And thank you for doing so - a real beauty!

Some of these Russians (like this one) kinda march to the beat of their own drummer, different than what US breeders are targetting. It's a nice change of pace.

Can't argue with you there, dbarron. Culture differences have made them an interesting challenge...;but you've gotta love the large blossoms.

Glad you decided to share! Beautiful!!!! Rosie

I only have two Russians (Blue-Eyed Russia and LE Carousel ) but to me, they seem easy. What sort of differences have you noticed in cultural requirements?

I have about a dozen, dbarron, that I've managed to propagate from leaves over the last two years (my most recent attempt to work with them). I do like the fact that they will tolerate cooler temps and keep growing, something I don't see in my other AV's. My biggest difficulty has been that they seem very tempermental about too much water. Not good, perhaps, since I am prone to overwatering.

Well the Carousel is new to me, but I've had BE Russia through a winter, and it seems to be vigorous and tolerate lower light conditions well.

This particular plant is growing on a windowsill, so it does have to deal with ambient light. I'm located in NH so I am already seeing a shortening of the daylight hours. I have 5 plants growing by this window, everything else, about 80-90 plants, are growing under flourescents.

That is a lovely plant ... and well grown ...

Thanks, Aegis! A nice compliment considering the wonderful growing and sharing that you do.

That is very beautiful, Earle. Very. I'm particularly fond of the intensity of some of the blues like this. And congratulations on getting there from a leaf.

I take it you water from above or from a saucer, not from wicking? I'm just curious as to what practice you think it is that makes you prone to over-watering.

Joan

You are right, Joan. I do water from above, at least for now. I did wick-water for many years, but, this time around, I have not bothered. Trying to limit my collection.All I have to do is give away 40-50 plants, the result of overly successful leaf propagation. Thanks for the kind words.

So beautiful!!!

Earle, bottom watering from a saucer gives more control. Some people bottom water for 3 consecutive waterings, then top water for the 4th.

Joanne

Thanks, Joanne, I will consider it. Good to hear from you.

Joanne, everything I hear says "wick wick wick." Is this because it's actually better, or is it rather because it's more convenient because people tend to collect so many they can't otherwise be consistent?

Is it possible that wicking is truly better, but only if one can figure out the right size of wick, given the growing medium?

Recently there was a thread on "root under wick vs hand water," where the original poster, Elsa, commented on the relative strength of the root system, between the two methods. Her observation was that she had much stronger root systems in plants that were hand watered, than those that were wick watered. I've commented with some more questions in that thread. I sure hope you chime in, Joanne. Thank you.

Joan

I have, lately, been considering wick watering (for some plants) ... particularly because, as a rule, I only lose plants when I mis-water them. Typically under-watering is the initial error, ... and the health of the plant can go downhill from there.

Some violets (perhaps most), come back well from wilting from a delayed watering, but some do not ...

Joan there are various reasons for wick watering. My reason is during the winter when the furnace is on I am running ragged trying to keep everyone in a state of "watered". I no sooner finish than it is time to start again! That is no longer a hobby it is a job. No fun. So I transferred to wicks and of course I am not going to convert back to individual watering for summer since warmer temps can cause plants to dry out also!!! Since wicking I can also constant feed if I choose to and that produces nicer results for me. I have a little more control because I am not so frazzled about watering.

Aegis your statement about wilt, water and some don't come back is not only true but stressful on the plant. When they wilt from lack of water, you are right,,,,,,most of the time they can recover. But it does stress the violet and sometimes they die from it. I think you will like the wick system Aegis. Let us know if you do it. Good luck! Rosie

So from what Aegis and Rosie are saying, it is largely a matter of consistency, when one has so many pots. I wish I could come and lift you guys' pots and touch the soil surface, when on wicks, and get the "feel" for them. Mine just seem so heavy for what I have always thought of as a healthy weight for a properly airy soil. Although for sure they're happy at present, only five days on wicks is hardly a trial. The soil is at least 50% or more perlite.

Would anybody be wiling to weigh a four inch pot with a "medium" sized plant in it - say about 15 leaves - and let me know what you come up with?

I just weighed this, EverGlory ("Space violet" - really pleased with it, it arrived in bloom as a plug less than 3 weeks ago and is growing like a dandelion in spring), and it's 10.5 oz, or about 300g. Others a little bigger or smaller than this size range from 260g to 360g.

I guess I'm asking, if that is heavy, I'd like to know sooner rather than later, so I can change the wicks to something smaller. Does anybody use just 2 strands of acrylic yarn?

Well, dang. I'm probably over thinking this. In about a month and a half we'll be in the serious heating season here in MN and they might need all this moisture. Ambient humidity now is 55%; in winter that will drop to 35%, and even 28% on double-digit subzero days. (I've been watching these things for a while, heh heh.)

