My collection consists of about 60 plants, 50 plantlets, and 12 leaves that are setting. I am interested in how each of you do the routine things like water, inspect, clean, etc. Do you have a schedule? Do you do what needs to be done when it needs doing. Do you do one thing on Monday, another on Tuesday, and so forth?
Right now I do what needs to be done when it needs doing and am finding that some days I do nothing and other days I only take care of plants. I would love to get a little more organized.
Please share your system for plant care
Do you have a routine for the care of your avs?
Well I don't have a magic trick or anything. I keep mine in clay pots (I know you all are crying) and water them according to weight. I use a very soft makeup brush and brush the foilage. I water them with 1/2 strength fertilizer and talk to them every day. Happy little things so far.
Would love to know if others have a schedule, also. I used to promise the plants some attention as I was running in and out, but now have self-watering pots and some with wicks, which has helped a lot. I was worried about getting on a fertilizing schedule, but have ordered the VF11 and figure that will solve that problem.
No and i had better start very quickly!!
I've been wondering that, too. Some days I don't do anything but plants and other days I just give them a look-see as I walk past. I was so faithful last year in caring for mine as far as watering and feeding and turning them in the light--they all died. They were all from Home Depot and Lowe's and so I did not have a lot of money invested at that point. I chalked that whole experience up to a lesson in how to/how not to do things. Now I am just hopping around and have no plan at all.
I'd appreciate hearing what you all do.
Diane
I check them a little every day when I turn the lights on or off, and they all get watered once a week... I may do a little watering in between of the ones that look especially dry, especially the little pots, but most of the little ones are in covered containers and don't dry out quickly. As far as grooming, repotting, etc, I'm pretty random about when I spend time with them. I guess so far I haven't felt the need of making a formal schedule. We'll see what happens down the line.
I also check mine each day as can. I have small pots on trays together, larger plants together . When water I hand hold and check each plant. I wanter leaves and plants when needed as each has different needs . I mostly fertilize a tiny pinch each time.
With as many leaves down and babies growing something needs to be done each time the plant room is entered. once you get babies growing you are forever transplanting , and then you turn around the babies have grown seems like over night and they need transplanting again !
They are on their own schedule each one needing different care. But if I can't get there they wait on me.
I am trying to empty a full stand in order to spread out plants I want to keep for me. I have yet to come close to an empty shelf :(( But with God's help and lots of other help I did get two boxes out this week ! Boxes are getting bigger and stuffed I try to get at least 20 plants off to each person !
I may have that empty stand , shelf ? lol someday hhmm I don't know Lorry sent like a hundred leaves and Laurie sent close to the same amount lots of Strep leaves and Chirtias too , Then there's Bob his wonderful sending. Empty stand who ? lol
Allison...you're amazing kid!!
OH my goodness I have God and Angels and help and Hubby puts leaves down and waters...and more :))
LOL...Allison you have me beat :) Hehe and I thought I was bad with leaves down
I do have (drum roll please) springtime wasp leaves down that have NOT died yet.
Let's all pray I get some of those to share!!! Wowow
I also put some alchemy gold leaves down!
Allison it sounds like you may have to break down and buy another stand, or two. =o)) LOL things sound like they are going to be expanding...Lauri
I can't I have no room. NO ONE ELSE CAN SEND ME ANYTHING EXCEPT SPRING TRADES lol HEHE :))
We live in a small single wide one bedroom trailer I have to be able to get my wheel charit aeound that's my legs. lol
Hello, it is nice to read how everyone does their own thing.
Well I start each day with a good morning to my all of my babies when the lights come on.
I normally water once a week as well and I take them to the sink and I alternate fertilizer...I used to always use granny's bloomers which I still love but sometimes I was getting yellow leaves so I took Allison's advice and I alternate now with a balanced fertilizer but, very weakly.
I get them a thorough once over and remove any leaves or spent flowers that need to be taken off as well.
I have all different sizes too so some need mor TLC than others. There is nothing I would rather do than putz with my babies! They bring me so much joy!
Thanks for the great question!
Joanne
evening all!!
