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fortyseven_gw

What is your favorite way to spread the fever?

fortyseven_gw
9 years ago

The clubs exist to spread the fever, correct? So, how do you get folks to the clubs in the first place? Especially if you live in a place where a club seems like a luxury?
Joanne

This post was edited by fortyseven on Thu, Oct 2, 14 at 22:14

Comments (42)

  • Karin
    9 years ago

    I have to admit, I am still a wee tad embarassed when I have to own up to growing/collecting African violets.
    But when I give people some of my non-optimara av's, they are always stunned and surprised :-)
    I hate the fact that the plants are usually gone by the time I visit them again though....
    Noone's caught the bug from me yet, but I will whittle tem down at some point ;-p

    Karin

  • jessie1754
    9 years ago

    I wish we had s trader joe's close by. At home depot near here they are $5.50. Y'all are lucky.

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    9 years ago

    Karin,

    Why are you embarrassed?

    Linda

  • Karin
    9 years ago

    Because certain people in my family laugh at my hobby. I retaliate well enough, but it's hard to ignore them entirely, especially since I used to agree with them.
    Give me another year to get used to the idea and I'll be able to shrug it off.

    Besides, like me, most people who laugh have not seen a good collection. DH used to grow grocery store violets, and the other day he was looking at my two shelves (not racks) and told me he didn't know there were so many different kinds - he doesn't laugh anymore.

    The other thing was going to that av society meeting when I first started out, they were really condescending when I told them I had no named varieties yet. They'd probably be ok with me now, but I am not going back. If they treat the public and amateurs that way, no wonder the public labels them as "weird people".

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Karin,
    That introduction to the club sounds like an unfortunate misunderstanding.

    People have to be educated slowly. Otherwise, they would not know there are others.

    This post was edited by fortyseven on Thu, Oct 2, 14 at 22:11

  • petrushka (7b)
    9 years ago

    so being educated is necessary, so you'll have to order or buy named varieties, 'cause smbody else has more and better!? otherwise you're just a clueless...newbie or ..whatever..?

    the ONLY reason i would buy a named variety is IF it is exceptionally pretty by my taste. but i find a lot of them quite disappointing. so i just don't bother to go out of my way...if it happens that i am passing a special at some exhibit or other, i'll get it, but not otherwise.
    i have a totally casual approach to the whole thing and am not planning to join any clubs.
    just like i grow your reg. HD amaryllis 'minerva' - and it's a total knock-out ev. year (i have 6 by now with sev baby bulbs on the way). but if you go look at amaryllis forum with all the specialist growers, me with my dear minervas...i am like a fly on the wall.
    just saying, you can grow a few nice plants and learn a lot and may be buy a few more special plants later, but i don't intend to take it further. actually with my constantly bulging av brood, standing around 40...am thinking i need to cut it don't to 20.
    i am sure mites will oblige sooner or later ;).
    all i want is good reliable sea of flowers in the dead of winter - in the middle of the room, where nothing else will bloom :).
    so, i am rather prosaic about the whole process.
    am thinking of giving away at least some - but most people are so clueless about plants, i just know even with all my instructions and wicks for mindless watering they'll kill then within 6mo...if not sooner..
    better they rot under my care (am very selfish in this regard ;)).

  • Karin
    9 years ago

    Yeah, i have a few named ones now that i love, but my favourites are still some of my first NOIDs.

    Hmm, now that i say that, i realize they are all my favourites, depending on which one i am looking at at the moment ;-p

    and i'd also rather kill them myself than give them to someone else who will probably just toss them when the blooms fade. what a strange attitude....

