Gita - they look so healthy. I love it when the leaves shine like that.

Hi-I'm not an AV expert, but have several years of growing experience and in past spent a lot of time talking with AV enthuiasts in forums, chat rooms and at shows. It appears you have quite a nice collection there! It is obvious, however, that they are crying out for more light--see the leaves reaching up with long stems? Once you set up your lights, you will be amazed at the response and...they will reward you with blooms as well. AV's do not mind slightly cool temps, but they hate cold wet feet. Over watering is the primary reason plants die. Good luck and I'd love to see a pic of these plants in about a month. Hope this helps.




These are blooming for me in front of a sunny window right now.

I use CFLs in 5 lamps. I have two stools to adjust the height. I move them around the shelves several times each day. I have what they called a "Happy Light" for the floor level. I don't know what I am going to do with all my propagations either. Help! I have Christmas cactus in the same container you mentioned. LOL

They are lovely AVs. It would be difficult for me to choose my favorite from any of the above pictures. I want them all. space is such a problem. Could some of you post how or where you keep all of your propagations. (is that a word?)

I had a pleasant surprise when I looked at the cuttings I planted back in Sept. of two leaves I accidentally broke off two of my Steptocarpus. I have babies.

Here are the babies of Salmon Sunset:



Here are the babies for Spin Art



Just goes to show you patience is a big part of our love for plants.

I hear you loud and clear. When I first started growing my violets last year, it did take patience. I bought mine from eBay and I lost quite a few at first because various vendors used different soils and I did not account for that when I watered. Some sent free leaves with the order, so I had to learn to propagate quickly. I was so delighted to see the little green points (babies) peak up from the soil, I wrote in my other forum that my "little green grandchildren" are in the process of "being born!" I answered my phone "Maternity Ward" if the person calling knew my hobbies.

As for where I keep my propagations, I bought the Gardman shelves from Amazon for around $40. They are cheap and go together like the old Tinker Toys. The best light is in the corner windows in the living room, (south and west light). We don't have much company and when we entertain everyone winds up in the kitchen anyway and proceeds to the family room. We live in a small house in a "starter home" neighborhood and window light is at a premium.

As you probably have seen, I supplement the light with CFL bulbs in old lamps without shades. They work for AVs because the cheap bulbs have the light spectrum that AVs need.

Thank you Leda. I will check them out. I am just at the point where I must do something and I hate shelves, but no other option at this point. My place is small also. I built a 30 x 30 extension onto my daughters farm house and that is fine with me. Mostly windows and easy to clean. The greenhouse is just outside the dogs run, so I am set for the rest of my life. I am 85 and if this snow does not soon stop the end will be soon. I love the season changes but this is way above my limits.

I would suggest that you check the shelves often at the joints. These shelves are inexpensive but cheaply made. They are easy to set up especially if you ever played with
Tinker Toys. No tools needed.

For your sake, I hope this crazy weather will stop soon!

Oh JB - stay warm and comfy!! Don't give up yet!! You wanna see your babies bloom yet!!!

hi all Im new here and love african violets to the max . I had 12 but lost 6 when this apt got too cold as usual . the heat here is non exsistant and they dont fix anything here so me and the hubby are so moving this coming spring . Oh well all take care and still cannot figure out what im doing wrong with the rooting of leaves no water does not work here , neither does rooting in soil mix either . Im just at my wits end and have given up trying to root in the midwest period . I never had a problem in the south when I lived there and am hoping to get back there soon but until it has always been a problem here , I have done it all and nothing and I mean nothing works here with rooting of the leaves .

Hello and Welcome

I am pretty new here too and my favorites are African Violets as well. I have lots of other houseplants too. I am sorry about how you lost almost half your stock when you moved. Since you rooted AVs in the south, I have no idea why you can't in Ohio. Big sigh, because I can't help you.

I hope you get to move as soon as you can to preserve the rest of your collection. I hope to talk to you more another time. I need to get to laundry and watering.

Happy growing!
Leda

Cathy (phonegirl61)...I am not new here but I am pretty new at propagating African Violets and I live in NJ, but have had pretty good luck so far. When you get settled, please let us know and maybe we can help you build up your plant collection again. I am mostly involved with Christmas Cactus/Holiday/Thanksgiving so if you like those hop over to the cactus forum and look for a thread there where we can talk. Or, send me a private Tmail so we do not clutter up the AV thread. Have a good day. Must get ready for the nor'easter.

Hi Cathy and Leda both of you! I like AVs too! I also like other gesnariads - even though I got rid of all my houseplants a couple years ago, I'll see one, or someone is moving or giving cuttings and its hard to say "No Thanks"
I'll post photos of my one plant that has just taken off! It has fuzzy leaves like an AV but they are shaped differently and are more a copper color!
@phonegirl61 I think its your heat situation. I don't think they'll root if they get chilled If you do want to root them you could get a warming pad to go under the cuttings, I bet you'd have no problem then - since it keeps consistent heat.
Anyway - cool that you both found your way to ATP! Happy growing!

GG I tried the heating pad thing too ...nope they were still rotting and I cant do it any more . Im stressed and Im tired over it and it has done me in . So from now on I will stick with baby plants or grown plants . Im done with it .

Hello Greg @gg5 and Cathy @phonegirl61

I would love to see a picture of your AV, Greg.

Cathy, I ordered a few plants from an Ohio nursery and one of the plants came with a couple weeds. At this time, I am only doing houseplants so I thought I should grow the weeds because most gardens have a few weeds. One is a dandelion type, and the other, I have no idea. It died. So much for Ohio weeds.

Cathy I have all sorts of young AVs and if you want to replenish your collection, I will be glad to send you some if you will pay the postage. Most are Russian varieties that came from eBay as leaves. The vendor was giving me a free gift. The problem is that I have repotted them so many times and mixed up the varieties. So when they bloom it will be a surprise.

Happy growing you two,
Leda

Hi Leda and all...here is a photo of my Kohleria Perdot's "Rolo"
(I've posted it before but since the plant is so much more full, I'm posting both before (sept 2013) and after (Feb 2014)

Greg @gg5

That is a nice plant! Are those flowers bell shaped or tubular or are they just opening?
Thank you for posting it. I enjoyed looking at the growth!

Leda

Thanks Leda - here is a better photo of the bloom, they are tubular. Spotted pink and fuzzy!
I will have many cuttings in spring which I'll gladly share for postage!! These grow just like AVs except that I keep this in a bowl of rocks that I keep water in almost all the time.

Greg @gg5

I would be more than happy to pay postage. Let me know when...

Those leaves look like they would feel like soft kitten ears! The bloom is gorgeous.

So you grow them in water? How large are the rocks? Keep me on your list, please.


Thank you,
Leda

Hey Leda, sorry, no I grow it in soil, but the pot is in a bowl of rocks, which helps with humidity as well as ground watering the plant!! (sorry for the confusion!)
Please don't be shy about reminding me, I'm notorious for forgetting who asked! (I'm "starring" your post, so maybe that will help - if I remember to check what I've starred )
Cheers

@gg5 Here are my baby sinningia's Bristol's Love Potion.....my first attempt at propagation from leaf.



I hope I can keep them alive because they are just beautiful when blooming. This is the mother plant and she has since died. I do hope her babies make it.