AVSA Information FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITHIN YOUR SOCIETY FOR ACCURATE SERVICE, SEND YOUR INQUIRIES TO THE CORRECT PERSON. ALWAYS INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. MEMBERSHIP DUES INCREASE EFFECTIVE OCT. Send check payable to AVSA for new or renewable membership to AVSA Office, 2375 North Street, Beaumont, TX 77702; phone 409-839-4725 or 1-800-770-2872. Individual $25.00, USA only; Individual, all other countries - $27.50; Commercial USA $37.00; Commercial International - $38.75; Life (USA) - $300.00. International Life $375.00. Remit in U.S. Dollars with draft or check on a USA Bank. See Membership Application. Master Card/Visa accepted. AFFILIATES: Chapter - $27.00; Council, State or Region - $27.00. MEMBERSHIP AND PROMOTION: Send ideas, offers to help, requests for assistance to Carolee Carter, 10947 SW 71st Cirde, Ocala, FL 33476. E-mail : Coordinator, 2375 I ar Godeny, 7004 Govei Berger, 4343 Schumacher Rd. - 196E, Sebring, FL 33872-263 BOYCE EDENS RESEARCH FUND: Send contributions 17235 N. 106th Ave., Sun City, AZ 85373-1958. COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES: Kent Stork, 2501 E. 23rd Ave. S., Fremont, NE CONVENTION AWARDS: Jan. issue. Send suggestions or contributions for 2S™236 WanlS 10 SUC H0ffinann ’ 2809 Forest n® 5 Ct - Virginia Beach, VA CONVENTION PROGRAM: Send special requests for workshop programs or interesting speakers to Linda Owens, Convention Director, 1762 Stemwood 3228 ' Ifinterested m sponsoring a national convention m your area, contact Convention Director. FUTURE CONVENTION DATES: Cincinnati, OH - April 17-24 2005 £,7oo jio - 5 ° pniooi 500 “ 900 - ri®CE'S DUPUCATE CARD: Send self-addressed slamped envelope re Bill Foster, 3610 Gray Dr., Mesquite, TX 75150. ^ pe oui JUDGING SCHOOL: To register a judging school, send remiect to PUno LIBRARY: Order AVSA 2375 North Street, Beaumont, TX 77702.1__ _ __ be in writing. List top 3 choices. If you have ideas foraliternTr to donate, write Ann Nicholas, 3113 Deerfield Dr., Denton, TX 76208-3428. MAGAZINE: Copyrighted 2004, The African Violet Society of America, Inc., aH rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission is prohibited. All articles are properly of AVSA and must not be reprinted without Editor’s permission. AVM EDITOR: Ruth Rumsey, 2375 North Street, Beaumont, TX 77702; 'i 409-839-4725; 1-800-770-2872; FAX 409-839-4329. E-mail ARTICLES BY MEMBERS, COLUMNISTS AND MEMORIALS: Send to Editor. Please Note: Deadlines - Articles and Columnists: Jan. issue - Oct. 1 ; Mar. issue - Dec. 1; May issue - Feb. 1; July issue - Apr 1; Sept, issue - June 1; COMING EVENTS: Send to Editor. Coming Events Deadlines: - Jan. issue - Nov. 1 ; Mar. issue - Jan. 1; May -May 1 ■July 1 ■Sept 1 . Request price list of available i: ADVERTISING MANAGER: Advertising rates and information: Judith Carter, 1825 W. Lincoln SL, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. E-mail avmads@valomet.com ADVERTISING DEADLINES: Jan./Feb. issue - Nov. 1; Mar./Apr. issue - Jan. 1 ; May/June issue - Mar. 1; July/Aug. issue - May 1; Sept/Oct issue - July 1; NovTDec. issue - Sept. 1. “AND THE WINNERS ARE...”: Send show results to Mary Corondan, 7205 DDlon Ct., Plano, TX 75024. BACK ISSUES: Complete your set from Beaumont office. Send SASE f< CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send new address at least 30 days before it is to take effect, along with old address, to AVSA office in Beaumont. QUESTION BOX: Ralph Robinson, P. 0. Box 9, Naples, NY 14512. E-maS robsviolet@aol.com and Sue Haffiner, 3015 Timmy Ave, Clovis, CA 93612- 4849. E-mail sueh@csufresno.edu MASTER VARIETY LIST: MVL SUPPLEMENTS: v and/or description of new c 1220 Stratford Lane, Hanover Park, IL 60130. MEMBERSHIP CARDS: Sent to Associate Members and b Renewing members receive card on white protective cover of AVM. OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE: AVSA Secretary, Nancy Hayes, 9 Cobblestone Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002-3003. PLANT REGISTRATION: Janice Bn 60203-2667. E-mail janice@qwip.net QUESTIONS ON HYBRIDIZING: Dr. Jeff Smith, “In Search of New Violets” The Indiana Academy, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. Web site: avsa.org RESEARCH: Send suggested projects for scientific research or names of interested, qualified potential research personnel to Dr Jeff Smith 3014 W. Amherst Rd., Muncie, IN 47304. SHOW ENTRY TAGS: 100 - $8.00 postpaid. Order from AVSA Office. SHOW SCHEDULE APPROVER: For information on Shows, AVSA Awards and Approving Schedules write to: Patricia Sutton, 5341 S. 73 E. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74145. E-mail sutpa01@worldneLatt.net. Do not send Show Schedules by E-mail - this address is for information ONLY. TALLY TIME: Heather Menzel, 135 N. Main SL, Yardley, PA 19067. E-mail , Hanover Park, H Pr s r, y 7, dUeSf ° r “P to3yearsand receiv7Membership Discount; $49 - 2 Years 3 $73^ 3 Yeare $2 J;!°JP d ™ duaI (international) , "ease send change of address fono 357, Beaumont, TX 77702 African Violet MAGAZINE January • February Volume 58 Number 1 CONTENTS FEAT In Memory of Paula Foster - Anne Nicholas.4 Visit to the AVSA Office - Janet Riemer.5 Repotting Large Standards and Trailers - Marie Montague ... 7 AVSA Bylaws Amendment - Mary Lou Harden.8 Winter Care of Violets and Gesneriads - Sue Hodges.13 AVSA College Scholarship - Dr. Elmer Godeny.13 African Violet New Year’s Resolutions You Can Make - and KEEP! - Richard Follett.14 Tools and Their Uses for Growing African Violets - Marie Montague.15 Committees of the African Violet Society of America - Janet Riemer, AVSA President.20 New Research Tool on the AVSA Website - Jim Owens, AVSA Web Master.22 A New Report of Control Gene Mutation in African Violet Flowers - Dr. Jeff Smith.23 Are You Starving Your Violets? - Nancy Robitaille.26 Some Things Never Change: A History Lesson - Norah Otto... 30 Location and Light - Susan Gimblet.38 URES Preparing for Show - Annette Kennedy.39 New Friends From Old Friends - Rod Lowe.41 Drenching - Nancy Robitaille.42 Planting by Moon Signs.43 A Community Project - Joyce Stenger.44 Plant Stands - Caitlin Muello.45 Thrips - Sue Hodges.45 Learning the Hard Way - Kyle Hedberg.46 Judging Guidelines for the Top Horticultural Awards - Cathy Comibe.47 AVSA Board of Director Nominees for 2005.49 My Passion for Episcias! - Sharon Kemp.50 Brazil, The Trip of a Lifetime, A Search for Gesneriads - Lee Stradley.52 Are Those Seed Pods on My Plant? - Joyce Stork.53 My Quest to Preserve Rob’s Hybrids - Richard Follett.54 Addition to the List of AVSA Master Judges: Celia Schafer.55 In Praise of Moist-Rite Planters - Sharon Holtzman.56 DEPARTMENTS Index of ads. Officers & Staff. President’s Message - Janet Riemer. Editor’s Notes - Ruth Rumsey. In Search of New Violets - Dr. Jeff Smith. “And the winners are...” - Mary J. Corondan. Vintage Violets - Barbara Elkin. AVSA’s Most Wanted - Barbara Elkin. Registration Report - Janice Bruns. Small Talk - Laurel Goretsky. A Family Portrait - Georgene Albrecht. Boyce Edens Research Fund - Marlene J. Buck AVSA Building Maintenance Fund - Mary Walbrick. AVSA Booster Fund - Shirley Berger. CONVENTION Springtime in the Queen City - Penny Wichman.8 Annual Luncheon Auction - Edna Rourke.10 Fun Things to do in Cincinnati - Penny Wichman.31 2005 Convention Awards - Sue Hoffman.34 Question Box - Ralph Robinson.18 Shows and Judges - Bill Foster.24 Showcase.28 Showcase.32 Showcase.36 In Memory.42 AVSA Affiliates - Bev Promersberger.48 Coming Events.49 Coming Events Deadlines.56 COVER Ness’ Coral Sunset Exhibited by: Anita Harold Hybridized by: D. Ness Large Photo Credit: Winston J. Goretsky January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 1 Index of Advertisers African Rainforest Conservancy . ...60 African Violet and Gesneriad News ... African Violet Leaves .. . __ mmm7 fAGGS .. H c 7 American Orchid Society. ..... ...60 I Aussie Gold Orchid Mix . .........40 AVS of Canada . ^Bayou Violets. .... Inside Back Cover S|elisle’s Violet House . .... Inside Back Giver Hlfeverly’s Violets & Gifts . .... Inside Back Cover Bluebird Greenhouses . .... Inside Back Cover Country Living Creations . Cryptanthus Society ...... ... Inside Back Cover Dave’s Violets . CO 1 Garden Angel . M -- [ Growing to Show _301 m . | Hobby Greenhouse . f , ... Inside Back Cover Indoor Gardening Supplies. . .... Inside Back Cover Jan’s Workshop . c 1 1 JoS Violets . ' BP 1 Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses ... Neptune’s Harvest . • •. Inside Back Cover Optimara/Seiective Gardener 25 Out of Africa. • • Inside Back CoVer Pat’s Pets . Physan 20.. [ Rob’s Violets. . „ , | Shirley ’s House of Violets . M Travis’ Violets . . VioletsFim Photo Journal Violet Gallery_ Violet Perfection..... Violet Showcase 1 Vdkmann