  • petrushka (7b)
    9 years ago

    after giving away a few very mature non-AV plants that have been with me for say 5? years and witnessing them being slowly killed in 6mo - i lost the desire to give away plants.
    i'd rather keep them in some total out of the way place and barely see them at all and wait out...till a bigger place eventually becomes available (coming soon to a place near you...just keep up the hope!). i am sure they'll pull thru, really!
    i had to toss some plants when they were too dried up/infested..whatever. i'd rather take cuttings and toss the rest then watch them die slowly.
    i don't think it's so strange. even with short-lived violets - in reality they can be grown and repotted ad-infinitum. i've seem people's posts about their 15 yr old violets.
    so mine are only 5yr multi-gens (sucker-of-sucker thing) - i'm sure i can go on just about forever...space and 'will to repot' permitting ;)
    space is creaking at the seams at the moment, but the will is holding so far :).

    This post was edited by petrushka on Fri, Oct 3, 14 at 18:41

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    9 years ago

    I am in the process of slowly sucking someone in right now. Hehehe. A colleague of DH expressed an interest in my violets so I sent her a bag full of leaves-pretty variegated, curly, glossy leaves. I'll have her hooked by next week. Hehehe.

    Linda

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Hi PETRUSHKA (If I spell your name in all caps, the Word program does not spell check it and change it! I am not "shouting," as sometimes all caps indicates.)

    It is all a matter of personal taste what a person chooses
    to grow. I did not mean that anyone "has" to be educated
    or not! It is just a figure of speech! I meant that people will
    not discover violets that can only be purchases through
    the mail unless someone introduces them to those kinds
    of violets.

    I had an office manager whose delight it was to introduce
    me to named varieties. In my experience, it simply
    introduced another world to me, that is all!

    I have also had the experience of giving people violets
    that promptly died because they did not know how to
    care for them. I have also had the opposite experience
    of people being able to give space and TLC to plants
    that were not doing well in my home
    and that rewarded them with lots of blooms.

    Linda, How exciting, hope you can monitor/mentor the friend!
    Joanne

  • petrushka (7b)
    9 years ago

    hi, 47!
    i'd be delighted to get a manager that enlightens with named varieties!
    that would be just fine to fall into it by serendipity. i am not opposed in the least.
    i missed philly flower show, 'cause of the really bad weather that week, otherwise i am sure i would've picked up some precious specimens (i think they had av's but i might be mistaken too).
    although my dh is partial to orchids (when there is simultaneous display so to speak). and when confronted with a limiting choice of 'get one or two only!' - i'd go for orchids too.
    ...but i can confess, i am planning by hook or by crook to be around some exhibit or other of av's. or some special nursery of choice. sooner or later i'll have them too ;).
    though if smbody told me 5 years back that i would be growing them - i'd be laughing out loud. as i too, as dh, have more of a 'designer style' prefs in things most... it sort of comes with big cities/travel/art/design interests and such.
    while AV's fit perfectly in euro-alpine germanic schtube interiors that i love they seem a bit out of place in NYC . but you prolly can understand that, since you've lived around here too? giggles..
    don't take my ramblings seriously, as i am very eclectic by nature.
    as far as MY former boss, he was totally stumped when i moved out for a year to charlotte NC and wrote them e-mails about planting parsley for swallowtails and planting tulip bulbs. but hey, i have many sides and one of them is now growing av's....along with orchids...
    i wish i can donate some of mine to some people i know around here in JC, i am looking to free up the space...there are gardening ladies in the nabe, but they're sort of clueless based on the stuff they put in the ground in the tiny community garden of sorts...i'll have to wait for spring and for blooms - as giving a giant green pancake without flowers prolly won't fly...(am furiously disbudding at the moment).
    but then again ...i'll have to baby sit ...sigh - i have no patience with that at all. like: you have a keyboard? go google, here's the links...
    i already have 'can you teach me about houseplants?' line-up, which i am in no mood to encourage (too little time as is).
    oh, well, i'm gonna go with my cynical mood of the moment (blame the thrips...)

  • petrushka (7b)
    9 years ago

    linda,
    you are dangerous!
    stop cutting those leaves and bagging them! you won't have any time to yourself....those newbies will make you cry!

