Was poking around the GardenWeb forums and figured I'd take a look at some African violets. I'm certainly glad I did, these are gorgeous plants with beautiful flowers. The Imp's Spirit Warder doesn't even look real, it's so pretty.

Great work and congratulations on the lovely plants. :)

Sadly I'd probably just kill these.

Awww, Anne they are absolutely beautiful! I am still pondering that mat watering. Just not so sure at the moment.

Just to update you, my Myakka Trail is still blooming her little head off! I just love her! Rosie

Well, Rosie, I am not advocating that everyone should water that way, but for me it has worked out very well. Mat watering can have its drawbacks (many people worry about spreading pests and disease through an entire tray although so far - knock on wood - that has not occurred at my house,) but certainly it was less work for me than the individual container wick watering - and it was far less bother to set up! I thought about using egg crate on the trays and community wick watering in that, but I didn't have room between the shelves and the lights to raise the pots up those inches. It would have meant disassembling the entire shelving unit to readjust the spacing of the shelves - too much effort!! ;-)

I agree with Nicolas, Imp's Spirit Wanderer doesn't even look real! It's out of this world. You have such beautiful plants!!!! Wow. Rob's Pewter Bells is my favorite out of the three - so elegant looking! Congratulations on the success :)

I've had trouble when it comes to watering the miniatures too though - especially micro miniatures! Sometimes, I underestimate them, and give them wayy less water than they need because I'm worried about flooding the little guys. I've definitely gotten a lot better at watering though.

Wick watering has been a gift for me when it comes to the minis and micro minis. I just could NOT keep up with watering those small pots. I don't have that many of them so they would kinda get overlooked and by the time I realized they were dry again,,,,,well,,,,,,,it wasn't pretty.

Even though the micro minis are on wicks,,,,I am cutting down a few water and gatorade bottles to make little terarriums for each of them. Just thru the winter to take the stress off.

And during the winter our place is soooooo dry I was doing nothing but watering! At least with wicks I can breathe in between trips to the sink! lol

I don't have a light unit. (wish I did!!!) I have to depend on windows for my plants survival. I do have a window shelf that gives me 2 shelves to put plants on plus the window sill. I have 2 of them so that helps at least in 2 windows! I rotate plants on and off the shelf if I see someone needs more light or less. I know it sounds like extra work but hey, what else have I got to do???? lol Rosie

Ahh, I still need to try wick-watering! I just haven't really found a plant I want to be my test subject yet.... My garden window wasn't installed correctly, so it's very hard to reach my plants. I typically forget to water until it's time to go to bed, which makes it even harder - trying climb into my window to water my babies in the dark! Not to mention, my plants have started piling up, which means I have to really keep an eye out and make sure I didn't forget anybody.

My micro minis are in terrariums - I have four of them; SK's First Love, Rob's Voodoo Blue, Rob's Junebug, and Rob's Bunnyhop. SK looks like it has one foot out the door. Within a week of planting it in the terrarium, it sure didn't like it one bit! Voodoo blue is following the same pattern, unfortunately, but Junebug and Bunnyhop seem perfectly happy! All four of them are getting the same exact care, and yet 2/4 of them just didn't like it. It's funny how they all have different personalities. Though, I will say, I started giving them all a little more water to see how they'd react - SK might be making a come back (only the crown is alive at this point, and for awhile there it looked far gone. But it's getting better), and Voodoo isn't TOO shabby either.

I had created a little succulent terrarium in a tic tac container, but it wasn't ventilated properly, and the poor guys rotted after a month. I'm new to terrariums, so I won't let myself get too beat up over it... I don't want to be a plant murderer though!!! :(

Ummm, something jumped out at me when I read your post. You don't know which violet to use as a test subject.

