We need to co-author a book Heather -- Newbie Adventures with AVs. (Or am I the only novice around here?)

So I guess this just randomly happens?

You just make your 100 mistakes... and then you are free of mishaps... almost...

Good part - that when you are starting - you mostly make mistakes in culture. Overwater- kill - figured it out, no more. Not enough light - they stretch and do not bloom - aha - where is my window. Sunburn - oh-oh - too much light. Fertilizer - too much fertilizer - they die. A little bit too much - they start developing brown crystals on young leaves. And so on and so forth. Even if you read everything - you still do not recognize it on your plants. Usually there is not very much damage from pests - thrips and Powdery Mildew are obligatory - but the rest is not happening until you start trading and buying plants from other growers.

So what is the mistake that I'm making here?

If the wick is either not in contact with the pot's soil ... or is out of contact with the water on the other side ... it can dry out. I've never wicked, but I'm an engineer, and I know that contact has to be maintained on both ends of the wick.

BTW ... Irina's right about going through the growing pains of growing African Violets. I shudder to think HOW MANY plants passed through my bumbling hands ... over the course of years.

And even as I seem to be doing better now, I've had a half-dozen plants pass away before my eyes this year ... to crown rot.

But, in the main, my plants seem to be doing well. I'm sure that yours will do as well (you're doing a whole lot better than I was in the beginning). And perhaps life will follow the same successful course ...

Over the years, I've had wicks stop working for some reason. This has been with mason's twine if I recall. I don't know why because wicks off the same spool were happily doing their job so who knows. I mostly use yarn now and it doesn't seem to fail.

I had experienced this problem. Actually last night I found 4 dry pots. Mine were because I set the fan too close. Then the pots get the strongest wind dry out. I was usually able to correct the problem by running water through the pots to really soak them. Of course also move the fan away a bit more.

thankfully *knocks on wood* none of mine have passed *knocks on wood again*. I'm using acrylic yarn ..from the same skein...at the same time...I did plop (ie carefully place just the bottom end of the cup in water) to get the system going again. I'd like to use a smaller fan but currently just using what I have. I dont mind if it was dry and i had to rewater it. I just never had this happen..and was confused on why it would happen with the jar still containing water

It happens now and then when wicking. I've never figured out quite why - but I have learned that it's never a good idea to go too long without really checking out your plants. Picking them up is best - you can spot a pot drying out in a heartbeat just from the weight (or lack of it) in your hand.

i baby mine still..if they could talk they probably tell me to leave them alone for a while...thats how i knew something wasnt right by the weight of the pot

Now Irina,,,,an update just for you! I am on page 72 out of 100 pages in Wish Book # 51. lol Rosie

PS Each Wish Book has 100 pages!

It happens! I've been wicking since I began growing in the early '70's. Just top water to get things going again or soak your plant until the root-ball is wet and return to the reservoir. Don't agonize over this. There are plenty of other things to agonize over-thrips, water molds, air borne fungi, mites. I could go on but I won't.

Just put it in a saucer with water - let it soak for 10-15 min - and put it back. Sometimes you need to do it just because your reservoir dried out - and you need to rewet your wick and soil to restart the capillary action.

I understand that and don't mind cause I know it's dried out.. But when the reservoir is still full but the put is dry makes me wonder

I checked my violets tonight and I had five reservoirs that were full and were not drawing. I just ran water through the plant to get them started again. It happens.

Linda

This is why I decided wicking wasn't for me. If I have to check on them all the time anyway, why not just water manually when they need it. (that's my thought)

dbarron, I go thru my plants once a week and they are all on wicks. My leaves are not on wicks but it takes me longer to deal with them and their water needs than the ones I just have to look to see if there is water in the reservoir.

As far as the water in but not drawing up......That happens very infrequently. I haven't had it happen since I started using liquid dish soap in my water.

When I draw water to start using on plants (ALL my plants, not just violets) I add a drop or two (per gallon) of liquid dish soap. Any brand will work, you are not trying to cut through grease, and anti-bacterial is not a concern (lol), the purpose is twofold. #1 to keep the surface tension "loose" and absorbent and #2 no self respecting bug wants to eat a plant that tastes bad.

If I do have a problem with a bug I guarantee it is because I got lazy, forgot, or just plain slacked off on using 2 lousy drops of dish soap! And yeah that happens,,,I get in a hurry and well doesn't everyone??? lol And I can always trace it back to not using dishsoap.

Two 2 drops will not make suds if that is your concern.

And yes, I use soap water on the leaves also. If I am dealing with plants, you can bet there are two drops of soap involved!!!!!!

In the last few years since I started back into violets I have only had "filled reservoir/dry wick" happen about 3 times. Those are not bad odds. AND I traced it directly back to--gulp--forgot the darn 2 drops!!!!!

There is no problem if you prefer to water on demand. I just prefer continual feed. And I use fertilizer in the reservoirs also. But that is sooooo infrequent.

