DON’T BE AFRAID OF AFRICAN VIOLETS! African Violets are deservedly one of the most popular house plants. Starting from the original plain blue-purple type of flower, on a plant with light green leaves, an almost limitless variety of shades and forms have been developed. Single, double, and ruffled blos- soms in shades from whitethrough pink to deepest purple and almost- red, some mottled with two or three colors or edged with chartreuse, are set off by leaves which rival the blossoms in variety and beauty. TEMPERMENTAL? Unfortunately, African Violets also have a reputation for temper- mental delicacy which makes some people hesitate to try growing them. While they are particular about their enviroment (aren’t we all?) they really can stand quite a bit of neglect and abuse. Give them half a chance and a little special at- tention now and then, and you will be repaid with almost constant bloom, year after year. NON-EXPERT ADVICE Countless magazine articles and many books have been written by experts on the cultivation of African Violets. The following suggestions come from a non-expert who has been happily growing them for the pleasure of family and friends for several years, in a variety of houses: REGULAR CARE African Violets like plenty oflight, fresh air, warm water, clay pots with good drainage, an occasional dose of good plant food, having dead blossoms and leaves taken off, and being repotted ever year or so. They dislike direct sun (spots and burns leaves and blossoms), gas, cold drafts, chlorinated water, too much water, a pot that’s too big or too small. If you must usea plastic or glazed pot, be especially careful about drainage and watering, as the danger of rotting is greater than in a porous pot. They’ve been known to thrive in tin cans. Turn plants every few days to keep them symetrical. The most satisfactory way to water is to fill the saucer and let the plantsoak it up, but they can be watered from the top. Loosen the surface of the soil with a fork or stick once in a while. REPOTTING Repotting should be done when the plant seems too big for the pot, either growing up out of it or becoming crowded with smaller plants. Get a sack of African Violet Pot- ting Soil from the 5 and 10 or hardware store; saves a lot of fus- sing, sifting and mixing. Cut off all faded, spotted or broken leaves. Remove the plant from the pot, and wash the pot (scrub it with an old tooth brush in hot water). If there is more than one plant, separate the roots, being reasonably gentle. Chances are the biggest one can go right back in the same pot. Cover the hole with a piece of broken dish or a stone, fill about ¥ full with soil, center the plant in the pot with one hand, using a teaspoon to fill in around the roots with fresh dirt. When it’s almost full and the plant seems secure, tap the pot lightly to help settle it in and add moredirt, filling to within % to % inch from the rim. Set the pot in a pan of warm water and proceed with the other plants, using appropriate sized pots. If the Violet has grown up out of the pot, youll probably need a larger one. However, don’t be afraid to cut off some of the excess roots and repot it in the same one. DEVENS MILLING Company DALLAS MILL STREET 674-7141 ‘We have been GARDEN HEADQUARTERS for many years - - - always selling QUALITY PRODUCTS If you find a plant grown much too long and ungainly, or droop- ing because it has started to rot, break it off cleanly above the roots or cut the rotting part off. Put the top part back firmly in new soil and water it. This operation sounds dangerous, but has been performed successfully many times where otherwise the situation was hope- less. Of course, it’s best not to let your plants get in condition to need such drastic treatment! CAUTION! Fair warning should be given to anyone contemplating the purchase of one African Violet plant. The owner is seldom content with just one, and friends with a variety are apt to feel impelled to give you some of the “extras” which are bound to develop. You know of course, that new plants can be started from single leaves. Once in a while a blossom goes to seed, and you’ll never know what kind of flower they’ll produce unless you plant them! When you run out of window space, there are special fluorescent lamps designed for plant growth. So beware! One African Violet Violet plant, might lead to the need for an addition on your house. OUTDOORS? One more unorthodox sugges- tion. If you have a violet that refuses to blossom, or just sits there looking sad, put the pot in the ground in a sheltered spot for the summer (at the base of a lilac bush, for instance) and forget it until time for frost. You may find a healthy, flowering plant to take back in the house this fall. 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