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African Violets

Tagging AVs for identification

StephanieZone6binKY

2 years ago

How do you tag your AVs? I have about 6 plants (5 of which are newly acquired) and put a little plastic plant tag into their pots with the name of the plant, date I received it and any other special info. However, as I was looking at one this morning I noticed that one of the leaves has been slightly cut into because of the tag.

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Comments (7)

YOLANDA
2 years ago
Stephanie, I write the "name" of the plant and the date I potted it on a piece of masking tape and put it on the side of the pot. My plant is NOT going to tell me its name if I ask, so that is a better way for me. Some people make lists and maps of their plants. I like to move my plants every time I water them. That's just me.

Yolanda
StephanieZone6binKY
Original Author
2 years ago
@Yolanda The masking tape is a good ideal. I don’t think I have it in me right now to do a map but I really want to remember the variety (at least of the ones I am sure of), the date they were purchased, if they were a gift and the last time the soil was changed. Except for a couple, I have a tendency to move them as well. Thanks for your reply.
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As Rosie has said, the first step to enjoying successful violets is effective watering. In addition to what Rosie has said, I would suggest feeling the top of the soil in your violets' pots, ... and only watering when the soil is drier. Overwatering is the easiest way to kill an African Violet, ... but now that you know, you are forewarned. Also, check to see if your water provider uses Chloramine in their water processing. If so, you will need to use a different source of water, as Chloramine can kill African Violets. Spring water from a grocery or grocery dispensery is a good alternate source of water. Giving your plants sufficient light will help to ensure that they continue to bloom. African Violets do not bloom continuously, but, with proper lighting, they can bloom their best, hopefully giving you bloom from one (or more) of your plants most of the time. Your violets will need natural light (from a window no more that a foot or so away) ... and/or fluorescent artificial light for 8-12 hours/day. I think that the new LED lighting will work as well, ... but not the old incandescents. After awhile, your violets will need fertilizer ... look for an African Violet fertilizer ... and mix 1/2 the recommended amount into your water for your plants. After a year or so, ... your violets will likely need repotting, though they, likely, should stay in the same size pot (4" diameter). If your violets reach 15" across, you can pot up to a 5" diameter pot. If they reach, 18", go for a 6" pot. IOW, keep the pot diameter to 1/3 the plant's width. When you repot, use a mixture of 1/2 commercial African Violet potting soil, and 1/2 Pearlite. You should be able to get both at the local box hardware store (Lowe's or Home Depot). You have time to enjoy your new plants ... while you learn to care for them. Check out the following link for more information about caring for your new plants. http://www.optimara.com/africanvioletcare1.html It really isn't so tough, once you learn the basics of watering, and lighting. Learning those two alone will get you healthy blooming plants for a few months ...
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Candice, I have done a multitude of things over the years. Had those PVC Mini Blinds and took them apart and cut the PVC slats into the size I needed (Old Blinds, that is). Most recently, I purchased on eBay Plastic plant tags that come in a wide range of colors. This way I could label different species and/or hybrid crosses and identify from first glance by tag color and then read further for exact individual plant. I have a Brother Handheld Label maker which I use on older specimens. Rick
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YOLANDA
2 years ago
Stephanie, I also do not think I have it in me to make maps of where I put the plants. If this helps, it is good.

Yolanda
Rosie1949
2 years ago
Try putting the tag in the opposite direction. Tape is also good but I like to put clear tape over the writing because I have had instance where humidity destroyed the writing making that plant a NOID!!!!! Rosie
AnneCecilia z5 MI
2 years ago
Cut and displaced leaves are the reasons why I don't put plastic stake type tags into my AV pots. Plus I don't like having to pull the stake out to read a long name (as so many of the Russian/Ukrainian varieties have.) Mapping them out? No way would it be a true map for long. I tried that once but things get moved around all the time on my stands as I water and groom or just try to find the right lighting spot for a plant's individual needs.

I prefer a water resistant label that I can stick to the outside of the pot (Avery # 22828 is the one I use.) A hand held label printer like Dymo or Brother makes is terrific as well, as long as you get one that can print outdoor (water resistant) labels. But if you only have a few AV's, tape would work - although white electrical tape would be better than masking tape (it would last longer.) Just be careful what you choose to write with...some inks or markers will fade in sun or under lights and then you'll be left guessing anyway. I use a black garden marker that is UV proof to write on my Avery tags. Wish I had a laser printer; I would print them out but sadly lettering from my ink jet printer won't last under lights.
StephanieZone6binKY
Original Author
2 years ago
All very good ideals. I don’t have a printer but do have white electrical tape. Putting clear tape over that is a great ideal too!! Thank you Rosie and Anne
StephanieZone6binKY
Original Author
2 years ago
Great suggestions! Thank you everyone!! I think I’ll try the white electrical tape with clear tape over that.

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