Mary Ann, I think you know the answer to that! Of course you add water! Actually, just water the same as if they were planted in soil. You may have to water more than soil leaves because the p/v mixture dries out quickly. Putting in a baggie helps with this and you may not have to water at all. Just check it occasionally. Shon, It sounds as though you are on the right path. Don't hover, either of you :) I agree with Joanne. I am convinced growers who have more plants grow better because they cannot pick at all of their plants all of the time. You've provided the proper growing conditions, now get out of the way and let your plants grow! Linda

yah - Joanne, i really could see that the whole growing to sell thing could be really stressful. it intrigues me to sell my extras on ebay... but im not sure if i could ship well enough to satisfy people. i dont have room to keep all the extras and i like the thought of selling so i can put that money back into my violets. but anyhow! i feel like ive missed lots of discussions on here lately! we are homeward bound tomorrow. oh and if anyone else wants to know where to buy African Violets in Lancaster PA... go to Esbenshades Greenhouse! :) they even told me that they will be getting in some minis in a few weeks. sigh. just missed them. i did pick up four there though! i believe that they are all optimara. :) red, pink, blue, and a white/pink. they need some tlc... which i can handle. ;) i also found a maidenhair fern which i had been looking for FOR. EVER. ;) oh Joan - just reading back posts here! trader joe?? i didnt know they had violets! hmm. gonna have to remember that. did you get the one that might have been ingrid?? i love that one! rosie, dont apologize for your trips down memory lane! ;) i enjoy hearing the history behind the journeys.

Oooh, ok. Thanks for clearing that misconception. We get gloomy winters here, tends to be dreary until later in the spring, though the last couple years have been uncharcteristically bright. We get some snow, not much by my Yooper standards, but a bit. Temps usually don't dip far below 20. Were my friend lives is all residential, and her windows are blocked by the apartments across the street.

Lovely photos! I am thinking the purple blue is the color that attracts pollinators...THRIPS??? Saintpaulia doesn't produce nectar - only an abundance of tasty pollen...so some pollen loving insects are nature little helpers... Why the blossoms are droppers - after pollination happened - plants do not need to attract anything - so the petals are shed - to prevent the fungal infection that will start on decaying petals and move onto a seedpod.