I do keep all new plants away from my other plants for at least four weeks. Just scares me a lot to have all of my plants die. They took so long to find and grow.
New to site and mostly new to African Violets, too
Girls, girls, haven't you heard of all the chemicals available ............you don't have to lose a plant if you keep an arsenal of Avid, Conserve, Admire Pro, Marathon and many others (LOL)
I am new, too......and everyone has been so helpful!! I didn't know where to start..
I tried a few years ago...and never had much luck..or help! Now I am off and running and am seeing little bits of green popping up....I can't wait until I actually have an AV that I started myself! AV's are so so pretty and I sure need something pretty to perk my apartment up........after a house, it is hard to adjust to apt. living...and finding room for growing...but I am doing it!
Bonnie
I have marathon, and I do add that to the soil mix when repotting new plants (like I did with the order from Rob's), but I still like to keep them isolated from others as much as possible, even if only for a few weeks - just in case. If I receive a plant in bloom, I take a picture of it, before disbudding. Even though I have Avid, I try to do what I can to not have to use it. I don't want to use any chemicals if I don't have too . . . since the kids have access to the plants (although, after the incident, they have been much better!).
I don't use chemicals on the violets, just fertilizer. I have to limit any exposure to toxins. They build up fast and I cannot get rid of them very well. Takes me a LONG time to get rid of any medicine I take, etc. I am supposed to stay away from toxins as much as I can.
I am glad another new person is here too, Bonnie. Sally I am glad to hear you say you do not use all those chemicals. I am sure that they are very helpful but I also cannot have many around. I hope there are things I can learn to do that will help me resolve problems without using many of them or using them frequently. I am thinking I need to learn more about isolating plants because I think what ya'll are saying is that it will help me prevent introducing problems, right? I like my noid but it's not nearly as gorgeous as many of the plants I've seen in pictures or that picture that Connie posted of her Ness Crinkle Blue. I had to ask her what it was because it was so pretty. But I don't want to lose the noid or any of the plants that are to come. Is there a search function on here? I don't want to start a new thread about it if it's already been written about.
The problem with pests is that by the time you know you have them, they have spread. That also means you have probably traded or shared them with someone else. I have hundreds of violets and gesneriads. I repot and put marathon in the soil of every plant that comes into my house and I keep ithem on a table (window light) in a different room. I know some people put them in a baggie and on the shelf with their other plants. Careful with baggies though, they can keep the plant too moist and it could rot...I have that happen, I have NO luck with the baggies. It is easier for me to find if that new plant has a problem before all my plants have that problem. I rarely spray...it is a big task with so many plants to have to treat them all. Years ago I had the root mealie bugs and it killed nearly all my plants...at that time, I didn't know what it was...I got it from ordering from a violet greenhouse...I didn't know to isolate the new plants from the ones I'd had for years....that is why I'm so careful now.
I used to use Marathon and have plenty on hand so maybe I will just plant up the next round of pot sizes with marathon. I have been using Admire Pro where I just pour the solution on the top of the plant and then let them sit overnight in a permanest tray. (About every 8 weeks)............
But I haven't done it lately so these avs are all newly planted (hope they haven't had time to get anything right now as many are going out) I could treat them with Admire Pro before they go in the morning but I don't think I have time. Wanted to pack them tonight.........????????
I wouldn't treat the just before you pack them up . . . I man, what if some kind of fumes accumulate? You could just stick a note in with the box saying they haven't been treated since (whatever date), so they can treat if they choose.
I would like to draw all of your attention(s?) to the most recent AVSA magazine. In the September/October 2009 issue, there is a most interesting article on page 14 . . . you want to know what it is called?!?
Wait for it . . .
Guilty as Charged: Managing Your African Violet Addiction
It follows the May magazine article regarding the reckless acquisition of too many violets too quickly. It makes very good reading! For those of you who do not get the magazine, I can scan both articles to you - just dmail me your email address, if interested!! . . . ^_^
Do you really think it will change me? I hope so. Why don't you just scan it and put it here for all of us read. I need help in this area!!
