I'm getting married next June, and have been trying to come up with a wedding favor that is "me." My first idea was small pots with seedlings of something easy, like Zinnia, that I could start myself. But what if I did AVs? I like them much more, and they're more of a houseplant people are familiar with.... I am having about 100 people....(add a couple if yall are coming ;) ) I could start that many plantlets right?!? Oh geez. Hehe, I love a challenge. I would probably want to do mini's, since the pots and dirt would get expensive.
I found this--http://www.floriculture.net/selectivegardener/wedding.cfm?x_cartid=618404768AgFJ572998391
But there's no reason to do Optimara violets, nor am I going to spend that much.
What do yall think, am I nuts?
Am I crazy?
Well, we already figured you for nuts, LOL! What a neat idea!
If you try to get that many babies growing, you'll probably want to set up a shelf or table somewhere with a florescent light (one of those $8 fixtures from Home Depot with regular 40 watt bulbs should work just fine).
As an alternative to grow-it-yourself, I seem to remember Rob's Violet Barn offering good prices on assorted violets in quantity... I think they even mentioned wedding favors...
You might just be thinking flowers here, but you could also go with a tough-as-nails plant like a little potted ivy, or pothos (truly indestructable)... I do like the idea of mini AVs!
Here's the link to their weddings etc page: http://www.robsviolet.com/weddings,_showers,_parties.htm
I would order if you can - then all you have to worry about is the decorative container (unless you go with someone who will do that for you too).
But, if you decide to do it yourself, a growing shelf would make it very very easy. And 100 plants is also easy - you would only need two flats with 60 or 72 cells and you'd be able to select the best plants. I can fit 3 flats per shelf and if I keep propagation domes on top, watering is pretty minimal. Add lights on a timer, room temp by the thermostat, all that's necessary is the occasional fertilization.
Make sure you have a back up plan, though, or you'll worry about them too much ;-)
I'd make extras too, just in case! And the neat thing is, that if (Heaven forbid!) something happened, you could pot up 100 little pots easily with a pretty annual from cell flats. A back up plan!
K
Crazy? I think that sounds like a lot of fun!! And it will be very special for your guests, too, especially if they know you grew them yourself.
I agree that a backup plan is a good idea. That could certainly make the difference between fun and nerve-racking (which is the LAST think you need while you're planning a wedding!).
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
--Dana
Congrats on your up coming wedding!
I think it could be a lot of fun to grow them yourself, but there is always so much to do for your wedding. You might want to grow the AV's and something simpler like small english ivy. You can cut the cost of the pots by using the white 3 oz solo cups and maybe wrapping them with lace or net & tieing them with ribbons? Or Use the small cups and use wedding stickers with your names & wedding date on them? Those you can do ahead or time easy, then just slip the plantlets inside them like a pot cover....
You can order flats of english ivy from a couple of places and I think the last I checked it was just around $100.00 for a flat.
Some other plants you could consider using that grow pretty fast without much trouble are impatients. They come in a ton of colors and are pretty easy to keep for long periods of time.
Weddings are so much fun to plan for I'm sure you will have fun with lots of ideas.
MsC
Thank you for all the ideas yall! This is exactly why I asked.
I really like the idea of a plant that I have grown myself to give to everyone...but I do agree a back up plan is an extremely good idea. I think I might go up to Lowe's and buy out their mini collection. I may split the favors with av's, something like ivy, and something easy from cuttings like coleus or brugs or something. Hmmm so many ideas!
I'm definitely starting early on everything- I plan on having every service booked by August, and after that I will tie up loose ends. That's my "plan" hehe but I'm not holding my breath.
Thank you for the link critter, I guess this isn't THAT bad of idea. ;) Really if you look at more conventional favors online, the price runs about 1-5$ per....so these prices for Av's aren't that bad. Thank you all so much! I've gotten lots of great ideas from yall already.
Here's me in my wedding dress a little while ago :) (shhhh don't tell kyle I posted this)
:) Susanne
Well, you are going to be a stunning bride!
Ladies look at that waist line!!!
Goodness girl, can I buy you a burger? lol :)
Don't mind me I'm old and getting bigger by the minute..lol
You have to show pics of what you come up with and of course the wedding too!
If you need anymore ideas let us know we can surely come up with something easy & frugal!
MsC
Beautiful Suzanne!
Wowza! Suzanne, you are just gorgeous! I love your smile -- the shine in your eyes goes well with the sparklies on your dress!
I like your idea of mixing up plant varieties... Your favors would be lovely together in table centerpieces, too.
I have trailing coleus in several colors (green/burgundy/pink combos), if you think that might fit your design. It does root very easily in water. I've overwintered it twice from cuttings, and I just root a bunch of cuttings to pot up & plant out in the spring. The trailing kind is smaller leafed, so would work fine in a 2 inch pot.
On the other hand, you mentioned brugs, and those may get big faster than your wedding guests are prepared for!
oh how beautiful. You are brave to take on trying to have 100 AV for gifts lol
Aww thanks yall! You're so sweet!
Lol Lottie! I'm always up for a good burger ;) Critter, those coleus sound like they'd be great too, maybe I will look around here for a source for them. I'm definitely getting more excited about this, and a little less intimidated with y'alls help. You're right, those brugs might take off and eat my guests alive. Hmmm... I think I will definitely have to put care instructions with each different kind I have.
The only service I have booked so far is my florist (coincidence? hehe) so maybe she could suggest a local wholesaler for me or something.
Yall have been so much help! Thank you!! I'll keep you updated on what I decide/ experiment with. Susanne
Susanne,
If you come down this way let me know I know the perfect burger place!! and it's close to the Kemah boardwalk which is really nice:)
MsC
No need to find a local source for the trailing colues! I'm hoping to have mini AV leaves to send to you when my plants are just a little bigger, got a few plantlets just starting too, and I'd be happy to toss in some coleus cuttings. I sent a couple of AV plantlets in this heat that didn't travel so well, so I'll probably wait until September when the weather cools down a little.
Oh thank you Critter! That'd be great. I went and bought about 6 more violets at HD on Wednesday...not necessarily for propagating for this- but because I was feeling like they needed to be saved. hehe Uuhoh.
Oh yea and I just realized that I am taking throwing (as in ceramics) this coming semester and can hand make all the little pots too! So that will cut down on costs also- since clay and glaze is free (well not counting tuition lol) This may just end up being cheaper than I thought...at least plan A will be! Plan B is probably another story.
I'm on Lake Conroe right now, visiting my parents this weekend. It's been a ton of fun, very fast and tiring, but I've been missing Dave's! I've got some more pretty pictures for yall when I get home tonight :) Susanne
Ah Susanne, you are lovely! Kyle's jaw is going to drop when you walk in! Best wishes and the very best of everything. Your dress is beautiful.
Karen