Annie’s Sunroom Studio – getting ready to film Episode 3-001
Behind the Scenes is something new happening at All About African Violets, just one of many new things around this joint! When I made the decision to return my video podcast to production, there was a lot to consider. Times have changed dramatically since my first episode in 2012.
Looking at returning now, in 2018, was a whole new world, so to speak. Thanks to some expert guidance and advice from Douglas the Digital Dude, All About African Violets is becoming more than simply a video podcast. You can follow AAAV now on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, and I encourage you to do so – I don’t want you to miss a thing!
There is a lot of work to be done to get the wheels of a video podcast rolling smoothly again – a new camera (HiDef!), new lighting, new production schedule, and new video editing software (which makes a huge difference in how long it takes me to accomplish stuff). In addition, some actual cleanup had to happen around here! Yes, my potting bench really did look as bad as it appeared in the trailer. You’ll be happy to know that it now looks like this:
Annie’s Basement Potting Bench
And, last but certainly not least, there is a new Web interface for me to learn – one that entails lots of things called plug-ins that make it work well. Oh – and in case you were wondering, navigating iTunes remains just as . . . um . . . interesting as it was the first time around. Ahem. ;-)
s. brevipilosa Mather #10 – first bloom!
But there is one constant through all of this: my plants. I’m still growing African violets. I grow fewer of them than in years past (yes, that means that I take my own advice to limit my collection ;-) ).
That I grow fewer of them, however, in no way diminishes my love for them, nor the joy I get from sharing them regularly with all of you on every podcast episode. I’m really looking forward to the look at what’s on the stands again.
“I don’t want you to miss a thing!”
Corytoplectus cuticuensis seedlings
I’m also trying to expand my horizons by growing a few more of the “other gesneriads.” Currently, that means a couple of columneas, a streptocarpus or two, and some corytoplectus cuticuensis plants that I’m growing from seed! I thought I was buying a plantlet on eBay. Imagine my surprise when the plantlet turned out to be seeds.
Looking further forward, I’m planning to attend the joint AVSA / AVSC convention in Buffalo, New York, in May 2018. I’m going to attempt to enter a few designs this year. That means that you’ll get to come along with me on that journey, which should be interesting because as some of you might recall, I’m not known for my design skills :-D
Season 3 of All About African Violets starts next week, on Sunday, April 1, 2018 (and seriously, it is NOT an April Fool’s Joke!). I’ll see you then. :-)
Welcome back! So excited about session 3. Your sense of humor is wonderful. I look forward to seeing the culled plant stands – sooo hard to do. A little venture into the other gesneriads will be fun. I have tested the waters with primulinas. Hope to see you in Buffalo and definitely on April 1st.
Hi Janet! Thank you! Yes, I’m planning to be in Buffalo :-)
Looking forward to hearing from you again. I’m not sure I managed to see all of your previous episodes, and having tried (and failed) to come up with a similar project, I very much respect the work you’re putting into this!
I only started growing african violets towards the end of your previous podcast, and am finally growing up to understand some of the things you said. Limiting my collection is a work in progress. From acquiring every named plant in sight, to adding a bit of space between plants, to realizing they need more space to grow well – the club sale this year will be the richer for it :-)
Karin – thank you! Sometimes it takes a little while for things to click – and learning to limit you collection is nearly always a work in progress. I’m sure your club members will be thrilled with whatever you decide to divest :-)
Looking forward to Season 3. I working at limiting my collection. Since starting with AV’s 3 years ago I’ve matured a lot in their care. Had pH issues and thrips – so far it’s all over. But the space is an issue and I will not buy another stand!
Looking forward to learning something new and refreshing my memory on certain things…
Hi LaurieLaurie. Thank you! And well done on learning to limit your collection. Sounds like you’ve gone through some of the things that happen to nearly all growers at some point, and I totally understand about not wanting to get another stand. :-)