Point me in the right direction....lol

Alright I decided after viewing the pics and thinking of my Grandma and the violets she always had that I needed to get one, atleast one to try it. Problem is I spend hours and hours looking. I honestly had absolutely no idea they were so many varieties. I know this is going to turn into another obsession. I tell myself just one to think of Nannie B and smile, but we already know that's a lie. Assuming I don't kill it there will be others. And if I kill it then I will feel bad and have to get another to make sure I can prove I can do it right so either way it's just a matter of time....lol.

I really like the look of the variegated leaves and I like the mini's a lot. Then I saw some that had dual color blooms and thought oooooohhhhhhhh that's so pretty. Then I saw a lot of ppl on ebay that sell just leaves and of course it makes more sense to buy more than one leaf...I mean why pay shipping on one leaf. I think well a leaf would be more of a challenge and give me more "to do " with winter coming that might be the way to go....

Any suggestions before I go insane....lol ?? Too many choices only leads to mass confusion for me. Thanks for the tips.

~Julie =0)

Julie there are many places . Lot's of places have stopped shipping.
You can order here prices good, shipping low, they gaurentee their plants and always send a freebie gift too !
http://www.bluebirdgreenhouse.com/

or, if you have trade material, then I'd bet someone here could come up with a little package. I just sent one off myself to someone who wants to get back into african violets - but since I grow mostly non-violets, I had to trade to get them first, lol.

yes Keyring's way ste Best !

Julie, I've got an assortment of leaves (named varieties) that I cut Wednesday for a trade box, plus a few that I took while repotting Thursday & Friday... I think there's at least a dozen varieties in there. The trade was arranged some time ago, and I've been waiting to hear from the person before I send the box out (no fun having a box of plants sit on a porch for a week because nobody is home). If I don't hear from her by tomorrow, the leaves are yours. If I send them via UPS on Monday, they'll get to you on Wednesday. I realize that's a little longer time in baggies than is ideal for leaves, and I'll try to add a couple of fresh ones befoe I send them out, but I've cut leaves while repotting and bagged them to plant "later" then forgotten about them for a week, and they've still done fine.

And if I do hear from the person, I'll try to scrounge up some more leaves for you next week. :-)

I am a little hesitant to send it now but I have an extran Sonoma Grandma Rose plant. I got the leaf from Allison and it produced two very lovely babies. I just potted the plants up into 4 inch pots and if you are willing to wait until Spring, one of them is yours.

Wow, all these leaves for trade, and here I am in Canada..almost a good reason to move south.....

As you can see, Julie, you've come to the right place~lol~ Hey, I think we are all addicted but it's such a sweet addiction! Welcome to the club!

OK, in no particular order, here are the leaves that I've bagged:

Pink Dove (3)
Pride of Columbus (2)
Cajun Trail (2)
Baby Jay (unrooted sucker)
Southern Charm (1)
Buckeye Bellringer (3)
Biscayne Trail (2)
Rob's Sticky Wicket (3)
Ella's Peach Blossom (2)
Yesterday's Valentine (3)
Rebel's Rose Bud (2)
Optimara Little Crystal (3)
Rococco (2, plus 2 leaf rooted sucker)
Big Blue noid (unrooted sucker)

One way or another, I want to ship these out Monday. If I hear from my other trader, I will see about getting some other leaves to Julie. Just figured I'd list 'em since I had them sitting right here...

:-)

Wow... I was really thinking along the lines of some suggestions on which type along with maybe some names of what might be safest to try for a newbie....lol.

Once again I am overwhelmed and astonished by the kindness and generosity one finds here at DG !!!

I'm sorry I didn't get back to the thread sooner it's been a busy day. Some critter keeps digging up my bulbs. This is the third time I have had to replant stuff. I put in about 200 bulbs (daffs, tulips, hyacinth) that I've gotten from the co-ops. And it's visiting my garlic bed as well and digging stuff up and just tossing it about. A few of the flower bulbs have been munched on , some I believe are gone but most are starting to just look plain sad..... they can't take all this in and out and frosty nights exposed to the elements.

