* In a message to Lane E. Bonham regarding "African Violets", Sandra Peake 
wrote:
 SP>   Actually, Lane, I have abandoned raising saintpaulia leaves in water
 SP>   because water roots are not soil roots. Now I get much faster and
 SP>   better rooting using perlite, a volcanic expanded product.
Hi, Sandra!
    I haven't used the water rooting technique in over 10 years.  As a matter 
of fact, I have a couple dozen pots of rooted cuttings to transplant now. I 
don't wish to start an argument about 'water roots' versus 'soil roots', 
since I have examined both with an electron microscope.  I prefer the term 
'weaker roots'.  The point is that once the tissue of an african violet is 
damaged, as occurs when potting the cuttings from water, there is 
considerable danger of infection, and poor survival of the plant.  It's sooo 
much easier to avoid water rooting entirely.  I use regular A. violet potting 
soil lightened with Perlite and get 3 or more plants from each leaf.
    Interestingly enough, I recently attended an A. violet show here, and the 
only method of rooting displayed was via the water method!  Made me wonder if 
they just *didn't want 'others'* to be successful!!!
LEB>>    BTW, I'd like to know if anyone is raising any of the LEB>> related 
varieties, such as gesneriads, episcias,
LEB>> streptocarpus, etc.
 SP>    Not me - I have cut my houseplants down to mainly a few
 SP> orchids, herbs, and A. Violets. My windowsills are already
 SP> full with seed pots of mainly peppers and tomatoes, with a
 SP> few herbs and flowers tossed in. :-)
Congrats on the orchids indoors!  That's where I have troubles!
With my New Orleans climate, I do my *seedling thing* outdoors!
     Goodbye from New Orleans,
Lane-  bonvenue@juno.com
Psychoceramics: The study of crackpots. [Swiped!]
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