I received my first order from Rob's Violet Barn today!
I had requested Rob's Ice Ripples, but they were out so I received Rob's Chilly Willy instead.
My First AV Order
Then there is the Rob's Cherry Soda (slightly fuzzy, sorry!). But, it has some buds!
I just had to get this one, for sentimental reasons! Rob's Fuzzy Navel!
And, I just couldn't "walk" away without a trailer . . . Rob's Ramblin Lassie
You got some outstanding little plants! Woohooo! The variegation on 'Chilly Willy' is really amazing. You'll have to let us know how well it keeps its variegation over the summer (warmer temps can bring more green in some varieties... but don't worry, new growth will be variegated again when it cools off).
Trailers and girl leaves are two of my favorite things, so I absolutely adore your 'Rob's Ramblin' Lassie'!
I just can't get over how tiny these things are! They came in little tiny plastic cups . . . will need to read up on them, so I'll know if I need to repot or not . . .
Syrumani, Adorable minis.. so cute!!..I love the minis..one rule of thumb if you do choose to repot them never use a pot bigger than 2 1/2" in diameter..ramblin lassie and fuzzy naval are semi mini's so in time you can go a bit larger on a pot for it..maybe 3" other than that same care as the larger av's..hope they do well for you..looking forward to you showing us those blooms!
edited to make sense..lol..
This message was edited May 1, 2008 11:33 PM
Very nice order !
I'm slowly starting a Rob's collection and I have Ice Ripples if you would like a few leaves to start,just let me know.
Rob's uses a fairly heavy mix (works great in greenhouse conditions)... I would repot into a lighter mix, but not into a bigger container. 1 part good quality soil-less mix and 1 part perlite is a pretty standard recipe. I use a touch more perlite and a tiny pinch of polymer moisture crystals (without the crystals, you may have to water minis every 4-5 days rather than the weekly watering you're probably used to with standard AVs).
Rob's does a great job of packing -- they look so perky!
cedarnest - I have plenty of 2 1/2" pots . . . but they are shorter than the little cups they are in now. Does that matter, or should I just keep them in the cups?
jannich - I'd sure like to give it a try, if you have a few to spare. I've only started standard size cuttings . . . but I'd think the theory is the same.
critterologist - I've just got to say thank you for getting me hooked on these! Now, I have a package of AV potting mix - is that ok, or should I add a bit of perlite to it - or maybe water crystals instead?
I think even the AV mixes can usually use a bit more lightening with additional perlite, if you have some on hand... but maybe somebody who uses them can advise. (I use Pro Mix as the base for any smaller pots I plant up.) If you add the water crystals, use them very sparingly -- no more than 1/2 tsp. to a quart of potting mix; more is not better.
You'll know more about pot size when you take the plantlet out of the cup... If you think the rootball will mostly fill your 2 1/2 inch pot, then go for it! If it's only half the size of the new pot, then that's probably too much pot. (You can fiddle the roots around to spread them out to go wider rather than deeper if your new pot is more shallow.)
Syrumani, everyone has their own "special" mix, I use 1/3 Promix, 1/3 Perlite & 1/3 Vermiculite. I don't wick but alot of people do. I water from below mostly and also use the "Texas style" watering method if my AV's are in 3 oz.cups. If they are in nursery pots then I bottom water. I'm finding that I water about every 4th or 5th day (I normally lift each pot to see if it needs water, I don't just assume that EVERY one does as some seem thirstier than others).
The 2 1/2 inch pots sound like they would be perfect. "Squatty" pots are better than deeper pots.
I would put about 1/2 inch of perlite on the bottom, slip the baby out of it's 3 oz cup, put a heaping tablespoon on your mix on top of the perlite, center the baby and then put another heaping tablespoon of your mix on top of the babies roots.
It always helps to LIGHTLY wet the mix BEFORE transplanting with a drop of Superthrive. Once in their new pots, I usually dome for a week or so to help them "settle in" and establish themselves in the new mix and then I keep them out of bright sun for about another week or so.
I am VERY new to AV's though so am still learning alot of things myself. This is just what I do.
Hope this helps.
Kim
Since you are in San Antonio and I am in south Texas, I had to quit adding vermiculite to the AV soil less mix and only use 1/2 perlite and 1/2 Av mix since our humidity is so high. You have to give me a short name as I can't remember these long names (lol)
After this week.........we have our big Mother's Day Sale in Corpus Christi next Saturday, I will be happy to send leaves or small av plants grown from leaf.
gail
Syrumani, just wanted to let you know that I ventured in the the AV forum for the first time in a long time the other night and read your post and immediately went over to Rob's and spent way too much money!! hehe, these things really are addicting.
Susanne
jannich - thanks for the leaves! They made it here great - and fast! I put them in a medicine dosage cup in water until I figure out what to put them in . . .
Jannich can really grow...........let me show you what she grew from a seed and sent me a baby of her.
Rachel's Reflections (although she passed away, her site is still there) taught me to just use 1/2 perlite and 1/2 vermiculite for african violet leaves. Dome them until they are rooted (about 3 weeks) and then take the dome off and let the babies appear..............good luck..
Hey Jan, I hope you see this
Your very welcome! I'm glad they made it to you safely.Hope you get lots of babies!
awww Gail,That sinningia is going to be a beauty!
Jan, you HAVE to dmail me a list of the streps that you DO HAVE. I need it!
I am in love with all your plants you sent........the seeds that you sent me recently have buds on them now. I can hardly wait for them to bloom. They are still in the solo pots and since there weren't more than two to a pot, I just left them like that rather than separate.
I will take pics when they open.
Here's the first bloom! There are SO MANY more on the way! I think even the Rob's Chilly Willy may have some blooms in another few weeks! The lighting is not the best, so I'll go take another picture.
What a bunch of cuties you got! I love my Rob's plants. I do repot them though. They do very well for me. Can't wait to see them again as they grow.
You must be doing something 'very right' as the plants and blooms look so healthy!
Congratulations........keep us posted.
Oh, how cute! Very pretty bloom! Yes, please keep us updated on your new blooms! We love pictures!