Originally I blamed chipmunks (we're blessed with them they are so bountiful) but I have found I have a skunk visiting my yard and my deck trying to score leftover cat food now I think he is the culprit. I am going to try moth balls scattered around the beds to see if it will help...someone swore they drive off skunks. The cats will tackle a chipmunk but I've seen them they just stare at the skunk and try not to move....lol, they're obviously smarter than I realized.

Then I ran out of daylight and had to move my motorcycle into the kitchen and have been wrenching for hours. I just now got the back tire and chain back on. I'll be stiff tomorrow...lol.

I'm more than happy to pay postage, or I can try to find something tradeable to entice. I've got some pink frosty brug cuttings, some fresh datura seeds...white. I've got some other seeds and a different looking begonia I could do cuttings off of. I originally thought it was an escargot but the texture is different...lol, I think it's a mutant.

Everyone have a great night, I'm off to bed !!!

Thankyou again , Julie =0)

Julie, Hi and welcome to the AV forum.
If you want I have a few extra plantlets and leaf pots.I need to get rid of.I need to make more room:) If you would like them for postage(around $5:00 I think) just let me know. Jan

Jan :)) Hi Miss you ! Nice to see you :))

Julie, not to worry, we will set you up! I think there's a few extra plantlets around too... ;-) I'd love a 'Frosty Pink' brug cutting and a start of your cool begonia, but I'm hoping you'd be willing to send them in spring... I need to figure out a better way to overwinter brugs, and I don't have my bubbler set up yet for rooting either. I'll Dmail you tomorrow morning with a list to pick from. (I told my other trader she had until today to respond to my Dmail, and then I was going to put her name on a couple of plantlets that she especially wanted and send the rest to somebody else). If you don't mind noids, I have a couple of neat ones -- "Big Blue" (std, tough as nails and everblooming) and "Rosie Girl" (semi-mini from HD, double bubblegum pink blooms). I also have an extra unidentified Anthoflores variety (Snowrose says my noids from a local place are actually untagged Anthoflores ones) that I call "Purple Thumbprint"; it forms a nice flat rosette of leaves and has cute purple & white blooms held up high. And even if my trader sends up smoke signals, I know I'll have an extra 'Winnie the Pooh' (clacamus foliage, lavender blooms) and 'Cambridge Missy' to send you.

LOL, can you tell I'm all excited that you're interested in growing AVs? It's good to have you on this forum! :-)

Hi Jan, I just popped off a d-mail to you !!!

Critter I made a note in my file I owe you come spring !! I just fired up some bubbler jars. I will try to put off potting any of my brug cuttings until January, but by then they will have an awesome root section. Last winter I put them in small pots and it kept the growth rate down...lol. Then I put them in large tubs outside in June and they took off great, so I am going to try to repeat that this winter.

I will also try to get the begonia to root over the winter ....I've never done a begonia cutting before but I had copied and pasted some directions earlier this year. Here is a link to the begonia thread when I got it back in June, there are some pics of it. It's grown nicely sitting in my window that gets morning sun.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/616368/

As for choices, I will leave the decision up to you. We have to remember this is virgin territory for me and I will be happy with whatever you send trust me !!!! They all sound so beautiful and I suck at making those kind of painful decisions...lol.

Thankyou again !!!

~Julie =0)

Yes I recheck and Rob only ships Epsicas Due to sensitivity to cold, only shipped from May 15 to September 15! (as weather permits) Shipping after this date at CUSTOMER'S RISK only!!

Ah, and here I was thinking that Episcias were a little more cold tolerant than AVs... well, no Episcia babies for anybody until it warms up again next spring then. I did just check to see that Rob's does regular shipping of AVs until the end of October, so I think it should be fine to send leaves this week... maybe a few plantlets too, especially ones that I know I'll have in spring in case I need to send again.

