African Violets

[KonaLady]

I have always loved African violets and consider them my gateway drug to orchid addiction as I used to collect them when I lived in South Texas. They were in the A/C'd house. They were watered with a wick through the bottom of the pots that were suspended over a tray of weak fertilizer on wire mesh, a common way to water them and keep them moist at all times. They are hard to find here in Hawaii as I would love to have a few.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by KonaLady

I have always loved African violets and consider them my gateway drug to orchid addiction as I used to collect them when I lived in South Texas. They were in the A/C'd house. They were watered with a wick through the bottom of the pots that were suspended over a tray of weak fertilizer on wire mesh, a common way to water them and keep them moist at all times. They are hard to find here in Hawaii as I would love to have a few.

They're easy enough to ship as leaf cuttings in padded envelopes or small priority mail boxes. At higher elevations above Kona they would probably be easy. Down in Kona by the water it would be interesting to try.

[Tindomul]

I didn't realize these were cool growers. My radiator may have had something to do with their demise I suppose.

As for getting them to Hawaii, I was thinking exactly as Estación. Leaf cuttings.

[estación seca]

They're not cool growers - more like intermediate. But a hot dry radiator will certainly do them in. Wick watering is better if you have warm dry conditions.

[Leafmite]

I had one that was getting huge and frequently in bloom but when my mother's died, she wanted a replacement so I gave her mine...it is gone, too. No idea how she kills them as they seem to be so easy to grow. I just wish they were fragrant. :|

[gngrhill]

So sad, Leafmite. The only way I have ever lost them is by over watering. They apparently don't like to be "wet'

[Leafmite]

Who knows? I just could not believe she could kill that one. I had it set up pretty well.

[No-Pro-mwa]

My house gets to cold in the winter. They would always end up with powdery mildew and then pass silently away.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

My house gets to cold in the winter. They would always end up with powdery mildew and then pass silently away.

[estación seca]

I would think warm enough for most orchids is warm enough for African violets?