That was a good article. I think a lot of av growers have been thru that very same sequence of events...I know I have. Now I don't save every leaf and plantlet and cutting. I do grow extras to give and trade and am trying to keep a balance of "in" and "out". I'm about at my watering limit now...I have room for more but not the time and attention they need for watering, repotting, etc.
I don't see a need to use maraton, sprays or solutions on your personal collection that has been in your house...not unless you see a problem. It's the new things coming into your area you should treat. Plants you have bought or received in trade or club member/friends, etc. It is up to each person receiving plants, leaves, etc to decide if and how they want to treat or isolate them. I know lots of people don't use any chemicals...if their plant has a problem they just throw them away. The years of trading, etc, I have only had a couple plants have a pest problem. "knocking on wood!!!!!". But then, maybe using the marathon and repotting when I receive them has helped thwart some of that also.
tish
That's why it was so easy for me to make the 12-step list, Tish . . . I did that exact sequence of events that was described in both articles!
The only thing I use marathon on is the incoming plants. Like you said, my collection doesn't move much . . . and what comes in, stays here for quite some time, so no need to use until needed.
Most of my plants are noid but I do have several that I will share with anyone that needs some. Some of them are named but I really many that I can send to anyone that wants some. Just let me know. Elaine
I need that article about acquiring too many plants. Will you please dmail it to me...........?? I can't remember who has the article and volunteered to send it if we dmail??
I took all my extra AVSA magazines to give away to guests who come to meetings, etc.............
Gail - I'll scan it in the morning . . .
Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,it was you!!! Couldn't remember but I am sure I am not going to want to hear that I have waaaaaay too many plants.......since I already know it (LOL)
I joined AVSA today and I think she said they would send me the magazine even though it already went out. It's probably a good article to read before I go crazy. I can see how each it would be to do as I have at least several hundred varieties of AVs alone that are just stunning and if you add the streps and other gessies, too it's like a thousand. I don't have room for a thousand leaves let alone plants. I have to find a way to only get things I really like. I think maybe a bunch of the ones I like are really similar like I've picked out 20 that are white with another color and when I look at them, they really look similar. I think I need a way to compare them and see what's really different and concentrate on getting like about 30 that match different criteria instead of 100 that all look the same. For now I'll just be happy to grow some and not kill them. I am so excited that I am getting some leaves (and plants, too) from some of you. I haven't worked out the isolation part yet but it sounds like I need to treat or quarantine. Since I don't want to treat, I need to quarantine. I read somewhere that you can put them in plastic bags but I'm not sure how that works. I guess like a ziplock bag thing but doesn't it get really humid in there? I guess you use very little water otherwise is would be really wet.
You do have to be careful with plastic bags, you can get some rot. I just put new ones in another area.
I don't have another area really. I did read in a post here I think but it could have been somewhere else that bugs can take a ride on your clothing and you could accidentally move them from one area to another. I think I have to use bags but thanks for the reminder of how easily they can rot. If I am careful with water I imagine that should stop to the rot.
Yes, bugs can come from outside too. I am sure it is fine with bags if you are careful. I just had some bad luck with that.
Oh of course - outside. I was thinking of when you quarantine them in one room that when you are grooming or watering the bugs can get onto your clothing and then when you go back into your other room with your older plants you can move them there without even realizing it thinking you had your plants in quarantine. The outside adds another method for causing problems doesn't it? If my body could tolerate the chemicals, I'd use them and not have to find another way around it but since it doesn't I'll very carefully use the bags. I do not have much AV experience but have had houseplants and a garden for many years. My mom taught me when I was a girl and still does I suppose. I love going to her house and seeing everything she has growing. I think I can hopefully monitor them well and not let them rot. It will probably take a very careful balancing act of just enough but not too much water.
All of the above . . . just make sure when you use bags, to leave a corner open for ventilation. When I used bags, I did lose a few plants to rot . . .
