Thank You Allison

I would like to 'publicly' thank Allison for her generosity and love. She sent me a box of named variety plantlets to start me with serious violets, so that I may be a worthy participant in the Easter swap. She more than just standards; some top-notch trailers and an elegant wasp. Each plant was not only wrapped with tender care, but its soil, it's pot, and it's leaves. The box was flipped on its top and frozen on it's way here, but the plants basked in the warmth of their previous care and ended up under my lights healthy and alive half a country away. One of the standards (Ness' Midnight Fantasy) has new buds on it, and it is still small. Others were blooming when they arrived.

Allison asked me to show a picture of where they are living now. Our air is extremely dry here, but the violets benefit from a minimal humidity that rises from a 55 gallon Cichlid fish tank on which they sit, their wicks dipped in the water. (My original blooming plants are kept in the East window, if you wonder where the flowers are.) This area has proven to be an ideal place to start seedlings in late winter, and I hope the violets will concurr.

Again, thank you Allison for my debut in the authentic Violet Trade, and to you classy gals who live in this forum!
I look forward to a long time corresponding with my friends here and sharing the things we love.

(K)



This message was edited Jan 30, 2010 2:15 PM

Here are the wicks in the water.

Kenton, That is a cool setup! It appears that your fish were checking out the wicks.

Allison, That was such a nice thing to do. It looks like your plants have found a good home.

What a great idea! Too bad I can't do the same, but I don't think AVs would appreciate salt water, LOL. That's a nicely landscaped tank, BTW!

Kenton
WE like idea so much my husband wants a fish tank , He will set up'
so I can put wicks in like you have. I foliage feed and drlnk from the
top my AV's with fish emolsion when i have it, I have also know a lot
people to water AV"s with fish tank water,
Jill you don't a salt water tank.

Stephenie I know my babies have an excellent new home, Kenton
I hope you have a ton of new babies and your plants I know with your set up will bloom and grow crazy !!!
Ness' Midnight Fantasy .. you will love it's flowers, The Wasp will
grow hugh and bloom all the time. Keep us posted with pictures
Please/Thanks . Allison



'

I do have a betta in a big goldfish bowl, mostly because my cat loves to drink fishy water from the bowl (ewww, but at least it seems better to me than drinking from the toilet)... so my plants get an occasional splash of fish tank water when I clean out the betta bowl. Do not worry, I have no intention of watering my plants with salt water from the big tank! :-)

Now that's a very original set up and functional too!

MsC

Oh Jill you meant you have a salt water tank and it would not be good ? I just love the idea . I know my husband I will both enjoy it !!!
I buy a lot of stuff for my AV's from Gardensalive,com , I buy this
Sea Rich foliar concentrate . When my babies start poping up . I like to water them with it , they go on trays together close under lights
and they grow crazy. :)) !!!!

I would be happy if the cat didn't eat the Betta.
Thanks, Jill. The fish like to play in the sand, especially one that I call 'Troglodyte.' He likes to build little holes for the other fish to hide in.

Little fish rant:
Pets stores unfortunately usually lie. My healthiest tanks were not heated (I may, though, a little, for the violets) as fish rarely get sick in cool water(no joke). And they had no bubble-rock things but did have live plants. Filtration can not be replicated- it was left to plants, and they do it best. You do not have to buy bacteria bottles, needed bacteria comes inside the fish. Moving water is good, though.

How watering works for me: All fresh filtered tap water goes to the fish tank, from which I pull all houseplant water. That takes care of water changes (doesn't waste it) and plant watering continually. More than that, it is so much less work!
I have seen the fish cleaning debris off of the wicks already. How convenient, eh?

Important note: the grid/lid thing is cut from a sheet of the office-building light covers, which a person can get at Home Depot or Lowes and can cut perfectly to size with wire cutters. It is perfect for tank covers.