Jan, you are too cute, not wanting the "painful decision" of deciding which AVs you want... we'll make sure you end up with a good assortment!

Jan, I just packed up a box for you and put plenty of insulation inside, so hopefully it'll get there all right on Wednesday. I'll head over to UPS with it in a bit. I came up with a pretty good assortment of leaves and put in a few fresh ones too.

I put in plantlets of 'Winnie the Pooh', 'Cambridge Missy', "Rosie Girl" (HD noid), and "Purple Thumbprint" (unk. Anthoflores), plus a plantlet of 'Smitten Kitten' that got crown damaged earlier this summer (too much light, not enough water) and is suckering... you can either let the suckers grow big and remove them, or you can dismantle it for leaf cuttings.

PLMK if they arrive in good shape, and of course we'll all be standing by to answer any questions you have about starting leaves. I think you'll have fun with your little winter propagation project!

:-)

Hey Critter,

No Episcia's will not take any cold at all! They are very sensitive. I know here in Canada the temperatures at night are below freezing now.

Joanne

Thanks, Joanne... Allison already set me straight on that. No episcia babies for anybody until spring, unless I can deliver 'em in person!

Jan, your box is on its way and should be there Wednesday! I'll try to remember to dig the receipt out of my coat & Dmail you the tracking number -- but hopefully no tracking will be needed, LOL.

Critter

Am I "Jan" or am I confused......lol

I didn't think I was "Jan" but then I read the "painful decision" of deciding which AVs you want... and realized that was me....lol

I'm not quite awake yet so I could be wrong. I do know I'm confused though....lol. If it's me Thankyou very much and I will definitely let you know when the box arrives....assuming it's me it got sent to.

Now that I have confused everyone else I have to get in the shower and head off to work.

~Julie =0)

Got me cofused too.. But then thats nothing new to me.LOL.
Anyway your box from me is in the mail.Pray that I put enough insulation in it:) Jan

Whoops, Julie & Jan, I'm sorry.... brain pfffft, getting my J's mixed up! Julie, you're getting a box! And yes, I sent it to MI, not AL. :-) I put plenty of wrapping around the plants, and the leaf bags went into bubble wrap, and I used a fairly big box so I could fit in lots of packing peanuts... so I'm crossing my fingers!

As long as plenty of paper, peanuts, and insulation, plants are not wet they will be fine. Leaves in bubble envelope not sure ? Can always soak the stems in hot/warm water when you get them.
Hek I shipped Kenton and others mid Dec/and even Jan,Feb last year did use thick insulation and heat packs but he lives in cold CO. and it was snowing and freezing and his babies and leaves did fine so I'm sure they will all do great now !

The leaves were rolled up in some bubble wrap and placed on top of the plantlets in the box, with plenty of packing peanuts around all. No heat pack... I figure that's as likely to do harm as good this time of year. The plant foliage is dry, pots are nice & moist & well-wrapped with press-n-seal (love that stuff for shipping plants). I've shipped a bunch of plants now, and the "Allison method" of packing in styrofoam cups works well for me!

I shipped via UPS, so it'll be there by tomorrow for certain. It would've saved a few bucks to go via Priority Mail, but as you know I've had problems with USPS delivery times this year. I am sending out a box of leaves today via USPS, hopefully it will get there quickly!

Oh they will be perfect Jill :)) My crazy mind thought the leaves might have been shipped alone lol. Words and minds play funny tricks. Trick a Treat :))

Well, I'm still a little concerned about them since I just sent 3 plantlets to Makshi, packed with what I thought was plenty of insulation... one didn't survive the trip, and the other 2 are coming around... she thinks they probably got cold. It did end up sitting over the weekend, so maybe it was in a cold place in the UPS depot.

