African violets

                        AFRICAN VIOLETS                             (Saintpaulia)

Flowers have five petals with yellow centers.

African Violets have long been the most popular flowering houseplants in the country and will continue to maintain this distinction far into the future. African Violets are not  "true" violets but are a genus "Saintpaulia"  related 

to Gloxinia, originally from Kenya and Tanzania, Africa.

New varieties have flowers that can be ruffled or multi-colored.

One reason for its popularity is its ability to flower in indirect light and easy care. African violets are short plants with rounded or slightly pointed leaves with flower  stalks emerging from the center. Flower colors range from white, pink, red, purple and blue with a yellow center. There is also a trailing variety which is less well known. Flowers have five single petals although now double flower are available as well as fringed and multi-colors varieties which seem to be created every day. Even variegated leaves of white and green can easily be found.

 With short periods of rest, Africans violets flower throughout the year.

The abundant flowers bloom well with indirect sunlight all year long which help make African violets as popular as they are. They also prefer modern indoor temperatures of around sixty five degrees which is ideal. Most houseplants prefer cooler temps at night. Additionally a fully mature plant only requires a three to six inch pot making them ideal for window ledges, shelves or coffee tables. All these traits make African violets perfect flowering houseplants for almost everywhere in an apartment or house with enough indirect sunlight or  artificial fluorescent light.

Use the correct size pots as plants grow to help the roots to adjust.

Considered an easy to care for plant, it is important to remember that African violets come from a warm climate. Water them with room temperature water. Cold water causes yellow spotting on the leaves . Also avoid wetting the leaves when watering. Watering plants from the bottom is a good practice and lets them dry out between watering. Over-watering can cause root rot, the most common cause of death of all houseplants. Also avoid drafts. Move away from cold drafty windows and air conditioners.

Easy and fun to propagate, you can take a leaf with the stem from the center of the plant and root it in water or potting soil. The outer leaves are too thick and do not root easily. Once rooted African violets grow quickly to flowering size.

Once plants have rooted it's time to move them into the soil. 

Off shoots from the main plant are best removed and to their own pots.

Requiring a rich soil mixture, you can purchase African violet soil premixed or you can *blend your own, but they will not grow well in regular potting mix.

As the new plants grow you can add them to your collection or give them to friends as gifts.
African violets are excellent Mothers Day gifts. 

           For more information on African violets visit the website of the                            'African Violet Society of American' 

www.avsa.org 

Happy Indoor Gardening, 

James 

Wreaths Across America

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Saturday,December 14, 2019 
Rahway Cemetery, 8 AM
Meet at Merchants & Drovers Tavern
Saint Georges and Central Ave.

Each December on 'National Wreaths Across America Day', active duty service personal, veterans and thousands of volunteers gather at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

A photograph is worth a thousand words. 

Their mission statement, to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at every grave while reciting the name on the grave stone out loud. 

Now Wreaths Across America  takes place the second or third Saturday in December. every year.

This tribute to our veterans and fallen heroes was founded by 'Morrill Worcester' of Harrington, Maine.

Founder Morrill Worester with his wife
Karen Worester, Executive Director 

In 1992 with the endorsement of Senator Olympia Snow and the volunteer services of townspeople, trucking companies and veterans, Mr. Worcester sent hundreds of wreaths to be laid on graves at an older section of Arlington National Cemetery where there were less visitors and soldiers were being forgotten.

There are local memorials at a cemetery near you.
For locations go the the website listed below and put in your zip code.  

This annual tribute went on quietly every year until 2005 when a photograph of snow covered wreaths placed on grave stones circulated the Internet. 

This photograph of snow covered wreath brought
Wreaths Across America to the attention of the American people.  

Two years later in 2007  'Wreaths Across America' became a non-profit 501-C3.

Nowadays ceremonies are held in almost all areas of our nation.   

In 2008, wreaths were laid at 300 locations in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries.

There are volunteer  opportunists listed on the website and donations help with
transportation and other expenses. 

In 2014 700,000 wreaths were placed at over one thousand locations, and this new tradition continues to grow.  

You can watch a video of this ceremony or get more information on the Internet:

www.Wreathsacrossamerica.org

Wreaths

THE HISTORY OF WREATHS

Wreaths have been a part of human civilization for thousands of years going back as far as the ancient Persian empire.  As decoration, wreaths appear on the ceiling tiles of 'Dura Europus', a 2000 year old synagogue in Syria. They were commonly used by Hebrews and Ancient Greeks.

Wreaths first appeared in history as crowns for royalty. Made by twisting branches into a circle and decorating them with flowers, pine cones and colorful ribbons which were worn on their heads. Later crowns evolved into the hat style made of gold and gems which kings and queens still wear during state ceremonies.

In many cultures young maidens would adorn themselves with headdress wreaths decorated with  seasonal flowers and worn during festive celebrations until their wedding day. This practice is still popular in many counties around the world.

Pagans  made wreaths of evergreen branches with four candles representing the elements of Earth, wind, fire and water which were lit during pagan religious gatherings.  This custom was adopted by Christians, the Advent Wreath with three purple candles for penance and one pink for 'the coming  joy'. One advent candle is lighted on successive Friday evenings during the four weeks of advent and all are blown out on Christmas eve.

In Rome, wreaths made of laurel leaves were awarded to victors in athletic games, who would then hang them on their wall as a souvenir. Later many rich Romans hung wreaths on their door as a status symbol.  This tradition was adopted by early Christians and became the popular Christmas wreaths we now enjoy.  

In Christian tradition, the Christmas wreath symbolizes the circle of life and eternal life promised by Jesus Christ as well as God's strength.  Today Christmas wreaths are highly decorated with brightly colored ornaments and lights. 

In modern culture, welcome wreaths are hung on front doors and can be used to celebrate every holiday throughout the year.

Enjoy your garden all year long,

James