I have to admit that my AV's are growing under a single full spectrum light bulb under each shelf.....not 2, 3, or 4....that makes a difference, too.
Please share your named AV's or others in the family
Thanks everyone. I think I might turn the light off everyother day. It has been rather cool where they are located so maybe things aren't jiving!. I'll keep ya posted. Thanks again!
unless you're seeing symptoms of too much light (tight centers, for example), I'd leave them on. AVs will flower with less in cooler temps, but they would still flower with "normal" light levels too.
Separately, if it's cool, that may be the reason you're not getting a lot of flowers yet. Spring is almost here!
You all have such beautiful plants. I might be partial to Ma's Corsage. This is my only African violet at the moment, which I picked up at a flower show - a semi miniature called Crystal Blue. It has a leaf variegation not pictured
Here's Frozen In Time.
Debbie
A little closer. It's really hard to get a good pic of these blooms.
Debbie
Beautiful plants, ladies.
Ki, you have a way with words. you pulled all the basics together.
Some of my plants do have tight centers. AGH! What do I do now......?
I don't know because mine have tight centers, too. they are blooming like crazy , but there are a hundred little leaves coming out of the center, too. Ki, where are you???? (LOL)
friends, I have found a nursery which carries a few Av's, but other than broken leaves, they really have some nice ones.. I found these today.
Please look for the purple one which radiates color from the center of each flower?? I have never had one like this.
and another pretty
and an almost blue lilac color
I like this one because the color is very defined in each bloom
Debbie,Frozen In Time is a longstanding favorite of mine.Yours is absolutely gorgeous ; )
Gail,Looks like you have been busy again.You really picked up some lovelies. That first ones radiating color is wonderful : )
Cedarnest, I am beginning to question my sanity.....what an affection I have for these and they are not even NAMED ONES....
I wonder where my comments went?! I am really thinking my computer has "Gremlins" ... I posted a comment here a little while ago and it's not here! Anyway, Gail .... I LOVE that first radiating purple one .... What a Beauty! I think I have one like that last photo, but it's not blooming now. You are very fortunate to have a local nursery that carries AV's. We only have two nurseries left in our town and they cater to outdoor gardening plants with very few houseplants! I feel lucky that I can find them at Wal-Mart once in awhile!
You know that sending one to someone when I have two is never a problem....I have doubles of a few...They are twice the price of Walmart but it beats the prices ordering on line for me.....especially when I am learning with generics. (4.50 ea I think)
Gail ... Sending you D-Mail!
Such pretties, Gail!
I told you I would take a pic of the entire plant of Ma's Corsage when I got back. Well....here she is. I think there is to much space in between the leaves, but the blooms are fabulous.
Deb
That is one Gorgeous Plant! I'm not a pro at AV's, I have about 30 or so plants, but only 4 or 5 named ones, so I don't know what you mean by too much space between the leaves! How do you control that?
Lin
That's a beautiful plant Deb, but I agree, too much space. Is that a problem with this plant or do other things cause it.
Lin, each row of leaves if supposed to overlap each other so that when you look straight down at the plant you see nothing but leaves, not the pot or soil. I think that's pretty close. LOL
Debbie
Thanks Debbie .... I never knew that! And, unfortunately, I only have probably one that fits that description! One that was given to me recently, so I can't take any credit for it!
Thanks Debbie,I never knew that either.....I wonder if it isn't common for there to be spaces like that between the leaves until the plant completes a few bloom cycles or becomes fully mature? Does anyone know? I love the looks of the plants with full overlapping leaves but I noiced the only ones I have that look full and flat are several years old.It is really a gorgeous plant Deb.Love those blooms : )
Nancy
OK, my friends!!!! I can swallow my pride at being posted as 'inappropriate' on a post I made when I haven't been told this since my mother reprimanded me in high school. (LOL) I miss you all too much!! Your plant, Debbie, is a beauty!! I am still trying on my "cheapies" until I feel I know what i am doing. I just have to show you my very first roots on a leaf from which I took. Lin gave me the mother. If I kill it by pulling out, that is ok. At least, I now know how to do it anyway.
Oh Gail ... That MUST be 'Annabelle' since that's the only AV I gave you! Nice Going! I have had a couple of her leaves root and a couple rot ... I guess it's all trial and error with a novice like me too! It is fun trying though, isn't it? Many years ( @37 to be exact ) ago, my Mother In Law had me rooting AV leaves in water ... I think I told this story somewhere on here before, so forgive me if you've seen it before! Anyway, she would take little mason jars or glasses and fill them with water and put plastic wrap on top with a rubber band to secure the plastic ( I think at times I used aluminum foil when out of plastic wrap .... cut a couple of small holes in the plastic (or foil), stick the stem of the leaf through to the water and sit the jar on the counter top and wait for roots to appear! We also used those plastic margarine tubs, filled them with water, cut slits in the lid for the AV stem and rooted them in those things. I like the clear jars best cause you can just look to see if the water level is evaporated and needs to be refilled and you can watch the roots appear too!
My goodness Gail, I do believe you are becoming a pro .... look at those roots! You are going to be overcome by AV's if you keep that up! :)But, can you ever have too many AV's? LOL
Lin
Lin, I just followed Rachel's Reflections's site .....used only vermiculite and those little bitty solo cups...burned a hole in the bottom with a lighter...then put in a plastic container, kept water with a tad bit of fertilizer in it, (about 1/4" of water all the time), put them on the top grow light shelf where it would get bottom heat from the light on the bottom side of the shelf......I am sooooo excited and now want to start more!!!!
By the way, I mailed your plants yesterday and remembered something after I sent. The esperanzas are fine...did them right. The two AV's I sent I wrapped the bottom great with tape so soil wouldn't come out.......then I just filled the box with styrofoam nuggest.....I am sick that I forgot to put the whole plant in a plastic bag....so let me know how they fared...I can always get more Av's (oh what a shame to have to go get more) LOL
Great rooting job Gail.Lin is right..you are becoming quite the pro : )
Now I am going to have to try Lins idea of the mason jar and plastic wrap.I think it would be really neat to actually be able to see the roots as they appear through the glass : )
a pro I am NOT!!! But, I do love these little plants and can't wait for my streps and episcas to come in that I ordered. I am not brave enough yet to try a new method....I don't take failure well... (LOL)
Just thought I would pop in with some of my favorites
This is Moon Beams - my # 1 Fave!
This one is Moonlight N Pink
Mauna Loa
Lucky Pinwheel
Evergrace
Chirita Tamiana
Strawberry Patch Episcia
Fabulous...keep them coming everyone.
Deb
Ccino42......I am experiencing a little jealousy!!! (LOL) The only one I have even seen is your Evergrace...please post more....have to go take a nap to get ready for the Texas game at 4:00....then I will post a few pics....not as pretty as yours, but I love them like my darlin' babies!!!
gail
Firstly, I have to share with you what a nice postal clerk we have in our little town. When I was in the post office on Friday to pick up a package, she said, "Gail, I know how much you love African Violets and I want you to have mine...I don't even want to have to take care of it". It has overgrown the basket it is in and I need to find the wire cutters to protect this pretty little plant from a 'specially' nice lady. My own violets pale in comparison to the ones just posted, but that's ok.....
This is a repeat, but didn't know it when i got it....was on overload!!!
