Seek and you shall find!

So I don't know about you, but I've been collecting plants most of my life!  Some of the plants I've had for years and years...like this gorgeous Schefflera

that I have had almost 37 years!!  When I gave birth to my son, Broc, it was sent to me in the hospital by the company I was working for.  It has been through it's ups and downs, moves [lots of moves], freezes, heat waves, bug infestations, you name it --- but it has kept on going!  It looks really gorgeous right now, but I have noticed some aphids on it and promptly sprayed them with Neem oil!  We'll see!  It always perks up when it gets moved back to it's outdoor Spring and Summer spot!

And then there are these gorgeous African Violets that I've had for at least 30 years!  Every Spring I propagate them and give the babies away to friends for birthdays, housewarmings and condolences

In fact, that's what got me thinking when I realized how much I wanted a "Pilea Peperomioides".  I remember reading a blog post, years ago, that talked about plants and how to "properly" acquire them for longevity.  The article said that in order for a plant to be properly loved and, therefore thrive, it must be one that you acquire as a gift.  I started thinking about that and it really makes sense!  Every plant I have that has been given to me has thrived [or at least is still alive].  Just about every plant I "purchased" has never lived.  Although, I do have a few plants I purchased that were almost dead and I rescued them from the "scratch and dent dead plant area" at various garden stores.  So, I thought I would just throw it out there on facebook yesterday to see if anyone actually had a "Pilea Peperomioides" that wouldn't mind snipping a couple of leaves off of for me!  Sure enough, before the night was over, my sweet friend, April says "I have one, you are more than welcome to come by tomorrow and take a cutting, or two"!!  So...long story short [sorta short]

  And both of the leaves fit perfectly in the empty Elderberry Syrup bottle that was headed to the recycle bin today!  And, by the way, that syrup is amazing!  My son sent me a bottle of it when I was sick recently ... check it out!  The Louisiana Fire Cider is amazing, too!  

Stay Warm!  Spring is almost here!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour." ~ William Blake

Baby Violets!

Remember this post ~ babies!!!

Happy Monday!!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." ~ Lao Tzu

Growing Violets 1.0.1...

So I finally got around to starting a new batch of baby violets today.  I think mama violet [shown above] enjoys watching her babies grow, just as much as I do.

These are the supplies you will need [please ignore the fact that I'm doing this in my kitchen...as you know, I'm from Louisiana and it is just way to cold to go outside]:

1.  A parent violet(s) [most importantly]

2.  African Violet potting mix [I used Miracle-Gro brand]

3.  Small plastic pots [I always save the ones that contain my bedding plants I buy in the Spring].  Just make sure the ones you choose have several good size drainage holes in the bottom.

4.  Plastic fold-over type sandwich bags.

5.  Rubber Bands

6.  Plastic trays [you'll see why at the end of the post]

Fill pots with potting mix, but not all the way to the top. Using scissors, cut several leaves from the parent violet plant(s), making sure you cut leaves that are healthy and have the longest stems [long stems are needed to help the leaves stay in place, once they are put in the potting soil]

Using your finger, or a pencil, poke a hole in the soil and stick the leaf stem as far down as it will go...just until the leaf itself is barely at the surface of the dirt.  If you want to have a mixture of blooms, you can place two leaves in the container from two different parent violets...makes for a pretty little Spring pop of color in your kitchen window, or gift for a special friend.

 After all the leaves are in place, cover each pot with one of the plastic sandwich baggies and secure it with a rubber band.  Make sure the baggie is poofing up over the leaves good, so they'll have plenty of room to breathe.

Place the pots in a well lit spot [not direct sunlight, but close to a bright window is perfect].  You can either place several pots in one long plastic tray [like I have shown] or each pot in it's own little tray.  Either way, be sure to keep water in the trays until your plants start to sprout [usually a month or so].  Sometimes you'll have a leaf that won't produce a plant, but 9 times out of 10, you'll get little baby violets sprouting up in no time!  Good Luck!  I'll keep you posted on the progress of these.  My last batch of babies have already been adopted out!

  I was so excited over the snow we received last night - I just have to share

 and this morning!  

 loved watching it [along with my little bobble heads] from my studio window.  It lasted just long enough for me to enjoy it!  Now it's all gone and I can look forward to the next time it pays us a visit.

 love and peace always ~ Kathy