Debbie, I received one earlier this summer that only had 3 leaves left....but it had SOME leaves. I was worried, but it made it. It's up to 5 leaves now, and I've removed the 3 that were left as they were out of balance. So, the 5 leaves are all new growth since I got it.

If you have at least 2 or 3, I would think it could make it, especially if you do not overwater it and bag it. Without any leaves, I'd doubt it could live - no photosynthesis. But, I don't know, maybe AVs can handle a short time without any leaves.

I hope someone else knows more.

Oh, and your leaves that you cut may work. I've put several down that way - including one from the plant I mentioned above. I have babies on it right now.

Debbie -

Lath is right - barely moist - and bagged - the plant will use the nutrients stored in a stem - and send new leaves. Eventually you will pot it lower and the bare part of the stem will go under. Right now - just bag it and let it recover.

Even the wedges of the leaves give babies. In no time your house will be filled with LongLegs.

I hope your seller will improve his packaging. I would say - 1-2-3 leaves broken can be expected - but 15? Somebody played soccer with the box?

Irina

Irina, I was wondering the same thing! I imagine LongLegs is a tough plant to package, but....15 broken leaves is quite a bit. Maybe this is a plant that is best sent as a small starter, with only 8 leaves or so.

Hi ladies!
The replacement plant arrived today and in much better shape. Only 3 leaves broken. It is a smaller plant but a nice one.
The first plant does still have a few leaves left so will be fine I think. The crown portion was unharmed. It will take time but I'm sure it will be a nice plant someday.
My question is was the box handled roughly enroute or did the seller just stuff it into the styrofoam cup none too gently. haha. I'll never know.
Thank you for your help!,,,,Debbie

Curious just how the 1st package was packed for shipping... "rough handling" from the post office is a given! That's going to happen no matter what. It's certainly possible to pack well enough to withstand some rough treatment.

Seller should maybe practice packing a box and giving it a kick every time they go by it for 3 or 4 days and then open it and see what needs to be changed :) Savings for replacement costs due to damaged plants might be worth experimenting.

(I witnessed my carrier give a box he was delivering to my deck a toss and a roll for the last 10 feet to the door ;)

The first package was packed just like the 2nd package. There was pink insulation in the box then in a styrofoam cup was the AV with a small wooden dowel thru the cup to hold it in place. On top of the cup was a paper towel. My gut tells me it's when he puts the dowel thru that the damage occurs to the plants. There was room in the box for the cup to move around but with the dowel that really wouldn't effect the AV.

I do hope you walked out and had a "talk" with your mail carrier and called to speak with the post master!!! The carriers make good money and we pay good money to have our mail and packages safely delivered!

When I pack a box for shipping before I tape it closed I shake the living daylights out of it to listen for any rustling or movement. If I hear any I add more cushion material.,,,Debbie

I have had the same experience with plants that arrived damaged with the leaves broken off right where they meet the stems when they were packaged using this method. I intensly dislike this method of packaging. I don't understand why anybody would use it. My method of packaging plants is to secure the soil in place using Glad Press n Seal, paper towels underneath the stems and leaves to cushion and protect them, wrap each plant with a sheet of bubble wrap and newpaper, and use packaging material in the box to pack them tightly so they can't move and bounce around. These boxes are not processed by hand. They travel through machinery such as conveyor belts where they get bounced around and tumble end over end.

Here is a link to my photobucket account where I have some pictures of the method I described above.

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa307/DebsVioletRoom/Packaging%20Violets/Wrapping%20A%20Violet/

ItsDeb

Deb how you package your AV's is how usually I receive them. This was a new seller to me and I think he needs to revamp his methods.

I took a walk through your pictures and lovely AV's! Very nice pictures and I liked how you show a single flower then a picture of the whole plant too!

Thank you for showing your packaging method. This way when I am able to start trading plantlets I'll know how to wrap them!,,,,Debbie

Deb -

what a fabulous collection of plants, great photos, beautiful house!

And how much time you spent just working on your great album!

Thank you -thank you -thank you!

I am running the slide show on your violets - and running to the door - to dispense candies.

Happy Halloween

Irina

Deb,

Your albums are wonderful. WV is truly God's Country. Your violets are so healthy and gorgeous. I was wondering why you grew so many Rob's Vanilla Trail then I saw the strawberry jar filled with them - lovely. I'm going to try that.

The video of the pests, great. The spring tails, if you have had them do you just live with them or do you have a method of control. This has been a question here before and there was really no good answer.

And what do you do with all your violets? Do you sell on eBay? You are going to have to add on a whole knew addition to your house.LOL

Oh, and Charlene, next time I'm betting you'll get that old chipmunk!

Thanks for sharing, Deb.

Mac (I'm also a Debbie - just too many of us)

Deb... I like your packing. I also browsed your AV collection. Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing. Mary