Or you could just run to walmart and get an AV with plenty of leaves for about the cost of postage ;-)

That is true! I did however thought getting them from avid AV growers would make it more personal and special. I know I could easily just buy some plants, but then it defeats my purpose of growing them myself. Kind of like you can buy a tomato at the store, but the ones you grow int he yard always seem to taste better. You know what I mean? But I think I will still check out the local stores too! Thanks! Christy

My best suggestion would be for you to visit the AVSA website and see where your local meeting is.

Attend that meeting and you'll most likely be overwhelmed with people who would be willing to share leaves/starter plants. You'll get some beautiful and unique plants (something you will not find at the store) and you'll be on your way to the personalized environment that you seem to be desiring.

There may even be people there who would be willing to trade the things that you are offering.

If you are able, come back here and share your experience with us and let us know which ones you were able to get.

Dora

Sorry. I think a lot of us have been stiffed by people asking for leaves and plants, both for postage and/or trade/exchanges. I know I have, and it ruined the fun and enjoyment of sharing.

Well, sorry to hear that. I have had good trades on GW. And if any are in doubt, I have postive feedback here on GW for my trading if someone needs to check up on me.
And thank you Dora for all the info! I still have to answer your email I just got.
I did just find and bought 3 named AV plants that I could trade leaves to if someone wants only AV leaves in return. Their names are Pluto, Henrietta, and Percy.
Maybe someone now will give in and trade with me? Christy

Hi Christy,

Lilypad kind of hit the nail on the head. We have seen where people have, quite too frequently, come in here requesting leaves and even offering postage (which they should) when in fact they never intended to reimburse the kind person who donated the leaves at all. And gave not even a "thank you" for the effort.

You have kind of passed up a few steps of unwritten protocol here. First people come in and introduce themselves. Then they ask questions about the hobby and talk about how they're doing with their hobby. They basically become part of the family/neighborhood. When people get to know who you are, then they will feel comfortable doing trading with you.

I see that you have been a member of the garden web for a couple years and a member of the "growing tomatoes" and "seed saving" forums. Maybe things are a little more relaxed over there. With being a member of the African violet forum, I am also a member of the house plant and gesneriad forums and I can tell you that you would get the same reception from either of those groups for the same above reason.

You may find some nice person here who will decide to give you a break. If they do for goodness sakes reimburse them for postage and thank them. Otherwise I think finding a local African violet club is a good route for you to go. Here is a link to local affiiates of the AVSA where you can look for a club in your area. It looks like you are from New Jersey. There are plenty of clubs in your state. You will meet a lot of people who can give you a plethora of advice on how to start and care for your leaves. Then when the babies are ready to be separated you can have people help you with that too. By that time all of us would be willing to help you along the way with advise. Who knows maybe you will become an Afican violet addict like the rest of us.

I'm sorry that you seem to getting a less than warm welcome from this group. As soon as you get your leaves, we will bend over backwards to help you start them with success and get them to where the offspring are blooming.

Good luck,

Larry

Just wanted to point out -- I just searched GW for "bonechickchris", and I see a lot of great reviews from the trades she had. And she does have a huge seed list -- I can totally see someone wanting to get a bunch of veggie seeds in exchange for AV leaves. So I'd say this post is not all that bad. Though I have to admit, when I first read the post, before doing the search, my first thought too was "oh no, not again" :-D

Just wanted to add to Larry's observation. I also sent leaves and plants and mostly got something back - sometimes very nice things or just warm thanks. But rare bad apples... not even thank you, not even acknowledgment that they got the parcel, sometimes just requests about send me more, more, more... And I didn't ever ask for postage.

I think the most precious resource we have is time. And the time spent on packaging, driving to the post office... I enjoy sending stuff to people I know. But to people I do not know and not sure if they are nice... I would better play with my plants or read a book between going to work, taking care of Mom and husband, 3 cats and a dog, groceries etc.

Bad hair day today. Kitten got sick. Tomorrow should be better or else!

Irina

PS Christy - it is definitely not about you. We really would love to know you better first.

Thanks for explaining some more to me. I did not know that there was such a bad reputation of new people making bad trades. Maybe someone can explain to me what went so wrong? AS for me,I am an active user of the Seed Exchange, Round Robin Trade, Tomato forums and at times, Sedd Saving and NJ Gardeining Forums.
IN my experience with these forums, especially the trade forums, there was not much of a protocal to follow to become involved, so I just posted here on AV as I have on other forums in the past. I did not know that there was a certain intro to follow. So I am sorry for that.
I have all positive trades in my time with GW, so I had no thought of people being weary of bad trades. I am also new to AV's so I do not know much of the way to go about the leaf requests. So sorry again.
BUt in defense of myself, I have had ALL postive trades here. In matter of fact, whoever I trade with I ALWAYS give extras and more than requested just to be nice. I would never rip someone off. I have always been very generous, and I think that reflects in my trade reviews.
If you would like, I can discountinue my leaf request here. I really did not mean to intrude.
Thank you for all that helped me and given me info on where to look and who to contact. Thanks alenka for giving me a postive opinion :)

Oh, that this board would be as warm and welcoming to newbies/visitors over AVs as the local meetings that I've been to. Alas, we are all human and sometimes it is difficult not to make a newcomers/visitor responsible for the debts of previous people or to make them feel like they don't need to jump through hoops to be accepted. It is even more difficult to not misinterpret tone of post and attitudes of posters accurately. I consider it one of the pitfalls of all boards...not just AV.

It's a shame that protocol (even unwritten ones) precedes personal welcomes and I do hope that you will not let a slightly rocky start prevent you from sharing with us more and allowing those who desire to share back with you - do so.

I hope this can serve as a reminder of how first time posters/visitors may feel about how their post are responded to (or not responded to).

Dora

You prolly shoulda posted yer initial request in the African Violet Exchanges forum area anyway.

Where in NJ are you? I'm down here in Toms River on vacation/house-sitting for one of my bestgood violet buddies... If you wanna come over, I'll let you run thru part of his collection with scissors to get some leaves. Lemme know if you wanna.
Email: m3rma1d @ creativespill.com (Take out the spaces)

Hi Christy........I don't post very much on this website, however, I have been a member for about 3 years or so, never had a bad trade and never turned down anyone who was asking for help getting started, if I was able. I would be more than happy to send you a care package of leaves to help you get started. Please get ahold of me through my email directly kdarrow405@aol.com, to make sure I get your message. I commend you for hanging in there, after the less than warm welcome that you received. There are a lot of us growers who have been around a long time that are more that happy to help a newbie, as the whole point is to keep the interest up in the violets and keep the older violets going. Many of us have plenty to share, and until I am burned beyond belief, I will continue to promote violets and help new people get started.

Here is a link that might be useful: kbugsviolets