I do a check each morning with my coffee. If anyone needs attention then, I give it. Otherwise, I do the watering on the weekend with Optimara/superthrive. Once I finish with my stock of the Optimara then I am going to give VF-11 a shot. I just received a sample bottle.
I guess I am a control freak. I have two shelves and a corner cabnet. I also have a window area. If I check every plant every day, that's all I would do for the entire morning or more.
I was thinking on the line of a quick look every morning and then concentrate on a specific area Monday, Tuesday, etc. for detail inspection, cleaning, and watering; giving two days a week to plantlets and leaves because they need a little extra care.
Sounds good Nanna :)) Hope it works out I know many people do have systems they follow !
I play with mine when ever I can get out of bed. Now I have nithing else to do but hang out with you guys, watch TV, read, play with my AV's /plants , ..
No cleaning, shopping, or laundry or cooking for me. lol
be careful what you wish for... I have a feeling you wouldn't mind doing those things Alli..
Well I never wished for it ! But now that I can't mays well make it benifits. One guy made a list good things about having ALS . One thing was he said you don't have to help people move anymore !
I never had time to enjoy plants, being on the computor chating with friends, reading a good book or Av magazine :)) and so much more as when I could work I worked so many hours I never had time to sleep. I guess I'm making up for it now.
Everybody in life is going to have a time in their life when they can not do what they use to be able to. They may get disabled, sick, or we just grow old and we have to except life changes with Grace. New and different adventures will enter you life if you do ! It happens to everyone young and old there's no getting away from it. It's not bad you just except and enjoy and have fun with what you can do ! Lot's of things I can't do anymore but I have more time to do just what I enjoy :))
When I got sick my oldest son rented that Movie Ground Hog Day ! He said Mom you can do what ever you want ! Everday can be Ground Hog day if you like it to be :))
I don't miss doing all those things anymore, I have excepted what I can do and what I can't. You can't dwell or let the things you can't do bother you it would drive you nuts. I have been able to do those things for years no problem .
I don't get the wishing for Anita ? HMMM ? I'm not wishing it's just reality . All I have left to do in life is to have FUN ! No worries everything is done and taken care of for me. All I have to do is have fun and hang out enjoy my life :)) I could not be more Blessed. I am the luckest girl in the World. HHMM Someone else said that before :)) I wonder what his name was !
Big hug
((((((((Violet))))))))
Violet, tell me what got you started with violets. Have you been doing it long?
Lou said it.... I think Morey said it also, one of my all time favorite books. [tears in my eyes]
Yes I liked those books , My Hospice Social Worker visits every Tuesday. I bought him the book Tuesday with Morrie ! He hates to read . I had read it a few times last copy my roomate in Nursing home was reading it ! I left with her when I busted out lol
So we have Tuesday with Alley everyone calls it ! Well
Tim read the book a little each week and we'd talk about it ! I am glad he has been loaning the book out !
The wishing part...what I meant was that people do alot of wishing in their lives - I wish I didn't have to do the dishes, or the laundry or the housework. Did you ever see the Twilight Zone episode of the Monkey's Paw? You make a wish, and it's granted, but not in the way the way that you would like. Like I wish I didn't have to drive in traffic every morning and the wish comes true only to find that you are the only one driving - there's no one else...ever..again. I was getting philosophical. I think it's also a matter of ..,.what we take for granted in life.
Thanks for being such a good example of how one should live their life, Allison! Generous, caring, loving... The world could definitely learn a thing or two from you.
edited to say...did that make any sense???
This message was edited Mar 3, 2006 11:52 PM
And when you pray becareful ! God will give you what you need not what you want . Well known example
Pray for patience he wlll send you situations to teach
you patience !
so true Allison.
I think rather than "being careful" when you pray, you need to be "specific". And assured. Knowing the answer will come; in the Lord's own time and in His own way.
Oh yes he always give us what we need and never gives us more than we can handle. God is powerful for me and always here to help me be the most luckest girl in the World :))
But that's just my thoughts . No one has to have them as I understand everyone's belief are different and this is great ! Makes the World go round.
I love Angels too ! And Mother Nature :))
What ever helps your days be the best for you :))
Have a great African violet , Gesneriads day and try to get dirty !
Allison