African Violets in Bloom
 

Hello!

I've noticed that many other orchid growers also tend to grow AVs, so I thought I would share two of my plants that are in bloom right now :) would love to see pictures of other peoples AVs in bloom as well!

Very symmetrical shape, nice frosting. Good job.

Lovely! I used to grow them, but have had to cut down on houseplants, so don't have any now.

Very nice. I have no experience with this plant and it is lovely

Nice AVs, ghuylar! I have three AVs, all of which were given to me by a friend who moved across the country and had to rehome most of her plants. They live happily alongside my orchids. Only one is in bloom right now, though it's not unusual for all three of them to be at the same time.

They are very easy houseplants, although they do get quite large. Standard AVs will get about a foot in diameter! I grow mine in a wick watering system in orchid bark, and they are vigorous growers :)

AHHH i knew i had heard something about them....When i was sourcing wicking material i kept seeing African violets wicking cord!

how is it used? reservoir in the bottom and then a string to the top?

Yes! I use a standard 4 inch plastic nursery pot with holes in the bottom and nest it inside a 4 in decorative pot that is taller. Water can be stores in the decorative pot, and then I use a standard shoe lace as a wick! Just measure it so that it is roughly the length of the outer pot, and nestle the wick around the roots!

Shoe laces make for a very cheap and well working wick!

a shoe lace ?!? really! i assume it has to be cotton right?

Yes! Just a regular cotton shoe lace, or maybe something synthetic, I don't remember. I got it from the store for less than $3. Much cheaper than buying special wicks online!

Can I ask what type of orchid bark, in particular, you are using? Do you just use straight bark, or do you mix it with something?

I just use straight Miracle Gro orchid bark! Its a very fine bark so the roots don't get enough air to kill them, but they aren't getting water logged like soil does with wick watering. I've found it is a very good compromise!

Here's a couple in bloom at the moment...

Finishing this go-round of blooms...

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium/AV1_2_.JPG

Just starting a flush of blooms (I really like this one...it glows in the sunlight)

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium/AV1_1_.jpg

As I was telling a friend yesterday, I just grow them because I like them. And I break a lot of the "rules" for growing AV's the correct way for show quality. But they sure are pretty, and always blooming. Something to enjoy while waiting five months for some of these orchid blooms to actually open. :biggrin:

After this one caught my eye in the grocery store..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U6...o=w679-h904-no

And I found out about Violet Barn and Minis..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Qp...=w1205-h904-no

Oh, Violet Barn... a favorite cyber stopping place of mine!

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------

I have that first one! Also a grocery store conquer!

you know what....i think you guys are a bad influence on me...i do


weed is not a gateway drug...orchids are
:rofl:

I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
I will NOT get into African Violets!
ooooooooh violet barn, you say???? and i can explore it from the couch......:(

As long as you're exploring here's Leafmite's favorite website:

www.logee's.com

What is the attraction to these, vs. other plants? I am trying to understand why there's such a strong following. No offense intended, just curious :)

For me it is because they bloom constantly, have a wide variety of attractive foliage and flowers, are not expensive, are easy to care for, and easy to propagate (to use as gifts).

WaterWitchin~

That blue violet is absolutely stunning! What beautiful flowers and foliage! Now I'll have to be on the lookout for something similar, I'm so in awe!

---------- Post added at 11:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 AM ----------

Clawhammer~

You have a beautiful collection! I'm always checking out violet barn, it's hard to resist buying every single plant!

---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

DirtyCoconuts~

Joint the dark side! African Violets are AMAZING, so beautiful and easy to grow and bloom!

---------- Post added at 11:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:39 AM ----------

Kvet~

I originally got into them because they are such a cheap houseplant to get. Then I started to see how many different hybrids there are out there with various types of foliage shapes and flower shapes and colors. I am also a flower person as opposed to a foliage person, so I am attracted to plants because I enjoy the challenge of getting them to bloom and see flowers. AVs are very easy to bloom, and have such a wide array of bloom types. And did I mention they're cheap?! For a cheap orchid I will spend around $25 and up, but the average AV is less than $10!

Hey DC! Remember I’m sending you a flaming violet? At your bequest? :rofl:

It’s too late to turn back.

I just dropped $25 for a tiny 3" orchid :shock: I see AVs in the stores all the time, they seem "common" but reading up I can't believe people have competitions that's crazy! The low cost factor is interesting even compared to Hoyas which are just as easy to propogate, hmm. If I were to try growing one, I'd like a fragrant kind.

jerks!

so i have orchids, tropical food plants, hoyas, tillys, addeniums, frangipanis, hibiscus succulent and cactus collections and now another...

i need a support group..



...hey! you guys!!!!