A sweet friend sent me my first Strep- How do I care for it?

Hi friends!
Susan51 is SO sweet! In her caring, thoughtful way, she had the cutest Strep plant sent to me! Came with the prettiest card too, had a photo of an AV bloom on it. You've made me feel very special, Susan. Thank you VERY MUCH!

Now I need some pointers from my friends here on DG- This is my first Strep!
She is so cute. Her name is'Jules' and she came in one of the little solo cups. I put her in the domed tray with the pots of Chirita leaves until I could find out what's best for her.
I'm so excited!
And here is Jules.

Her foliage looks pretty although she could use a diluted fertilizer on a regular basis, Diane.
She also could be moved up to a 21/2" square before very long...........good luck...........why are the strings coming out the middle of the pot? Just curious.............

The string was one of the packaging techniques! LOL It was pink so I left it on for today. Goofy I know! May I use my AV fert or what NPK should I be shooting for? SHould I let it 'recover' from it's trip for a few days first? Take it out of the dome?
LOL Lots of questions!....

She is fine for now............I use 12-36-14 on everything.............diluted down.............or just your regular AV fertilizer is great...................

She doesn't need a dome I wouldn't think??????????? however you are in dry west Texas............i can't help.............

Diane, your Jules is soooo cute.
Jules is a VERY beautiful flower!!!

I'm in Maine and my growing conditions are SO different than yours that I would be afraid to give any kind of advice as I have had some MAJOR struggles trying to grow streps.

Congratulations!

Kim

Diane,
You are more the welcome... When she packs her flowers she puts the strings as wicks... There is more then one plant in that cup that is why the two or more strings... I have gotten as many as five string and had five babies ....
I am so glad you liked your plant...
Hugs,
Susan

So I guess I leave the string in there? How moist should I keep the soil? I think I'm going to try gradually weaning Jules from the dome too.

Diane,
I was told when I got some of these to take out of cup and seperate each into its own pot. Now I did this but I am not saying it is correct thing to do as I really don't know much about these.. I put them in there own pot/cut and just put them under lights... Hope this helps.
Susan

Well, that makes you and Gail saying to re-pot! So Jules is going to be re-potted and un-domed. I think she's in a good spot right now but as it gets hotter I'm taking her out of the room she's in and into a cooler room.
Thanks for the tips everyone!
D

I've also always been told that AVs like more of a northern exposure where they can get plenty of light but will not get direct sunlight. Every time I've done that it has worked like a charm. Of course, since I don't have access to a northern exposure right now I have mine under Fluorescent lighting which they are loving as well. As for fertilizer the AVSA suggests feeding a 14-12-14 fertilizer. I find that Miracle Grow's Liquid African Violet fertilizer (it is a concentrate) works really well and of course it is always best to water them from the bottom to avoid getting water on the leaves. ;)

Mine do not bloom w/only light source being from a true northern exposure. Mine have always done best in eastern exposure--or under lights.

Interesting very interesting to hear phoebe. However, I think my location may have something to do with that, as I live in Florida on the east coast near the space center.

Mine are in a WEST window and are blooming now. MORE LIGHT people!

In some areas,yes.My west window burns cacti.

Lynn

Mine are under a grow light right now due to the erratic weather we have been having of late. We're even getting frost on the ground still in the mornings which is really unusual. I'll keep them inside under the grow light until it warms up more then put them outside on my North facing porch that also has a Westward exposure as well. Great for my Violets when the weather is more "normal" ,,,LOL

Hi, my avs are in an eastern exposure window and I've got about 3-4 starting to bloom right now. I've never had any luck with blooms in a different exposure. But I'm in the Chicago area maybe that does have something to do with it.