Kenton

Thanks Kenton :)) Mom's Christmas money gift is going to get us a Fish Tank. I will be able to enjoy the beautiful fish, and blooming plants ( hope) on top :)) I'm taking all my learning nots. This is going to be wonderful ! Thanks, Allison

My grandson's new word is multi-tasking. Thanks for an example to share with him.

Nanna

Here Here! Allison is a very kind and overly generous gal. I was on the receiving end of this offer as well and have a lovely set of av's now. All doing well, save for a few of the leaves. THANKS Allison, you're an AV Angel!
Laurie

Just to show (show off) what an overly generous lady Allison is, here is a shot of the av's she sent this newbie. (Allison, aren't you happy to see that not only are they still alive, but thriving and blooming!)

It's rare that you find and enthusiast willing to pass along thier passion for FREE! I'm quite certain that I was sent well over $100.00 in AV's! If one had to order via eBay or an online grower, I'm sure the cost would be double that just in shipping alone.
So hats off to Allison and her generous nature and willingness to share! It inspires me to do the same come spring with all of my begonias!

(p.s. I don't doubt that it took all day to pack them up for shipping too! )

Beg :))
Look real nice. Make sure you spread those babies out as some of them will get rea big :)) I grow the babies in mostly 2" then 2.50 " pots until ther pretty big. Mini's stay in them Standards then go up yo 3 or 4 ". How are all your leave ? Were you able to save them frpm the moisture ? If not let me know I will send you more leaves in Jan. Also you can put leaves down from your plants ! A good rule I learned from local group is put a leaf or 2 down from ebery plant you get. Insurance in case something happens to mom plant ! Have fun ! Allison
PS the best thing about growing African violets is sharing them. I swaer the more I share the more God gives me. Three big boxes each 1-11 plants and 6-8 bags of leaves went out still no extra room on my sheves. lol I have two more boxes shipping paid for wish I could send them out now for room lol but waiting until after New Years shipping is to slow now.

Oh PS I see your trailer in the far back right is blooming :)) WOW Super its her first time blooming :)) I grew them all by leaf. Allison

Here are the leaves. so far they look like they will make it. I did lose one, but it was a leaf that had broken off the wasp plant that you sent. So I still have the mother plant.

Look at the buds on the girl (ultra violet dusk) leaf, rosy baby has buds too. And you have a sharp eye! yes she's blooming and has another bud (Pride's pink trail)
Of course Martin, Maggie Lee and Harvest Moon Glow haven't stopped blooming

Oh wow Ultra violet dusk has buds too. Her first time bloomng ! You can take a leaf or two off Mom plants when you have time to put down also :)) By Spring they will be big ")) All in bloom all the time. Your leaves look good. If you need more I can send them after the Holidays. Your doing so great ! Super WOW ! Oh question. How do you do those neat red arrows ?
Thanks, Allison

DID you already transplant some ? Ultra violet dusk looks like in different pot ? Thats good as lots are standards and growing up fast ! Allison

Begoniacrazii,

Thanks for sharing your pictures. Your plants look great! They look very happy and well-cared for. Allison sure sent you some nice varieties. You'll really like the wasp. I remember the first time that I saw a bustle-back at a local club sale. I grabbed it up! They are so neat.

Allison, That was so generous of you!

Stephanie

Those are some very handsome plants, Begonia.

I've been growing the same violets for years, they look wonderful and large, my camera is on the blink, so have to wait to get a new one to post pics. I have no idea of their names! So I can't wait to post them for identification! One of my house favorites!!!! What a great Forum,
Annie

Begonia When your Aly's Rosy baby blooms can you take a picture please ? I havenever seen her bloom. Thanks , Allison

ALY'S ROSY BABY-(A. Droege) Dainty pink double blossoms over dark green pointed foliage. Miniature trailer

Hi Annie :))
Welcome to our African violet forum ! Can't wait to see yoyr pictures. Sorry to say it is hard to ID them as with over 20 thousand names ones some look a like...just about impossible. But I'm sure their beautiful . Looking forward to seeing them ! Allison

