Announcements: Minutes of June Meeting:June 2001 Meeting of Fantasy Violeteers commenced at 4:20 pm, Monday 11th.
Roll Call:
Announcements were made of:
New Members: Marie Rilez. Dues were paid, and Membership Form was filled out, membership card was received.
Decisions Made:
Meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Members: Recipes/ Hints Courtesy of Marilyn Larrance, and by courtesy of Sylvia Harrison, AVInternational Co-Manager
Place all the above into the sprayer and give them all a shower :) Use to clean off leaves and give them a shiny green appearance - it cleans off all the "grime".
Propagation By Leaves, Part 1by Briony Gniechwitz
One of the many really wonderful things about the plant we all love is that the African Violet can be propagated by leaves . . . or even parts of leaves. Since one of our club projects just might involve growing an African Violet from leaves I thought I'd give a try at listing some of the numerous ways to propagate from leaves. I say numerous because there are probably as many different methods of putting down leaves, as there are growers of African Violets. This especially true when you think of all the variations out there - just one example - if the leaves are watered with fertilizer, at what dosage, and at what stage (from the beginning, only when rooted, only when babies show etc). I want to take a moment to stress something heavily - there is no "one correct way" to put a leaf down. Like all other ways of growing African Violets, differences in everyone's growing circumstances make it difficult to say that there is one method that will fit everyone's lifestyle and conditions. The best thing to do is be creative and brave - try out different methods, and use what works best for you in your conditions. One thing that I think remains mostly constant is when the babies are large enough to be separated from the "momma" leaf - which is when they are large enough for you to feel comfortable handling them and when they have at least 3-4 true leaves which are dime or nickel sized. Also, try to have just the tip of the cut petiole under the medium you are using - plant it too deep and it will take much longer for babies to pop up . . . or so I've been told.
Water Method. This is the method where you put a leaf in water to propagate it. Variations can include putting the leaf in a glass or jar covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, cut a hole in the top, and put the leaf into the water. The water level should remain as constant as possible, and the cut end of the petiole of the leaf should always be submerged. Leaves can be kept in water until roots are about one inch (2.5 cm) long and then put into your soil or soil-less mix. Alternatively, I suppose one could keep that leaf in water until babies appear and then potted up, or even, perhaps until the babies are large enough to separate from the "mama" leaf. One possible problem: I have read it argued that "water roots" are not the same as "soil roots" and that the leaf/babies may undergo shock as they are placed into another medium, and have to adjust by growing new roots.
Vermiculite. This is where you fill up a pot, or small cup or even larger cup about half way or so (far less if using a larger container - think 1-2 inches deep or 2.5-5 cm), put in leaf. Can be covered with plastic wrap with hole made in the top to reduce amount of condensation. If you see water running down the sides of the cup, widen the hole. Variations can include mixing the vermiculite with equal parts of perlite, or not covering the cup/pot with plastic wrap. I tend to get babies fast with this one - but then I wait forever for the babies to grow larger enough to separate. Also, the vermiculite tended to dry out quickly on me, even with plastic wrap over the cups I used.
Potting Medium. This method will vary on whatever mix you use to pot your adult AVs in. For this method you simply put your leaf down in your normal potting mix. Variations: Covering pot/cup with plastic wrap, wicking the pot, mat-watering the cup, and even I suppose using Texas Style. I seem to have best luck with this one - and I'm experimenting with wicking the leaves - after they are rooted.
Baggies. This is one I've heard a lot about, but have never tried or seen. You put a tablespoon or two (15-30 ml) of your potting mix into a small sandwich sized plastic baggie. Get the mix to go into a corner. Add enough water to moisten the soil -- moisten! not drench! Then add leaf. You hang the baggies up. Variations: tape the baggies up onto your fluorescent lights - the extra heat and light seem to work well for some. Or tape to window - make sure the leaves won't get cooked!
Lighting. Artificial or natural? It's entirely up to you, of course! My windows are either too bright or too dark as far as I can tell so I'm using fluorescent fixtures - the $8 shop lights I got at Home Depot, with one warm bulb and one cool bulb, 40 watts. My leaves are under these as well. Some people don't put their leaves under the prime real estate - but on the floor near whatever light they are using. Or on top of their stands (what I can't see, I forget about so anything that goes on top of my stands are lost, but that's me). You can use 20 watts bulbs or those real expensive GrowLux or whatever all those "plant" bulbs are as well. I can't. I'm a poor college student. I hunt for pennies to buy my lunches. Anyway, again the variations are well neigh limitless and you've got to work out what works for you. Other variations include how far from the bottom of the bulbs you put your leaves. I've got mine on the stand for the semis/minis where light is closer. It seems to work well for me. Again, however, others will put those leaves far from the lights and do well.
Heat? I recently heard of a person who, upon putting leaves down, suddenly was informed of a cold snap coming up. Concerned, like many of us, I think, she tried to think of ways to keep her leaves from freezing. Apparently a heating mat of some kind (maybe for seedlings, I'm not sure) was placed under the tray containing the pots of leaves. The heating mat was plugged into her timer for the lights. She noticed that the parts of the tray that were directly over the heating mat had pushed up babies while the other leaves had barely rooted. Interesting, huh? This is one and only example, so it's poor sample size. I want to get a heating mat someday, though, and try it, especially when I put leaves down in the winter.
For more variables on Leaf Propagations, please wait for Part 2, as will be included in July's Newsletter. I rambled on too much for it all to be in this current one. Part 2 will include variations of containers, watering, and some hints about variegated babies.
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