Brothers Greenhouse 2 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 UBBARy- Dear AVSA Members, I hope you all had a happy holiday season. Whether you celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, family and friends can make the holidays wonderful. The fall regional conventions and shows are behind us, and a busy time it was. I was able to attend three, on successive weekends, and they were all great. Warm camaraderie with fellow African violet enthusiasts was combined with shows filled with beautiful exhibits. I hope one of these many shows was close enough to your home that you could visit and/or participate. In addition to the conventions, I joined other members of the AVSA Executive Committee for a fall meeting in Beaumont, Texas. We spent the better part of two days preparing a draft revision of the Policies and Procedures manual, the book that the Board of Directors and the staff use to guide this organization. We also wrestled with problems and pooled ideas on how we can make AVSA better, and eventually bigger. Financial concerns led us to reduce the hours during which the AVSA office is open to seven hours per day throughout the year, from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, CST. We hope that this does not cause serious inconveniences for any one. The Executive Committee members also visited the AVSA office on North St. in Beaumont. [See summary and pictures on page 5 of this issue.] While there we discussed ideas with both Jenny Daugereau, Office Manager, and Ruth Rumsey, Editor of the AVM. Jenny will implement the changed office hours and will be able to assist you if you have difficulty accessing the supplements formerly printed in the AVM. Now that cold weather is upon most of us, do be careful to ensure that your violets don’t get too chilled. Spring shows are “around the comer” and you’ll want to be able to exhibit your beauties. Also, convention isn’t too far away, so save your pennies, make your travel plans, and come join us in the Cincinnati area. Check out the tours on the AVSA website and in the “purple pages” of this issue. Plans look good so don’t miss out. See you there. The calendar says 2005, a new year in which to make resolutions, and strive to keep them. If you have ideas on how AVSA can be better, please share them, and together we can make progress this year. Good health and prosperity for us all. Happy Violeting. Janet Riemer President, AVSA January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 3 3 clitoris jVotes » Ruth Rumsey AVM Editor 2375 North Street Beaumont, TX 77702 Email: rrumsey@earthlink.net Our convention is a few short months away, so be sure to look over the Purple Pages in this issue and begin making your convention plans. You’ll notice that the white cover contains the usual membership information and order form, as well as the complete Convention Registration Form for the 2005 conven¬ tion. Please remember that a separate registration form for each attendee is required. Photocopies are acceptable. Our Shows & Judges Chairman, Bill Foster, contacted me about an error in an article I ran in the last issue. Here is what Bill said about the article and the correction. Thanks, Bill! “Pat Kennedy had an excellent article, “Planting in an Unusual Container” in the November/December AVM. However, the last sentence might indicate that other gesneriads might be exhibited in unusual containers. This would be great to decorate your home, or perhaps to enter in Gesneriad Society shows however, classes in AVSA shows for unusual containers only allow the use of African violets. Also, African violets planted into an unusual container must be in the posses¬ sion of the exhibitor for at least three months Unusual Containers are in the horticulture classes, not in design there¬ fore, the plant cannot be purchased the night before ” Laurel Goretsky’s debut column writing about miniature and semiminiature African violets appears on page 12 in this issue. With a new writer, we also changed the name of the col¬ umn to “Small Thlk”. If you have topics you would like to see covered, or suggestions and ideas for the column, please let Laurel know. I owe Barbara Hostetler an apology for misspelling her last name in the November/December AVM. Barbara grew the beautiful plant ‘Candy Fountain’, a Fredette hybrid, featured in our Showcase section on page 29. The biographies and photos of the new Board Nominees usually appear in the January/February issue, but due to unforeseen delays, they will be published in the March/April 2005 AVM. This is the slate of nominees put forth by the Nominating Committee, and will be voted on during the Annual Membership Meeting at the AVSA Convention in April. Welcome to a new advertiser, Aussie Gold Orchid Mix. See their full page, color ad on page 40 of this issue. As always, I encourage you to support our AVM advertisers, as they sup¬ port this publication. - /w Memory of Paula Foster . by Anne Nicholas Our African violet world has lost a true friend Tevac , . nauonal, and international violet growers and friends are sad’ with^v, 3 —°? t ° L §rowin§ her violets and helping Bill dened by the loss of Paula Foster. Paula pS awav^n e *°‘ et business ' Paula a Master Judge and held Monday, October 25th. She is survived 3 by ^TusS B ffl ViTfT S* * ^ Texas clubs ’ the *** Star A®* Foster (President of AVSA 1999-2001). her daughter Deborah ^ le ^ Co f uncfl ’ md W3 s responsible for many duties in AVSA. Her her son, Wilson, daughter-in-law, Vicky and her foster rhiia’ ? service 311(1 growing were numerous, including the Margery Clive. * roster child, AVSA Hudson Memorial Service Award. Whenever a job, no mat- Paula Wilson Foster was raised in the little town of . W blg 0r smaU ’ needed to ** done, this remarkable woman Tbxas. When she was just seven years old, she became aCtion ’ She led contributed to the work friends with Bill Foster who would ride over on his horse to vi«> -ku **!? SCene * She never wante d or demanded attention for the her. This friendship became the basis of romance as the two w She When Paula was involved in a task, it was a relief older. Paula and Bffl were married in 1956 and shared fortvJLhf ^ WOukl know that not onl y would the job be done, but years of marriage. Bill can remember no ^ 11 would be done well. Paula blessed us all with warmth, friendship, and a love for violets. She will be truly missed. African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 Visit to the AVSA Offiee by Janet Riemer - AVSA President Third Vice President Ron Davidson, AVSA President Janet Riemer, Secretary Nancy Hayes, Second Vice President Joyce Stork, First Vice President Linda Owens. On Monday, October 25th, five members of the AVSA Executive Committee paid a visit to the AVSA office on North St. in Beaumont, Tfexas. Included were Janet Riemer, President (and Archivist), Linda Owens, First Vice President, Joyce Stork, Second Vice President, Ron Davidson, Third Vice President, and Nancy Hayes, Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Gary Gordon, Treasurer, Jo Anne Martinez, Finance Chairman, and Jack Wilson, Immediate Past President, were unable to be there. After a warm greeting from Jenny Daugereau, Office Manager, Ruth Rumsey, Editor of the AVM, and Mandy Meza, recently hired secretary, there was a tour of the building. On the first floor, we were shown the reception area with Mandy’s workstation and the mailroom where orders are packaged. In the rear is the kitchen, and a wood-paneled room where the archival Looking over some of copies of the AVM are the office African violets. In the second floor sun room. kept. Upstairs, there are four rooms: Jenny’s office, Ruth’s office, and two storage rooms. In small groups and later in one large get-together, office procedures were discussed and ideas for possible changes were shared. As we didn’t want to close the office while we went out for lunch together, we ordered from a nearby restaurant, picked up the order, and gath¬ ered around in the kitchen for a deli¬ cious meal. Then Ruth took these pictures to commemorate the visit. It was such an enjoyable and informative experience for all that it was decided to do it again in the future. The members of the Executive Committee who were present agreed that seeing the office in person, and gain¬ ing first-hand knowledge of office procedures and functions, will provide valuable insight in conducting the business of the committee. If any AVSA member should be traveling through Beaumont and have a little extra time, j don’t hesitate to call the office and then stop by for a visit. The staff welcomes the opportuni- honoring Uzeta Hamilton and ty to meet and greet NeU-Sue Tyson, which are displayed in AVSA members. the entry hall of the AVSA office. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 5 f Dr. Jeff Smith The Indiana Academy Ball State University Muncie, IN 47306 Email JSmith4@bsu.edu A trait that often goes unnoticed in African violets is the hair on the leaves. These structures are under genetic control, and hybridizers can work with this trait like they do for those of flower color and shape. The most ancient type of leaf hair pattern appears to be long erect hairs that are 5-9 cells tall. This is the pattern found in S. goetzeana, the probable ances¬ tor to African violets, according to the DNA studies. While other species share this same leaf hair type, many have a combination of long and short (2-3 cells) erect hairs. One species, 5. brevipilosa, has only the short erect hairs. A second type of leaf hair expression found in the species is for the hairs to be appressed to leaf surface. These hairs bend sharply near the base to parallel the surface of the leaf rather than standing erect. The hairs are usually a combination of long and short lengths such as found in S. confusa, S. diffidlis, S. grotei, and S. magungensis. One species, S. nitida , has only short appressed hairs. Nearly all of today’s hybrids have the long and short erect hairs, a reflection of their ancestry from S. ionantha. A small number of experiments have been done to deter¬ mine the inheritance pattern of the two leaf hair types. One experiment crossed S. magungensis (appressed hairs) with S. velutina (erect hairs), and a second experiments diffidlis (appressed hairs) with 5. ionantha (erect hairs). The FI plants all had appressed hairs in both crosses. The 5. magungensis X 5. velutina FI plants were taken to the F2 generation where the erect hair trait reappeared. Thus, appressed hairs would appear to be a dominant trait to erect hairs. Future hybridizing could add more texture to the leaves of commercial plants by bringing in the leaf hair traits from the species. The shiny leaves of S. nitida are due to the short appressed hairs. S. brevipilosa leaves appear hairless because they have only short hairs, but they reveal a velvety texture when touched. If you are looking for a different type of hybridizing project, consider combining the flowers and growth forms of our commercial plants with the leaf textures from the species. # /s it possible to have a plant that is a chimera Jbr y » the leaves rather than the flowers? A: Leaf chimeras would be very difficult to detect because you would need two different leaf traits that could be distinguished apart from each other. Since most of the leaf characteristics affect the edges, tip, and base of the leaf, see¬ ing a second, different trait in the center would be tricky. However, I recently saw a picture of a plant on e-Bay that might be a leaf chimera. The leaves had wide dark green outer edges and the centers were a pale color. The pale area covered about a third of the total surface area, and the edges between the two colors was somewhat irregular. Picture a plant with extensive Tommie Lou variegation, but with reverse colors. The overall appearance was quite striking and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The plant was reported to reproduce true to type only by suckers and not by leaf cuttings. Flower chimeras can only be reproduced through suckers or through the buds on the bracts of the flower stems. If the claims on the reproduction for this plant are correct, it would seem to be a chimera. I hope to obtain a sample of the plant for study in order to determine if it really is a leaf chimera. /1 have a seedling with flowers that show solid color y ♦ in the center, but the color is restricted to the veins as the color moves to the edges. The result is a kind of net¬ work of color on the outer areas of the petals. How is this trait inherited? A: I have seen this type of color pattern in flowers before. ‘Persian Lace’ and ‘Canadian Sunset’ are two plants with pictures in First Class 2 that are examples of the vein- mg you describe. I’m not aware that this trait has a specific name, nor have I seen any studies on how the pattern is inherited. However, color patterns in African violet flowers are usually dominant traits, and I would suspect that the vein pattern trait follows a similar inheritance. There might also be a second gene that interacts in the vein pattern 6 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 expression. Most of the examples I’ve seen of this trait have relatively pale flowers. This would suggest that the color inhibitor gene is present. The inhibitor gene is a dominant trait with dose effects. Two copies of this gene give very pale flower colors, one copy gives medium flower color, and no copies will give dark pigmentation. The vein pattern might be best expressed if the color inhibitor gene is in the two copies or homozygous state. The color would be restricted in the areas between the veins, while the cells immediately around the veins are able to produce more pig¬ mentation which makes the pattern visible. If this model is accurate, crossing a vein pattern plant to a plant with very pale red or blue flowers should result in offspring with the trait. I’m not sure that the pattern would be visible in pink because of the lack of contrast between the colors. Crossing to a dark flowered plant which lacks the inhibitor gene would not allow the expression of the vein colors in the FI offspring because they would only have one copy of the inhibitor gene. Crossing the FI plants together would allow about 25% of the offspring to have the double dose of the inhibitor gene and the vein pattern should now be visible. This would make the trait appear to be a recessive because it skips a generation. The vein pattern is very attractive, and I wish you luck in hybridizing more flowers of this type. 0 Is it advisable to use a chimera as a parent when 0 making a cross? A: If the plant shows good traits in the leaves, symme¬ try, and has a high bud count, why not use it in a cross? These traits are under the usual genetic control and would inherit the same from a chimera as they would from a non¬ chimera plant. The chimera pattern in the flowers is unlikely to be passed on to offspring as this trait is not, strictly speak¬ ing, genetic, but an accident of tissue layering. I would sus¬ pect that the plant would pass on the flower color of the cen¬ ter strip, but you may get a few offspring that inherited the color of the outer strip. Some of the chimera cultivars have many good characteristics, and there is no reason not to use them as parents when hybridizing. I am interested in plants that are sports. Can a sport y # revert back to the original plant? A: Yes, every once in a while an unstable mutation that gave rise to a sport will back mutate to the original type. This is rare, but it has been known to occur. The more usual path is for the sport to continue to mutate and give rise to even more sports. Interested in sports and mutations? I will be giving a presentation on this topic at the national AVSA convention in Cincinnati in April. Repotting Large Standards and Trailers by Marie Montague Repotting large trailers (18" across with 10-15 crowns) is difficult. The plants are still good bloomers, but the outer crowns begin to sag and the centers need grooming. There must be some way to protect the integrity of the central and subsequent crowns for show purposes. Repotting large standards (12" across) was never a problem. I raise an Eliza ring up against the bottom leaves, place the plant over a barrel, remove soil, wick, excess roots, and cut off the hard “nub” of old stem, and then place in a “molded” pot (see below.) A substitute must be found to mimic an Eliza ring for trail¬ ers. Eliza rings are too small for pan pots. The following has worked very successfully for me. I haven't lost a trailer yet. • Select a piece of cardboard large enough to hold all crowns (soda and beer trays work nicely.) • Cut a hole in the center of the cardboard large enough to insert the old pot. Next, cut the cardboard from one side to the center hole. Repeat on the opposite side, and the cardboard will come apart with a half-circle on each side. • Place the piece of cardboard together and, on the under¬ side, lightly masking tape the two cut sides to hold the cardboard together again. • Prepare a molded pot (same size or larger). • Place the trailer on cardboard support over barrel and remove old soil, wick, and roots. You’ll find that you don’t have to be gentle. • Place the trailer over the new pot and let it drop (gently) into the new pot. Remove tape and ease off the cardboard support. : ■■■■■;! ■ V -y-- - y->-. . Unlike a standard, the trailer is placed lower in a pot to partly cover the old crown. Once secure in new pot, a trailer can be groomed (too difficult over barrel.) Lightly scratching the underside of crowns encourages new roots. Once in the new pot, this is a good time