  • Brunilda
    9 years ago

    I have always had a plant obsession (thier words) and none of my friends or family share in it, which is disappointing. I am always excited when I meet someone who likes plants and freely give them away in hopes that they will love them too!

    I tried to join the local AV club but they only meet on Wednesdays 10am, once a month. I asked if they ever tried to meet on the weekends or in the p.m. during the weekdays. They said there was no interest so I guess they don't want to grow their chapter.

    I have given bromeliads and desert rose plants and have seen then grow for them. At work I'm the plant keeper as i purchased AVs for all the employees and when they get sick they bring them to me.

    I met someone in Lowes a few ago watching me carefully looking at the AVs. She asked if I knew anything about them and I helped her pick one. I invited her to a plant swap I was going to and got some nice plants. Then I took her to my home and gave her a few more and showed her how to repot AVs and remove suckers.

    A few weeks later she sent me pictures of her AVs doing so well and dropped off some orchids cuttings. She is now hooked too! I see her post her AVs on Facebook... She doesn't care about their names as long as they bloom!

  • newplanter5
    9 years ago

    I started with 1 AV for years, it bloomed once and then never again... I got 2 more miniatures as presents and then saw they carried AVs at Trader Joe's... have bought 7 in the last 2 weeks. I love the longlasting flowers and TJs has a fair amount of nice ones (my favorites are mydelight, michele and a blue one with white edges) for less than $3! I figure for the price of a dozen roses, I can have 7 plants...

    Still hoping that I've gotten better at keeping plants alive!

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Great sharing, everyone! My AV "journey" took years and years! I was totally content with what I could buy in stores
    and considered everything else "snobbery" and "above my pay grade," so to speak. As for a club, it took me years
    to first of all, be interested, and secondly, find one that met
    on weekends and not on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. when most people I know are chained to a desk somewhere! However, when I finally did find a little club, it was sort of like being on this Forum, except "live!" The shows and sales are separate from the meetings and usually on weekends. It does take time and effort to venture out to one, however, when I did, I enjoyed it. I just can't be one of the "regulars" right now. Joanne

  • aegis1000
    9 years ago

    Everyone is not the "club" type.

    And those in clubs can become pretty exclusive, if they're not careful.

    What is nice is that the internet has opened up the opportunities for those with like-minded interests to "hook up", so to speak, from their home-turf.

    I have had similar experiences with family and friends who seem to be "not at all" interested in my obvious obsession with growing all types of plants.

    The only family member/friend who's expressed any desire in growing AV's in my 50 years is my mother, who actually demonstrated to me that AV's could successfully be grown by the average person.

    Yet even she only grew a couple ... along with the other standard houseplant varieties.

    She's grown a few of my duplicates, beautifully, I might add.

    I've been posting here at Gardenweb for awhile ... primarily in the AV, Trees, Shrubs, Lawns, Landscaping, Roses, and Tomatoes forums, but I've made other AV contacts at ...

    Dave's Gardens
    Violet Voice
    All About African Violets

    ... And, of course, the various AV vendors and ebay sellers.

    I've amassed a collection of maybe 125 plants that seem to be growing/blooming pretty well now.

    It's taken a while to get to this point ... and I've likely killed three times as many plants as I currently have.

    I've experienced problems with Thrips, Mealybugs, Mites, Powdery Mildew, etc. and I think that I finally know enough to keep my collection safe and healthy.

  • Brunilda
    9 years ago

    GardenWeb and Facebook AV groups have been great. Its sparked my interest in trying different types - semi and trailers. Always enjoy reading the problems and solutions that come from the pros. Not to mention all the fabulous AVs from all over the world. I would still would like a local club but in the meanwhile this works!

