I've never been a huge AV fan but now with all the new
varieties available I'm looking at them more often. I
picked up a very pretty variegated one and was wondering
if the leaves will root without rooting hormone or should
I go pick some up?
Edited to say I just realized there are other forums
more suited to this question. Sorry!
This message was edited Thursday, Aug 14th 12:58 AM
African Violets
Probably go under "houseplants". I will answer here. I root mine in water, just a leaf/stem, no hormones.
here's what I did:
I took a small pot with holes in the bottom, filled with a starter mix; poked a couple of holes into the dirt mix (moisten it). I then took a few leaves at the bottom of the stem from the plant, dipped them in rooting powder and stuck them into the holes I made with the pencil. Tap the dirt down a bit so the leaves are set firmly. Then I took a blastic baggie (sandwich baggie will work if the pot is small) and put it over the the leaves and the top edge of the pot. Let that sit like that in a spot where it doesn't get allot of light. I didn't think it would work at first as I've never done it before but after 2 or 3 months now, I have 6 new leaves popping out from the one :)
Guess I should try some more and take pictures of the process
Thanks Hibiscus-I updated my member page so that I would
"see" more forums. : ) Still figuring this place out ;~)
Thanks flowox I'll add the hormone to my list.
I'll try both methods with a plain AV first. I think
the variegated one will be very popular and I would hate
to lose any of the leaves.
I remeber my Grandmother sticking them in the soil
but have no idea what else she did.
This message was edited Friday, Aug 15th 8:00 PM
My grandmother put hers' in sand, in a depression glass jar, with a lid. Set jar on table out of sun, in good light, worked everytime. I have tried both ways, just less trouble in clear jar/waxed paper/rubberband over top of jar, make hole for the leaf. When it roots, starts growing little leaves on bottom of stem, so you have a little plant to pot up.
here's a picture of my variegated one. hasn't bloomed yet though. Got her at a yard sale for 25cents
Thanks Hibiscus-I really like that idea for all kinds of
rooting. Something so simple and yet I would have taken
forever to figure that one out.
Flowfox That's just what mine looks like! When I saw
it I thought a brug with that coloring would be really
special. I didn't get that deal though-I had to pay
$3.99. :~( The green leafed ones are really common here
probably the varieties that my Grandmother used to grow.
The white I bought in a small village on our holidays-
the owner looked a bit surprised when I walked up with
it. I don't think she really wanted to sell it.
Hibiscus, what kind of sand?
That variegated leaf is a beauty. Have never seen any like it.
I'm currently using the method flowox described and they seem to be doing well so far. It's been 3-4 weeks now. Just make sure the soil isn't too wet, or the leaves could rot... lost a couple this way :(
And flowox... all I can say is "WOW" you have a fantastic plant there... wiping the drool from the keyboard now. Is that one of those varieties that only keeps its variegation in new sucker plants, or does a leaf cutting produce it too in the new plant? If so, is there any way I could trade you for a couple leaves, or pay postage, please? I just love the variegated leaves, and it's so hard to find them in my area.
I'm eagerly awaiting the answer to heather_v's question
as well!
I'm not sure.........I guess I'll have to try and let you know. If it works you can have them :)
gonna go do some right now
Great, thank you!! I can hardly wait!
Please let us know what happens-mine is smaller than yours
so by the time you find out mine will be ready to slip.
Ok, I pulled a couple of leaves off. Look what I noticed, it's starting to bloom..........looks like a pink
Can you tell where I pulled leaves from.........LOL
the side that I took the picture of doesn't look variegated much at all but the view from above you can see it really good in the picture earlier
It's too bad that the bottom leaves can't be taken. I
was trying to remember what Grandma said, but all I
can remember is that the leaf should be taken from the
middle-not the new ones and not the old.
we'll see what happens :)
I got 2 very pretty real variegated ones. They are very distinct looking. I'll let you all know
Thanks for all the information, great pics and
looking forward to the updates!!
here's one of my favorites. It's always blooming
That one is a beauty and very healthy-I like the two
tone flowers as well. Flowox do you have any of the
trailing or miniature/trailing varieties-I found a
Canadian site that sells them but...alas...no pics!
no, didn't know that there were any trailing ones. Will have to look into that :)
I'm looking forward to you finding one-your pics are
really nice!
thank you
There are a few on Ebay but they don't have pictures of the blooms and they don't look any different to me than the regular ones. So what's trailing AV supposed to do differently than a regular AV? any clues?
There's one on ebay that is really pretty, beautiful color but it's already at $15 something and that's just for 2 leaves of the plant. No way would I pay that much for just 2 leaves with the risk of them not rooting
Found a couple at this site:
http://www.avsc.ca/pgtrailers.htm
I just love that beacon trail
They are interesting-now to find a Gardenwatchdog good
supplier!
That's a great surprise to find blooms... and I love the other pic you posted, too. I have one very similar to that, I also love the two tones. In fact, I was at Wal-Mart today, and found a couple more to add to my collection... just couldn't help it. The pics I got aren't the best, but I think the color is pretty close.
The trailing varieties look interesting... have never seen one of those before... oh dear, may have to look for one of those now *sigh*
Here's the other one... even though I lightened the pics, they still look a tad dark as I'm posting them. I just need a better digital camera. But you'll get the idea. This one has very dark pink/almost fuschia edges on the petals.
heather_v yours is another good looker as well.
I do love WalMart for the two tones! This
site is fantastic for info but very, very
dangerous as well. It's a good thing that I
live in a cold climate (most of the time) or
my family would go bankrupt!! ;~D
Flowox, could I get a cuttingh of this variegated one?
Mitjo I will have to wait until it gets just a tad more leaves to take some more :)
Remind me though........the only thing is going to be how to get it to you but shouldn't be that hard if I package it right :)
Remind me in a couple of months, ok? Don't forget now
Heheh. Okay, let's look this then if it's not too cold.
Thanks.
If you want to see a bizillion pictures, then go to www.avsa.org http://www.avsa.org/
sooooo.........are African Violets considered a tropical or a houseplant or are they under both categories?
Just posted by a newbie that didn't have her preferences
showing all the forums she was interested in. But who
knows maybe they are tropical houseplants!?!
hmmmm...........I'm curious to find out :)
Well, they definitely are not tropicals. I think they should be under houseplant forum.
ok, since I got all these Orchids for sale, I'm going to have to part with some of the starters that I have on the A.V.s
I have about 3 or 4 small ones or offshoots of various colors and can take a few of the variegated leaves too if anyone would want some for postage. I need to part with a few since I'm running out of window space to place them :( LMK
Mitjo, I haven't forgotten you but will have to find out exactly how I need to mail leaves to you and what the cost will be. Will have to see next month when I get some more cash ;) If you know of a good way to send and an average cost by what someone else has sent me, please do let me know
Oh, so tempting.... I have such a hard time resisting AVs. And I do so want a variegated one. Is there anything else you're looking for in trade? I have a few houseplants to offer that don't have to be right in front of the window, or postage is fine, too.
you are more than welcome to send postage. Send me an email and I'll give you my addy :)