About Nancy Expertise I can answer questions on the following subjects:
Pests, chemicals
Showing AVs
Sowing Seeds
Problems with plants
Basics of AV growing
Episcias
Streptocarpus
Experience I am an African violet Advanced Judge in US and Canada. I have written a book on pests of African violets called "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family" My articles appear in African Violet Magazine and Chatter as well as in other magazines.
Organizations AVSA
AVSC
African Violet Society of Greater Montreal
Saintpaulia Society of Montreal
Publications Book author: "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family"
African Violet Magazine, many issues
Chatter Magazine Many issues
Horticulture
Other Magazines
Education/Credentials University of Indiana Master's work (Music)
Awards and Honors Jr. Queen of Show (Pixie Blue) AVSC Convention Montreal
Approximately 100 blue ribbons
25 or so Best of Class
Past/Present clients I sell mostly leaves on Ebay. I sell plants at convention shows and local shows.
Question Hi... I'm going to start propagating African violets... I have access to a greenhouse... I wanted to know how long does it take for a regular leaf-plantlet to reach flowering size (in normal/good conditions)... Thanks...
Answer If you take an old leaf from the last row of a plant, the time will be much longer than if you take a leaf from the second or third row of leaves.
A leaf roots in about 8-10 days depending on humidity and health of the leaf. It takes about 3 months for that leaf to produce babies. Babies may take another two to three months to mature enough to be taken away from the mother leaf.
Then once the baby is taken from the mother leaf it may take for 4-6 months before that baby is mature enough to flower.
So it takes approximately one year from planting the leaf until the baby is mature enough to produce flowers.
Seasons also affect the development. Naturally a leaf planted in spring will produce faster than one planted in mid winter.
Light, humidity, the general health of the leaf, temperature affect the progress of babies.