I'm going to see how the box of leaves that I just sent to Mimi fares... They were in a small box with lots of insulation (I even crushed up the packing peanuts so more would fit and added a layer of foam just inside the box), so if they have a so-so trip then I don't think I'm going to offer a box of leaves as the next Bingo prize after all. Well, if nothing else it looks like I should be able to offer some nice plantlets as spring Bingo prizes. :-)

Jill I can send you heat pack for bingo leaves :))

there are usually periods of slightly warm days through much of the winter. Of course, you have to check both ends of the shipping route, but it's generally possible to find a few days. I think the boxes get coldest at each end (sitting in a van, sitting on a runway etc), so if you can avoid bad weather on both ends, then you're at least half way there.

and the other point that alison made is very important - make sure nothing is too wet. Pots should be mailed when they are (past) ready for watering. I put "past" in there because I'm sure you all water the plants at least twice as frequently as me, and more likely 5 times more than me. They won't be growing much or evaporating much while in the box, so they don't need that much water, and cold+wet is always bad.

I *still* owe people bingo boxes from September and I'm hoping early next week will be better than this week......

okay.... so I just went off on a tangent. LOL. oops.

oops. I packed as I did during warm weather, watering plants the day before sending them out.... :-(

I'll just keep my fingers crossed!

Critter

My daughter just called me at work to say I had a package from the UPS sitting at the door when she got home from school. I will let you know tonight when I get home what they look like.

Don't fret, they are fine I'm sure !!! I'm trying positive thinking...lol

~Julie =0)

Positive thinking here too!

At least my having watered right before shipping won't affect the leaf cuttings....

:-)

One good thing to do when you are planning on sending someone leaves is to water your plants 1-3 days before cutting the leaves. Then cut fresh leaves not too young and not old.

My other daughter just called to say she found another package at the side door.... that is probably from Jan, lol.

Man I can't wait to get out of work !!!

~Julie =0)

Julie arn't you sick you better go home early :))

Gawd I wish !!!!!!

Still at work....

~Julie =0/ ....lol

AHh what time do you work until ?

Can you believe I had to stay late, it about killed me. Then I had to stop at the store and buy milk ( I hate it but the kids drink tons of it, it's the 3rd gallon this wk and it's only wed.) Then when I got home I had to listen to EVERYBODY'S problems ....lol. The whole time trying to atleast look like I was paying attn and not eyeball my boxes.

Finally I was able to shoo everybody out of the kitchen and start opening stuff up. I am amazed !!! Both Jan and Critter did an EXCELLENT job of packing. A LOT of time went into wrapping all of those tiny plants and packing them individually in styrafoam cups . I will definitely remember that technique of packing for future reference!!! Marking the leaves and packaging them separately.... everything looked great !!!

I only hope I can do right by you both and not kill these babies after you have put so much love and care into them !!! Thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou !!!!!!

Here is a pic, it's not the best but I will try to get better shots tomorrow or the next day.

~Julie =0)

Oh, it looks like they survived the trip pretty well then, for all our fretting, LOL. The plant wrapping gets quicker after a while, and I really do like using the press-n-seal around the pots. I think it's like my grandma used to say when people asked her the trick to baking those marvelous pies... "Well, after you bake the first 400 or so, you just know how to do it!"

You're going to have fun with them this winter! :-)

I'm still in disbelief ....lol. I got up this morning and when I turned on my plant lights like normal there is a whole shelf of african violets and yes they will keep me busy all winter..... which is great !!!

They were packed so professionally it looks as if you've done thousands !! Where do you get that press-n-seal stuff ? It really stays in place and does a great job I could see how that would be useful for a few things.

Huge thank you's again to both Critter and Jan. You sure do know how to "turn" somebody ....there will be no way to avoid addiction now with a whole collection at my fingertips!!!

~Julie =0) ((wishing I could stay home with my plants but I have to go back to work))

Julie congratulations on your two wonderful boxes :)) Have lots of fun!