Hi Everyone,
I am fairly new to avs. I really like the standard ones and like everyone else I started out with pretty Walmart noids. Which I guess are really optimaras. Now I've also bought 8 or so from ebay and I'm doing a trade with a lady, my cactus for her baby violets. Also I just ordered 25 leaves so I'm going to be learning how to propagate them that way.
I read somewhere that there are 15,000 varieties so I guess I have a ways to go if I want to have one of each, lol. . So my question is how many violets do you guys own? What criteria do you use to add it to your collection? color. size, uniqueness etc? How do you keep track of them all? Some sort of inventory system so you don't duplicate them?
Thanks,
Sue
numbers please! How many do you have
Sue, I can see you are more organized than me!!!! I am new to Av's....other than wally world kind,
I just ordered my first 13 named AV's....standards that is. I have gotten lucky and found some unnamed ones at a nurersy close by....especially the minis which I now have 21. If I like one, I don't mind having two of them...so I can take leaves to grow to share and trade.
I am sure one of the pros will come along and give you a bigger picture of AV growing.
I have 30 leaves growing right now and 3 pots which have plantlets in them which I haven't separated.
I grow my leaves exactly as Rachelsreflections tells me...in straight perlite in a solo drained cup (tiny tiny)....I keep water in the bottom of a plastic container holding 5 solo cups....under lights at 5" above.
I think whatever floats your boat is the deciding factor in what you choose. I love variegated and ruffled foliage....always double blooms and colors,etc.....I am in love right now with minis....
Snowrose and others will chime in.....
Some of my very favorite standards are noids from wally world.....
I am now getting into displaying them....like decorating your home (LOL)
I have decided (tonight) to start collecting demitasse cups as they are perfect for 21/2" pots for minis.....
Can anyone think of a better gift than a mini in a demitasse?? Now I have to think of something special to put standards in to give as gifts.
This message was edited Apr 23, 2007 10:30 PM
Hi gail,
That cup o' violet is so cute! I've been thinking along the same lines as far as collecting containers. I love antiques and was thinking of looking for pretty old vases. I have been buying up all of the vases I can find at goodwill and St. Vinnies.The milkglass ones that they always have a lot of, look really pretty with the violets. I use all clay pots, so i just put aquarium gravel in the bottom on the vase, than the clay pot. That way the plant has the drainage it needs, it works like a charm.
I love the noids too but lately I have been buying some named plants and I recently discovered leaves which make me really want to go crazy. Hopefully I won't kill them.
I can't wait to hear from some of the long time flower girls, I'm sure they have a lot!
Sue
My violet history has been one of ebb and flow. I have at times had hundreds counting plantlets. Last winter I pared down my collection severely as it seemed more like a burden rather than a pleasure. I have tried so many over time. Some I loved and others were so so. It's all a matter of what appeals to you personally like gessiegail said. With 25 leaves down, you will soon have lots to deal with and grow. Fun and ever changing. That is what is so interesting and challenging with this hobby. So may aspects to it and so much joy to be found. Always something new to catch your eye....
Dear Sus;
I guess I have been growing plants for 39 years all kinds, After I had my son I had Gotten plants for having the baby( Bad speller) Than in 1995 my Grandmother Past away and I got her AV from there it has been up hill. I have 32 AV and 73 others.
Have still have the ones from my grandmother and an Aunt I have been cutting leaves and making more
None of my plants have names. I guess I should look them up but its the time.
I wanted to let you now last week I went by Escanaba to Gremfask then to Michigamme.
I moved up there and got married now I am sepeated and came back home. I have worked at the paper mill for a shut down. I was a Union Laborer but there is not much work for girls up there and I have been trying to get into CCI Mines in Ishpeming but thats very hard ..
So now I am in ILL. and work should start soon and the money is great and they Hirer girls alot,
I saw that you go into ST. Vinnies you can find some great things if you look. I will see If you can get this picturer I have lots more
Kim
I have 28 different AVs, a petrocosmea and a chirita. Most of them are plantlets. I can't wait to see them bloom! Right now, I'm hunting for strep to add to my collection. So many AVs and gesneraids, so little time and space.......
achoogardner, Ijust got my first 3 streps, but i don't know how to propagate yet....i also have more coming.....let me learn how first.....if you dmail me, then I will remember that you are wanting some....
gail