Propagating African Violets

African Violet: Leaf Cutting Started 6/28/2012

A friend of mine started an African Violet plant for me by using a healthy leaf cutting from her existing plant.

She snipped off a healthy leaf with a stem of about 1 to 1-1/2 inches long.  Then she stuck the stem in some potting soil in a small container.  She watered the plant, and then set the pot inside another clear plastic container.  She then placed a plastic baggy over the clear container to create a tent.  Because the water was trapped in this environment I only had to water it once in the last two and a half months!  I am happy to report new leaves sprouting near the leaf stem!

For first-time African Violet propagators, check out Christian Tamez's video on starting African Violet Plants:  

"Starting African Violets" by Christian Tamez

Whiten Tile Grout The Cheap and Easy Way

Before

After

Give your place a facelift by whitening your tile grout.  Sick of the years of dirt and grime on our tile grout, I decided to try a very inexpensive, but very effective solution.  All I used was an old toothbrush, baking soda and bleach.

Materials

• old tooth brush (manual or electric)
• baking soda
• bleach
• hot water
• old container (to hold bleach and baking soda solution)
• gloves (to protect your hands from bleach)
• protective eyewear (to protect your eyes from bleach)
• mask 
• old clothes (that you do not mind accidentally getting bleached)

Directions

1. Put on your old clothes and protective gear.  Then open some windows for ventilation.  
2. Pour some bleach in the container and then slowly stir in baking soda until a liquidy-paste forms.    
3. Use the toothbrush to apply the bleach-baking soda mixture on the grout.  Allow the mixture to sit for a while.  I waited about an hour.
4. Fill the container with hot water, dip the toothbrush in the water, and then use the toothbrush to start scrubbing the grout.  The dirt and grime should come off effortlessly.  If not, you can repeat this process until it does.  I only had to do one treatment.

Note: I only used a manual toothbrush, but if you are taking on a large area you might want to consider getting a cheap electric toothbrush (i.e., the kind that costs less than $20).

Although I am sure most of you already know, do not get creative with bleach.  Mixing bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners is extremely dangerous.

Order Cheap Photos: 99 Prints for 99 Cents + Tax & Shipping

It's scrapbooking time!  This was too good of a deal not to pass on.  For a limited time only, you can get 99 prints for $0.01 each at Snapfish.com when you use the coupon code PRINTSFOR99 at checkout.  The promotion ends on 09/12/2012.  Make your purchase via ebates.com, and you will get an additional 10% cash back on your purchase.

I just paid $8.52 for 119 prints because I was also able to use the "20 Free Prints Credit" on my account in addition to the 99 prints for $0.99 coupon code.  That breaks down to about $0.07 per 4x6 photo not including any cash back reward.