Seems like my violets go in cycles.....everybody wants to bloom at once then I go several weeks with nary a bloom. When they're all a-bloom, it sure is perty!!
Many Happy Returns!
A closer look at "Sequins 'n Ribbons"...
..and "RD's Gleam"...
..an unnamed red..
..another unnamed....
...more...
...everybody sure looks happy!...
...Ness' Blueberry Puff...
Last one (I promise)...Rob's Heebie Jeebie
(I reeeeally need to learn how to operate the special features on my camera....like close ups!) =o)
Beautiful!
Love your stands and am hoping for similar set up for mine sooon!!!
MsC
Wonderful!!! I love the red with white edge. I'm with you on learning to operate the camera. MsC. You always have great pictures. What is your secret?
Nanna
MsC ~
thanks....My plant stand has been a lifesaver! I put down a couple dozen leaves 6 months or so ago.....and one by one the babies turned into bigger plants...which needed bigger pots....which needed more room....and more lights! I really do love it!
Betsy
OK, between your success and Nanna's, I'm completely convinced.... My violets are going under lights!! I've got a place for one light above a shelf in the morning room where all the violets are now, and I'll put others downstairs on one of my seed starting shelves... The cooler temps in the basement will probably be good for them, especially for getting good variegation back in some of them.
Thanks!
wow- those are some beautiful plants. I have a ton of plants, but mine never blossom like yours -DO you fertilize with every watering? Now that winter is approaching here, I may give mine more TLC (tender loving care)
Sarv48:
I fertilize about every 2nd or 3rd watering with "Peter's" AV fert. I have found it gets better results than Miracle Grow. I also put together that great big plant stand you see in the picture (shelving unit with shop lites & grow lites) and THAT is what really makes the difference! Without grow lites, I'd get them to bloom every now and again...but WITH the grow lites, well - YOU CAN SEE THE RESULTS! =0)
I agree Betsy. Since I have used shop lights the blooms have doubled and in some instances tripled in output.
Love the shop lights.
Nanna
Have a new plant stand set up, now I'm going to rescue all my AV that I've ignored all summer - repot- start some new leaves too. May I be blessed with blooms! Second question - do you use a special potting soil?
I use commercial av with correct ph, 8 quart bags and add 8 quarts of perlite, and 2 quarts of horticultural charcoal. I wick most of my plants and the lighter soil works very well.
Nanna
I, too, use commercial av mix and add perlite...but dont' use the charcoal. Nanna - what does the charcoal do? Maybe I should start adding that as well!
But like Nanna said.....LIGHT soil. AV's haaaate 'wet feet'.
The charcoal acts as a filter for the plant. If algae builds up in the well or on the wick the charcoal filters it out. It also filters any chemicals that might be in the tap water like chlorine.
Nanna
Beauiful plants and blooms ! i really enjoyed them :)) Thanks for sharing. Allison
Betty Lights and gro-lights and how long you use them makes a world of difference in the blooms and amount of them on your plants ! In some of my African violet books pictures are shown of
three plants, one low light, medium, and high lights.
They showlow light with two flower stalks, medium light has four and high light has a full bouquet
Light plays a key role in an African violet ability to display its lovely blossoms !! As the light shining on the plants becomes brighter , there is an increase in the number of blossoms.
Betty your plants are beautiful. Allison
Betty how are you ? Have not seen you for a long time :( Hope your doing fine.
Allison
Hi Allison!
I'm still alive & kickin', thanks for checking up on me! I lurk around out here but you'all are such a busy bunch on this forum, I have a hard time keeping up with all the new posts! LOL But I check it every day and am anxiously awaiting the spring trade.
Here's a picture of some babies I've got growing for the trade
..a few more
...and although I lost many of my violets this fall to suspected Cyclamin mites, I still have several who bloom and keep me smiling.
Betsy
Hey gorgeous :)
Could you add gleam and sequin and ribbons to my wishlist! They are gorgeous!
Beautiful plantlets! And some fabulous bloomers there, too! Is that Ness' Blueberry Puff blooming away at the back of the second shelf, toward the center of the shelf on the left tray? I'd love a closer look if you get a chance!
Yea! Betsy nice babies! What is the one in the 1st photo in the top center. Is the leaf really that long (looks longifolia) or is it just tilted?
Lorry ~~ Oh, I wish I COULD put those on your wish list.....but unfortunately, those are two that I suspected had Cyclamin Mites and ended up (cringe when I say this) throwing them out!! GAAAH! That was soooo hard to do! So sorry. =0(
Critter ~~ If I'm looking at the correct violet, what you see is "Robs Gundaroo" - a purple trailer. Believe it or not, Ness' Blueberry Puff is ANOTHER ONE I had to dispose of. =0(
Begonia ~~~ the one you are referring to is "Alamo Jester". I'm about ready to remove the babies from Mom - they have done really well, no?
Thanks, all, for your kind words!!
Betsy
Oh, sorry to hear that! Don't worry, we will all do our best to fix you up with some spring trades!
I've got you down as wanting replacements for some girl leaf violets... I can put your name on a nice plantlet of my "Rosie Girl noid" (double bright pink) and I also have you on the list for 'Cambridge Missy' (pinkish) and 'Madeleine' (lavenderish).
I'd love to trade for a start of your 'Rob's Gundaroo', if possible! I have a sported one that I'm calling "Guessaroo" with pretty semidouble *pink* blooms.... I'd be happy to send you a plantlet if you'd like!
Awh I am soo SORRY hun!
I know how hard it is to lose a plant. I become attached!
Hopefully come spring we can all repopulate your shelves for ya!
whoops, sorry, just realized that all 3 of the larger plantlets of "Rosie Girl" have been spoken for... but I've got leaves down, and there may be a little plantlet coming along in one of those trays... But I've got you covered on the other two I mentioned, and hopefully I'll have some additional girl leafed ones I can offer you (ears are up on 'Sure to Please' and 'Biscayne Trail').
Betsy awsome babies ! Who is the baby i think ftrst
group on floor back row second one variegated ?beautiful ! I have extra plants if you'd like some .
Critter ~ It just so happens I have two leaves of "Gundaroo" down and one of them has little bitty baby ears poking through! So I will put your name on it!! =0) No problem about "Rosie girl" - I'm not picky and would be grateful with ANYthing to help replenish my collection.
Allison ~ I believe you're looking at "Alamo Jester".(the one with all the white variegation)....and you betcha, you can have one! I'll put your name on one of the plantlets. =0)
Betsy
It's the largest baby Betty ! You can have any of my plants as you like ! A great big box full !
Betty do you still have Rob's MangoMongo ? Back in Nov . you were going to put leaves down for me !
Allison
Allison:
Yep - I sure do still have MangoMongo!! (hee hee) Go back up and look at the first picture of babies I have growing - the same picture with "Alamo Jester" - - see those two solo cups right in front of "Alamo Jester" with the lighter-coloured variegated leaves? THAT'S MangoMongo and your name is already on one! =0)
Soon it will be warm enough to mail to you. Anything else you see that you like?
Betsy
Woohooo! Thank you, Betsy! PLMK if anything I've posted particularly catches your eye... Are you mostly looking for girl leaf ones?
I have girl leaf plants :))