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Thanks for sharing , all! I appreciate hearing the. " back story !"
    Joanne

  • shihtzu4su
    8 years ago

    wow - ok this is indeed an old thread, buy i really enjoyed reading all this. it concreted in my mind that fads is only what you make of them. so yes, maybe alot of people have the idea that noid violets are inferior... but i dont have to let their attitude shape mine!

    so for all the world to see... I LOVE MY NOID VIOLETS! :-P

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Just found this thread and I understand every viewpoint. I tend to be the type that if I find something I think is wonderful to do [doesn't matter if it is crochet, making porcelain dolls, growing plants, ceramics] I go at it full tilt. I learn everything I can,,,,I ask questions until they run when they see me coming. AND I look for others who share my passion. And I rarely find them. But I keep going on by myself if necessary.

    Which brings us to african violet groups, clubs and others who love them. In all the years I have grown them [1960 to now] there have been lots of people who bought my babies, received them as gifts etc,,,,but no one has ever been interested enough to want to talk about them or start a local group.

    That's ok. I grow them for MY satisfaction and the joy they give me. And along the way I have probably killed more than I care to admit all in the course of learning how to grow them.

    If in the course of trying to share that joy by selling babies or giving gifts the plant dies, well, maybe they decided they are not "into" them like I am.

    I am so grateful to have this forum. All of you are the only "club" I belong to. The only one available to me. I consider us kind of and underground movement! We are here,,,,we love what we have and do,,,,,and with or without the rest of the world we will continue to enjoy our hobby,,,whatever it may be.

    Would be nice to have a local group but none are available. So I will continue on this forum, grow my plants, chat and trade with friends and be happy with what I have.

    BTW,,,Just down the road from me is a very large orchid greenhouse. He started his business years ago. Before I even thought of owning an orchid. I had heard how fussy they are and demanding [sound like what they say about violets????] so I never owned one but always admired them. One day I stopped in his shop. I wanted to start with a little orchid, learn about them and be sucessful growing it. Just one.

    Sorry to say, nothing was priced. Everytime I asked about an orchid they stood there and said "well, this one is $27.50". But they had to think about it before giving me a price. I almost got the impression they wanted to see how much I would pay. This happened with every orchid I was interested in.

    I did buy one little orchid. I was excited and asked for information on how to take care of it. It was like pulling proverbial crow's teeth. They were very stingy with info and gave me the impression they didn't really want me there.

    I came home did the best I could and it died. [this was before computers, groups etc] I went back a few times, not to buy, just to look. They were never friendly. I stopped going. Imagine this treasure so close to me and I stopped going because of their indifference toward me and others {saw them treat others the same way].

    So this week in our local paper guess who was larger than life on the front page??? You guessed it. A very nice article about how he started his business, orchids are his passion etc. and how through the years he has had to close a few of the greenhouses and condense because people just were not "into" orchids! Waa waa waa. Really? Orchids may be his passion and he wanted to make a living at it,,,,but he forgot to treat people nice and try to stimulate THEIR possible hidden passion. And now that big box stores carry orchids MUCH cheaper (course you don't get the vast variety he has) people settle for that.

    But,,,,I never let him dampen my enthusiasm for orchids. I proceeded to be a one woman show with my happiness. I don't care if people think I am strange because of my hobbies. And I learned from books, and now that computers are invented, from the internet.

    Is it frustrating not to have a local group? Yep,,,,but I just keep adapting. I like to think I am a chameleon!

    Ok that is my story for today. If we just carry on with our hobbies people will realize we are really happy!!! And just maybe it will be a little contagious!!! But even if not,,,,,there are enough of us to go forward!!!! Onward Soldiers!!! Rosie

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago

    Hi, Ladies, Thank you for finding and reviving this thread, it brings back memories. Karin and I were both dipping our toes into the AV water at the same time a few years ago. And now we have greatly accelerated our fascination, to put it mildly. It is not at all necessary to join a club. I took me years to decide to join one. I was afraid it would take even more time away from family and "real life." And that I would also turn into the local grower for the club if I found them to be too laid back. But it turned out to be a good decision. My local club is very laid back, in California, almost anything grows anywhere, if you just toss it over your shoulder backward and sprinkle it a little. So the big challenge is to get them more interested in expanding their horizons. Because Optimaras are everywhere here, most grown locally.