Lali hope this is ok with you ??
This is the names of the plants and leaves in Lali's pictures :)) Happy growing :))

Plants ~
1. Smooch Me (K. Stork)
AVSA Registration: 8776 11/14/1998 Standard
Single-semidouble rose-pink pansy with variable red eye. Dark green, quilted, glossy serrated foliage. Standard
2. The Martian (Dates) Vintage
Wasp flowers. Bustle foliage
3. Royal Wasp Dates Vintage
Dark Purple/blue wasp flowers , blooms like an insect. Bustled foliage.
4. Ultra Violet Dusk (Green Circle/ Blansit)
AVSA Registration: 8363 02/23/1996 Standard
Single dark lilac sticktite ruffled pansy. Medium green pointed girl foliage
5. MAGGIE LEE -(7267) 01/20/1990 (D. Wilson) Semidouble hot pink/white edge. Medium green, plain. Large
6. ALY'S ROSY BABY-(A. Droege) Dainty pink double blossoms over dark green pointed foliage. Miniature trailer
7. Rob's Antique Rose. 2nd Best New Cultivar at 1996 AVSA National Show. Lovely, heavily frilled sdbl. silver-rose, shaded darker rose, often w/green edging. Dark, serrated, foliage. Semimini #8451
05/23/1996 Rob Robinson
8. King's Treasure S. Sorano ( 7210 )
10/21/1989 Large growing
Semidouble dark lavender star/wide purple bad white/gr wavy edge. medium green, ovate, quilted, serrated. Large growing
9. THE KING - Heritage Variety (Maas)(#2698) True royalty in the violet world, this monarch blooms heavily with wonderful dark blue to purple double blossoms on strong stems above symmetrical foliage. Unsurpassed in popularity to grow for show or home Vintage 05/28/1975
10. Allegro Harvest Moonglow ~ S. Stromburg ( 8858) 03/31/2000 Standard
Single pale lavender blue sticktite ruffled star /red violet eye yellow center. Dark gen, plain , quilted , srate r/back.
11. PRIDE'S PINK TRAIL 5714 04/11/84 (Sotkeiwicz) Double pink star. Black-green, pointed, quilted.Vintage Trailer
Hope you like all these plants most are very hard to find/get.
Leaves in your box :)) Each bag has two or more of that varviety :))
1. ALY'S BLIZZARD BUNNY- (A. Droege) Semidouble-double white star. Medium green, heart-shaped. Miniature Davs 1545
2. ROB'S BOONDOGGLE -(7880) 06/02/1993 (R. Robinson) Semidouble dark red sticktite star/wide white ruffled edge. Dark black-green, wavy, serrated/red back. Semiminiatur
3. GEORGIA MELON- Peach colored blossoms with green edge. Ruffled foliage.
4. B-Man's Barcellona (B. Curcuruto)
Single light pink frilled pansy with red markings. Dark green, heart-shaped, quilted serrated foliage. Standard

5. Steel Blue (R. Russell)
AVSA Registration: 8708 03/04/1998

Most gorgeous steady blooming easy forming plant ~

Double medium blue frilled star. Medium-dark green pointed serrated foliage. Large

6. Everfloris 'Space Babies' EverRejoice (Everfloris) (Holtkamp) Solid dark pink ending in a frilled greenish edge . Medium green wavy foliage.

I just had to post this. Lali your King's Treasure " one that people bid crazy for "

King's Treasure "

ALSO one of my favorite Vintage you now have :))
" The King "

" The King "

I make the arrows in photoshop. Since I'm a designer, photoshop is my tool of choice along with Illustrator. If you have photoshop elements, I think you can make them there as well. If you do, I'll write a quick tutorial for you.

I haven't repotted any, but do have the little pot you sent for repotting one but I forgot who was supposed to be repotted. I used the little solo cups as resevoirs for some. I just slipped your pot into the cup and most fit perfect. I taped a plastic name tag on the pot so I can slip it back out to fill with water. While moving some around a few minutes ago, I broke the largest leaf off of Maggie Lee so of course I potted her up!