Here is my suggestion: I would take SK, repot it in a small pot like this: one layer of napkin in the bottom to hold the soil in. Put a small wick thru the napkin and one of the holes in the bottom of the pot. Add new soil (1/2 perlite & 1/2 lightweight soil, I use MiracleGro,,,you can use whatever you are used to), repot violet and set it on a small container that will hold water. Don't put it in a terarrium. See what happens on the new system. Maybe you will be able to save the plant. It is worth a try.

That is my system for wicking. I would probably try VooDoo blue also. I would do anything to save a plant. If it dies,,,,well, if it looked like it was going to die anyway you gave it your best shot.

I wouldn't mess with anything that is happy. (well,,,,I did because my tiny ones have to be on wicks to survive) But if you have 2 that are happy and you can maintain them that way I would leave them alone.

Another thing,,,,it may not be such a good idea to water at night. The plants are not that active at night and you may actually be doing more harm than good.

Watering in the a.m. is preferable because that is when most plant activity is taking place. Google the information and you will see.

By the way, when you put your plants in a terrarium do they have adequate drainage? Do you leave the lid on all of the time? Are they sitting in their terrarium in your window in sun or very bright light? Sorry for so many questions, I am just trying to figure it out. You said you are new to terrariums so these things are often done without realizing it. Let me know and maybe we can save some plants! Rosie

Anne, Thanks for posting the lovely photos of charming violets and getting a good discussion going! I don't grow minis, so it is fun to see them. Rosie, I agree about morning watering. Unless they are on wicks or mats, when hydration is constant. Joanne

Oops! yep! my slip up! I was concerned that if they are kept in terrariums, and getting watered at night,,,,well that could be a recipe for disaster! Or rot. Let's see what some of the answers are and maybe we can help her fix what ails her plants? Rosie

Oh yeah! I can't believe I completely forgot. I used to water every morning, but I got lazy these past 2 weeks and have been watering at night without even thinking! Wow. Thank you so much for the reminder. I'm still amazed I completely forgot watering at night is a bad idea. I'll definitely start watering in the morning again.

That's a good idea. I should try and remove them while I can. Though, since they seem to be perking up with a little extra water, I might leave them for just a little longer and see. If they don't get better, I'll do what you suggested. Thank you so much for the detailed instructions, I really appreciate it!!!

The terrariums actually don't have lids. They're in glass containers like this and this (Voodoo and Junebug in their own terrariums like the one in the first link, SK and Bunnyhop in their own terrariums like the one in the second link). They don't have drainage, but I have gravel and charcoal that's supposed to filter the water and prevent it from sitting in the bottom and prevent it from molding out (it's worked like a charm! I haven't had any problems with condensation or water in the bottom).

Thank you again for all of your advice!! :)

You're welcome! Rosie

Anne, I've been mat watering for a couple years and in general it works really well. I do it for the streps and AVs. You and I may be the only ones doing this. There have been times when I've contemplated wick watering but I've yet to come across a good enough setup that will take as many plants. Still working the idea of a grid over a tray, but haven't found a thing online that will work properly, so I'm keeping on moving forward with the mats. Your flowers look just lovely! :-)

supertinyviolet-there's a facebook page for Micros and Minis. It might be something for you to look at-I joined last year and there are some folks there with great ideas, including the terrariums (which I will be making myself in a month or so!).

Best,

Judy

Very pretty pics! :) I'll have to check out the Micro's and Mini's facebook page. I love terrarium ideas.

I was so excited, typed in Micros and Minis and I'm already a member. For some reason though, I don't get updated pics. I guess I have to be more active in the page.

Such beauties! I am still working on getting the hang if AV's in general, but my pretty garden center NOID is doing well for me. Once I master this one, will try my hand at the minis. Good tip on mat watering, will remember that!

I have feared them for many years, after many a disaster. I usually go gaga over Hoya species, as they are so tolerant of a growers mistakes and so lovely. Still, there is a certain charm to AV's that I just can't resist. I will master growing them, partly out of determination but largely out of the generous advice of folks like you on the forums. Of course, the gorgeous photos you all are so kind to share certainly help fuel the passion!