    Su, technically, there is no such thing as a noid, because they all have names. I know you do try your best to i.d. them. Just for the record, one of my favorite AVs is Manitoba. It is a blue pansy by Reinhold Holtkamp of the Optimara. It grows rapidly to a larger size with a nice cloud of bloom.

    It is probably a relative of the original Neptune, or of a vintage Harbor Blue. Right now, I have four Manitoba's in full bloom. I would have had six if I had not generously told some customers at Trader Joe's to take home the Manitoba's. (Yes, I have been known to lurk at the Violet counter and give advice!)

    Although minis are all the rage now, it seems, my favorites are the larger standards. They are relatively carefree. When people visit, those are the ones that get the most attention.

    Rosie, I never grew orchids, either, until I moved to California and saw how easily they grow in the right environment. Here, they are not considered as exotic or rare or difficult as on the east coast. People grow them as hedges, or outside wrapped around trees.

    So I take that same approach to my violets. For example, I sometimes read about a rare and exotic violet. "Ann" is a good example. I grew it, it was "high maintenance." There are a zillion double pink violets with variegated foliage that are eager and happy to grow in my friendly environment. So I just did not need a pouty prima donna of a violet refusing to grow unless admired constantly.

    I got it from Violet Barn, so maybe they will offer it again in the future. I paid only a normal price for it. But it took almost a year to bloom. Not worth it. It did not make me look like the good violet grower that I am!

    Joanne

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    You know Joanne, once I "settled" down about orchids,,,I realized if I set them in a pan and fill the pan with warm water up to the rim and let them soak up for about 1/2 hour or so they would thrive wonderfully. Once a week or so. No misting, no angst. Then put them back in their "cover" pots, after draining well of course and they are just fine and bloom about twice a year.

    I will go back to the Orchid greenhouse and see if anyone is any nicer. AND to see the eye candy. It really is an impressive place! Rosie

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago

    I remember an orchid show in New York City in what was World Trade Center Five, the lower building. It was the most incredible sight I had ever seen. The displays were positively to die for. The orchid folks were incredibly hoity toity.

    Then, some years later, when I moved to California, I saw orchids growing by the sides of the roads, in every supermarket as potted plants, and in every store window. I thought I was in paradise. People also talked about zipping off to Hawaii like they were going for a weekend jaunt.

    So I learned that in the right environment, they are not exotic or difficult. They can be, but they don't need to be. In fact, they are tough.

    Most people around here grow both. But I am such an information junkie, that if I got into orchids as I did with violets, I would have to know everything about them. So I stick with garden roses and violets.

    I find it is easier to give away an orchid than a violet. If I give someone an orchid, they feel like they got a special gift, even if the thing has not bloomed in two years. But it has happened that if I give someone a tray of violet babies I have cared for from leaf rooting to plantlet stage, the person does not grasp the amount of care that went into the plants. If they forget to water them, it is no big deal to them.

    So I did not get attached to orchids and made a few people happy when I gave away my collection. Now I keep violets on hand to donate that I won't be bothered if they do not survive.

    Rosie, what kind of crochet? I have a stash of vintage I find in thrift stores. The younger generation does not want the fussiness, so the thrift stores often have lovely pieces.

    Having raised boys who are now on their own, and all the football gear, etc., is put away,

    my "inner Victorian lady" is being allowed to emerge!

    Joanne


  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    I bet that was an orchid show to beat all!!!!! The people I referred to that worked in the orchid greenhouse were just what you said, hoity toity. Acted like they couldn't wait for me to leave. So I did,,,never to return. Now he is begging for customers, hence the newspaper article.