This forum has SO inspired me in the AV world that I dedicated a new shelf with grow light to them. (don't worry Allison, I didn't mix them with your new plants, these are just the old WalMart varieties. AND I took my super duper magnifying glass to each one to check for any bugs. So far so good)

Here's their new home.

Oh yes, and I found these little disposable containers (i.e. glad ware) and the little ones fit perfectly for the little pots - they are called Rubbermaid 'take alongs' and measure 3.25 inches. I also used the slightly larger ziplock style with the blue lids. Funny, some of the supermarket kinds have a pot with a narrow base where others don't.

WOW Beautiful :)) Do you have a light shelf for your new ones too ? Most are going to get really large. Maggie Lee Babies . Did she bloom with white edge ? It's good to put leaves down of all of them :))
I just love growing Av's by leaf.
I still have a couple Begonias for you Lali :)) We can do an other trade :)) Allison

OH PS I don't have Photo Shop :(( I don't have a digital camera :(( I doubt there will ever be one in my life time only I wish. I use throw aways sometimes, and sometimes a nurse will take pictures on their digitals.

Yes, maggie lee is still blooming (pink single with white edge). Yes, I have a light shelf for all of my av's now. The ones that I had in the house that are gimping along got fed and put under lights. I think I'll do a 'before' and 'after' shot of them to see what a little more TLC does !

I can see that I'm really going to have to purchase another of these steel shelving units and four or five more grow lights. I have room in my bedroom for one more, that way I can keep my growing collection all in one place and still have a few shelves in my 'playhouse' aka my office for those new ones and ones in need of isolation.

Annie, welcome to the AV forum! We have a lot of fun here -- I think we're all a little addicted to AVs & gessies, whether we have hundreds or just a few. :-)

Allison, you do such a wonderful job of putting together assortments like that! Wow, I think there was a little of everything in that box! I hope you are prepared for lots of eager beaver traders like me in the spring! :-)

Allison, I had no idea King's Treasure was so gorgeous!! CANT WAIT! and yes, when Rosy Baby blooms, I'll post it!!

Fancy meeting you here, Annie! How's yardening?
Your unidentified Violets are affectionately known as "Noids." as in No I.D.s. My only full-sized bloomers at this point are Noids.

That 'King's Treasure' is Great. -I'm asking Santa for lights this year!

Kenton

Begonia King's Treasure is a much wanted Av :)) Oh and many time the white edge is a gorgeous GREEN ! Breath taking blossom !
Oh yes ! and The King from 1975 is an awesome bloomer with largest most beautiful blossoms. Everyone should grow and share some Vintage. The Vintage Wasp well loved always going for high buxks :)) Blossoms may not be fancy but will always be blooming, leaves grow bustled soft and delightful and plants easliy with no care little love, light, food grow extremly large.
ROB'S BOONDOGGLE -(7880) 06/02/1993 (R. Robinson) Semidouble dark red sticktite star/wide white ruffled edge. Dark black-green, wavy, serrated/red back. Semiminiatur
Is one of my favorite and just the most unique lossoms that last forever . Mine has been blooming at least 3 months non stop so gorgeous lookl like silk :)) Oh my goodness you will find as each one blooms how pretty each one is. It's so much fun !
ROB'S BOONDOGGLE

Begonia,

You did a great job with your light stand. So nice and neat. I love the little pitchers (?) you have displayed with your violets. Are they antique?

Good luck with your plants.

Stephanie

I was thinking the same thing Stephanie . Do I see a couple turtles or snails in the pretty green ? I just love little pots and things like yours Begonia :)) Allison

Most of those pots or pottery pieces are from the 40's and 50's. McCoy, Shawnee and Brush McCoy pottery. I dig them up here and there, some on eBay, some at thrift stores some at consignment shops. I love them for the size and color of the glazes. Here are a few of my AV pots waiting to be filled.