I was up early this morning preparing eBay orders for shipping. It's the first shipping this year and I find that I have to relearn many of my shipping shortcuts. Fortunately the boxes from USPS arrived so I have plenty of shipping boxes.
Back to the basement...there be orders to ship!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
What's Blooming in the Plant Room? Jolly Mars!
This beautiful miniature variety from Hortense Pittman is simply stunning. It's the closest thing to a true red I've seen so far. The description, as described in First Class 2, is:
Jolly Mars (9718) 01/15/2007 (H. Pittman) Single red sticktite pansy. Medium green, plain. Miniature
It's a new favorite of mine and I'm sure it will be a new favorite for you too!
Jolly Mars (9718) 01/15/2007 (H. Pittman) Single red sticktite pansy. Medium green, plain. Miniature
It's a new favorite of mine and I'm sure it will be a new favorite for you too!
Drier Than a Popcorn's Fart...or...Premoisten Your Potting Mix!
Over the years I've met some wonderful and interesting people who always seem to put their mark on the world. So is the case with Shirley Sanders who owned and operated Shirley's House of Violets until her passing a few years ago.
When I was living in San Antonio, where she was, I'd visit her almost every Saturday to help with whatever violet chores were in need of getting done. Almost without fail when I entered the violet house Shirley would say from across the way, "Darryl, this plant is drier than a popcorn's fart!" And I'd always reply, "Shirley, that's pretty dry!" Hence the inspiration for the title of this blog entry!
African Violet potting mixes generally have peat moss as their base component which is great when it's hydrated and can absorb and retain moisture...it's not so great when it's been allowed to dry out.
Peat moss that has been allowed to dry out (in a pot or a bag) is very difficult to hydrate with room temperature water and makes re-wetting the mix a bit of a challenge.
What happens if you use a dry potting mix when you transplant? You will probably notice, particularly if you use room temperature water, that the peat moss does not hydrate and the water simply runs through the pot. The result? Your plants will not get the moisture they need to thrive...or even survive for that matter.
I recommend pre-moistening your potting mix with warm/hot water before you start your potting session. It just takes a few minutes and you'll find that when you transplant your plants a premoisten mix is much easier to work with then one that isn't.
I transfer about 12 quarts of my potting mix (for me it's Premier Pro-Mix BX) into a container that has a secure lid. I pour approximately 2 cups of hot water into the mix, secure the lid and let stand (covered) for about 30 minutes. Shake the container well (ensuring the lid is on secure). The result? A nicely moistened (not WET) potting mix that is perfect for potting up your violets.
So get busy potting!
When I was living in San Antonio, where she was, I'd visit her almost every Saturday to help with whatever violet chores were in need of getting done. Almost without fail when I entered the violet house Shirley would say from across the way, "Darryl, this plant is drier than a popcorn's fart!" And I'd always reply, "Shirley, that's pretty dry!" Hence the inspiration for the title of this blog entry!
African Violet potting mixes generally have peat moss as their base component which is great when it's hydrated and can absorb and retain moisture...it's not so great when it's been allowed to dry out.
Peat moss that has been allowed to dry out (in a pot or a bag) is very difficult to hydrate with room temperature water and makes re-wetting the mix a bit of a challenge.
What happens if you use a dry potting mix when you transplant? You will probably notice, particularly if you use room temperature water, that the peat moss does not hydrate and the water simply runs through the pot. The result? Your plants will not get the moisture they need to thrive...or even survive for that matter.
I recommend pre-moistening your potting mix with warm/hot water before you start your potting session. It just takes a few minutes and you'll find that when you transplant your plants a premoisten mix is much easier to work with then one that isn't.
I transfer about 12 quarts of my potting mix (for me it's Premier Pro-Mix BX) into a container that has a secure lid. I pour approximately 2 cups of hot water into the mix, secure the lid and let stand (covered) for about 30 minutes. Shake the container well (ensuring the lid is on secure). The result? A nicely moistened (not WET) potting mix that is perfect for potting up your violets.
So get busy potting!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Plastic bathroom cups make the best little pots!
