Has anyone been successful growing av's in a terrarium. Is that how you spell it?
AV's in Terrarium
Hi Nanna, haven't seen your name much lately!! Hope all is well. : )
they all grow very well in terrariums, although some say that they do not bloom as well. At least two possible reasons for this: (1) if they are direct-planted, they will not be root bound, and many avs bloom better when slightly rootbound (you could work around this by planting pots into the terrarium floor) and (2) if growing under lights, a terrarium might get less light than a light shelf (depends on setup).
I grow other gessies in terrs - micro mini sinngias are currently blooming and phinaea is developing buds. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ki/103661096/in/set-72057594048147552/
Thanks guys. We've been helping out my daughter. Her son received a bone marrow transplant. He is home now and all are doing well.
I love having new plants but my space is getting filled up. I thought a terrarium might be a way to have new plants and find another place to put them. Like as a center piece or on a coffee table.
Keyring, what lovely photos and plants!
Nana, my best wishes for your grandson's speedy recovery
Keyring, is that your terrarium? Beautiful pictures. I'm going to do it. What fun.
Thanks Spider, he is doing very well right now. Only mild rejection that everyone goes through.
if you move your mouse of the photo, you should see little boxes (notes) appear on the pic itself.
*hint* phinaea and micro sinns are on my non-av gessie trade list. I think codonanthes would be a good candidate for a terrarium floor, and of course, the smaller episcias work very well.
The trick will be to get the plants enough light.
I found some really neat pictures on a Japanese website of terrariums with african violets in them. The URL is: http://st-paulia.jp/2004matushow2.htm
Beautiful terrariums and I bet they are very expensive. Hmmmm, will have to find out how much these things cost . . .
Marilee :)
What extrodinary pictures of terrariums. Makes my mouth water. I think I have seen some leaded glass at Pier I. I was thinking of a fish bowl, but those leaded glass containers are breathtaking. Thanks for the site,Taz.
I found that site last night while surfing for pictures of african violets. Those pictures stopped me cold -- breathtaking indeed. :)
And you're welcome. :)
Marilee
I was taking some lampwork glass bead classes a while back and I found some old books on making wardian cases. So I sent the links to my instructor and she's going to try and work up a class if there is interest. So I might be able to make my own!!!
How wonderful! Let us know how things work out.
I found one in Frank's along time ago - I think I might pot up my mini's in it! I actually saw a picture on Rainbow violets website that prompted me to consider it. This is the picture - credit given to Rainbow Violets
Very nice! That't what I was thinking of doing--miniatures with a couple of textured leaf plants.
I found a Wardian Case on ebay for 12.50. It's very basic but nice. 12X8X14 Peaked top with a side opening. I was the only bidder. I have 20 hours to go. I bid on another one but each time I entered a bid I was out bid. When it got to 45.00 I passed.
Hey Nanna, the craft stores have some great jars/ glass bowls in their silk flower area. At Beverly's they have the big round fish bowl type of jars that might work for you. just a thought.
I think you are probably right. At least to start out. I was thinking fish bowl. The Wardian Case is up to 20.00 right now.
Get a bigger container than you think you'll need when you're in the store shopping.... the pot takes up more height than I tend to consider, and the plants will be happier with more diameter so no leaves end up touching the sides.
I won the terrarium on ebay. The size is actually 16 x 12 x 14(peaked height). I'm excited. What a rush to buy on ebay. First time for me. Those last few minutes everyone is trying to outbid eachother. I think I could really get hooked. Must stay away from ebay!!!
Nanna, just don't go look at the AV's on eBay.
You know, I've tried. I can't find them. All I find is the 4.95 or 5 for 10.00 ones. Where are the big money plants?
Congratulations! That's going to make a lovely display!!
I'll sent a picture as soon as it arrives.
yes- please do. I can't wait to see what it looks like
Haven't heard from the seller as yet.
I don't feel growing African violets in an aquarium will be very good ?
They need good air circulation, their not going to bloom as much, closed in your going to have more mildew and fungus, algea problems.
African violets can get pretty large. I would think like Keyring mentioned "I think codonanthes would be a good candidate for a terrarium floor, and of course, the smaller episcias work very well." And " I grow other gessies in terrs - micro mini sinngias are currently blooming and phinaea is developing buds "
And " The trick will be to get the plants enough light ?
Maybe if you were going to add a few African violets go with Micro Miniature Plants.
I have seen some nice displays at shows but they were taken apart after.
That was my plan, Allison. Just one or two very small violets for accent. I would also leave them in their pots so they stayed "root bound" to encourage them to bloom.
Another thought was to put a violet in full bloom in the case for "Show" and put it back under the lights when the blooms were finished; replacing it with another blooming plant.
Lots of idea running through my mind right now.
Nanna those ideas sound good.idea ! I just was wondering if some people think they can keep all their plants standard and all in there like a shelf.
Very Sad update
The terrarium came today and it was broken. Both side glass pieces were smashed. Not very good packing.
I am trying to get in comtact with the seller to see what to do about insurance claim.
Anyone had any experience along this line?
Oh Nanna sorry.
Which method of shipping did she use. I know Fed-ex, and UPS covers insurance free up to a certain amount.
Did you by Postal Insurance from her ?
It sure did come fast. I am so sorry.
Hope someone has experience with this to help.
Good luck let us know how it works out.
no Nan - sorry to hear that. I have luckily never had a problem. I hope you can resolve it.
The send had insurrance on the terrarium. I received mail from him asking me to return it in the original box and he would take care of everything. I paid through paypal and am supposed to be reimbursed through paypal also.
Thanks for the good wishes.
You have to return it Nanna ? I never heard of this. You should get full refund. Are you supose to pay for it to be returned ? That's not correct .
I have sent mail to inquire if I will receive the expense of mailing it back in addition to the original payment.
Oh, Nanna, what a disappointment! I'm sorry.
I'm thinking if he's looking for proof of the terrarium's condition, you could send him a digipic. If he wants it back so he can repair & resell it, then he should certainly pay for the return shipping. Either way, you should be able to get a refund without paying for a return. Make sure he refunds you the full purchase price including shipping costs, as that's the amount (I think) that he'll be able to claim from the shipping insurance.
Those are gorgeous pieces. Too bad yours was broken. That would have broken my heart.
Not as fancy would be an aquarium from thrift shops. I saw a small one the other day I thought I would go back and look for now that I have this big brainstorm going. The one I'm starting with is about a 30 to 40 gallon and has a good height to it. If I put some things up higher, I was thinking it would look better than everything just being down on the floor. On another thread I saw a plant stand made from old glass candle sticks and a glass plate and I was thinking of doing something like that to give more height/interest to the arrangement.
I was thinking that I could rotate regular AVs for a splash of color without giving them time to go bad. I'm really excited about trying this idea out.
Thanks for you support everyone.
He has decided to send me the papers and I will take the package to the post office.
Bill thinks he can repare it. I will talk to the post office and see what they say. maybe they let me keep it for the cost of repairs
Nanna I doubt they'd do that. But when they refund you they refund shipping too !
I have had people tell me they went to the post office and they would not cover it as it was not package well. Keep box and all package material with you when you go.
Yes this makes sense you should have the paper work BUT make sure he fills out the part he needs to and signs it. And he also sends you a reciept of sale with shipping cost.
If not you'lll have to fill out the paper and send it back to him to fill out his part and sign it.
Hopefully I have everything I need. Thanks for caring Allison
Good .