Janice H. asked Annie: How does one tell the difference between spilled pollen and thrips? This morning in looking over my violets, I noticed a couple flowers with spilled pollen. A couple of my violets had thrips several years …
Category: Ask Annie
Q&A – Violets in Dish Gardens
Karin asked Annie: If you have several African violets in a dish garden or terrarium, do they all need to be in bloom? Or can you use some for texture and landscaping – using their shape and foliage, even …
Q&A – Follow-up to Lacey’s Determination Question
A few months ago, you might recall that Janice had a leaf of Lacey’s Determination that sprouted babies on the stem of the leaf rather than how we usually see African violet plantlets growing. Here is the photo from the original …
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Q&A – Could this be Nutrient Toxicity?
Elena from Peru asks Annie: Over the last three Summers my Teeny Boppers stop growing normally. The leaves become really tiny but they look healthy. I read that it can be nutrient toxicity and there is no solution. But when …
Q&A – What Type Of Lighting Are You Using For Your African Violets?
Ms. Wyman asks Annie: My question is about lighting, Which type of tube are you using and at what color temparture are yours? Hi Ms. Wyman, Thank you for your question – I use T12 tubes. They are all …
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Q&A – What Can I Do To Encourage More Buds On My Plants?
Alex asks Annie: I have 3 African Violet plants and they were all full of blooms for about 2 months. As the blooms died, I cut them off and so at present, there are very few blooms left. What …
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Q&A – Do AV’s Grow Better in Green Pots?
Judy asks Annie: At a recent meeting at our small AV club, one member told me that I should probably switch from using white AV pots to using green AV pots. She said she had heard that African Violets …
Q&A – The disclaimer and warning portions on the MiracleGro AV potting soil bag
Janice H. asks Annie: I was looking at the description for the MiracleGro AV potting soil. I was a bit concerned about the disclaimer and warning portions. Cancer causing ingredients?? Scary! Can you shed any further explanation on which …
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Q&A – Have You Ever Had A Pot Larger Than 4 Inches?
Chuck asks Annie: Good to be seeing your “All About African Violets” podcasts again. I was inspired from your first season to acquire Jersey Snow Flakes … and I, currently, have two plants which are growing/blooming fairly well. I …
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Q&A – Is the fantasy trait recessive?
Douglas asks Annie: I’m wondering if the fantasy (some types or all) gene is recessive and might show up in seedlings from a plant with no fantasy. I had a self cross of Kosmicheskaia Legenda-2, Blossom: Single-semidouble bright purple …
Q&A – Does my plant have the dreaded INSV?
Judy asks Annie: I’m hoping that you might help me identify something that one of my violets has picked up. I’m really nervous that it could be the dreaded INSV. And just so you know, I have also been …
Q&A – How long between bloom cycles?
Alex asks Annie: How long does it take for a new crop of flowers to appear when the last bunch has finished blooming? In other words, when should new buds begin appear at the crown? Hi Alex, The …
Q&A – What are some causes of elongated petioles?
Douglas asks Annie: I have a plant of Double Black Cherry which is growing very well, but based on images of this plant that I find online the petioles seem very long. The plant is not reaching so I was …
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Q&A – Do You Have A Potting Mix Recipe?
Pam asks Annie: Do you have a recipe for potting mix that you can share? I looked for the Sunshine mix you mentioned and can’t find anywhere to purchase it locally. Plus I was a little scared at the …
Q&A – Would you be able to do a tutorial on AV trailers?
Janice asks Annie: Would you be able to do a tutorial on AV trailers? I’ve tried to grow several in the past, but lost them due to the potting soil and fertilizer fiasco. I now have 2 Allegro Appalachian …
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Q&A – How Often to Replace Fluorescent Tubes
Janice H. asks Annie: In regard to fluorescent tubes: when should they be replaced? In the past I’ve let the tubes burn out on their own. Now I’m wondering if that is not the best. Does the amount …
Q&A – Leaf Propagation with an African Violet Sport
Mary Kovach asks Annie: I received Optimara Pink My Sensation Mutant (sport) today. Always wanted the green as well. My question is if I put leaves down from this mutant (sport) ,will it have the green My Sensation …
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Q&A – What is your potting mix?
Judy M. asks Annie: What is your potting mix? I wick water and have tried several combinations. A lot of my violets still do not take up the water from the well. I use actual AV wicking cord. Do …
Q&A – Pro-active or reactive when it comes to pest management?
Joseph asks Annie: Hi Annie, LOVE the podcast!! I am wondering if you are pro-active or reactive when it comes to pest management. I know that you prefer to grow from leaves to prevent infestation, but is there …
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Q&A – Do Minis Require the Same Care As Standards
Janice H. asks Annie: I have great difficulty in growing miniature violets. There are so many that I would like to grow, but shy away from buying them as they seem to die on me so easily. What …
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