Well, the fertlizer info is correct!! And I think the furnace in the winter might be a problem (but not in South Texas).

I always put down a leaf of a plant just to make sure I have another if anything does happen. AVs can live a very long time - and you can keep repotting every six months in a 1/2" larger pot each time until about 4" pot is reached -- and then just cut off part of the rootball each time and repot in same size pot. Or move up -- I always stop at the 4" size though because I run out of shelf room if they get too big.

I find that AVs are a joy because they seem to always be blooming. I have several so there are always blossoms around, but I think a violet can continuously bloom almost all of the time.

I grown my violets on reservoirs for wicking, on fluorescent light stands, with lights about 12" about plants. I have lights on for 12 hours per day.

I water with reverse osmosis water as our city water is too high in pH - 1/4 tsp fertilizer per gallon. I do grow new plantlets, leaves, and some smaller AVs on capillary matting - and they do like that humidity. I move them to individual reservoirs as they get larger.

You can find out more about AVs and care and culture at the AVSA website. Check out the FAQs!! These are fantastic plants and make a marvelous hobby!!!

Marjorie in Corpus Christi TX

Here is a link that might be useful: AVSA

Hi Ken,

Well, some of those things are right. They do like some humidity, though I've never had to go so far as putting them on pebble trays. They can generally handle lower humidity, they're not like Calatheas or anything. But AVs can be very long-lived plants, some people have had theirs for a decade or two, even longer.

Lights 3 inches from the plants is WAY too close. 8-12 inches would be better. They will start to become deformed with that intense amount of light. Some people leave their lights on for 16 hours, though I usually don't for more than 12 or 13.

The success of a plant, the majority of plants, has a lot to do with their root growth.

Marjorie gave you a great link. Good luck to you and your friend.

Also check out Rachel's site. She has *lots* of cultural info with pictures!

You know, I'm beginning to think I should charge her a commission for every rec I give out. :-D

Korina

Here is a link that might be useful: Rachel's Reflections