Proud Mom needs to brag!

Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

This is my oldest, healthiest violet. I've had it since this last summer, probably around August or September.
Here's a photo of her in October. You may recognize her from the thread about our sticky.

Funny, looks like the petals don't have a white edge?

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

And here she is back on December 7th. Kind of pale, needed some VF-11, but there's a pup hiding in there!

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Now look close, you'll see the pup.

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Can't see it? Here's another shot.

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

How about now? Pup removed and planted in a vintage McCoy violet pot.

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Looking better with some VF-11. This is January 8.

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

There's buds hiding in there.

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

here she is on January 28. New flowers have a white edge now? Hmmmm.???

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

And here's my baby today. Look at all the buds. I took Allison's advise and gently moved leaves around and pulled the bloom stalks in to the center. They were hiding under the leaves.

Can you see why I'm proud! Not only did I not kill it, but it's thriving!

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Frederick, MD(Zone 6b)

Fabulous plant, and a great series of photos!

in Houston, TX(Zone 9a)

Wow ! They are very pretty plants. I love you Mccoy pots too.

Vero Beach, FL(Zone 9b)

Simply stunning Laurie :)
Thanks so sharing
So glad he has revived for you!

The Heart of Texas, TX(Zone 8b)

Well done!
You are on your way now for sure.
Once I finally quit over watering mine & added the light stand they took off. It feels good to see them bloom too doesn't it?


MsC

Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Feel good? you have no idea MsC, well, actually you probably do have an idea.he he he
I'm getting better on on over watering!

The Heart of Texas, TX(Zone 8b)

Yes I do know...lol
I thought I was doomed to be an AV killer..lol

Congrats on your lovely!


MsC

Dunedin, FL(Zone 10b)

WOW Oh my Goodness. This is the most exciting growth record of an African violet I've seen. And it came from an unhealthy damaged yuky plant.
" We can all try to get our plants to grow perfect healthy amount of growth each month with a healthy plant "BUT what about a plant that is dying in need to go in the trash lol "
You are fabulous Laurie I would of trashed it or gave it to hubby to plant in the garden ! Then he takes and they grow good out there.lol
Your plant is breathtaking, Stunning perfect example of good measurement of growth in a short amount of time to from unhealthy to the most gorgous plant, healthy , symentry , color of foliage, blooms coming back . I just don't have the words to say my mouth does not work good lol
But from A-Z from an oh most dead plant to a prefect healthy gorgous plant you did wonders Laurie .
" Most people can get this growth or results in this short period of time from a healthy plant"
Your the Best , Vf-11 is super to I have seen this often with VF-11 but with a healthy plant. Tiger in a year bvaby from leaf grew to a perfect 43 inches across"
I really appreciate ypu sharing this learning experience with us and logging your result with note and pictures. I can't say enough I am so amazed.
Thank you ! This should go into our Sticky Please :))
Laurie , and Elanor's VF-11 lot's of love :))
OH PS you should email this to Eleanor !

Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Thanks Ali! It wasn't totally unhealthy/dead when I got it, but you know me, get a violet, try to kill it LOL!
It just needed some help after a while. I potted it up in to (don't kill me folks) a self watering pot. For ME, this works well since I try to kill everything with water. I am getting way better, and I'll post my other self watering pot babies in a bit.

I just measured the leaf span and at the widest point it's over 12". Not bad for me! But I've had it 6 months too (that in itself is a feat!).

So many other have gone by the way of the compost bin! I know a lot of folks don't like the self waterers, but for me, they work if I use lots of perlite, keep VF11 in the water, and don't fill the resevoir very full, just enough to touch the bottom 1/2" or so of the pot. When I refill, I dump the old water, and add pretty tepid water with the VF11. Since I can easliy get it HD here, (they're based in Cali) I have the big gallon jug and a few small containers that I have in each area that I fill up watering cans with. Hmmm that reminds me, I need to put one in the greenhouse, I haven't started using it out there yet. Every time I water plants or perlite trays they get it. I tried the foliar feed, but didnt like it too well, besides they do well with out.

Northwest, MO(Zone 5a)

Fabulous...love the photo progression.

Dunedin, FL(Zone 10b)

Laurie look at the picture of your yuky lol plant in December un healthy. And just look at the excellent new growth you've had sense Decmeber when the plant started to get healthy ! Excellent WOW.
There are not words enought to say how wonderful you have grown this plant and 12 inches WOW sense Decmeber when it was not healthy :))

Frederick, MD(Zone 6b)

Laurie, I like self watering pots! A few of my AVs really hate them, but most seem to do well in them as long as I don't fill the reservoirs all the way up and let them dry out a little every once in a while.

Missouri City, TX(Zone 9a)

Oh wow, that was great photo journalism or photo diary! I love that and now you will have to suffer w/ my latest photos! Coming up.

Abilene, TX

That's a beautiful plant. Way to go!!!!! I always wondered whether to try to move the blooms from underneath, too.

Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Yea! April, where have ya been? MIA?

Yea, I gave my self a pat on the back!LOL Now here's some more that are on their second bloom cycle for me. When I brought them home from HD, I cut off all the flowers as preventative maintenance (seems like thrips are rampant) But they rewarded me with pups and blooms.

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

And another. I think these do well in these pots because I keep my fireplace going all the time. (I detest cold weather) and they suck the resevoirs dry in a matter of a few days. I do keep a water kettle on the wood stove for humidity too.

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Here's a cutie pie thumbprint

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

I pulled the shades for better light, can you see the 'blushed' cheeks on the petals?

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Here are a few more on the same table

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Hera's a shot of purple noid

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Now, a little O/T, but here's a bloom buddy to the AV's. I'm including it because they sit on the same table.
This one is Appleblossom, a little late for Christmas, but better late than never...

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

I'm too lazy to go back in the house to reshoot the photo, but you get the idea.

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Missouri City, TX(Zone 9a)

Oh I love that thumbprint! Beautiful.
In March/April about 30 Amaryllis in my front yard will be in bloom- it's a piece of cake to grow them outside here but my neighbors think I am a god! Well who knows, they might be right
Gardening God LOL

The Heart of Texas, TX(Zone 8b)

Great photos begonia!
I love your self watering pots too.
I use them and have very good luck with them.Of course I have no intention of showing so it's ot and issue.


MsC


Dunedin, FL(Zone 10b)

OH MY GOODNESS YOUR PLANTS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD ! wow i ALWAYS MOVE MY BLOOMS
To the center of the plants too :))

Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

I learned that from you!

Since I'm on a photo roll. Here's some recently blooming babies.

This one is Dumplin.

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

My sweety pie Morning Thunder. I drool over this gal every day!

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

Country Cider (going to divide this - one for you Ali, it will be in the box next week)

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

My noid Fantasy bloom

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Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

I can't walk by this one without a bib on. What am I gonna do when it fully opens up.
Wranglers Spanish Cavalier.

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Northern California, CA(Zone 9a)

And I know I already posted this, but here's my chimera wannabe. (not sure if it is or not -time will tell) but if it is, not bad for a $4 HD purchase!

Thumbnail by begoniacrazii
Vero Beach, FL(Zone 9b)

I have never divided one of mine..Have you had luck with that?
They are all gorgeous Laurie :) thanks for sharing!

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