trades going on. Why was I on ebay?? Who knows?? Will I buy again that way?? Nope!!! Gonna' stick with you guys. You're the best.

Diane