    As far as crochet, I usually make things out of thread. I do use yarn also. I don't do doilies and such. Since I have so many dolls to dress I usually knit, sew, tat, crochet, embroider for them! I am a patternAholic for any kind of needlework. I have two grown daughters and 2 grown grandsons so now it is just me and my dolls, plants, fabric, patterns and all my other stuff!!!!! Oh yeah and husband and 2 dogs, peacocks and one chicken! We are on 5 acres. Don't know how that man puts up with me!!!!! lol Rosie

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago

    Would love to exchange photos of dolls, etc. Sounds like you have a fun menagerie. I love pictures of peacocks and have them all over. I have a grand daughter I love to spoil rotten, as my generation all raised boys. Now the boys are having the long awaited girls for grandma to spoil. Yes, all my crocheted collectibles are thread. i keep those.

    when i find afghans, i usually donate them to a women's home in the cold northern midwest areas. i cannot leave a hand made crocheted item in a thrift store selling for a few dollars because i know the hours that went into it. but we don't need fifty pound woolen afghans here!

    j

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Joanne you are too much fun! If I can get to Stevie's long tail feathers before the wind etc. I will send a couple!

    I have a folder of "My Identified Dolls". I didn't make all of them, but as I aquire and or make them I take photos and make notes.

    Couple years back I stopped at a yard sale and got a fully clothed (original clothes) with socks and shoes Betsy Wetsy for $1.00. WOW what a deal. AND she was in great shape!

    Oops, this is a violet forum. Thinkin' we need to pm to carry this on! Rosie


  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago


    Sure, PM is a good idea. My dream would be to have a shop with vintage china and dolls displayed with the violets. There are shops like that on line. One of them is called Vintage Violets. There is some interest from a younger generation of women in things of yore. In fact, our local hardware and nursery stores are getting to be more and more like that, with lovely gardens displaying lovely one furnishings.

    I fell in love with violets as a young woman because they were displayed in my aunt's window. She had a lovely and gracious home. Then a few years later, I got an Easter basket from a friend full of cut flowers and one purple violet. In other words, it was the domestic, decorative appeal that attracted me. I did not yet fully realize I had a genetic horticultural "bug" in my hard-wiring that would soon unlock the abundance habit.

    It was a long time before the urge to have greenhouses kicked in. Definitely genetic.I would love to have a violet farm, but would not want to do the hybridizing. I would hire Karin for that.

    Joanne


  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Ok, picture it.....vintage china and dolls, violets, maybe a fern or two and beautiful bone china tea cups that you would serve me (oops I mean your customer !!!!!) tea in!

    I guess the bug bit me in 1964 or so, and bless my dad's heart he did his best to rig (and I mean rig!!!) up a flourescent light over a table in our basement. I didn't know what the heck I was doing. No internet. Just the local library if you could figure out what you needed to look up.

    And look where we are now! Pretty good huh! Oh by the way, let me tell you what I got today at Lowes. I had to take a baggie full of rooted Schlumbergera cuttings to the manager. I asked him when were the violets coming in! I always ask him and I said and I want minis and streps! I am tired of orchids!!!!! He said there is an order coming in and he will let me know when it will get there. I gave him one of my business cards. I am sure there will be no minis or streps but hopefully some different violets!!!!!

    So I went into the store. Now they had no violets 4 days ago. I wasn't hopeful but I went to look anyway and there sitting big as life itself was Optimara Modesty! There was also a white one, and one other one I can't remember. I was too excited about O. Modesty!!!!! Needless to say I bought her. Boy was she dry!!!!! I took my water bottle (always have one) and gave her a drink. She really perked up nice by the time I got home 3 hours later. (ugh, groc shop). I thought about buying the white one, but I am still hoping I will find White Madonna. And I can't believe I can't remember what the other one was !!!!!

