very nice!

These are really cute. I'm still toying with getting a few minis to put in terrariums! What are the names of the bottom two?

Best,

Judy

By the way, how do you get these? Do you order them as tubers or seeds? I'm a little leery of ordering plants and they are not carried locallly.

Thanks!

I drove up to an accquaintance of mine, Dave Harris, and picked them up, he's a grower and breeder in Springfield, Mo. I'll try to take a new photo today and name them all in order (I'm lazy...yes I am) and add to thread.

And they should ship very well, he ships as growing plants...minis go dormant sporadically (if at all).

Oh I labeled on Flickr, let me see....top down, ozark rosy cheeks, neesa, and ozark fireworks.

Judy -

I grow Ozark Rosy Cheeks - it doesn't need a terrarium if you grow it on wick - it is a good size mini, quite strong and floriferous. 50% humidity is probably enough - so you can grow it in a fish tank, just do not close all the top.

I think David Harris will be in Albuquerque on the AVSA Convention - consider driving there - 7 hours including a lunch break at Trinidad and 2 stops at the gas stations - enjoy the scenery - see the Show and the Sales room. Quite a lot of people from the RMAV Council plan to do it.

I.

I personally feel the growth would be better outside a terrarium, I just grow on windowsills...just remember tiny pots dry fast.

Ah Dave-yes, he's a great guy! Well, I've got some terrariums to build anyway. Typically I build them woodland style, but do need a couple flowers here and there. Bought some "micro" mini avs last fall to use in them, just haven't gotten around to it yet-and kind of waited for spring.

I'd love to drive down to the AVSA convention but got walloped with one of those prime flus (the kind we get the shots for) on Thursday and haven't moved much since. Been the avenue of Advil, dayquil and bed the last few days.

One thing I have noticed is that there appear to be very few tiny mini sinningias available for sale. Next week I'll look a bit more. Dave's are very pretty and then there's a place, Kartuz, but I'm not clear on how big the minis are. Most likely I'll email Dave and see what he recommends.

Best,

Judy

Kartuz...umm beware, he has a reputation I think of bugs, viruses, etc.

Judy, my blooming ones are in 1.5 inch circular...and they're almost (and may be) overpotted.

Thanks then-scratch the Kartuz, no bugs for me please! I'll email Dave then. He's got some beautiful ones. A lot of his minis are out of stock but he can tell me what he's got coming up.

He only grows about two 32 trays at a time (on most of these)...course he says demand is down these days.

If he's out..just ask him (though he's not the best email communicator in the world)...he might be able to ship you one anyway (lol).

I want to put my good word for Michael Kartuz. He grows a lot of a very rare stuff, he is of a very advanced age - close to 90 I believe - and when he closes the shop - the gesneriad lovers will lose a lot.

I was at his place in Vista CA - and he grows his plants outside in the tunnels in semi-open conditions - so anything that flies can get in. I think you need to be vigilant for mealies. But if you get Sinningia tubers from him - and he has some very yummy large varieties - I do not see minis - you can dip them in 1/3 solution of rubbing alcohol - and bugs will be gone. Didn't hear about any virus at his place, I hope this plague will pass him - after decades of hard work - he doesn't need it.

I.

Thanks Irina-I will keep that in mind and see if he's just got tubers. Some of his minis are really quite pretty. What I found are listed here, though a few without pictures. http://www.kartuz.com/c/1GES14/Miniature+Sinningia.html

Cool - I missed it! S. pusilla 'Itaoca' - he started from Brazil Seeds. I saw trays of seedlings in his home. Cindy Ella and Doll Baby - are vintage and not easy to find.

My advise came because of a nurseryman who spoke in all praise of Michael and his collection or rare things, but warned me about his collection.

Virus - is a terminal thing... Soil mealy bugs - is doable.

Nope seldom do viruses kill things, they just weaken and cause odd growth.

You are correct. Terminal - I mean - straight to the Dumpster... they do not die, but they are ugly and contagious...