to carefully remove outer crowns if you want a smaller plant. (Place removed crowns in soil and cover with plastic to grow new plants.) Tty to get all crowns within the new pot. Anchor down with paper clips, straw, swizzle sticks, etc. (must be removed prior to show). Mold Potting: Prepare the bottom of a dean pot with moist soil and wick if desired. Place a small pot within larger (e.g., 3" pot inside 4" pot) and pack with as much new soil on the sides as possible. Remove the smaller pot and set plant. (With a large standard, I anticipate that 1/3 of new soil will be on the bottom, 1/3 for roots in the middle, and 1/3 to fill in the top of the pot to the rim). January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 7 AVSA Bylaws Amendment Amendment proposed by AVSA Bylaws Committee to AVSA Bylaws Article V Section 5b. The proposed amendment, if adopted, would aid the Nominating Committee as it would provide more time for applications to be solicited and the committee to function. Current Bylaws Article V - NOMINATION AND ELECTIONS Section 5b - Election of the chairman shall be at the first meeting of the Executive Committee during the annual convention. Election of the other members shall be by nomi¬ nation from the floor at the first meeting of the Board of Directors during the annual convention. The term of the com¬ mittee shall begin at the conclusion of the annual business meeting of the convention at which the committee was formed. Proposed amendment: Article V - NOMINATION AND ELECTIONS Section 5b - The chairman shall be elected by the Executive Committee prior to the annual convention. Election of the other members shall be by nomination from the floor at the first meeting of the Board of Directors during the annual con¬ vention. The term of the committee shall begin upon election. Rationale This would lengthen the period of time for the Nominating Committee to function. The chairman would have additional time to gather applications prior to the election of the remainder of the committee. If the term began upon - election, the committee could legitimately meet during the convention when face-to-face discussion might expedite their selection of candidates. Mary Lou Harden Chairman for AVSA Bylaws Committee 902 W. Old Hillsborough Seffner, FL 33584 mlh@ii.net Committee Members: Christel H. Collier Ruth Goeke Bob Green SueRamser Lynne Wilson Springtime in the Queen City bv Pennv Wirfiman ^ Aah....spring. The robins return. The tulips and daffodils are in full bloom. The Forsythia, lilac bushes, and magnolia trees are starting to show color. The snowball bush finally is a sea of white pompoms....no more snow. Springtime in greater Cincinnati is a beautiful awakening after all those tong winter months of dark dreary days. In the spring of2005, “Violets will reign in the Queen City." The old adage “April showers bring May flowers” is usually tme, so you might want to pack an umbrella. However, we do have our share of sunny days with temperatures in the 70’s. You will need to bring a jacket though, because our final frost date isn’t until Mother’s Day, so it can get cool at night Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes so you can take a walk around the beautiful grounds of the Drawbridge Inn and enjoy our fresh spring air. If you think that we’ve covered a lot of weather possibili¬ ties, you’re right There’s an old saying here in Cincinnati in the spring - “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute; it will change.” Don’t worry, if you can’t enjoy the great outdoors, we have tots of fun things to do inside in the spring. 8 African Violet Magazine The Krohn Conservatory is only a short drive away. Nationally known for its beautiful seasonal displays, Krohn always has a wonderful spring display along with their butter¬ fly show, where the butterflies are right in the open among the people and flowers. Also, there’s Newport on the Levee, where you can have lunch in an Irish pub or grab a hamburger at Johnny Rockets. You can shop in one of the many specialty stores or just enjoy the view of the Ohio River. Newport Aquarium is also located there, where you can spend a couple of hours exploring the unique, the bizarre, and the beautiful from the oceans around the world and from the local river’s edge. Both are completely handicap and wheelchair accessible, with lots of places to sit and rest along the way. If you do not have access to a car, don’t worry. The local public transit company, known as TANK, picks up right outside the main lobby, and the fares are only $1.00 each way. Schedules are available at the desk, or, of course, you could go along with us on many of the great tours we have planned. Whatever the case, bring some comfortable, casual clothes so you can enjoy springtime in the Queen City. January • February 2005 .V. ru/ the (ovt/te/ss a/ € e Mary J. Corondan 7205 Dillon Court Plano, TX 75024 FIRST AVS OF WICHITA FALLS, TX - Winners: Best AVSA Standard Collection: Ode to Beauty, Annabelle, Ness’ Viking Maiden; Best Standard: Ode to Beauty; Best Design, Allene Peek. Best Semiminiature: Teen Thunder, Joanie Sleeper. Best TVailer/Best Species: Saintpautia rupicola ; Horticulture Sweepstakes, Gail Elmore. Best Gesneriad: Sinningia ‘Ozark Petunia’; Design Sweepstakes, Mary Walbrick. GRANITE STATE AV AND GESNERIAD SOCIETY, MA - Winners: Best AVSA Standard Collection: Picasso, Anita Vivian, Optimara EverPraise; Best in Show/Best Standard: Picasso; Horticulture Sweepstakes, Holly Walker. Best AVSA Mini/Semi Collection: Ness’ Crinkle Blue, Rob’s Antique Rose, Boo Man; Best Semiminiature: Boo Man; Best Miniature: Lil Ballerina; Best Trailer: Chantaspring; Best Gesneriad: Petrocosmea parryorum, Lisa DiMambro. Best Design; Design Sweepstakes, Robert Clark. MILWAUKEE AVC, WI - Winners: Best AVSA Standard Collection: Frozen in Time, Optimara Cezanne, Anastasia; Best in Show/Best Standard: Frozen in Time, Bonnie Henell. 2nd Best AVSA Standard Collection: Optimara Jamaica, Debon’s Raspberry Fluff, Aca’s Wewonchu; Best AVSA Mini/Semi Collection.* Irish Flirt, Rebel’s Meg, Ness’ Satin Rose; Best Trailer: Sea Spray; Best Gesneriad: Streptocarpus ‘Joker’; Best Design; Horticulture Sweepstakes, Arlene Garvens. 2nd Best AVSA Mini/Semi Collection: Little Ebony, Dangerous, Rob’s Heat Wave; Best Semiminiature: Rob’s Heat Wave, Ted Bergine. Best Species: Saintpaulia rupicola, Cathy Heider. SOUTH DAKOTA AVC, LA - Winners: Best AVSA Standard Collection: Kiwi Dazzler, Dumplin’, Chinook Wind; Best in Show/Best Standard: Buckeye Extravaganza; Best Species: Saintpaulia rupicola var. ‘Cha Simba’*, Best Design; Design Sweepstakes, B.J. Ohme. 2nd Best AVSA Standard Collection: Smooch Me, Buffalo Hunt, Optimara Chagall; Best AVSA Mini/Semi Collection: Rob’s Whodunit, Aunt Georgia, Classic Rock; Best Miniature: Optimara Little Moonstone, Kent Stork. 2nd Best AVSA Mini/Semi Collection: Ness’ Crinkle Blue, Optimara Little Blackfoot, Rob’s Boogie Woogie; Best Semiminiature: Ness’ Crinkle Blue, Carol Tjaden. Best Trailer: Indian Trail, Fern Hildinger. Best Gesneriad: Sinningia concinna, David Harris. Horticulture Sweepstakes, Gary Dunlap. WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AV CLUBS, WI - Winners: Best AVSA Standard Collection: Debon’s Raspberry Fluff, Ma’s Soiree, Fisher’s Leone; Best Design; Horticulture Sweepstakes, Design Sweepstakes, Arlene Garvens. Best AVSA Mini/Semi Collection: Ness’ Crinkle Blue, Irish Flirt, Rob’s Bed Bug; Best Semiminiature: Ness’ Crinkle Blue, Ebe Schreiber. 2nd Best AVSA Mini/Semi Collection: Orchard’s Wonder Twin, Orchard’s Bumble Magnet, Rob’s Jitterbug; Best Miniature: Orchard’s Bumble Magnet, Betty Schreiber. Best in Show/Best Standard: Rainbow’s Quiet Riot, Kevin Degner. Best Trailer: Foster Trail, Cathy Heider. Best Species: Saintpaulia pendula var. kizarae, Ruth Mengsol. Best Gesneriad: Streptocarpus ‘Christmas Morning’, Rose and Jim Haberkom. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 9 ^jji/i/aye c Pio/ete Barbara Elkin ■ Vintage Violets Committee ■ * jSP 2855 Gayle Lane Auburn, CA 95602-9674 Email; bjabar@earthlink.net AROUND THE WORLD I remember a movie of many years ago. It was called “Around The World in 80 Days”. Well, we did the same thing last spring in 35 days. What was the best thing about going around the world? The people and the many cultures we found, my ride on a peace loving elephant, and a scary ride on a belligerent camel. (No not a two hump, just one hump). What was the worst thing? The security. We were watched like hawks, complete with armed men and gunboats. What was the second worst thing you might ask? It was ‘No African violets anywhere*. Not even in the florist shops. I thought it should be a great place to start an African Violet Society! I did find some people on the ship, from other coun¬ tries, to talk ‘Violets’ with. Good, but just not the same as finding them to drool over. Let’s just say I missed my green¬ house and all of the Gesneriad family. How many of you are signed up for the online groups on the Internet? I don’t subscribe because I just don’t have time to read all the information. I do, however, have a friend who forwards any information dealing with Vintage Violets. Is there anyone out there that can let me know who the kind person is that is sending out my ‘Wanted List’ over Internet email groups? Are you growing any of the following? I have people looking for them. Alan Anthony Alouette Andrea Atlantic City Bella Gitana Blue Chips Cinnamon Girl AVSA Most Wanted Evergreen Sadie Lady Genetic Dwarf Granger’s Chari Green Crystal My Desire Optimara Compassion Pistachio Rainbows Emerald Frost Rainbows Fuji Gold Richter’s Wedgewood Rob’s Miss Priss Rococo Orchid Blue Rococo Rose Rococo Sport of Red Erika Stripped Honey Tipt, Wheels of Fortune Yarrow Briar Rose Zulu Annual Luncheon Auction 926 ' 9716 * email Apapmonmol.com A special request to all of our members, hybridizers and abates JVe It - this Will tv» nitr QfV, i\rc k i_, Can you believe it - this will be our 8th AVSA Luncheon Auction. We will be holding our luncheon on Friday, April 22 and as always, we need your help. We had a wonderful auc¬ tion kst year, and with your continued help and generosity it will be even more exciting this year. Our success is a tribute’to ^X« ener0US donaaons of our ambers, hybridizers, merlwhn a ® B “? have 3 S"® deal of talented crafis- .. h °. teve donated ltems 10 the auction - will you again consider donanng a violet-reiated item or craft to m corS^ 10 African Violet Magazine auction? Hybridizers - donations of newly introduced plant material and/or supplies is one of the highlights everyone looks forward to seeing and would be most appreciated. Donations of anything violet related of a rare, unique, or unusual nature would gratefully accepted. If you plan to make a donation or want to help in some way, please let me know as soon as possible. I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks for your help and continued support - it really makes all the difference. See you is Cincinnatti! 2005 January • February - Cj^-^(/{'Sf/Hi/i(>/} f/te/jorf MB Janice Bruns Wp^j^m 1220 Stratford Lane ■ Hanover Park, IL 60133 pH Email: janice@qwip.net Vf A name reservation costs $ 1.00 and is valid for two years, after which time it may be extended two years for an additional $1.00. Registration of the plant is $5.00 unless completed within the reservation period, in which case the balance is then $4.00. Please make check payable to AVSA. Yvonne Lambert - Tottenham, Ontario, Canada *Von’s Moon Shadows (9359) 8/2/04 (Y. Lambert) Single lavender and white sticktite pansy. Variegated medium green and cream, plain. Standard John Brownlie - Missisauga, Ontario, Canada ‘Aca’s Raspberry Rapture (9360) 8/7/04 0- Brownlie) Semidouble pink frilled pansy/raspberry fantasy, edge. Variegated green and white, plain, quilted. Standard Dolores Harrington - Fridley, MN ‘Blue Blazes (9361) 8/16/04 (D. Harrington) Semidouble blue pansy/thin white edge. Medium green, heart-shaped, pointed, quilted/red back. Miniature ‘Dolores’ Royal Prince (9362) 8/16/04 (D. Harrington) Semidouble purple-red pansy/white edge. Light green, heart-shaped, pointed, quilted, pebbled, scalloped/red back. Miniature ‘Haley Jordan (9363) 8/16/04 (D. Harrington) Double pink frUled/light purple eye. Medium green, heart-shaped, quilt¬ ed, pebbled, scalloped/red back. Standard Nancy Braun - Madison, WI ‘Debon’s April Airs (9364) 9/24/04 (N. Braun) Single white and pink large ruffled star/fuchsia rays, edge. Variegated medium green and cream, plain, scalloped. Standard ‘Debon’s Misty Morning (9365) 9/24/04 (N. Braun) Semi¬ double-double white pansy/wide lavender-blue edge. Variegated medium green and cream, plain, scalloped. Standard ’Debon’s Rosey Posey (9366) 9/24/04 (N. Braun) Single chimera pink pansy/red stripe. Variegated medium green and white, plain, scalloped. Standard David Senk - Mission Viejo, CA ‘Alchemy Antique Bells (9367) 9/24/04 (D. Senk) Single light yellow ruffled bell. Medium green, plain, heart- shaped. Miniature ‘Alchemy Gold (9368) 9/24/04 (D. Senk) Single yellow sticktite bell. Medium green, ovate, quilted. Semimini- ‘Alchemy Yellow Star (9369) 9/24/04 (D. Senk) Single yel¬ low bell/variable purple fantasy. Medium green, heart- shaped, quilted, serrated. Semiminiature Shirley Sanders - San Antonio, TX ‘Shuts Blue Eyes (9370) 9/30/04 (S. Sanders) Single pale blue pansy. Variegated dark green, white and pink, pointed. Semiminiature ‘Shuts Cranberry Smoothie (9371) 9/30/04 (S. Sanders) Single cranberry two-tone pansy. Variegated dark green and pink, pointed. Semiminiature ‘Shuts Hawaiian Lei (9372) 9/30/04 (S. Sanders) Single purple pansy/white eye. Variegated medium green and white, heart-shaped. Miniature ‘Shuts Plum Jam (9373) 9/30/04 (S. Sanders) Semidouble¬ double plum-red ruffled pansy. Variegated light green and white, heart-shaped. Miniature ‘Shuts Red Sky (9374) 9/30/04 (S. Sanders) Single tight red pansy/white eye. Variegated dark green and pink, pointed. Semiminiature ‘Shuts Senior Moment (9375) 9/30/04 (S. Sanders) Single-semidouble purple pansy. Variegated tight green and white, heart-shaped. Semiminiature Fay Wagman - Pittsford, NY ‘Fay’s Rachel (9376) 9/30/04 (F. Wagman) Single-semi- double chimera red/white stripe. Crown variegated green and cream, serrated, girl foliage. Semiminiature NAME RESERVATIONS Beth Meadows - El Mirage, AZ * Celtic Broadsword * Celtic Harp * Celtic Heather * Celtic Kevin’s Crown * Celtic King * Celtic Maid * Celtic Mist * Celtic Sunset * Celtic Thrtan * Celtic Warrior * Tina Moreno - Brighton, CO * Vespa Angel Wings * Vespa Azul * Vespa Blanca * Vespa Fairy Dust * Vespa Free Flight * Vespa Heartthrob * Vespa Rosa * Vespa Sensation * Vespa Sting * Vespa Vino * January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 11 ! ,„a//M ■ Laurel D. Goretsky Calgary, Alberta, Canada Email: Laurel@Goretsky.ca I want to begin by thanking Pat Richards for providing many years of inspiration in her column “Thinking Small”. Her insights into growing miniature and semiminiature African violets are a great resource for anyone growing these precious gems. I used to be an African violet killer! I am embarrassed to divulge that information, but it is true. 1 would get plants from a friend of mine, who grows amazing violets, and weeks later I would have another dead plant. My friend would come over to see how my violets were doing only to discover empty pots and saucers. Thankfully, my “friend” became my husband seven years ago, and 1 began to learn the joys of growing and caring for African violets. Although I still occasionally have a casualty or two, the carnage of dead violets has ceased! 1 enjoy all African violets and gesneriads and grow many varieties. My favorites are semiminiature and miniature trail¬ ers. From the smallest of miniatures to the larger sprawling sermmims, trailers provide many rewards to their growers One of the benefits of growing trailers is their relative ease to get started. Often, trailers can be purchased as a small crown which for the new grower or less experienced, can be easier to wo* with. Results are usually seen quickly, and there is none of the wony of separating delicate baby piantas. The more growth from the original plant crown, the better, or in other words, the mote crowns the better. For the more experienced grower, trailers tend to be a lot more forgiving and nXneed * much of your rime. That is not to y need ' 0t * " *1 I'M for J problems dunng your regular maintenance schedule- howev er, they don't need to be repotted as often or groomed™be symmetrical like most single crowned violets. For those of us wift busy schedules or more violets than we know what to do with, the mini and semimini trailers are a ‘must have" Picking a miniature or semiminiature trailer to erow requires the same technique you would use to choose Sher African violets. 