Very pretty Susie!

Thanks! Now that it's too cold and snowy outside maybe I'll start taking better care of my streptocarpus and African violets.

That's what I was thinking except that the cold here isn't going to last that long, I don't think!

We've got over a foot of snow on the ground and it's not suppose to get much above zero for as long as my computer will show the weather so I think my houseplants might be getting a lot more attention!

Oh yeah! I grew up in Michigan, so I do know about snow! Although now I usually have to go into the mountains to see any real amount on the ground! (and then I can get back home and have no snow and relative warmth!)
In Seattle we do get lots of rain (and that can feel bone chilling) but not the face burning cold that other areas have!

The snow is a great insulator against the cold so I'm not complaining. The wind chill out shoveling today was pretty rough but that just makes the hot tea more appreciated!

Hello, everyone---
JB has twisted my arm enough times so I thought I would check in here...
I have just read every Post in this Forum--Lots of nice pictures.

I have a slew of AV's--of different sizes. I am a "propagating addict"--so, now
I have 55 AV's. The problem is--none of the mature size have bloomed for about 3 years.
This fall, I repotted them all--in an amazing AV soil mix that is made in Canada by
"Lamberts" Peat Moss Co. It is not marketed in the US.
I found a few bags at a local Nursery and was blown away at the texture of this soil.
The best way I can describe it is as milled Peat moss...so soft--and the water just sinks right in.

Anyway.....my AV's have always sat on long shelves along the bottom of my LR and DR windows.
Too close to the glass--and too cold, i am sure...This could be the reason for the no-blooming..
Then I had a brainstorm (!!)--I put a card table in the corner of my DR and put all my AV's on it.
Bought a hanging light at HD and now keep it on for about12hrs. a day.
Many of the AV's are just "babies"--but all seem to be pretty happy.
I fertilize now and then with MG Av liquid (the 7 dops..). I really think they are doing OK.
Now to just wait and hope some of them will bloom.

What fertilizer do most of you use? I have Fish Emulsion. I have some kind of Seaweed fertilizer.
I have "Superthrive"--but have not used that on AV's.

Here is my table in the DR corner... Will check back when I can .. Gita

Hello Gita! to ATP! Glad you found us, you seem to know what you're doing! I'm sure the cold could stop the violets from blooming but I would guess nutrients (as you were probably also thinking) and I personally think they like to be a bit root bound to bloom better? I know my streptocarpus and Sinningia both like to be pot bound and so when I propogate I know if I use a larger pot it will be a year or so until blooms! I hope the light works!
Cheers

Gita, Wow, that is quite a collection!

:iagree: With Greg, they do bloom better when they're a little pot bound. Plant food and light help a lot too. I usually use Dyna-Grow bloom or if I'm out of that Miracle Grow has a bloom formula that I'll use. I use a weaker strength than it says on the directions but I use it whenever I water.

Yours look like they are thriving under the lights so I bet you'll have blooms soon!

Greg--
Thanks for thew welcome...BUT--I still live on DG..been there 10 years and consider it
my second family...However--this site is so much more colorful. I still do not know
my way around...just check in now and then. JB and I have a very close cyber friendship.

I will gladly wait until all these AV's settle in. They had not been re-potted for
a long time, and someone suggested I do so. So, I did. No harm--hope it is for the better.
I have been negligent in fertilizing though. Try to keep a bottle of water right on the table
(see pic) with MG AV drops in it.
I am not sure how strong a fertilizer AV's can tolerate? What do YOU use, Greg?
Should I shock them with some kind of "Bloom Booster"??? Too much "N" may not be good.

I AM quite the gardener of many years--but I do not hesitate asking questions when
I need reinforcement of any kind. I like giving advice as well........:o)
Gita
Here is my LR and DR during the winter.....all other rooms look similar.

OMG Gita....I never saw that shot of the kitchen before. That is hysterical...I love it. I think you should have an acorn for that my friend.

I am so glad to see you here. You have so much information in that head of yours I can only imagine when you get going you will be a tremendous asset to this group as well as several others. Welcome my friend.

I am not doing too well with my AVs and my streps are still blooming but they look really sad. I need to feed them and maybe repot them. Not sure about what I do not since I am new to them. I must get to them after the holidays and the Christmas Tree store closes.

It is a crappy day here today so I must get moving and do something constructive. I just finished replanting all the plants in the GH and am now taking a lunch break.

JB--

Just heard from Donner--and she said that Streps need to be a bit root-bound
to bloom. Mine have not done so well either. The bigger leaves have, kind of, died off.
Maybe i should down=pot them in fresh mix?

How could you miss seeing that ALL your CC's you sent me live under mu task lights
below the kitchen cabinets. It is bright enough there--and they seem to do well there.

Here are a couple other pics--still under the task lights... right of the stove--and left of it.
The third pic is of your yellow one--so pretty! it only had 2 blooms on it...
Gita











Third picture is your yellow one. it only had 2 blooms....so pretty!!!!

Hey Gita, what are you doing sending CC pictures on the AV thread. I am too old to confuse me like that. You talk about the streps and send pics of the CC. Dear me, I can not follow that.
I left you a message on the other thread about your salmon CC.

All kidding aside, these are great looking plants.

So SORRY!

I guess i always associate YOU with CC's. Besides--I have NO Av pictures to post....

Everyone--forgive me...for I know not what I am doing.....wink......

Hey! How do you add one of the icons below? Do I just click on one?
Gonna try it! Gita

You are absolutely forgiven....we are flexible on this thread. Just click on it. See. I am so glad you are visiting us.what streps do you have?

Hi Gita, I use shultz's liquid fertilzer, just because I have that! I use it at 1/2 strength every time I water! I have been told that gesneriads need to be replanted every couple of years because the pots build up salt/mineral deposits and they are more sensitive to this than other plants! So I think transplanting your AVs was a good idea!
Cheers

Well--since i am on this Thread--I have some general questions.
Don't know where else to go....

I have some unusual plants--and would like to, maybe, put them on "Plant Files".
I know that is a DG term--but you have an equivalent here.....

Mostly--How do you find out if a certain plant DOES or DOES NOT have pictures ALREADY there?
Do I just follow the directions to posting a picture? I already know how that works....

Is there an approval time b/f the pictures are "accepted"?

I also do not understand the whole "Acorn thing".... I know it is ATP "currency" -how do you earn them--
is it an automatic thing? Who awards them and for what? How will I know if I have earned some?

Questions.......Questions.........Under "Ask a question"--there are only chosen categories.
What if I have my own category to ask about?? Like--"Other"......

Whew.......Gita

Gita to upload your plant(s) There is a plant data base on the left side of the screen if you are on the home page. Use that and then go to the data base and type your plant in and hit the search. Scroll down and all the pictures of that plant will be there.
On the bottom of your profile there is an acorn that asks what's this. Go there and it will tell you how to get acorns.
If you have a question about the site there is a site forum at the bottom of the forums page where you can ask questions.
Hope this is some help.

Gita, I looked at your questions and saw some things I missed. Your plant pictures get approved by a monitor and it isn't a set time, different monitors look at different plants so they get to them when they can. Usually pretty quickly but sometimes a little longer.

If you page down on the ask a question forum, there is a place for you to ask toward the bottom of the page.
Also if you page down to the bottom of any page, in the blue, it has acorns in the mix of things there. If you click on that it will also tell you about acorns

The monitors award the acorns and you will be notified when you get one.

Also people can be generous and give you acorns! Just for you being you!! (this acorn however is just a picture and not valid towards ATP currency!)