Well I think That I am killing all My plants Slow

Well some are living some are dying and as of now I am so confused on what to do.
I have to keep my heat between 60 at night and 65 in the day and my heating bill is still 200.00 and if I keep it any higher my bill will get higher
I have them on heat mat and turn on the lites but I just think that they are either to hot or to cold. Then I will be on vacation off and on Maybe I just have to many plants and just not taking care of them right
Will just thought I whine aliitle and feel sorry for my poor plants That I sure I am killing I am going to send 2 picture this is my AV than I send a Sterp picture next
Dimmer

Here is the Strep

I wouldn't put heating pads under any of them............but you might run the lights at night when it is the coldest. The lights heat up the plants. I don't think that african violets can grow at 60 degrees, Kim.........maybe some other people will chime in...

I do know a lot of people run their lights only at night to keep plants warm enough.

violets can tolerate cool temps, they just won't grow any when they are cold.
bonnie

It wood be great to Leave on the lights but I do sleep in the same room so that wood keep me up
Thanks I will just have to work harder on my plants

Hi Kim,Maybe the heat mat is drying your plants out to much.


whoops,I hit the send buttons too soon ^_^

This message was edited Jan 2, 2009 2:01 PM

Here is a close up they look like they got to cold

I wonder maybe if your plants are getting drafts from the window? I put a plastic drop cloth over my plant stand last year to keep the humidity up for the sinningias.I bet that would keep any drafts off of the plants and also keep some of the heat in after your lights are off.It's not the prettiest looking thing but it worked.LOL.

Maybe I will try that Jannich I have one of those tent stands I do have plastics over my window but that might help I do that soon

OK Just put up the tent so I will see what will happen in a few days if they get better

Good luck to you. I hope all gets better.

Dimmer I don't know what is wrong but I am sending you a (( hug)). I know it is awful not to know what is wrong or what to do for you babies.

Kim,
Sorry your plants are doing so bad... I think the cold is not helping them... But hey what do I know??? If some die when you get home maybe it was meant to be... Just start over with less...
Hugs,
Susan

I think it may a combo of cold and when you fertilize , how do you do it,maybe youre overdoing it,i know when i transplant things and then go right back to my normal watering
with the fresh soil and I add fert to my water,it tends to burn them right up and i dont catch it till its too late.

JIM

I have also heard it said that you should put a towel under your plants if they are on a windowsill or close to a window in cold weather.

I think it would have to get a lot colder than 60 to kill the plants. They won't grow and they might get a little limp, but not look like yours. We used to have wood heat only in one room and the rest of the house got quite cool at night, my violets had some really cool nights and did fine, just not much bloom. I would first suspect the heating mats. Jan had a good idea about the plastic tent over the plant stand, maybe keep the mats inside there to keep up the temperature at night or when the lights aren't on (the lights will keep it up during the day) but just not put the mat under the flats...find another place inside there to drape or hang mats so they can radiate heat. It is always heartbreaking to lose plants. Make a list of your favorites, maybe someone can help you out come spring. take care. tish

Tish..............good advice....... about leaving the heating pad in there but not under the plants. I never would have thought of that!

Kim,

I am so sad about all your lovely plants not being happy. :( I have had plants look like that when they are too wet and cold. To this Southern gal ... 60 degrees is waaay too cold to keep the house at night! Well ... I love sleeping in cooler temps but I must have socks on my feet and a nice snuggly comforter or blanket to keep me warm, LOL. Our thermostat stays set at @75 day and night, year round, but I know what you mean about high electric bills! We have a small house and our electric bill runs $250 - $275 every month. It would be a lot lower but we waste a lot! I tend to leave the door open to the porch/deck for the cats which is a waste of energy, and we have a swimming pool pump that runs quite a few hours daily and consumes a lot of electricity!

I hope most, if not all of your babies revive from whatever is ailing them. Just don't let it get you down for too long. I know many years ago I would get so depressed if one or more of my favorite plants died. Not anymore, I learned a long time ago that what will be, will be. I can always get new ones! I used to give my sister and also a friend of mine a pretty plant in Spring and they would always say "But, I'm no good with plants, it will die!" I just say to enjoy them while they are living and don't fret when they get to looking ugly and dead ... it's time to throw them out and enjoy the next one that comes along! LOL.

Spring will be along real soon and trading will be back in full force! Make a wish list as someone suggested and I'm sure some of us can help you out with new babies when the weather gets warm again!