    So that was my score today! BTW let me know when you open that shop!!! Rosie


  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago

    That is fantastic! To randomly find Modesty is amazing! What are rooted Schlumbergera cuttings? J

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Schlumbergera is the original Christmas Cactus,,,,,long before the fancy hybrids became available. Kinda like the beginning violets. Before all of the fancy breeding. Anyway, I started far too many cuttings and couldn't find anymore people to give them to. He said he would love to have them. That is how he ended up with them. My plant is huge and I will probably take more cuts long about mid summer. Has a beautiful flower.

    This is not a photo of my plant but this is a schlumbergera and it's flower. I love that red color. Rosie

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago

    Fascinating! Are they for his personal use or for selling in the store?

    Joanne

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Oh no. Personal use, were talking last Christmas about the newer varieties and I said I have the really old variety. He said he would like to have a cut. I said I will give you a bunch! AND I bugged him about african violets and streps! I just now knew for sure that I was going to Lowe's and he would be there so yesterday was the day he got them.

    I will start more not because I want them, but my plant may need more shaping long about mid summer and anyone is welcome to the cuts. I cannot throw away cuts. That is how I got all those in the first place! I cut, and rooted!!! Until I found someone [him] to take them! They ship easy in a toilet paper cardboard tube. I will mention them again when I start cutting and whoever wants some can have some. Rosie

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Hope no one minds if I give part two of my prior post from May 16. The one where I bought Optimara Modesty. Remember she was one of 3 violets in the Lowe's that day.

    Well I went back to Lowe's today and those same two violets were still there. Last time I saw them was on May 16 when I bought Modesty. Oh you should have seen them. I think they may be circleing the drain. There leaves are so limp they just hang over the pot. I felt so bad for them I took them over to a decorative fountain and let the water run over the soil on both of them. At least that would help until I was done with grocery shopping.

    Yes,,,,,,I asked the lady to reduce them and bought them both. Poor things. But guess what I noticed when I got to the car? The white one was tagged Ontario! Could it be Optimara Ontario???? Becha it is! The other one had deep purple blooms with little white flecks on it. They are both in the intensive care unit right now. Well if they don't make it I will take them back for a refund. Thank goodness Lowe's does that.

    I know it was stupid and they may die anyway but,,,,well, I guess I have no more to say about it. Rosie


  • shihtzu4su
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    good for you for rescuing them! you should take a "crisp as you can get it" leaf from each and stick them in a little cup with water and a pinch of sugar! then you have a back up if all else fails.

    they sound lovely!

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Su, I hate to tell you this but there isn't a "crisp as you can get it" leaf on it. Except for the very middle of the crown and they are too small. These are pathetic. I will just let them along for a couple days and see what shakes out of the tree. Rosie PS. If I get even a little response, I may try that sugar thing!

  • Julia (1meanmop)
    8 years ago

    Rosie, Never fear you are not alone in your rescue of plants that is how I acquired most of mine.


  • Sans2014
    8 years ago

    Rosie are you sure that "decorative water fountain" had clean chemical free water in it? Might want to flush the plants clean just to be sure.


  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I do the same thing when I am in the stores. Joanne

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    Joanne, I can't find the rest of this conversation! What did you say????

    "I do the same thing when I am in the stores, but I don't take home the dying ones anymore. I learned that in this store, some of the employees will ta...

    Thanks! Rosie

  • fortyseven_gw
    Original Author
    8 years ago

    Oh, I deleted it! I just said that I have sometimes watered Violets from a fountain when I have been in one particular neighborhood nursery. This is where a couple of the employees and I know each other and trade violets. Not violets they sell, some of my own surplus. It is a small town where everyone knows each other, it seems. Joanne

  • Rosie1949
    8 years ago

    OMG I drove myself nuts looking for the end of that sentence! I have everything go to my inbox so I don't miss a conversation and you should have seen me reading and re-reading to find that!!!! hahahahaha ok,,thanks for straightening me out! lol still laughing!!! Rosie

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