1 am most often motivated by sight Tfl l*e how ,, looks m the show mom or in the «££ list the plant as one to get. Information on varieties thataie good growers is also a consideration. A great source to find out which trailers are consistently good growing plants is the AVSA Best Variety List and the AVSA Honor Roll of African Violets. ‘Milky Way Trail’ is a semi miniature trailer that has been on the Best Variety List frequently, and therefore, has made it to the Honor Roll. One of my first semimini trailers was a table favor at the auction luncheon at the Houston convention (1999). I still grow that plant, which is ‘Foster frail’, and it remains a favorite. Whether you acquire your plant from a friend or from careful research, be adventurous and try something different. Once you have received your mini or semimini trailer in its initial pot, you can begin to think about the type of pot you will move your trailer in to. The type of pot you choose depends on how the trailer tends to grow. For example, ‘Teeny Bopper’ is a tiny growing miniature trailer so you would most likely grow it in a 2 1/2 or 3 inch pot or a small bulb pan. What is visually appealing to you is also important to think about when deciding upon potting up. I really enjoy seeing trailers grown in shallow pans similar to how dish gar¬ dens are presented. I have been growing ‘Rob’s Humpty Doo’ in this manner for approximately six months, and if I am feel¬ ing gloomy, just having a look at this plant can lift my spir¬ its. Some people like to grow their trailers in hanging baskets. Again, find out how the trailer that you have picked typically grows and then be creative in your potting choices. ! With the 2005 convention just around the comer, now is a good time to look through your collection and give some thought to any miniature or semiminiature trailers you might have to show. If you don’t have any of these small treasures in your collection and you want to enter a trader class at con¬ vention, be sure to purchase plants at least three months before show time. I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions for ** column. Please feel free to email or write to me. Until next nme, beat the winter blahs and share some violet cheer 2005 12 African Violet Magazine January • February: winter Care Of violets and cesneriads by Sue Hodges The weather has been very mild so far this winter, but the cold change could be just around the comer! Indoor tempera¬ tures may cause some problems for our plants if they fall below about 55 degrees F overnight. Usually, violets are happy in conditions in which we are comfortable, but problems some¬ times arise in rooms where heating is turned off and the room cools overnight. If plants are too cold, the leaves may curl down around the pot and growth will be slow. Sometimes, the center growth will become tight. Some who grow under lights enclose their stands in plas¬ tic sheeting for winter or use plastic drapes that will enclose the stand at night. This will conserve warmth and humidity and protect the plants. Beware of cold drafts and protect plants that grow on win¬ dowsills from cold at night by drawing curtains or blinds so the plants are not against the cold glass over night. In cold weather the plants will not be growing so rapidly, and they will use less water. Wicks can be removed from water containers so that plants are not over-watered. However, be aware that heated rooms, especially those that are air conditioned, are drier. Plants in these situations can dry out more quickly. In fact, these plants may need more water than at other times of the year. In winter the days are shorter with less intense light, which can mean fewer flowers particularly if you grow in natural light. A south facing aspect will get plenty of light in winter, maybe even too much as direct midday sun can bum the foliage quite quickly, but it is fine through a sheer curtain. Plants at a north facing window will probably not get sufficient light to bloom until the days lengthen. If you grow under arti¬ ficial light, you are able to control the amount of light your plants receive. Drastic repotting is best left until it is warmer when the plant will recover more quickly. If you cannot avoid repotting, enclose the plant to minimize shock, which can cause white marks on the foliage. Delicate plants would probably benefit from being kept in a terrarium for the coldest part of winter. Variegated plants will show more variegation during winter, and it is wise to leave propagation of variegated plants until spring unless you have very warm conditions. Winter growth will often lack chlorophyll, and young plantlets may not survive. Plants with crown type variegation sometimes worry growers when the winter growth is yellow or very pale and the older summer foliage is green, but this is the nature of the plant. Winter does have some compensation! Cooler conditions mean better bloom color, better fantasy markings, and more distinct edges to edged blooms. Some plants, like ‘Marching Band’, are better in winter as they do not perform well in the heat so enjoy them now - it will soon be warm again! From African Violet News, Official Journal of the African Violet-Gesneriad Society of NSW, Inc. AVSA College Scholarship It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce the guidelines of the AVSA College Scholarship, available for the fourth year. The award is for $500 to $1000 which may be used for tuition, books, or fees. • Applicants should be enrolled in a 4 year undergrad¬ uate program or in a graduate program of an accred¬ ited University or College. • Applicants should be majoring in Ornamental Horticulture, Floriculture, or an equivalent program. • Applicants should have a minimum “B” average and completed at least 24 semester or quarter hour cred¬ its by the beginning of the spring, 2005 semester. This is a one-time award with the opportunity to reapply in subsequent years and is funded by the Boyce Edens Research Fund of AVSA. Applications can be downloaded from the AVSA web site, www.avsa.org . or may be ordered from the AVSA Office: AVSA Scholarship Application, 2375 North St., Beaumont, TX 77702. Application deadline is March 1, 2005. All com¬ pleted applications should be sent to Dr. Elmer Godeny, 7004 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 13 African Violet New Year’s Resolutions You Can Make - and KEEP! by Richard Follett We have all experienced New Year’s resolutions that come and go with varying degrees of success. I have yet to get any thinner, save any more of my earnings, or to perma¬ nently alter any undesirable habits by making and sticking to these well-intentioned exercises in futility, but each year I renew my efforts to effect change through positive thinking and resolve. Call it folly, but l BELIEVE. One small area of my life where making New Year’s res¬ olutions has actually worked is in managing my African vio¬ let collection. It is no fun to see beloved plants languishing from neglect or poor planning; for their sake, I have been able to make and to stick to a few simple resolutions over the years and my AVs thank me again and again with beautiful blooms and ease of culture. Following, then, is brief list of those resolutions which have brought me the best results over time. I cannot promise you that any of them are easy to stick to, but I can promise you that the rewards are immedi¬ ate and significant. For your consideration, then: 1. Grow the type of African violets most appropriate to your available space and light. Minis and semi-minis are much better candidates for windowsill growing than standards or larges. Know your space, your light, and your limita¬ tions and work within them. Your AVs will thank you! 2. Avoid the temptation to overcrowd your plants. AVs crowded too close together bloom poorly and are more prone to diseases and pests. If you cannot view your AVs from above and see the outline of each plant clearly, you are overcrowding them. Give some away and share the joy! 3. Be honest with yourself about your AV habits. Standards and larges will tolerate occasional neglect far better than minis or semi-minis. Dry out a mini once, and it is HIS¬ TORY! If you tend to be forgetful, choose tried-and-true varieties that have made frequent appearances on ‘best variety’ lists - they got there for a reason! 4. Regardless of how much space you have for growing, grow only as many plants as you can examine personal¬ ly at least once each week. Filling a light stand with three hundred wick-watered plants Is exciting and virtually irresistible, but if you just water the capillary matting once a week and walk away, how much enjoyment are you really getting anyway? BEFRIEND each of your African violet plants and examine each one regularly - you can spot pests and diseases much more quickly and save yourself a lot of frustration and heartache later on 5. If you don't know what you are going to do with the progeny, don't put down the leaf. This one will drive you insane at first, because the miracle of the leaf is truly intoxicating and addictive. If you are hopelessly hooked on propagation (as I am), find outlets for the fruits of 14 African Violet Magazine your labors - join a club and share with other members, or make monthly donations to senior centers, hospitals, etc. How about giving plantlets to the local high school science department as a class project? 