But I don't worry about the fertilizer because it comes in MG and perlite (so I have heard) anyway! Well, that is my story for today! Rosie

Always interesting to hear. I just got frustrated with 'why am I bothering if the wicking stops so frequently', since my goal was to be able to be more hands off. I think I prefer the safety of observing the violets and watering every couple to four days as needed now. Too much fine tuning with the wicks and the soil formulation in changing seasons (I found AVs really don't like cold wet days of winter with wet feet). Maybe it works better in a more constant artificially lit environment.

Point taken about winter. In fact winter is why I started wicking in the first place. We live in an old farmhouse and I only have windows to use. In the winter (we heat with propane) I would water and just about when I was done,,,the first ones were dry already! I was running in circles, violets were dying cause I could not keep up with them drying so quickly. And the poor leaves didn't stand a chance.

The one time I had a problem with wicking was when our furnace died during the coldest week of that winter. By the time they figured it out (needed a new furnace), and of course it happened over a weekend, a week and two days went by. I had pulled the plants off the wicks at the beginning, but you are right. Wet and cold don't mix. I lost a lot. It is in the back posts. Let me say that the people on the forum were generous and helped me with leaf donations! Thank all of you again!!! I digress.

I don't change potting mix. Since I went to wick, I did what the forum advised. 1/2 soil (of your choice) and 1/2 perlite. That's it!!!!! For plants, babies and newly planted leaves. I am a little heavy handed with the perlite, but it works for me. Once in a while I run a fan just because. Oh and don't forget 2 drops of liquid dish soap! lol

dbarron, why don't you designate just 3 plants to put on wicks and see what happens? Maybe wicking is not for you but before you say that with finality, try 3 plants for 6 months. And keep us posted if you do.

Now, you did read where I go thru my plants once a week. That is mostly the baggie babies. I can see at a glance what the water level in the reservoirs are and I know if the level has gone down or not. Happy to say they are good. I check the wicked plants for dead leaves or flowers to be clipped off. And besides, I enjoy looking at them and handling them once a week! Just part of having them I guess,,,at least for me.

I love my system and as I have admitted,,,,,if I get a dry wick that is on me. I forgot my soap! Rosie

wait...whats this two drops of dish soap..you put two drops into a gal that you use to fill the reservoirs??

Yep! Rosie

Heather, dish soap is what is called a 'spreader sticker'. It, and various other things, are used to help chemicals spread and or stick better when applied to plants. Dish soap helps to break surface tension in the reservoir and makes it easier to draw up the wick. Remember, water is a chemical-H2O. Also, I use deli containers for my reservoirs. I have noticed if my wicks are not directly over the holes in the lids, the wicking sometimes stops. I'm not sure what you are using but this may be a factor. Setting your pots into an open container and directly over the water may help with your wicking. A few years back, someone posted a photo of her minis wicked in Mason jelly jars. Beautiful set-up and her violets were blooming like mad!

Linda

Interesting.. Mine are wicked in Mason jars

Rosie,

Thanks for the dish soap idea! Learned another trick from you.

I found my plants are healthier and grow faster on wick. I also found it's so much less work. When I top and bottom water them, each has to soak for 15-20 mins. With 3 containers going at the same time, it will still take forever to get it done. I can't imagine now I have 100+ plants. Just calculated, it takes 25 hours. It's a full time job if the plants need watering every 4-5 days.

Julie - it is just a beginning - next you will put all your plants on wicks and mats with eggcrate you can put a gallon of solution in these trays, they will grow even better, the amount explodes - and you will be watering your reservoirs with a sump pump and garden hose.

Where is my hose...

Here's the hose Irina! Sorry, borrowed it for a minute,,,lol. But yeah, wick is the way to go. And it gives you more time to actually enjoy your plants/babies because once the reservoirs are full (and you can see that at a glance), you can "putz" with your violets without having to see if they soaked up enough with separate watering, as Julie mentioned.

Julie,,,,so many of the little things I do (such as soap therapy) I have been doing for sooooo long, I forget to pass them on as hints for others! Glad you picked up on it! It really does work.

dbarron,,,have we convinced you yet? Gonna try on a couple? Rosie

Nope...just gonna go on doing it manually..I don't have so many that it's that bad that I have water them (in summer) every three days.

That's ok,,,everyone has their favorite way that they are used to. It is just an option to explore if you should ever have a problem (like a kajillion violets!!). Happy Growing!!!!! Rosie

wicking has definitely been a lifesaver..my collection has grown a ton this summer..and i'm trying to prepare myself for when these leaves really need to be repotted this fall/winter. my container used to hold water for my av's..has grown 3 times..i'm now using a bucket..if it gets bigger then that...that hose might be an awesome idea lol..hopefully by christmas santa will bring me some bigger mason jars..

Rosie-- glad to see that someone else is perlite heavy! The mix I purchase seems to be too wet without adding lots of perlite since it's pretty humid here. Recently, my wicking has failed & I thought I changed my ratios on accident.. but I think my violets sense the upcoming eclipse! I will try the dish soap in the water.

betinaegg! Good to hear from you. Yeahhhh,,,,I do get a little heavy on perlite,,,but it works for me. Hope it helps you! That dishsoap thing really does work!!! Rosie