Still. Maybe your comments will be helpful to others besides me.

I think you are stressing (overthinking) too much about pot weight among other things.

If you are wicking and your soil mix is 1/2 to 3/4 perlite and one half soil (I use MiracleGro as my base and I do not add other things like peat, vermiculite, coir etc) and you mix it thoroughly you should have no problem.

Fertilize every other time you refill reservoirs (as long as plants are actively growing) and you should be on your way. Use fertilizer that has a larger middle number for bloom.

Run a small fan for circulation winter and summer.

Keep dead flowers or bad leaves pruned off.

Wicks should be acrylic, never 100% cotton. I use 2 to 3 strands. The larger the plant the more strands. Minis, semi minis get 1 to 2 strands.

Any other questions??? We got the answers!!! Rosie

Oh, I'm not the least stressed. Just curious. I do like to know "why" for everything, and find that knowing my projects does lead more often to success. I annoyed the guy who recently rebuilt my front deck because I saw the math required for the steps and he didn't, and he ended up having to spend extra time here because he didn't believe me the first time. ;p

Appreciate the advice re every other time fertilizing: that's a new idea. So is the number of strands based on plant size. That *really* helps. 👍🏻 I always think general advice is just that: general. Fine tuning based on circumstances makes a difference.

Edit: Just in case it's not obvious ☺️ (<--that's a blush): I'm never casual about anything I'm really interested in. Once I get a bone in my teeth I treat it all like it's a graduate degree course, and I study. Deeply. For me this is entertainment, not "stressing."

People ask me all the time how I "know so much" about XYZ. It's because once something gets my sincere interest, I never give up asking, and observing, and am never content with just "the usual" advice. So I guess what I'm asking this community is, please, don't be afraid of demonstrating complete nerdiness in response to my questions, if you have the time and the generous spirit to write. You can't possibly overwhelm me. There's no such thing as too many details. Write me a book, I'll read the whole thing and probably still ask questions. I know it takes energy, but I hope you find it interesting to put your experiences into words, and I thank you, more than you can possibly know, in advance. Wish I could throw you all a party.

With respect,

Joan

Joan,

Your Ever Glory is lovely.

I buy the wick watering saucers from Selective Gardener. They are great for when I am going away. They are easy. No strings. The pot sits on top of a saucer insert that has a wicking pad insert. Very tidy and no spills.

Yup, we love having you here. I am

glad all that info I figured out would eventually help someone else.

Joanne

Joan,

You would probably enjoy reading the AVSA magazine. It has a lot of interesting scientific info. Archived back copies are also available. Some of the most interesting articles are by Dr. Jeff Smith. You can join the AVSA to get access.

Also, the All About African Violets website is fun. The creator, "Annie," has produced many interviews with people who are hybridizers, growers, and who hosted AVSA conventions over many decades. This is a great hobby because you like research, and it is a contemporary horticultural hobby. There is always something new and exciting. Joanne

Hi Joanne,

Thanks. I did actually subscribe to the AVSA last week. We'll see when they finally get around to "processing" it. I'm sure it's a volunteer group and people do what they can, when they can.

There are some articles there posted publicly, that give some advice about how many strands of acrylic yarn are advisable for pot size.

I do check in on "Annie" sometimes when I'm doing my stretches for the day, hah. :)

Joan

Regarding DS-Izum. (DS-Raisins). Very unstable. While it is interesting - the one on the photo is NOT BLOOMING TRUE. It should have a light color streak fantasy.

Each blossom is different, each plant is different, the leaves are very brittle, the rosette. is very challenging. (I wanted to say atrocious.)

It is a part of the collection - for fun!

GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK IRINA!!!!! YOU WERE MISSED!!!!!! Rosie

Thank you Rosie.

Big Hug

I.

2 Raisins on one bloomstalk... the one on a top is about the way it should bloom... the one on the left... for the AV lovers who like surprises.

Love that bloom on the top! Big hug back Irina !!!! Rosie

Hi Irina, nice to see you back! I have to agree with you about the variation. I have five plants of Izhum at the moment, all grown from the same leaf that I purchased and they are showing blooms of the types you picture as well as the one I shared with the group. I find I don't mind pleasant surprises from my plants.

Pleasant surprises only, please!

;-))

"Raisins"!!!

Okay, so define "raisin" for me. I think it means a bud that's not going to open, but... ??

Signed, the Newbie,

Joan

P.S. Joanne et al, my AVSA membership number arrived today, whoopee! I guess they are transitioning some software at "headquarters," but may have finally sorted it out. I have some very busy times coming up for a week or so, but am looking forward to the Deep Dive.

Your DS-Izum looks lovely!