African violet is perhaps the only full - blown paradox that can last on a windowsill . On one hand , it is a storied show plant , with new cultivars thirstily seek after by collectors and partisan . It has its own organization , the African Violet Society of America , and its own cartridge , African Violet . A quick cyberspace search reveals that there are almost as manyAfrican violetsites as there are pages for gender and diet . And yet , these plant are mass - produced by the hundreds of thousands and are readily available for a small price from ma and pop garden centers , tremendous mega - merchandisers , and a host of intermediate - size of it vendors .
At mid - winterAfrican violets take a starringrole at the front of presentation in retail establishments ; the rest of the time they languish under illumination , ready to be cull up by desperate souls who just ask a little color in the kitchen windowpane . judge by the place of origin on the works tags , African violetculture may well be responsible for for a tumid parcel of Canada ’s export revenue . Thanks to the plant life virtuoso who grow Optimara ® violets , these plants may also support a hefty portion of Germany ’s saving . IfAfrican violetscould only big businessman automobiles , the growers could take over the world .
As almost everyone knows , African violets(Saintpaulia ionantha ) have shallow roots , foggy leaves , and five - petaled efflorescence ( except for double variety ) , often with an “ eye ” in the middle . They seem to perform best as houseplant in a bright spot by from direct sunlight . When point outdoors , they should be positioned in a shaded location to fend off burning the leave-taking .
As cultivated plants go , African violetsare a evenhandedly late institution . Discovered in East Africa about 100 long time ago , they were first cultivated in Germany and Britain and eventually exported to the United States . ‘ Blue male child ’ , the first American hybrid motley , was introduced in 1927 .
Though the bloom of Saintpaulia resemble those of garden - variety violet , they are not link . African violetsare part of the Gesneriaceae family , which also includes Gloxinia and Streptocarpus . unfeigned violets , along with pansy , are part of the Violaceae family unit . They can live alfresco in most place , whileAfrican violetsare the ultimate insider . Cultivate both , and you may have a piddling violet in your life all the metre .
Those who are only familiar with the run of the mill purpleness , snowy or pinkish varieties uncommitted everywhere have seen only a fraction of theAfrican violetsavailable . There are miniature violet , trailing varieties , double - flowering cultivar , and plant with variegated foliage . The flowers come in all ghost of blue , purple and pink , and the “ chimera ” or pinwheel type sport dazzle combination of two or more colors on each petal . There are also redAfrican violets , yellowness , and a few with pale gullible flower .
Another violet paradox is plant culture . Violet aficionado can be slaves to the care of their fuzzed - thumb tiddler , but less committed soul may be just as successful with a quite a little less exertion . I once move to claver an extremely elderly friend in a nursing installation . On her north - look windowsill , she kept anAfrican violetthat was exuberantly level-headed , enormously turgid , and always bloom . It was irrigate irregularly straight from the tap , and I have no thought whether it was ever fertilized . The only affair that the violet received on a regular basis was admiration for its velvety moody violet heyday .
The lack of veritable water may have been the key . MoreAfrican violetsdie of crown rot , normally triggered by too much wet than of anything else . Water the flora only when they are dry , and do not let the pots stand in water system . Some expert urge have water sit overnight to lease the chlorine evaporate before watering . When you water , try not to allow droplet to stir the parting , as spotting and rot may occur .
Violets that are well-chosen finally need repotting . You will acknowledge when to do it because the roots will completely fill the pot . To repot , remove the plant and install it in a larger container , preferably one on the short panoptic side . expend freshpotting mixing . Make certain to cover the plant ’s “ neck ” , as African violets should not be spindly .
I amguiltyof having passed displays of African violets on many occasions without giving them serious thoughtfulness . Now I am scheme by the florid prose of the online merchandisers and African violet fancier , and I feel irresistibly draw to the thought of acquiring a few plants . Yellow is my preferred color , so I have decide to ordinate ‘ Heavenly Dawn ’ , which reportedly has pinkish - gold flower petal and semi - double flowers . And since one violet will probably not be enough , I am also considering ‘ Suncoast Peppermint Kathy ’ , which has two-fold white blossoms with red edges . Violets are so relatively inexpensive that I am strongly tempted to order batch more . unluckily , my windowsill outer space is somewhat circumscribed , as are the uncommitted funds for such purposes .
If you feel a case of violet attractive force come on , drop by your local garden center or contactAfrican Violetsby Fredericks , Inc. , Franklin , North Carolina , 28744 ; tel . ( 800 ) 771 - 0899 ; www.african-violets.com
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