Why yes I use 3 ounce plastic bathroom cups as pots! At about .02 cents each they are very economical, easy to write on and believe it or not I reuse them. You will need the assistance of a soldering iron to burn a couple of holes in the bottom.
When it comes time to reuse some of the old "pots" I fill one of my kitchen sinks with hot water and 2 cups of Clorox bleach. I toss in my dirty pots and let set for an hour. I dawn my handy-dandy latex kitchen gloves and rinse them out. Not only does all the all dirt come clean, if you take your thumb and rub on the name that has written on the side with a Sharpie, it comes right off!
Where to buy? Originally I purchased the Solo brand 3 ounce bathroom cups at my local Wal-mart but they are impossible to find in my area. Luckily, Kroger stores which also owns and operates Ralphs, King Soopers, Food4Less, Frys and Smiths started carrying their own version of these 3 ounce bathroom cups. Their cups are actually about 1m stronger than the Solo brand bathroom cups.
Don't have one of these stores handy? Try www.buythecase.net. They have the 3 ounce Solo brand bathroom cups that you can mail order.
Safety warning: When burning holes in the bottom of the bathroom cups be sure you're in a well ventilated area (preferably outside on a day with a slight breeze) and wear appropriate protective clothing and devices (e.g. facial mask). Soldering irons are also very hot so keep out of the reach of children when in use.
When it comes time to reuse some of the old "pots" I fill one of my kitchen sinks with hot water and 2 cups of Clorox bleach. I toss in my dirty pots and let set for an hour. I dawn my handy-dandy latex kitchen gloves and rinse them out. Not only does all the all dirt come clean, if you take your thumb and rub on the name that has written on the side with a Sharpie, it comes right off!
Where to buy? Originally I purchased the Solo brand 3 ounce bathroom cups at my local Wal-mart but they are impossible to find in my area. Luckily, Kroger stores which also owns and operates Ralphs, King Soopers, Food4Less, Frys and Smiths started carrying their own version of these 3 ounce bathroom cups. Their cups are actually about 1m stronger than the Solo brand bathroom cups.
Don't have one of these stores handy? Try www.buythecase.net. They have the 3 ounce Solo brand bathroom cups that you can mail order.
Safety warning: When burning holes in the bottom of the bathroom cups be sure you're in a well ventilated area (preferably outside on a day with a slight breeze) and wear appropriate protective clothing and devices (e.g. facial mask). Soldering irons are also very hot so keep out of the reach of children when in use.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Timing is everything!
If you're growing your violets under artificial lighting and the light stand isn't plugged into a timer - go buy one!
Lights, camera, action! or How long do I leave my lights on?
If you've decided to grow your violets under artificial lighting you might be asking yourself (or me), "How long do I need to leave the lights on?" Personally, I believe 10 hours a day is more than adequate for the average grower who is growing for their personal satisfaction. If you exhibit your violets, 12-14 hours a day is sufficient.
However, if you're not seeing the bloom count you think you should be seeing or plants are reaching towards the light source, bump it up an hour and measure the results. Remember, make small changes and then measure the results.
However, if you're not seeing the bloom count you think you should be seeing or plants are reaching towards the light source, bump it up an hour and measure the results. Remember, make small changes and then measure the results.
Warm? White? What?
Hmmm? Let's see, I can buy Gro-Lux florescent light tubes for $8.00 to $10.00 each or I can buy Cool White or Warm White for $3.00 each? What do to, what to do? Well, the Gro-Lux cost more so they must be better for growing my violets - right?
Save your dead presidents and go the Cool White and Warm White route. Using a combination of one warm and one cool white in your fixtures provides the light spectrum your plants are looking for. If you prefer a lighting source that provides brighter light (more like natural sunlight), splurge and spend $3.50 each on Sunlight bulbs.
Save your dead presidents and go the Cool White and Warm White route. Using a combination of one warm and one cool white in your fixtures provides the light spectrum your plants are looking for. If you prefer a lighting source that provides brighter light (more like natural sunlight), splurge and spend $3.50 each on Sunlight bulbs.
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