My Introductory Thread

This is going to be a rather short post but after reading RainGazer's post in my other thread I decided to take a few pictures to show what I am growing right now. I am really knew to gessie's so my collection is very small and mostly leaves ( Is also Strictly AV's right now ). Here are a few photo's though.

This a span of the entire shelf. It is 4 levels high and it had been mainly used only for seed starting in the spring. I decided though since I am starting even less seeds in the spring ( Maybe 2 shelves full total) that I could keep some full time plants on 2 of the levels. This the bottom level and I am sure once all these AV's are full size they will take up this level easy enough.

That's a good set up Westocast. All those innocent looking leaves will bring you so many plants before long and those shelves will fill up fast.

This is my two full size AV's. ( Other then my no-name I have had for years. )

The back one is Bloomlovers Clown. It is very heavy in Blooms which you can't see because 2/3's of the blooms are coming up in the back where I put the tag ( Figures!).

In case anyone is curious the fertilizer I use is my own mix of a small quantity of Seaweed Fertilizer, Fish Fertilizer and a small quantity of Commercial AV Fertilizer (Believe the brand is Schultz as most of my commercial stuff is Schultz ).

The front one is Rob's Denim Demon. It two has bud's but they are still below the leaf line. The red variegation in the crown is stronger then the picture makes it out to be because of the angle.

Some of the AV Babies. I made the mistake of leaving to much stem on which I corrected by gently lifting each AV up after they had rooted. It took plenty of work but it seems to have not done any damaged as its now been 3 weeks since I did that.

Half my leaves are standards and half are Mini/Semi's. I think on the whole I prefer the Mini's just for space reasons but I am sure a few of the standards will impress me when they bloom.

Last picture as I didn't take any close ups. This is of the 4 others I have that are closer to being full sized. They were just watered today. I am not sure yet how to come up with a good solution for watering but for now the ribbed try with the small cups in it with holes in the bottom is working.

The 4 are Princess Jade , Smitten Kitten , Sterling Trinket and Trinket Terrific .

great going, Westocast.....................I am wanting to put some of these big babies you did such a good job with and give them their own little 3" or 21/2" pot...................they look great!!!!!!!!!!!!

*******love your setup

edited to say I love the foliage on one of those.................can't believe you did these from leaf and they have such a pretty shape..........don't think I have gotten that good yet.............

This message was edited Sep 8, 2007 10:33 AM

Thanks Snowrose . I am sure they will . I have already had to turn on the second row of lights now to satisfy them. ( There are 2 rows of 2 long on the shelf for a total of 8 Bulbs ). Most of these leaves were put down May 28th and June ? ( Think 5th? ). I am sure when they are split up in a month or two there will be way more then I know what to do with as it stands.

Hey Gessie, which one are you talking about when you refer to the shape? If its Rob's Denim Demon it seems to be cultural as it is really compact!

To be honest I have done little shaping as I have no clue what to do unless the leaf is obviously going where it shouldn't. Most are growing nicely but that darn Trinket Terrific insists on growing its leaves towards the ground over the edge of the cup!

I forgot to add I cheated and bought those ones locally! I just noticed you said grown from leaf but I have only had those ones for 6 weeks.

In any case, you are off and running!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations

Very Nice westcoast.They all loook happy and healthy.Very nice setup you have there : )

Westocast I'm impressed with your set up for just getting started! I put down my first AV leaves this past winter and just did it in a window in my office, they would have grown so much faster and been happier with a wonderful set up like yours!

You can't beat seeing those first little babies popping up can you? It's a kick every time!

~Brenda

Hi westocast!! Glad to see you posting instead of lurking! :o)

Everything looks great! I love that styrofoam-looking set up you've got there. That's really neat! You're got some great AVs there, and will have so many baby plants before long that you won't know what to do with them.

Thanks for posting an intro thread! :o) Here's a formal welcome to the AV forum! :o)

keep posting on different threads and when you see something you have to have..........be gentle and ask..........everyone shares everything around here.........now some of us are slower in getting it out..............i am the turtle of the bunch..........

Been away on vacation. Left a relative in charge of plants ( Always risky! ) . Came home to some new to me flowers on my AV's.

Trinket Terrific - The glitter in the flower is quite visible and this picture was not flash photography. The colours are accurate. I like the variegation but not in love with this plant.

Princess Jade - The flower is so small as is the whole plant. I really like this one. The colours are close to true to life but it should be a touch more purpley pink then pink pink.

Rob's Denim Demon - The colours are way off and I need to get a better picture for plant files. The flowers are a much deeper richer plum purple then this bright colour. It is smothered in flowers though and has held its symmetry perfectly. I really like this one especially with the pink crown variegation!

You are no beginner or you are just good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are magnificent blooms..........and that foliage on Princess jade is to die for................you made an awesome selection of plants................I am going to copy you!!!!!!!!! (LOL)
Rob's Denim Demon
Princess Jade
Trinket Terrific

*******************This is Saturday and so many people are away from the 'puter........we may have to bump you up on Monday so everyone won't miss this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Westcoast73... Great looking plants! I really like the 'Rob's Denim Demon'. I received a baby of that as a bonus plant in an eBay order I made a while back. Hope it does as well for me!

Oh Wow .... how did I miss this thread? Great Growing Westocast73! I really, really love Rob's Denim Demon ..... but my favorite has to be Princess Jade .... that is one Beautiful plant!

You may be new to Gessie's like a lot of us here but you sure are doing a Top Notch job of growing these AV's .... I bet you will get hooked on some of the other Gesneriad's before long too! By this time next year you could have a house full!

Wonderful job!

Thanks everyone!

I really like both Princess Jade and Rob's Denim Demon. Princess Jade is half the size of Rob's Denim Demon though.

Gessiegail - I love the girl foliage as well. The only other girl foliage plant I have is Skagit Tiny Limelight which is still plantlets attached to the leaves.

Va_Wild_Rose - My Rob's Denim Demon absolutely adores being bathed in light. The Variegation really comes out strong if its grown under lights. The colour of the flowers is much deeper and richer purple then that picture.The flowers combined with the variegation and the amazing growing shape make it a real winner and most online pictures I have seen don't do it justice.

I just finished seperating plantlets from a few leaves. I had 3 Bob Serbin Leaves and 2 Cherries N' Cream . Now I have 22 little Plantlets! =O

addictive isn't it..........................I just 'have to grow'...............can't stop and 'not grow'..............it is in my blood and always has been....................

Those look fabulous Westocast!! You should be very proud! I think they're all beautiful, and while I love girl leaves, I'm going to have to go with 'Trinket Terrific' as my favorite. The glitter on the flowers and mosaic variegation win me over! LOL Fantastic growing!

22 babies, how sweet! Next thing you know you'll have 222 babies! LOL

A real newby here as far as AV's are concerned. What is a girl leaf? I've seen this in print , and wondered what it meant. Thanks, Lou

look at the stickys on the AV forum at the top to see all the kinds of leaf in describing the foliage............doesn't that one look like 'girly' foliage..............all frills...............

Okay, so the ruffled ones are girly. I see. Thanks, Lou