The leaves on my AV's at work seem to want to stand upright. Is this any indication of too much/too little light? I've been leaving the lights on 24 hrs a day. I could turn them off when I leave for the day and they would only get about 10 hrs per day. The lights are about 15 inches above the plants.
Thanks, Jan...
Leaves and Light
Upwards-reaching leaves... generally an indication of too little light... the plant is trying to "stretch" upwards to reach the sun, LOL. Could you lower the lights (or raise the plants if these are ceiling lights) to within 8 inches of the tops of the plants?
I was reading the other day, I think on Rob's site (one of the commercial growers), that they leave some of their lights on 24 hours a day and think it's a myth that plants "require" 6 to 8 hours of darkness. (I tend to agree... look how the plants in Alaska grow & bloom during the summer with no darkness at all at some times.) I've started leaving the lights on my AV stand on 24/7... so far, everybody seems happy with the extra light.
This message was edited Mar 17, 2006 12:41 PM
Well said the lights are too far away,
I agree. I had the same problem when I went on vacation last year. I kept the plant stand lights off and only had the light from the window. It is a very large window and lots on sun light comes in all morning and into the afternoon. But, the plants were all leaves up at about a 45 degree angle. Two days of light from the stand and they began to lower.
lack of proper light is one factor.
I have heard that when plants are crowded together so the leaves touch, they bring their leaves up so one will not touch another.
All above great answers !
Heh Jan where have you been hiding ? Miss you :))
From Rob's Violet Barn
Question: All of my violets are producing flowers on stems well above the foliage. The leaves are growing upwards at a 45 degree angle, not like the pictures I've seen. I use a GE incandescent grow-bulb at the recommended 24 inches above the plants.
To read the answer ;http://www.robsviolet.com/faq_page_7.htm#upright%20leaves
Speaking of Rob's, I got his catelogue in the mail, today. Temptation!!! I love the new hybrid Scrumpteous.
Me too ! I ordered it :))
I don't have one =(
Does that mean I have to order to get one? I better get busy! LOL.
He has some new greens wekk MA's does I ordered one !
http://www.robsviolet.com/ma's_lily_pad.htm
Ma's Lily Pad. Best New Cultivar at 2005 National AVSA show. Sdbl. white stars with distinctive green edging. TL variegated foliage. An absolute must for "green" lovers. Excellent. $7.00
Hi Allison,
Been working some OT and starting taking back the back yard from the dogs on the weekend. Hired a couple guys to come and help clear out the back yard. Cut down some junk trees, cleared out old shrubs, replaced a back fence. Tore the rotting roof and plywood sides off my old 8x16 ft aviary to redo into a shade/greenhouse. Been too tired to spend a lot of time on the computer. Also been busy stepping up a few of you AV into larger pots as they have really grown. I have a couple hundred landscape plants in pots I've been collecting that we be going in the ground now that the back yard is almost clear.
Jan...
Nice to see you Jan :))
Thanks,
Just stopped to take a break after raking about a dozen bags of leaves & debris. Long way to go but much improved already.
Jan...
Take Pictures ! Outside too :)) Have any African violets blooming !
Some of the ones I took to work are blooming along with chocolate soldier and teddy bear. At home, only 1 has bloomed so far but not at the moment. They are growing well though. Many have double and tripled in size.
I'd be ashamed to take pictures of the outside right now. LOL
I'll take some after I've gotten some beds in. The replaced fence looks great. I am going to staple wire fencing to the wood fencing to support some flowering vines as a backdrop.
Jan I don't know it this will help but on Violet Barn Rob's Culture learning corner he talks about florescent lights in my office. Can I grow African violets there?
For what he sugest read here ;
http://www.robsviolet.com/faq_page_1.htm#Light1
Thanks Allison.
That is how my desk is set up. The florescent lights are mounted under the storage cabinets on top so most of the violets are no more than 10-12 in below the lights. I have a few on an upper shelf that I will probably rotate with the others.
Jan...