African Violet Buds!

[Paul]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

When I took these pics, the plant was dry enough that I could lift it right out of its pot. There are some fine roots growing around, not many though.

I also saw a tiny (1 inch) centipede weaving its way in and out of the soil! Do you think it is harming anything?

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

You don't want to bone dry these. They need moist soil, not soggy, at all times.

To me, your plant looks like it has been grown too dry and too bright judging by the way leaves are growing.

NYC, I don't think I would necessarily agree with you on the "too bright" point but definitely on the "too dry." As he said, CW, you want to aim for moist - lightly moist.

Centipedes are predators. They will do no harm to your plant.

[RandomGemini]

Just wanted to post an update on my African Violets! Check it out! I've never seen so many blooms on one before!



I did have to move this one away from the window, it was getting too cold there and it got a bit droopy, but it perked right up after I moved it!

Also the white with blue halo put up a few flowers for me this week. They're so cute! I'm hopeful that it will throw out as many flowers as the plain blue one has.

[My Green Pets]

Very nice! Mine is doing nothing it seems...

[RandomGemini]

Well what's going on with it? Is it getting enough light? I had to move my AVs closer to the window... as in like right next to it, to get them to bloom. People say they are low light, but that doesn't mean they don't need window exposure, because they do!

I just discovered, I may have to part with this white and blue one. I believe it has aphids (little green bugs) and I'm not going to risk my orchid collection for a 5$ plant. Thankfully my AVs are nowhere near my orchids, but I'm still not going to chance it. I had planned to order a couple of other AVs in the spring, because I was going to try hanging a couple in baskets in this window, so I'll just get another one like it then.

[Subrosa]

My mother grew them when I was a kid and has recently gotten back into them. I was looking to get her one when I came across this one:

[NYCorchidman]

That first picture with lots of blue violet flowers is very nice!!!

That is how AV should look

---------- Post added at 03:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:41 PM ----------

When AVs are given too much light, the leaves tend to mature smaller and point downward.

Under ideal light, they face slightly upward as shown in pictures posted by the thread starter.

[Skycat]

I just got an African violet earlier today! They were on clearance for $1 at Lowe's, so why not try one?



This one was probably one of the better-looking ones, as far as I could tell.

(I repotted it soon after I got home; I always feel the need to repot every new plant I get. Never know what the store's done to the roots, y'know?)

[RandomGemini]

Be mindful of the clearance plants and keep it away from your orchid collection until you're sure there are no hitch hikers on the plant. I had to toss one of my AVs because it was infested with aphids. My other two seem okay.

[Gthumbz89]

Wow those are huge violets!!! I have a few minis that look so tiny in comparison. I don't know what those people who said they are hard to grow are talking about my violets only need to be watered 2 times a month with wick watering and they bloom profusely. Very nicely done with your plants they look very healthy.

[RandomGemini]

Thanks! Do you happen to know how often I can expect them to bloom? Mine bloomed at around Christmas and just recently all of the flowers died back and now they seem to be growing lots of leaves. I was under the impression that AVs bloom more continuously than this.