Ok, I have not been around, I am sure that no one has really missed me, this board is so busy, but, I finally got the whole mealy bug problem under control, I had to clip a few leaves in order to save a few of AV's and was not worried about it. I thought I would end up with more than I needed of AV's. You all seem to have an easy time rooting leaves. I did everything you all said, used all the right stuff and killed every one of the leaves of my AV's I was trying to save. I clipped all the leaves I could to save the plants, treated the rest of the plants and quickly went from 6 AV's to 2. I should have ended up with about 20. I am just sick. Now, none of the stores I have been to have one single AV....sorry HD had 2 pitiful looking things that I was afraid to touch, I thought if I looked at them funny they would die. If anyone has a leaf rooted, or what ever, I would gladly pay for it to take a nice vacation at club kel. I would treat it with tenderness and kindness. I may also send to rob's violet for plants, I haven't looked at the watchdog, but I know they are mentioned frequently, so I figure that may be my best bet. I am getting desperate.
I really appreciate your help. Let me know what you all think. And, what did I do wrong with the leaves. I know a overwatered one, but the others dried up and were crispy and kind of gray. I have no problems growing plants, even bringing them back to life frome almost dead. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Kelly
have pity on me!! I am an AV addict and I cant grow cuttings
Kelly,
Do not worry. I have several babies that I would love to share with you. They are already rooted and in their own new pots. I already have your address so I will ship out to you on Monday. When I first started coming to this forum, a couple people did this for me and I would love to pass that kindness on to you. I will write down the names of the ones that I have and dmail it to you.
Jesse
Kelly,
Without even thinking about it, I know that I have some really pretty and healthy looking Rhapsodie Carmen and Lyra babies and some EverGrace space baby plants. They just happened to come to mind but I have more than that. Just thought I would pass that on to you. I will make you a better list tomorrow.
Jesse
Kelly Hi !
Don't worry everyting will fine !
I have grown thousand of babies my favorite way to grow African violets by leaf ! Love the babies.
I like to use a light soil-less mixture. 40-60 percent perlite.
I like 3 oz. solo cups best of all.
I put holes in them and magic mark names and dates on them. I also put a hole in the bottom.
I fill them with soil to the top, cut a leaf stem 1/2 inch.
To be on the safe side and it you don't want to lose a lot of leaves cut the stem straight across.
Place it into the middle of the cup/soil mix all the way down until the leaf touches the soil.
I then water them threw real good until water comes out.
Drain , I put the leaf cups into plastic boxes. Place in window, under lamp, light stand , any where non-buring light. Keep them evening moist, not wet and don't let them dry out.
You will have a lot of babies !
I also have lot's of extra babies I am giving away free to good homes for shipping !
If you would enjoy a box full Dmail me !
Good Luck and great to see you !
Allison
Isn't it wonderful how we all can share our beautiful plants with each other. It really is a blessing to me to be able to give to others. I'm so glad that I'm finally able to share some of mine. Giving really is better than receiving.
Jesse
It is wonderful Jesse ! My Dad always told me it's also important to be a good receiver as a giver as I was always giving and not receiving.
Though we should give and expect nothing in return , when something is given to us it is very important to receive it well also !
African violets are for fun and enjoyment of growing and fun and jot of sharing !
well once you're settled with some more AVs again, you can give the leaf prop another shot.
Sounds like you might have not had enough light, warmth or humidity. Or the mix was too wet, too heavy, or not sterile. Or it could have been too much humidity, or too much heat, or weak or old leaves to begin with, or something else. WIth more detail on your leaf-prop setup, I'm sure we can all suggest things to change for next time. Once you have a good set up or process for leaves, it's as easy as pie. (I mean, it's easier than pie. lol)
Thanks to all for your advice. Maybe my leaves were old? How do you tell? I had new sterile perlite...fresh bag bought for this purpose. Maybe not enough humidity. I think, out of habit I may have cut the stems on an angle, and they were longer than 1/2 inch, maybe an inch. I did not have holes, but did have rocks for drainage. I know I overwatered the one and made it mucky.....but realized my mistake within a day and never did it again. I am not afriad to try again, eventually, I feel like a murderer right now. My DH just shakes his head at my personal feelings about my plants. Thanks to you Jesse, and Alison, You will have dmail. My dog is freaking out about the neighbors shooting off fireworks and I need to sedate him right now.
Kelly
kaykay1010, I blush to think of how many AV's I murdered before learning how to keep one alive - not blooming, mind you, just alive!!
Soon you will learn how to do it with your eyes closed, and with all the generous hearted people on the AV forum, you will have more than you know what to do with.
So don't fret about it - we have all been there.
Except maybe Allison. She has magic fingers.
(Have you ever killed an AV, Allison? LOL!)
Oh I kill them all the time. And have thrown away many boxes of dried up leaf cups when I just could not get out of bed. When I'm this bad no one else can think or do anything but take care of me.
Plus if I have a plant not growing the way I like i dump it.
And I'm always dropping or running over plants .
So many times after trans-planting a tray of baby plants I drop it. I have even set it on the floor and ran the tray dirt pots and babies over in my wheel chair. No this is a mess :((
hey i thought i was the only one that dropped my plants on the floor....he he...i decided to put up new vinyl window shades (after 15 years)...was cheaper than cleaning them...he he....so as i was putting one up....i hit the box of plants that was on table near the window...and guess where they went>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>8((
This message was edited Jul 2, 2006 9:18 AM
Nope, I was watering this morning, and knocked over a draining tray with 6 of my minis sitting on it. Luckily no broken leaves, but quite a bit of spilt dirt. Grrr.... LOL I figure it shakes 'em up a little bit and makes them think they better hurry up and bloom...or else! ;o)
"I figure it shakes 'em up a little bit and makes them think they better hurry up and bloom...or else!"
quite literally. Shaking up the roots aerates the soil and stimulates root growth - both good :-)
See, I knew what I was doing all the time! LOL
Oh Yes I dropped my Russian Snow Leopard one day after re-potting her. Broke a leaf off she was all over. She has grown like a weed and bloomed ever sense. I have been able to share her with many too !
Kelly,
Get up and try, try again! The first AV I received was from my 95 year old neighbor and I killed it except 2 leaves! They survived with some advice from Allison and critterologist and dumb luck too. I am so new to AVs and don't have any plantlets to share but can give you my support. Melissa
You all are so supportive. Thanks a bunch. I will get back on that horse.
Thanks,
Kelly
Kelly, just read this tread. I know how you feel. This is actually the first year that I have had luck with prop. I could get the leaves to come up but 3/4 of the little guys would die. Hang in there.
I have several mini's that I really don't have room for. You are welcome to them if you would like them. They are all healthy, just need some TLC so they rebloom. They are yours for postage. D-mail me if you are interested.
Nanna.
I also have some doubles of leaf pots, if you would like to have some. Most should be earing in another two weeks or less.
Nanna
Thanks, Nanna, I will dmail you. I am going to close this post so no other nice person offers to share their plants/leaves.......I don't want to kill any more, and I am afraid if I can't give them the proper attention, I will get overwhelmed. I don't want to be a murdereress. Thank you all so much. I am very excited to try again. Thank you all.
Kelly
Kelly don't close it. You will do fine we can help you. If I can grow them anyone can.
And we all love to share !