In a cloak-and-dagger room , on the 2d level of my star sign , I keep a unavowed collection of plants under artificial lighting . No , it ’s not potbelly . ( It ’s probably a good thing as I get panic attacks if I smoke mint – just sayin ’ ) . In my secret room I grow African Violets . Lots of them . I think I ’ve become African Violet crazy , ordering more and more each workweek . I love African Violets . There . I said it . maintain the old ma’am joke ( nothing against old ladies ) , but come on … .. African Violets ? clotheshorse !
Sure , I ram a big - ass hand truck . Yes , I am covered in tattoo ’s and , yep – I have wipe out a joker with my naked hand ( well , I took the picture ) , but I ca n’t seem to serve myself when fall follow around , and it ’s clip to begin thinking about garden indoors , under brightness level , precisely where African violet hail into the picture . I am on a mission this twelvemonth to make the African Violet … … .. coolheaded .
It will be a foresightful project , for I must first navigate through cliche , redesign the iconic African Violet flock ( ugh- really ? Mauve plastic ? ) and I will work of make the use of the color lavender illegal on every African Violet internet site , industrial plant recording label and al-Qur’an . The African Violet is in need of a makeover – not the plant life itself , for it seems to have everything going for it – for it ’s light to maturate , low monetary value of entry , for event the finest varieties sell for less than a Grande espresso at Starbucks , and they are highly collectable – the barrier must live somewhere withing the name ( African Violet = Cat Lady ) , or the display restriction ( doilies , antimacassars and teatime cup anyone ? ) . My point it , if we all care for African Violets for what they are – the extremely fascinating high - alpine tropical genus of Saintpaulia specie from East African Mountains , we all might mean of them a petty differently . Do n’t believe me ? Then translate this great place by National Geographic bloggerDigital Nomadas he discovers the earth of wild African Violets .
I myself have a long account with the genus Saintpaulia , having reach in and out of passions with this genus over my biography . I naturalize plants on windowsills in high school , perfomed study with the genus in college , and at least two times in the 30 years since graduating college , I tried amass a few . I reckon I just never had the longanimity to keep them long enough , and apologize salve deep African Violet immersion for my retirement years , when I can really apprize their nicety – oh geesh – see ? peradventure this is a sign ! other retreat on the doorsill and now , the genus Saintpaulia . I ’ve finally image it out !
The genus Saintpaula is small-scale , with only 5 or 6 metal money – all native to south central Tanzania ( yes , African Violets are indeed from Africa , which at first , even storm me ) . As I am on the side take the office this year of honorary African Violet Evangelist , I think it ’s metre you too rediscover the wretched , neglected unwashed African Violet . But before we all leap out off of the gesneriad cliff , a few things to notice . First , African Violets are not honest violet ( the genus viola ) . It drives me NUTTY when people tell me that their mother rise ‘ violets ’ whenever I save about unfeigned violets ( as in ‘ sweet-smelling sweet Viola odorata ) . Afriican Violets , I mean Saintpaulia are tropical - alpine plants , found in the mountains , in swarm mists , and they are not even remotely related to to any true reddish blue .
Taxonomists have placed Saintpaulia firmly into the foundation of the industrial plant folk known as Gesneriadaceae – the gesneriad . Youv’ew heard of them by other name . Gloxinia ( siningia ) , the Cape Primrose ( Streptocarpus or ‘ streptococci ’s ’ , as the collector call them and the many , many other genus within this engrossing plant family . The Gesneriad Society itself is a serious group of plant life collectors – perhaps even too serious for me , up there with the Orchid people , but I ’ve find oneself that although the fine , serious Gesneriad collectors are serious , the African Violet collector remain isolated , often hold their own shows , and trading plants on - line of merchandise . Clearly , the African Violet aggregator are a different strain . Sort of like solace food for thought chefs , amongst gourmet chefs . Serious , but in their own friendly way . A secret golf-club ( just hunt on eBay for African Violet leaves ) , and you will see what I mean .
This past fall , I purchased about 30 plants from Rob ’s Violets , and from some collectors on eBay . African Violets can be determine in most garden center , nursery and even in your local super marketplace – but these are usual varieties – I want the aggregator shape . New crosses , new selection , new or unusual colors and forms – type that one would never find unless one attend an African Violet show . My works make it diminished ( as they run to come ) , as they were circulate latterly , but this weekend , as I carefully repotted them from their tiny Dixie cups and reuse take out container in which home collectors diffuse them in , and placed them into 4 inch pot , I am start to see why these new and rarer pick are so beautiful . They foliage , which can be variegated or tinted , undulate or pink mottled with fleeceable , is beautiful , and they have yet to bloom .
One can acquire African Violets indoors ( not in a glasshouse ) , for they love the same temperatures that we do – hover around 70 degree . There is no put-on to success , other than to avoid direct sun in the outflow and summer , and to keep the plants constantly moist ( never tight ) and never juiceless , not an easy task to accomplish , as one may think – specially in the winter . Many family growers make elaborate wicking devices with twine , thou , screw thread and vessel of water . I tried this , but I have repair to judicious watering with a long - tipped funnel watering can , as any cold water splashed onto the leave , will espy . But do n’t be afraid of getting pee onto the leaf , I give my industrial plant a warm ( tepid ) rinsing each hebdomad in the kitchen sump , just after I pour the tea leaf , plate the biscuits and feed saucers of warms milk to my 12 cats….ahem .
There is so much to compose about African Violets , but I will save details about the many new types and floral grade for a late post , but just to lure you – the selection is enourmous- there are miniature which are teensy , there are newfangled Russian miscellanea that are spectacular , striped forms , some with bloom so big they can be measured in inch , there are some mutated from radiation , there are amazing variegated leaf forms with leaf color that are pink , yellow and bloodless , and there are even new yellow flowered varieties – or at least , lily-livered enough to be considered…….um , yellowish ? For more information , visit theAfrican Violet Societywebsite .
Share this:
Related
