The Votes Are In!

What do most people say about why they grow violets? When asked the question, 42% of our votes came in with folks growing violets because they have "pretty flowers". Twenty eight percent said that "their mother or grandmother grew violets". Fourteen percent grew violets because they "could sell them", they "liked to show them" or they "thought it was relaxing". No one answered that they grew the African violet because other plants such as "begonias died when they tried those". But most people, a whopping 57%, said that they grow violets because "it is a CHALLENGE."

What are the challenges you face when you grow? TELL US. nsavctc@gmail.com

Happy Easter?????

Frogs really hate snow, and snow a couple of days before Easter just isn't right!

No egg hunt in the yard this year.

The votes are in...

The last poll question asked why interest in hobby clubs (of all sorts) seems to be declining. Out of the possible answers the poll received the most votes for two statements. One was people might be spending more time at work, thus having less time to devote to hobby pursuits. The second answer that tied with the first was simply that people are lacking interest in hobbies currently.

Less popular were opinions that there are more children's activities to deal with and also more household chores and maintenance to occupy one's time. Choices that got no votes were people participating in community volunteerism, having a second job, better things on the TV, reading and participating in sports and activities.

There was a distinct period of time where people were in many varied and interesting hobby clubs such as model railroad building, garden clubs, pigeon racing, kennel clubs, quilting societies, model rocket clubs etc. What exactly is so important now that hobbies are in decline and we scurry around frantically multitasking so that we can "make time" to schedule a once a week supper at a table with our children and family??? Perhaps if anyone has the answer to this we'll make the six 0'clock news AND we'll get more members for our club........

A Well Groomed Man.....

A well groomed man is all well and good, but a well groomed violet..... now that is a thing of beauty! Here are some tips to get your violet looking it's best for your home or for entering in a show!

First, a soft make-up brush works wonders for getting light dust and things like cat hair off of the fuzzy leaves. Be sure that the bristles of the brush are soft enough to use on your face or skin.
A plant with all the dead and faded flowers removed, and any dead or fading leaves taken off will be much less likely to have pest or disease problems. Don't be afraid to remove the spent flowers, the plant responds by producing more new flowers.

To help decide how to maintain a balanced and full rosette shape for your violet, you can see how removing a leaf or two will look before actually snapping them off. Place a little piece of tissue paper or flexible material over the leaf in question and you can see what the effect of that leaf's removal will do to the "look" and the shape of the plant.


If you have a leaf or two that would look better if it were moved into a slightly different position, you can use a little stir stick, or straw to gently move it and hold it in the new position for a few days. After three or four days check the leaf. It will likely be happily in it's new position.

If you notice some powdery mildew on the bloom stems of your African violet you can brush on a solution of fungicide (that is appropriate and approved for house plants and indoor use) and many times the fungus will be cured and the bloom still fresh and able to be left on the plant.

A well groomed plant will have fresh, bright blooms (like #239 here) and nice shiny, clean leaves. Notice that the shape of the plant is balanced and circular in a proportionally sized pot.

Have questions for us???? Send a note to nsavctc@gmail.com and we'll see that you get an answer to your AV related question!

Thanks to Barb W. for the models in this post!!!!

New Sinningia specosia

Charles Lawn hybridized this fabulous flower which was shared on the Gesneriad list. Please check out

gesneriphiles@lists.ibiblio.org to keep up on the latest in the world of gesneriads.

A Companion Plant...

Here's something that I haven't tried growing under fluorescent lights before. Although this isn't a gesneriad, what a colorful, fun plant to try growing beside the violets! Here's the story by guest blogger Sharon.

A NEW PLANT

I have always limited the plants growing under lights to African violets and gesneriads simply because I like them and don't want to waste the space on ordinary plants. On Valentines Day I bought a miniature rose plant. Cute little thing I must say. It sat on my kitchen table but many of the buds didn't open and it started to look pathetic.

After examining the roots, which were very hearty, I transplanted it into a slightly larger pot with a light soil mix of sphagnum peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. Then I placed it under my grow lights. It has been less than one month and I have new growth and it now looks very healthy. I am hopping it will bloom.

The one thing that has surprised me is the need for water. It does not like to be even slightly dry. If it does dry out a bit the leaves turn yellow and drop off the plant.

What's Blooming Today

An Optimara violet grown on a window sill. A Sinningia cardinals with a close up of it's flower. A pretty orange Kohleria and a Kohleria "Lono".

Click on the photos to enlarge! A couple of them are pretty cool.

Signs of the Moon

If the national publication can talk about moon signs, then we can get in on the action and show you something really cool about the moon too.....



Awfully pretty, eh?

The Polls

The polls are in! With an average of 10 people voicing their opinions, we have the latest on what's hot! The first question was ,"What is your favorite plant in the gesneriad family?" African violets, Streptocarpus and Eucodonias tied with 3 votes each. Sinningias came in second with 2 votes and Episcias, Kohlerias and 'a mix of them all' got one vote each cast for them.

The favorite colors and patterns are, with three votes each, Edged and Fantasy blooms. Coming in second were the Thumb Print blooms and with one vote each, Solid Color, Two Toned and Chimera blossoms!

With more people voting we will improve the "margin of error" and perhaps the wire services will then be coming to us for help with their future queries....... Umm, vote in the polls!

Saintpaulia rupicola

Click on the photo to see it larger!


Here are a couple of shots of a species violet called S. rupicola. The second photo shows what I hope is a healthy seed pod forming on the plant. Seed pods usually take about 6 months ON the plant to mature, dry and turn a darker color. Gesneriad seeds, and this includes African violet seeds, are very tiny and look almost like specks of dust when ripe.