it will not drink from the bottom because she has it in a media with high drainage.. like its supposed to have ...

and she told you exactly how to care for it.. water from the top ... and use a highly diluted water soluble fert once in a while ..

the pot must not be severely oversized.. or it would not be happy enough to bloom ...

you are on the verge of loving it to death ... instantly thinking about repotting.. changing pot size... changing media.. etc ...

think hard.. its all in what you typed.. she told you how to take care of it ... dont mess it up.. by changing everything ..

in the mean time... root one of the older, outer leaves ...i like to always have a spare in the works.. just in case i do mess things up .. that is how you save a plant that is important to you ...

the only thing you didnt mention... or she didnt mention.. is light level ... how is your sited in regard to light????

good luck

ken

Ken, thank you for your quick response! You are right, I am being a nervous mommy to this plant. I best go back to the old saying "if it's not broke, don't fix it." Regarding light, It is getting the best I can offer in this small apartment. In front of a bright window, with no direct sun. It seems to like it there and every few days I turn it. I will take your advice about starting leaves from it. toni
P.S. How long have you been growing AV's? You are very knowledgeable. I know I can learn a lot from you.

Toni,

Light but no sun is a good light situation. Sun will burn the leaves except for a low winter sun.

Many people think they must bottom water violets. Not true. Water whatever way is convenient for you. That violet has no idea what direction the water is coming from!

Use a balances, low-urea fertilizer at 1/4 strength for three waterings with clear water for the fourth.

After it has finished blooming, I would re-pot into a fresh mix into a smaller pot. From your description, it sounds as though the violet may never have been re-potted.

Blooming does not always mean the plant is happy in its growing conditions. Sometimes, a plant will send up a 'desperation' blooming to try to reproduce itself before it goes to plant heaven.

And don't hover! I have been growing long enough that I can feel a hoverer through their words! Relax and enjoy.

Linda

Linda, thank you for your wonderful help and patience. I will try to relax more about the AV,s Its hard to be a beginner. :) toni

Toni, if you find you have too much attention to give that one plant, just get more so you can divide it between them ;-)

i havent grown AV in about 30 years... lol ...

i had a light stand in my room when i was in college and law school ... pre WWW ... and used it for homework avoidance.. and some live green plants in a MI winter...

they are relatively easy to grow ... if you dont mommy them to death ...

do try propagating a leaf ... its fun ...

good luck ...

ken

Are you thinking if growing them again? A lot has changed in thirty years!

I like Karin's way of thinking :P

now only if I could follow her advice...

not really ... just saw this post in the RECENT POSTS .. and thought i would chime in ...

but your pix.. have a real pull to them ... lol ... i had to quit the iris forum.. for wanting to mail order every one.. i had to quit reading conifer and hosta catalogs.. for the same ... lol ..

apparently;.. i have many garden addictions... and darn teenagers who insist on being fed .. clothed.. etc ... anyone notice how expensive they can be... lol ...

take care.. my AV peeps .../.

ken

Iris are gorgeous, if one lives in the right environs for them. The AVs are indoors, so can be grown year 'round. The round, overlapping leaf mandala shape crested with a peaceful display of blooms and a slight "green" fragrance
makes a nice desk-top meditation. I keep one by my
computer to focus on when spending many stressful hours in front of the screen.

The teenagers have a way of growing up before you know it. My addiction was dormant for decades until the teens moved on, taking the cats and dogs. Joanne

Toni,

Karin ( froeschli ) is right on the money! You cannot hover if you have many plants. I firmly believe that is why people with many plants are better growers that those with few. I have over 500 varieties, (varieties, not plants) and they manage to grow themselves quite well!

Linda