I used to grow African Violets, and I used this method to water when I was gone for extended periods of time: Fill a plastic container (I usually used old margarine tubs) almost full of water. Punch a hole in the top big enough for a cord to go through. For a 6 inch pot, use 3 plies of 4 ply acrylic yarn to wick into the plant container, and then down the hole into the water. Place your pot on top of the container, and that should water it for about a week. Of course, outside in the heat, you'll run up against evaporation and such, so check it every three days. OH! forgot...put three pennies into the water container...it keeps the fungus out. I guess you could put the plastic container into something prettier, like maybe a larger pot, to make it more attractive outside.

Hi Ellen, I keep seeing that no one has answered you. I for one don't have any brilliant thoughts, just didn't want you to feel ignored. The idea of bottles suspended in frames in the garden sounds pretty. Wire or fishing line seem like an obvious choices. Maybe smaller frames each with a bottle in it could be suspenended into the bigger frame. Maybe the bottle could be as if it was caught in a web. Just thoughts! Keep in mind that wood doesn't last outside without protection. Good luck, and Happy New Year. kathy

You are right it is a NOID plant, meaning it has no I.D. or petigree as a variety. So you'll never find it listed anywhere. But, you may find a few close to it (maybe close to the parent plants used in the cross) But, it should never be identified as one variety, or another. Just enjoy it for what it is...different but, pretty! But, still a noid! The African Violet Society of America frowns badly on naming a plant as a variety when it's not offically I.D'ed, or registered with The AV Society of America as such. And is considered dishonest to do so. Your plant was probably one of a thousand random genetic crosses when grown from seed, and the breeder sold the rejected plants for whatever reason, but, usually becaue they saw it as genetically inferior for whatever they were looking to accomplish as a new variety. So, the breeder sold them on the open market rather than destroy the whole crop of a thousand plants. Just for the sake of one or two plants for further cross breeding. (money, money money !) So each baby plant is/was slightly different from it's siblings, yet still unstable genetically. they were they not named or registered! Which costs $$$ and time to do! Even though each plant will grow, flower, and be healthy other wise, it's just not a named variety.. I once had an AV that was a named variety at the time, that had all white, with blue speckled flowers, and varigated leaves which grew this way for years. Then SUDDENLY one day it changed! It changed to all white, with blue speckled flowers, and varigated leaves on exactly half of the plant, and dark blue flowers, and dark leaves on exactly half of the opposite half of the AV! You could actually see the dividing line exactly down the middle of the two types on this plant! Even to any flowers on the dividing line were half white/speckled and half Dk blue! Leaves, on the dividing line were exactly half varigated, half dk green! It was weird to look at! But, so cool! That was back in the 1970's BTW, The African Violet Society of America (or AVSA for short) has a huge A-Z research library of named varieties on they're website that you can research offical pictures, and discriptions of named varieties that are accepted as genuine varieties, and registered with them as such. You can become a member if you like for a membership fee, and they also offer an AV picture and discription data base on computer disc which has monthly updates that can be downloaded . Also for a fee. The AVSA is considered the Hall mark of recognized varieties. And is the final word on AV varieties. You can even breed your own type of new plant, or color combination, etc. and if you can get that specific plant's genetic's to remain stable for 3-4 generations from seed, you can then name it anything you wish, and register it with The AVSA. There are local AV groups in your area you can join that will have AV shows, with plants, cuttings, seeds, etc. for sale cheaper than anywhere else! Also state wide shows with other groups in each state, America wide shows, and International AV shows, and expo's. just like dog or cat petigree shows, (but without all the barking, meowing, leashes, flying hair, and cages!) AVSA will have all that info, with pictures, and more on they're website for you! They may still have a seed exchange library still available free to members. I hope that explanation, and information helps you.

Enduring, After I had posted the glass block framed thingee and had a day to think about it I realized how much I disliked it! Still, for the right person and application it could work (though the one I had in mind had a frame all the way around and the frame was smaller). I always appreciate the help and postings on this forum. Overall, it seems to be about the friendliest and most supportive forum I have ever visited. When people take their time to respond I try to do a good job of saying thanks and also thinking about thier ideas. Even if I don't like exactly what they suggest it often leads to another idea that may work. But bototm line when a perosn takes their time to offer help it is something I always appreciate. The glass idea.. I need to meet with my contractors shower glass person. I have no idea what options he offers. I have seen shower glass with ORB trim on the top edges and actually think I like that especially if it helps avoid the brackets. I had not thought about ORB trim on the glass piece so thanks for suggesting that. It may very well work nicely. I had seen a shower glass web site which offered a bronze colored glass and thought it might be worth considering but the trim may do a better job. Given how small this will be I am actually feeling better about the glass idea. it is also very non invasive so if we do it and ayear later hate it, it can always be removed. I am now 1 week into the renovation (day 5) and while we are a bit behind in schedule it is shaping up. Tub frame is in, shower layout is in place (framing), floors have been leveled 9for tile), the wonderful popcorn ceilings have been scraped and Monday should bring in the plumber, electricians Tuesday and we should be off and running! At times this has been a tiring project and mentally draining but again the help I have received from you guys has been invaluable. Many many good and unique ideas!