6. If you don’t know where you are going to put that new AV, don’t bring it home. It is uncanny how our minds tell us there are only four AVs in a kitchen window that is, in actuality, harboring a dozen or more. If this is really a challenge for you, keep a list of your plants and where they ‘live’, in your purse or glove compartment. If your AV hotel is all booked up and you fall in love, decide what you are going to give away before you make your new purchase and STICK TO THE PLAN. 7. If a favorite AV throws twelve suckers, why grow all twelve? Unless you are looking for a wash of one color for interior design purposes, you can make much more aesthetically interesting use of your available space with a variety of colors and foliage types. There is no docu¬ mented case of genetically identical AVs suffering separa¬ tion anxiety. Give the extras to good homes! 8. Find something you are good at and stick with it Experimenting with new hybrids is always fun and excit¬ ing, but too much of a good thing inevitably leads to frus¬ tration and disappointment. Different types of AVs require different types of care. Tiy ONE variegated vari¬ ety or ONE clacamas or ONE trailer for at least a year before you invest in every conceivable variation on the theme. If you limit your experiments to one focus at a time, you will eventually determine what type of AV suits both your taste and your ability without becoming an AV assassin in the process. I killed everything in the Buckeye series at least three times before I figured out that minis and trailers are my AV ‘forte!’ 9. If a chosen plant does not grow well for you by the time you have had it for six months, PITCH IT OR GIVE ff AWAY. There is a user-friendly AV out there just waiting to grow for you dependably and enthusiastically. 10. LOVE your African violets. They know. If you can’t love them and really mean it, buy a silk plant and try again when your outlook is more positive. Long-necked, neg¬ lected AVs languishing on a dusty windowsill wffl depress anybody. If you are truly burned out or over¬ burdened and give yourself a hiatus, you will allow some future AV lover the unbridled joy of getting you started again. African violets are a bit like stray cats - somehow, they know when you are ready and THEY will find YOU. Pick even one of these resolutions, stick to it, and your African violets will show their appreciation more and more with each passing day. Good luck and good growing! d January • February 2005 January • February 2005 African 'trait Georgene Albrecht 101 Oak Heights Drive Oakdale, PA 15071 Email: georgena@verizon.net This gesneriad just keeps getting better and better. Petrocosmea (pet- roe-KOS-mee-ah) parryorum (pair-ree- OR-um) has the most beautiful light green hairy, soft, foliage and produces dozens of delicate, tiny violet flowers. The word Petrocosmea means “adorn¬ ment of rocks” which should give a clue to the growing conditions from which it comes. The soil mix should be light, and the plant must have lots of moving air. The morning of our exhibit was very chill, about 50 degrees. All the edges of each leaf turned brown, but, the plant did not die. It is still blooming a month later. 1 think it needs to stay about 75 to 80 degrees all the time. It blooms best in the fall of the year. The foliage bleaches out easily so keep it at least 12 inches from the fluorescent tubes. It gets the same fertilizer as my violets and is replanted about every six months. IVAN THE TERRIBLE As I was doing this illustration, Hurricane Ivan was providing 10 inches of rain in 12 hours. My town of Oakdale lost all 37 businesses and 109 homes to horrific flood waters. My home was not damaged, and I have been serv¬ ing food and cooking for others for two weeks straight. We don’t appreciate things until they are gone; no post office, grocery, gas station, hardware, dentist, bank, or any other business. This is the most devastation I have ever seen, but the best human compassion I could imagine. No one could or would help us so we started our own refief center. My plants have suffered because I could not take care of them I was going to grow plants for the Ohio convention, but there is always another beautiful plant on the horizon. After tour- 16 African Violet Magazine ing the ravaged town, I came home and spent an hour with my plants just to recoup my spirits. They are such good therapy. HEALTHY ACHIMENES Ingrid Bowman has emailed me reporting that the Achimenes that had mealy bugs last year were completely healthy this year. So, the rhizomes must not carry the mealy bugs. She put down the rhizomes in March and they bloomed in two months. She will continue to watch them. Thanks for sharing. MIGHTY MITES During the last year, a lady in our club has had a problem with her plants. The centers just seem to disappear and there is no bloom. The plant just stands there doing nothing. She has sprayed with everything and used vapona pest strips to no avail. While talking to a friend, the subject came up. She told me that there is “almost an epidemic" of broad mite among growers, and many people have lost their entire collection of plants. These mites seem to have developed a resistance to pesticides and insecticides. So, here is a word to the wise. ISOLATE every leaf individ¬ ually and bag it ISOLATE every plant in its own bag for at least six months. Make sure you keep it sealed tightly. When I have purchased plants in the past, I just put them together in their own covered tray. From now on they will each have a large baggie over them. I know this is a “pain” at watering time but don’t take a chance. Having all my plants in containers or covered trays has been wonderful because I can see and contain any bug before it spreads. January • February 2005 Ralph Robinson P.O. Box 9 Naples, NY 14512 Email: robsviolet@aol.com Here’s a question: Are you really asked those questions, or do you “make them up”? Yes and no. Having shipped or sold plants to tens (hun¬ dreds?) of thousands of customers, attended hundreds of shows, given hundreds of talks, and attended hundreds of club meetings, questions are never a problem. Of course, it’s the same handful of questions dealing with basic culture that we have to answer 99% of the time. This makes coming up with “new” questions difficult. Fortunately, no two questions are ever exactly alike. The problems experienced may appear identical, but the growing practices of no two growers are identical - only similar enough for us to draw conclusions and offer possible solutions. This makes the answers less pro¬ found - not insightful, but the accumulation of the experi¬ ences (good and bad) of thousands of other growers. After nearly 30 years, we can anticipate the question almost as easily as we can the answer, but this still doesn’t lessen the importance of either to a grower facing a problem for the first time. As is always the case, we are far too busy to reply to mail (or e-mail), though we do read all of it. Should you want a personal reply, we are more than willing to answer phone calls made during our normal business hours (12-5 pm EST), since we can work and talk at the same time. For those with access to the internet, we can be reached at robsvioletani mm or via our web-site at www.violetbam.com The web-site also contains a wealth of cultural information. f\UESTlON: I just wanted, to know if African violets X are Poisonous to dogs. Our puppy just ate a couple of leaves and my sister-in-law said she thinks that the plant could even be fatal to our pet. I’ve been checking for irffor- mation but can 'tfnd a thing.... / hope that’s a good sign. ANSWER: To our knowledge (and from our experience), 18 African Violet Magazine African violets are not poisonous to most household pets. Over the course of time, we’ve had both dogs and cats eat leaves of our violets. Usually, African violet leaves aren’t all that “tasty” and will be left alone - after a bite or two, the chewed-upon plant is left alone. You may also have to clean up a mess a bit later, if your pet decides to cough-up what¬ ever it did consume. Besides having to deal with the hair left behind on the plants, this is the reason none of our cats are allowed to spend time in the growing area, and why our liv¬ ing area has so few plants. Fortunately, our dog, Lucy, spends much of her day with us in the growing area, but seems disinterested in the plants. As with people, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to almost anything in some cases, but this is not likely with African violets, and eating a leaf or two is very unlikely to prove fatal. If your plants had recently been treated with something toxic, like pesticides, then there’s more reason for concern. A small amount of residual pesticide on the plant isn’t likely to be fatal, but it certainly might make your pet ill. It would depend upon the toxicity of the chemical, how much it had “broken down” since it was applied, and the size and tolerance of your pet for the chemical. In any event, this is one more reason to limit the use of