By the way, what happens if the leaves get wet? Does it melt like the
wicked witch of the west? I've only heard that you shouldn't do it, not what
the repercussions are.

If you get cold water on African violet leaves (or the leaves get chilled), you
will get unsightly white or tan splotches. If you water with hard water and
leave drops on the leaves, there will be conspicuous white marks where the
water dries, due to the hairs accumulating excess salts. These are mainly
cosmetic problems, but easily avoided if you water with lukewarm water & don't
allow it to stand on the leaves. Also, be very careful not to leave water
standing in the crown. That will kill the plant. After you water, remove any
water in the crown with a tissue, or blow it out. Use the same caution with
phalaenopsis.

Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

By the way, what happens if the leaves get wet? Does it melt like the
wicked witch of the west? I've only heard that you shouldn't do it, not what
the repercussions are.

Mine hasn't bloomed since we first got it. The plant looks very
healthy and is watered from the bottom. I saw a recent posting that
said they need like 14-16 hours of indirect bright light to bloom. If
that's the case, then I'll need to put it under flourescent light in
the winter.

I recently began using African Violet food and have been keeping it
evenly moist but not soggy.

Anything I'm missing? I have a seed starting area with flourescent
lights on a timer, should I stick him there for a while?

Spring... soon... please!!!!

Shiltsy

Zone 4 - Minneapolis, MN

I'm no expert but either I lucked out or had the perfect window for them
because mine rarely go without blooms. I did find that I had to use a self
watering african violet pot(you can get them at Lowes or at specialty stores)
and I swear only by Peters african violets food. I mixed the it to the weaker
directions and mine bloom and bloom. There are brief times when they don't
bloom but my friends are amazed. I have them next to a north (more or less)
window But I do live in Texas. I imagine you need more light and would try any
light or lamp on the table so you can still enjoy them- because what good is it
if you never see them. I also swear the by the pots and Peters! Ps the leaves
don't melt they just turn brown and shrivel up!
Judy zone 8B

Those pots are good, but mine out-grow them so fast!


On 06 Mar 2003 05:19:56 GMT, (JStubbs358) wrote:

I'm no expert but either I lucked out or had the perfect window for them
because mine rarely go without blooms. I did find that I had to use a self
watering african violet pot(you can get them at Lowes or at specialty stores)
and I swear only by Peters african violets food. I mixed the it to the weaker
directions and mine bloom and bloom. There are brief times when they don't
bloom but my friends are amazed. I have them next to a north (more or less)
window But I do live in Texas. I imagine you need more light and would try any
light or lamp on the table so you can still enjoy them- because what good is it
if you never see them. I also swear the by the pots and Peters! Ps the leaves
don't melt they just turn brown and shrivel up!
Judy zone 8B

·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
jammer
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸

Anything I'm missing?

I don't know about the light requirements. I had quite a
few when I lived in Minneapolis and they bloomed pretty
consistently for me. The only time they didn't bloom was
after I repotted. They like to be rootbound basically.

Tracey

I dont think so, i think you are trying too hard maybe. I live in 7A
and my west window makes them thrive. I use AV potting soil, bottom
water, and i have never fed one. (Actually, i lied. I JUST for the
first time gave it some the other day with the rest of the plants)
They rarely stop blooming. And no, i am not one of those that can grow
anything. NO WAY. No matter where i have lived, i have always started
them out in the kitchen window.

On Thu, 06 Mar 2003 05:32:41 GMT, Tracey wrote:

Anything I'm missing?

I don't know about the light requirements. I had quite a
few when I lived in Minneapolis and they bloomed pretty
consistently for me. The only time they didn't bloom was
after I repotted. They like to be rootbound basically.

Tracey

·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
jammer
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