For ages I have tried to grow African Violets without success. My friends kept giving them to me and I kept killing them but for some reason this year I have had success.
The Begonias have also flourished this year, the plants are old, I just cut them back when they stop flowering and then they come back again the next year. I love these sort of plants.
Begonias are certainly most rewarding. I also like to grow them as they are easy, unfussy plants and have such a long flowering period.
ReplyDeleteYour African violet is a real beauty! So glad you've finally had success :)
Perhaps as a small consolation for all the terrible what you have been through. It would show that there is always hope!
ReplyDeleteElisabeth
Congratulations Diane. You have most certainly been rewarded for your persistence. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great burst of colour - I cannot wait until my garden is in colour again. x
ReplyDeletewhen I first saw afrikan violets, i thought the plants were fake!
ReplyDeleteLove the begonias - how stunning.
I've never been able to get those to grow but for the bulk of my life, I have lived in Arizona. I think it's just too dry here. I wonder if they would grow with a humidifier in the house. That I don't have. Oh well. Too late in life to start now. Or something like that. :)
ReplyDeletemaybe because of the tons of water ? I never take care of my plants and I don't know why, but I have a real jungle ! The once inside I water but I have never changed the compost the last plant is 41 year old !
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that after all the terrible weather you've had in Queensland you have some beautiful flowers in your house and garden. Both your begonias and African violets are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your green thumb! Beautiful violet and the begonias as well (we grew them in Oregon and love them).
ReplyDeleteYour new header shot is mesmerizing! Just beautiful.
I have an African violet in the house but sadly I can't get it to flower. I have no green fingers at all!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Diane. My mother used to grow African Violets --and she always said that they needed the PERFECT window in order to thrive. Yours are gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the begonias also... I have them here and they do well.
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi Diane, the African violets looks so healthy and beautiful. They are such coveted plants for indoors. I love the begonias too. They are beautiful and easy to keep.
ReplyDeleteMany years back I had two windowsills with pots of AV in different colours. They thrived for a few years, then suddenly they got sick and I got sick too... of them! I still love them from afar. Have a lovely weekend. T.
African violets!!!
ReplyDeleteWell Diane you will have to tell me your secret! I buy some every year for my patio pots, and they just promptly DIE!
Maybe they don't like my yellow attire???
Cheers
Colin (HB)
Yes, I agree Diane... what is your secret? The African Violets are so healthy!
ReplyDeleteBegonias are pretty too ... very tough I find - which is fortunate because they are left to fend for themselves at my place ;-)
I think Betsy's mom is right. You need the right window ledge or shelf. Mine are on a plant shelf on my deck in the shade but bright light. I have them in a deep plastic container that I put water into the container and when it evaporates you put more in the tray not in the earth.
ReplyDeleteThanks to my friend helen who taught me this.
The violets are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy MIL could grow these as well. I never had much success.
Love the begonias - especially that second shot. It is soft and has a lovely bokeh background.
Diane, those begonias are gorgeous. I love that color.
ReplyDeleteYour African Violets are so pretty. I have tried many times to grow them but all they did was die.
Have never tied African violets. My begonias never look wondrous like that ... they were doing well but we have had a spurt of fierce heat and I am not good at getting out in the garden and watering so now they are all flopping to the ground.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms in these shots! So nice to look at when the weather is so very cold and dreary as we have here...
ReplyDeleteI've had luck with African Violets on and off over the years. They are so beautiful when they bloom. Mine do well on my kitchen windowsill.
ReplyDeleteYour Begonias are magnificent, Diane!
I am not good in plants at all, so I think it is great you're doing so well with it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous flowers, you certainly have a green thumb. Great pics.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jan
Beautiful! Unfortunately I have no green thumb and have killed my share of African Violets. Congratulations on your success!
ReplyDelete☼ Sunny