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 

Thriller, filler, spiller

THRILLER, FILLER, SPILLER,

FLOWERS IN CONTAINERS

A beautiful container arrangement is a welcome sight to friends
visitors and even ourselves when we arrive home.  

Beautifully arranged potted plants add an eye catching focal point to any area in your garden. Making them yourself is not as difficult as you may think and is very rewarding.

The most important thing is to make sure all the flowers and plants in the container require the same care, sunlight, soil and water. Otherwise there is a chance one will not survive, leaving an empty space where flowers should be growing. Read the directions on the plant marker or ask knowledgeable greenhouse personnel for suggestions.

For everyone who believes you can't have color in the shade, try a container
full of  caladiums and coleus. 

If your plant is root bound gently open the bottom with a blade or your finger tips before planting. This will permit the plant to better absorb water and minerals.

A common problem with all nursery stock, even trees and shrubs, a bound 

root ball will stunt plants which cannot easily absorb water or nutrients.

The mantra for a successful flower display is “Thriller, Filler, Spiller”.

 The ‘thriller’ is the plant in the center of the pot that adds height and interest. Usually this is a tall spike such as Dracaena (dra-SEE-na) with can be green or purple, or some type of ornamental grass.

The ‘filler’ is the flower around the center of the pot which is the most dramatic color. You can use more than one color flower if you wish. It’s your creation so have fun with it. 

Remember you want to see all the flowers in the center so they should all grow to the same height or one will crowd out the others by midsummer.

The ‘spiller’ will grow over the pot edge and give the entire container a fuller appearance. Many folks use variegated vinca, ivy or asparagus fern for this. If you have plenty of sun hanging geraniums, also known as ‘ivy geraniums’ will give your pot a knockout punch.

For those who don't have time or space to 'Garden With Children' a beautiful container
arranged together will help teach them an appreciation of gardening that may last a lifetime.

Although directions may say plant 6 to 8 inches apart, you want your pot to look like it is full immediately, so place plants much closer together. This ‘British’ technique works wonderfully in containers of annuals that will only survive one season.

Proper watering is essential for potted plants to survive. If your pot is on the ground it should be watered every day. If it is hanging, monitor it daily as it may need more frequent watering. On hot summer days it may need to be watered twice.

When creating your container you are only limited by your own imagination.
Although there are no flowers this display adds drama . 

When creating your containers you are only limited by plant requirements and your imagination.

Please support our local farms, greenhouses and supply stores. They have the largest selection and the best tended plants to choose from and they depend on our seasonal business.

Happy Gardening,   

 James