I didn't go nuts at the AV sale!

violetta1976

16 years ago

You were right - everyone was lovely, and I'll definitely be going to a meeting soon. I'm so excited now!

One of the ladies has been growing AVs in fishbowls. The results are gorgeous - I think the small mouth must increase the humidity inside. She puts a thick layer of perlite on the bottom, then uses her regular growing medium (1-1-1) on top of that. The AVs look like they love it! I'll probably be trying this soon, maybe next time I need to repot.

So here are my purchases.

First... wait.. Abigail! Get away from there!

Okay, let's try this again. First, Rob's Boolaroo.

Second, LLG Sea Drift.

Attempted a close up of the bloom, but it's pretty fuzzy. It's a beautiful double; rich purple with thin white edging.

Third, a plug of Rob's Dust Storm. The minis they had from Rob's were beautiful. I was so jealous! I could easily have bought all of them if I had more room in my place.

And finally, LLG Lemon Drop.

I'd been wanting Rob's Boolaroo and LLG Lemon Drop anyway, so it was pretty cool to find them there.

Thankfully, after all was said and done, Abigail decided that she was more interested in the box I brought the AVs home in than the AVs themselves.

"Quit mocking me. I fit perfectly."

Oliver couldn't care less about the new additions to the house. He's just happy I'm wearing a sweatshirt with ties.

(Sorry for the gratuitous kitty shots. I couldn't resist.)

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Comments (14)

seattlemarigene
16 years ago
oOOH your violets are lovely and so is your darlin kitties!i cant wait till the next seattle Africian Violet show in April...:0)..marigene
quinnfyre
16 years ago
I loooove Rob's Boolaroo. It finally decided to bloom for me, and it's fabulous. Glad you got your hands on it, and blooming too!

My cat loves shoeboxes. She does NOT fit. She looks like a loaf of cat bread. It's truly ridiculous. But hysterical.
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bspofford
16 years ago
Oh, the willpower....you must be worn out from using it all. Nice selection of plants, and cute helpers too.

Have fun at your first meeting.

Barbara
fred_hill
16 years ago
Hi Violetta,
Glad you were able to keep your addiction under control as for me, I judged the Philadelphia show yesterday and came home with 5 bags of leaves that I really didn't need. So between those and the plants and leaves I received in the mail this week I added 20 hybrids to my collection.
....and the addiction continues.
Fred in NJ
violetta1976
Original Author
16 years ago
Given that I have 45 leaves down right now and barely enough room for the cups that the leaves are in, it was actually pretty easy to keep myself under control! I think most of those leaves are from large varieties. I'm gonna be screwed! Every surface in my house is going to have AVs on them!
bspofford
16 years ago
Uh, wait a minute.....do you mean that not every surface is supposed to have a violet on it? Some surfaces should be violet free? If that is the case, which one?

Barbara
violetta1976
Original Author
16 years ago
Silly Barbara. The surfaces that you sleep and cook on, of course. Oh, and the space for the computer and TV. And you probably need room on the dining room table to eat, although I'm perfectly happy sitting with my plate in my lap, so that one's negotiable. But besides that, it's fair game as far as I'm concerned. It's just... well, that's what I'm down to at this point, and I don't have room for another set of shelves!

Just kidding (kind of). Really, it's just that only one end of my condo gets sunlight and I'm trying to hold off on doing the whole flourescent light set up. Not for expense reasons, but because my place is only so big and I don't love the look of them. It'd sort of ruin the decorating scheme I'm attempting in my tiny living room...
fred_hill
16 years ago
But Violetta if you put enough violets on the plant stands you will barely notice the stand. I know this is true because I have two stands that are almost invisible...............lol
Fred in NJ
pacnwgrdngirl
16 years ago
Violetta ~ You went to a Seattle AV show? Please let me know next time and I would like to go too!!!!

I will still find out about the Portland one too.

Adrienne
violetta1976
Original Author
16 years ago
Adrienne,

I went to a Portland display/sale. The one at Jantzen Beach Mall. :0)

I still haven't been to Seattle. How ridiculous! I've lived here for almost a year and a half!
pacnwgrdngirl
16 years ago
Please let me know when they have them in the Portland area too. My family lives there. My Mom and Aunt are big time AV fans. They would also love to go.

Will have to go to the April one seattlemarigene posted about. Perfect reason to come to Seattle for a visit Violetta! :o)

seattlemarigene ~ Could you post the details and let us Pac NW people know about any other upcoming events? Thanks!

Adrienne
paul_
16 years ago

Like the first pick of kitty sniffing the posies...

Violetta, one thing you might try next time you wish to do closeups, is either arrange things so the flower is lying on the surface of a leaf or have the stem right under the flower itself held between two fingers so the flower lays on your hand. Many digital cams have difficulty focusing on small objects -- they wind up focusing on the background instead. Laying the flower on a leaf or your hand brings the "background" closer to the plane of the flower. This often makes it easier for the cam to focus on the flower.
irina_co
16 years ago
Violetta -

Paul is giving you a very sound advice. i would add some too. Tripod really helps to eliminate the small movements. Putting your elbows on the table while shooting also works. Background - dark blue or black fleece throw from Walgreens works if you drape it on the back and seat of the chair and put your plant on the seat. The rest of the time the kitties can use the reverse side for sleeping - that's what mine does, as long as I fold it to avoid photographing cat's hair.

Isn't it fun? Love it!

Irina
violetta1976
Original Author
16 years ago
Paul and Irina, those are great tips. I've definitely been struggling with my photos! Thank you!

Adrienne, definitely keep me posted. I'll do the same for you. :0)

I didn't go nuts at the AV sale!

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