Mike, Yes, it is true that African violets can get mites. It usually shows up in new growth though. Which is a good question. Are the curled up leaves on the edge of the plant or are they in the center? If it is in the center, it well could be mites. Again, a picture would be nice. I notice that you still have not put this question over to the African violet form. Toni, Thanks for the kind words! The fern is a rabbit's foot fern. As is noted by Karen, it is not a Kolanchoe, but a crassula ovata tricolor. After being in the sun a few months it should start to turn red around the edges. I got the variegated string of hearts at a local nursery. Yes the purple and white flowered African violet is a chimera. I actually think that standards have prettier flowers. At least they are more spectacular. But for me, anyway, I like the simplicity of single petaled African violet flowers that are mostly on miniatures. There are way more standards than minis. All of my violets are older varieties. Larry

M3, you're the second person, (this week) who mentioned their 'kitty' feared T-storms. Rub her head, talk softly, explain, 'mom' won't allow anything to happen to you. Does ME get a lot of rain? Nina, It's actually more than 20 yrs. LOL...aside from sowing seeds in my family outdoor garden at age 11, w/o knowing what the heck I was doing, I purchased my first houseplant at 18 yrs old..that was 37 yrs ago. So, add 17 years to the 20..LOL..How embarrassing! In the beginning most plants died from too much TLC..in other words, overwatering. I can't begin to tell you the number of AV's I killed. Not intentionally of course. One time, (late 70's) I assumed potting an Av in a super large container would grow 4' or taller..LOL. You can figure out the results. After reading and rereading every book I got my hands on, I learned the tricks of the trade. But still have a zillion questions that need answering. Nina, you have 8 children??? Wow, no wonder you gave up plants..when would you find time? LOL I'm assuming they're grown, which means you now have time to pursue a wonderful, relaxing hobby. Yes, it'd be great having a neighbor who shares our love of plants..My friends/family either don't give a hoot or live far/out of state. We send each other cuttings though. Nina, are you going to sell your plants in hopes of finding someone who shares your interest? Good luck..I truly hope you meet someone. There's a man down the street who dotes on all plants..His wife doesnt' share his interest.LOL..Isn't that the way it goes? Other than him it's hopeless. We've lived here 20 yrs. Our front and back yard was covered in dead grass, (temps were in the 100's and no one watered) totally dead bushes, and weeds over 4' out back. It took time and work, but eventually looked decent. Little by little (when hubby was at work) I'd dig sections of grass and add perrenials..LOL..now the entire front side has flowers. In fact, most of the front, and part of the back is the same..grass is getting scarcer and scarcer..LOL..Most house plants are in back, some in front. Every so often, ppl ring our bell, asking the name of a plant. We notice, more and more people are doing the same. Digging grass and planting flowers. Still, during the last 20 yrs, we haven't befriended anyone who grows house plants..in fact, most ppl buy plants in spring, like tropial Hibiscus/Azaleas and toss in the alley in autumn. What a waste!! I KNOW what you mean about going to the store and buying a plant/s..you are talking to a mirror image of yourself..LOL How many plants do you have? Are you now collecting AVs? Other plants? At least you live in a nice, warm climate..that sure helps. Wish I could say the same; soon plants will be coming indoors. sigh. Let us know how your sale goes. You never know, someone might come along, in which you'll find your kindred spirit. Begonias aren't the easiest plants to grow..they need humidity, but don't like wet feet. If possible, try Wax begonia..this way you'll get a feel for their care. Keep us posted, Nina. Lucille, you did it!!! Congrats..Now that the hard part is over, all you have to worry about, (at least until they need larger pots) is water and fertilizer. Of course there's always clipping faded flowers and inspecting for pests, but that's trivial to what you've accomplished. How did you test go? Larry, I researched Alsobia..the Dianthiflora is gorgeous..the white flowers are adorable. I love their flower texture and shape. Do they require a lot of humidity? One thing that confused me was, while researching, Wikipedia said, dianthiflora and punctata are succulents..Is that correct? Like most other sites discussing Alsobia, they all stated Alsobia were once related to Episica. Is Episcia tropical or succulent? I'd love to get hold of Ember Lace, but it's almsot impossible. They're bought before the seller posts..LOL. Have a great wkend. Toni

I have only one Chirita. It came as a NOID though many agreed it resembles 'Kazu.' Except for the blossoms, whose throats are not yellow but pretty much all lavender. It has grown into a real big 'un in a 10" pot. I've let it kind of flop everywhere... this is definitely not a show plant! But it begins blooming around early May or late April and, well, it's still sprouting new spikes. It spends the summer outside, getting a few hours of sun, and looks just glorious, growing on occasional water and lots of adoration. It will be under lights in the garage, where I'll keep the temp between 50 and 60 degrees. Of the others, I have 'Cygnet' in an aquarium turned terrarium, in a mix that gets lots of drainage. There are lights for this too, because my house is a solid, small windowed 60's ranch. It responds well to relatively frequent, small amounts of fertilizer. I mean the Alsobia, not the house. (The house needs a giant dose of money and time!) I'm not familiar with that variety of Episcia you mention, but the few hybrids I have are in the terrarium with my Alsobia. I adore Episcias and only began growing them for the great foliage. And, what a nice bonus to find I could bloom them, too! Just about everything in there gets similar care. And for Columnea... well, I haven't gotten to those yet. Someday, I'm sure. I love vines and scandent stuff and climbers and... oh. you get the picture... perL

I might have some things to swap if you're interested. The only thing is that it'll be probably a month before it's warm enough here to send anything. It's 22 and snowing here today *sigh*. I have: Sinningia pusilla several NOID Sinnigia hybrids. I have no idea what color they are or what their parents are. They were given to me by someone who planted a bunch of eBay seeds and they haven't flowered for me yet. They hate it here. If I put them where there's enough light, my cats eat them. If I put them out of my cats' reach, there's not enough light. Other than my Sinningias and Aeschynanthus, they leave my plants alone. Alsobia dianthifloria--I have several nicely rooted plants I also have an Aeschynanthis radicans 'Rasta', a Columnea 'Merlot', and cuttings of a georgeous NOID Columnea with orange flowers that is almost always in bloom for me. With the exception of the cuttings, they're all nicely rooted. I don't know if you're interested in any of the bigger gessies or not, but I thought I'd mention it.