I bought some semi-miniature AV leaves late this summer from eBay. Now, all at the same time, leaves are emerging as tiny plantlets. It's so exciting! I was just wondering if three to three and a half months is a normal timeline for the plantlets to become visible, and how long I should expect to wait for the first blooms? I would like to get a growlight. Would this speed up the timing? Do standard sizes take longer to mature since they are bigger? I have some older leaves that are now young plants, but none have yet bloomed, and I've already given most of those away. :)
Propagating from Leaves
Hey that's great news! Congrats on those babies!
I think they bloom at about a year or so, given good care & fertilization. Some can bloom sooner or later and that depends on the genetics for flowering more than size. I have one little guys that has bloomed and bloomed...then I have a bigger one that still hasn't bloomed..I don't care how much I fertilize it & be it..NOPE nada bloom in site..lol
The grow light might help. Apparently when given enough light , warmth, humidity they are blooming wonders so ??? It couldn't hurt to try it.
Keyring always reminds us to not usse too much light or they look bleached and the leaves raise up.... so.. keep us posted.
I look forward to seeing your babies bloom!
MsC
This message was edited Dec 14, 2004 11:06 PM
Well, I guess I have awhile to wait for blooms! It sure is fun watching the new leaves emerge, though. Every day I check, and more times than not I'm finding that another leaf has a plantlet! I think almost all have plantlets now, and some are definitely twins and triplets. Blooms will be very exciting, and these are all named varieties. A couple are even trailing varieties, which are new to me. I'll keep you posted, and I'll let people know when I have plantlets/leaves to share. :)
Thanks MsCritter!
Dana
Sounds great!
I'll have some to trade in the spring too. Rob's mini/semi's varieties mostly...
I get about the same timing as MsC. I forget when I put down that box of leaves (there should be an old thread somewhere) but the minis have been blooming for a few weeks now, but the standards are just starting to form buds.
Lol on the light. Actually, most of us use too little light. When there's not enough light, the leaves reach for the light. When there's too much light, you can get pale leaves and crinkled centers...but what do I know. I almost never had too much light.
Gow lights are wonderful. They provide additional warmth and regular overhead light.
Are AV's easy to grow?
hiya 2 pugs.... Av's are very easy to grow and even more fun to propagate from the leaves....I'll look up a link and post them back here for you .
Here ya go, from the official African Violet folks:
http://avsa.org/Faq.asp
There are several good articles to gt you started that covers all the basics.
Let us know if you need anything more...
MsC
This message was edited Dec 16, 2004 2:12 PM
I think when I go to town tomorrow I will look for one. Thanks for the information.
Linda
I guess it is to late to buy AV's. Went to the floral shop they didn't have any, went to Dillons and the florish said she wouldn't be getting any until around valentines day or Mothers day. So guess I will wait.
Linda
Try Lowe's , Walmart and Home Depot...that's where I usually find them.
Our Walmart is just a small one, they didn't have any flowers yet. The nearest Super Walmart or Lowe's or a Home Depot is in Wichita which is about 45 miles. I will wait until after Christmas before I go to Wichita and then I will look there, thinks for the information, I really never thought to look there.
Linda
Hiya Linda,
If you don't find any when you go looking, just email me and I'll see if I can help you out. Everyone deserves to grow at least one AV...lol
Good luck shopping!
MsC
MsC thank you so much for the offer. But I will wait until after Christmas so I don't run into any busy busy shoppers, if you know what I mean. Then I will take a day and my friend and we will head to the big city and see what I can find. I will let you know how it turns out and if I should get lucky I may be able to post a picture or two.
I have always thought the AV's were such a pretty flower, but I just never got one for the fear of killing them. I will keep you posted., THANKS AGAIN.
Linda