Hi All ,
Nicole I wanted to comment about what you said about keeping all the babies of your AVs , I give my extras away too but of my favorites I keep extras I miss them too much if I lose them and hate to try and find them somewhere so of my favorites I keep 2 or 3 going and put down more leaves so I can share the love of them with others who find smiles on the sad days in the blooms of the plants they love :)
Connie :)
I would love to do that - keep each baby . . . and I did last year. Last year, though, I had much more space! This year I am much more confined. I will have more space after the state show in November, though. Of course, that is assuming the plants I take for the sales table sell, and that I don't go crazy buying plants from other people!
The hardest words in the gardener's bible are, "no thank you I am all filled up at this moment". My care schedule and time concideration sets my limits. Took me quite a while to get over the pains of polite rejection of well intended gift offers.
I am so happy to hear someone else say that docgipe. I don't know what my limits are yet and a few people offered to send me things to get me started. After saying yes a couple times I had to find the courage to say no to someone and it was very hard to do. After I find out how the first few packages work out and how much time it takes I can always say yes again I suppose but it was still hard to both limit myself and to not want to offend someone.
I think we all have times when we can't handle anymore plants for a while.....I know I do LOL.I don't think there is anything wrong with saying no,as long as we make sure the other person knows how much we appreciate their offer.
I would hope that anyone here would be appreciative but it's surely nice to hear it isn't it? Even if we think it sometimes we don't say it and that's often all it takes to make someone happy and feel good. You have all been so generous with your time AND your plants. I feel like I've won an AV lottery. I just received my first package today and am so thrilled. I have plants I've never even heard of and they are just so adorable. I have been busy repotting some of them because the journey was a little rough on a few and busy planting the leaves. I haven't even had time yet to look up the varieties and see what they are. I hope I can find them all in the Internet. If I cannot, some of you have the AVSA program and can look them up right? I hope ya'll don't mind me imposing again but I'm sure I'll have more questions too.
If you make a list of what you have, I will look each one up on First class...........I am not a worker at night......only play on computer and watch TV!
Thank you. I will look them up on my own first so I don't make you look up things I can find. When I can't find something I will let you know.
That is great, anna! Be careful if you dome those. I lost two overnight. They were fine when I got them and I domed. The next morning they were black and that was it.
Connie
Tea told me in an email to not put vermiculite with the peat and perlite.........(or soil less mix and perlite ) and to BARELY get it moist.......never wet when you dome.
I thought maybe my soil wasn't wet enough but after your comments I think it may be ok. I keep hearing about rotting so I made it just barely damp and figure I can water everyday if I have to. I hope my first leaf was a success because I did it right not just because of fate. I did use only peat and perlite with no vermiculite. Wish me luck. I am trying to take pictures but my batteries just died.
Here are the ones that I can't find anything about.
Sunshine Halo
Betsy Rose
2 W Marne
Hot Tamale but I found a Rob's Hot tamale so maybe that is it
Betsy Rose (I. Fredette) Double rose-pink two-tone. Variegated, plain. Standard
no picture on First Class but I have never seen an ugly Fredette plant.
I can't find anything on Sunshine Halo.......will have to look harder.
Two-W Marne
http://images.google.com/images?q=African%20Violet%20Two-W%20Marne
she is a standard and is Swedish from whence comes the name 2W......friends with names starting with W
Hot Tamale
Hot Tamales (9679) 09/20/2006 (K. Stork/S. Holtzmann) Single-semidouble red pansy/pink-white edge. Dark green, plain/red back. Standard
Here is a picture of Hot Tamale
Ohhh, someone sent you some beauties.
annacanna - don't worry about asking someone to look up something for you. I remember last year, before I got my First Class, I think I was asking Gail and a few others to look something up for me every day it seemed!
This message was edited Sep 3, 2009 8:15 PM
We all love to feel needed in life............every single one of us.........no matter how few or how many skills we have ........smiling............
Gail your post made me smile at need and a computer program being tied together in that way but you are completely right we all do love to be important in some way don't we?
When we have young children and even older children, we are needed all our lives..........in fact, needed to the point of feeling we can't even manage the job of raising children. Then..........they all leave home.........and we feel that empty nest and want to fill the hole missing in our heart because our babies are no longer babies.