You could use the large pots if you put an inch of perlite in the bottom. That would help draining of water so they won't get water clogged. Watch them carefully in these larger pots--especially the centers which may start to turn brown from root or crown rot. I think they would survive in the oversized pot.

Nancy

What about mixing the AV soil 50/50 with a cactus soil I got on EBay that is nearly 85% pumice and 15% 'Supersoil' which is some kind of organic mix.?? It is obviously meant for cacti/succulents..but the pumice drains VERY fast,it is just heavy. Can that be used in place of perlite to lighten up the soil and make air pockets for the roots? Or is pumice to rough for AV roots? Perlite isn't smooth either,it is just light. Pumice isn't smooth,but it is heavy,and they both drain,but the pumice drains superfast. Could I mix it in the soil...OR as you suggested,make a layer on the bottom of the pot with this pumice ladden soil instead of perlite?

I AM going to have 2.75in pots in a few days,from EBay. That would be the best size I guess to pot up into. I can wait to pot up into them. BUT would it be a good idea to mix the pumice soil into the AV soil for MORE drainage. It is AV soil,but as we all know it never drains as fast as what 'baby' AV's are grown in,they are in pure perlite now. Or would that pumice be to much on the roots? And I should go get a bag of perlite and add some to the AV soil?

If it was my dilemma, I would wait to get the smaller pots, AND buy some perlite and mix it no less than 1/2 av mix and 1/2 perlite. That is a one to one mix. It would also help to get some vermiculite, and then make a mix of 1 part av mix, 1 part perlite, and one part vermiculite. This will give you a standard mix for violets that will promote good growth and drainage.
Most av mixes are mostly peat, and hold way too much water for too long, and increasing the chances for root rot.

Good luck.

Barbara

Hello Floriabear, I am new to this site, and any of my knowledge comes from my sister. She was re-planting some miniature violets and wanted tiny lids from hair spray or anything similar and I remembered tiny sample cups SHE had given me several years earlier. Too funny because I had well over a dozen left over so she transplanted and I received TWO new babies! Neither one looked like they were going to bloom, but 3 weeks later... guess what!!

I am so pleased!

{{gwi:376076}}

I would go with little containers until you find the tiny pots you want!

Good Luck

Mikka, those are too adorable! Thanks for sharing!

Of course those ARE minis or semi minis. And the flowers will be pretty it looks like. Mine are standards,and they are 2 of the 'Russian' varieties. I planted a few up into the 2.75in pots I got over the weekend, and added some of my pumice soil to my AV soil. So I will see if they take off, being in bigger pots now,instead of Solo cups. Or if nothing happens, or if they die. One fell apart when I took it out of the cup,and all I got out a little bit of roots and the plant. The rest of the soil was soaking wet. So it must have rotted the roots. Hopefully the new soil,that is draining nice and fast, Will work.

This is my first time visiting this forum, but I do know some on AVs. I rooted two leaves within the past year, and I put some of the many shoots in those plastic Dixie cups (the approx. 1.5" diameter ones from Walmart or some such place) with holes poked in the bottom. Currently, the two that I haven't given away or sold both have flowers.
-Jmcat

I put leaves in those little "creamer" containers you get as restaurants with coffee. Once they get their babies, I put them in the plastic container that Dole diced peaches or fruit cocktail come in. I just use a knife to make holes on the bottom. Works like a charm. Once they outgrow the peaches container, I put them in my nice AV pots. Voila!