such chemicals in the home- keep the bottle and the treated plants away from children and pets! That said, if the plant wasn’t just recently acquired, has been in your collection for a while, and you haven’t applied anything toxic to it yourself, this shouldn’t be a worry. S\JESnON: i am new to growing and collecting vio- X lets - 1 recently purchased a violet that is totally dif¬ ferent than anything I have ever seen before. It has different color blooms. Some blooms are purple, others are pink, some are light blue, and some are similar to the blooms of ‘Rainbow’s Quiet Riot. Is this unusual or common? ANSWER: Yes and no. It is unusual, but not unheard of, January • February 2005 especially for a variety like ‘Rainbow’s Quiet Riot’. Like most multicolor varieties, this one tends to be more genetically unstable than others. The more genetically complex the vari¬ ety, the more likely it is to mutate, or “sport”, especially when subjected to stressful conditions. Though sometimes frustrat¬ ing, this can also be a good thing - many of our favorite vari¬ eties first appeared as a mutation of another. In the case of ‘Rainbow’s Quiet Riot’, a Richard Wasmund hybrid, there are a number of variations (it should have dark blue blooms with white splashes). Besides turning solid blue or solid pink, if the blooms are white to pale pink with blue stripes, this is ‘Rainbow’s Crystal Riot’, and if a darker pink with darker blue stripes, ‘Rainbow’s Regal Riot’. S^UESTION: (Asked, by a visitor to the shop not y more than 5 minutes ago). I just moved into a new apartment and my violets don’t seem to want to bloom any¬ more. The foliage still looks nice and healthy. They always did well before. I’m going to use your soil mix, but do you think that they need more light too? ANSWER: Yes. If the plant is healthy, growing, and properly groomed (free of suckers), yet still doesn’t flower, it’s most likely not receiving enough light. This is why grow¬ ing plants in windows can tricky - there’s no definitive rule about what window or exposure is best. Not every window is the same. Your objective is to provide your violets with as much bright light as possible, without subjecting it to intense¬ ly bright light or heat. With that in mind, an east window is usually a good place to start, since it provides bright light, but only a short period of direct sun in the morning. But other windows can provide good light also, depending upon obsta¬ cles outside the window that might obstruct the sunlight, cli¬ mate, time of year, distance from the window, and so on. Experience and observation of your plants will tell you best what to do. QZ iwboth c UESTION: (A phone call not more than 10 min- What’syour opinion on light meters? / grow both orchids and African violets, and a friend sug¬ gested that I purchase one for my orchids. Do you use one for your violets? ANSWER: We don’t; though when I first started growing violets, and read every book on indoor gardening that I could find, I was led to believe I needed one. A light meter may be more useful for orchids, since there is a much greater differ¬ ence in the light requirements of different orchid species. This is less of a problem for African violets - with small differ¬ ences, most varieties have approximately the same light requirements. Once you’ve found how much light your vio¬ lets are happy with, you duplicate these conditions as your collection expands. We don’t need to provide for the special needs of a new variety added to our collection, which is not always the case with orchids. By most measures, African violets (and most other ges- neriads) are relatively low-light plants. This would place them with most phalaenopsis and paphiopedilum species, which seem to do well in the environment as violets. One reason these orchids are most frequently seen being sold along violets at the local garden center - they do well in the same household conditions as do violets. Other orchids, like cattleya, dendrobium, and vanda, for example, typically require more light and wouldn’t do nearly as well alongside violets. Adding violets to an orchid, or orchids to a violet col¬ lection requires consideration of the needs of all the plants involved. This is where growing in natural light can be use¬ ful, since the variation in light and temperature between win¬ dows can be used to your advantage. S^UESTION: I have seen African violet books in Smother languages. Occasionally, I see plants that I knowbut I can’t be sure because the names are in Japanese or Chinese. How can I know whether the plants I see are the ones / think they are? Are there any rulesforforeign coun¬ tries to follow when translating names of violets into their own language? ANSWER: This was a question sent to the AVSA office, then referred to us for our opinion (it’s been paraphrased). Being from Thiwan, and having both grown and sold violets there, Olive (“Mrs.” Robinson) was asked for her opinion on the matter. Though the answer might seem more a “view¬ point” than an “answer”, it is a question/problem for many of our international growers. What follows is Olive’s reply, and our opinion (not necessarily that of AVSA). I usually don’t like to use translations because sometimes there is no way to translate certain names. Certain varieties will not be a problem because no matter who does the trans¬ lation, the translated names will come out exactly the same. Some varieties, though (like ‘Rob’s Heebie Jeebie’), are cute in English but can’t easily be translated into another lan¬ guage. Even if it were possible to translate, the original “fla¬ vor” of the name would be lost. I know, for example, that some growers in Taiwan (or Hong Kong) have translated plants with nicknames that they think are cute. The problem is that even if this translation were deemed “official”, others who prefer another translation may still decide to use their own. I can understand books being translated into other lan¬ guages, but names in the books should be kept the same; otherwise, how can anyone know what plant they are talk¬ ing about? My suggestion: no matter how its translated, the original hybrid name should be included, following the trans¬ lated name, like we do with botanical names - for example, “lipstick vine” (Aeschynanthus). Whatever the language, the botanical name is always the same, in Latin. In this case, the hybridizer’s original name (as it appears in the African Violet Master List), should be the official name that everybody uses. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 19 COMMITTEES OF THE AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY OF AMERICA Janet T. Riemer, AVSA President [This article was originally published in two parts in July and November of 1995, updated in May and July of 1999, and is now being updated again.J Most of the readers of this magazine, the African Violet Magazine , are also members of the African Violet Society of America (AVSA). A subscription to the magazine is a benefit of membership. Many members though, unless they attend convention or belong to a local affiliate, have little contact with the Society. The purpose of this article is to inform these members of one aspect of the Society, the various committees. AVSA is a not-for-profit organization served by volun¬ teers and paid employees. Officers, directors, and committee members are all volunteers. There are two types of commit¬ tees, standing committees and special committees. Standing committees are enumerated in the AVSA Bylaws, and their chairs are members of the Board of Directors. Throughout the year these chairs report to one of the vice presidents who in turn report to the president. Special committees are created either for a very specific purpose or for a limited time period. The chairs, who report either to a standing committee chair or to an officer, are not members of the Board of Directors. All committee chairs are appointed by the president, and their terms coincide with that of the president. Each chair has the right to select the members of his/her committee, with the guidance and approval of the president. Standing Committees (in alphabetical order) Affiliate - The chair is responsible for affiliate group pro¬ motion, mailing informative material to affiliate groups advising affiliates with problems on which they may need guidance, and presenting a program for convention attendees on affiliate matters. AVM Advertising - The chair of this committee is the Advertising Manager. He/she is responsible for receiving all advertising copy and forwarding same to the editor of the AMcan Violet Magazine in time to meet publication dead¬ lines. Members of the committee assist, particularly in solic¬ iting new advertisers. Awards - This committee is responsible for all annual AVSA convention show awards and all individual Society awards. The chair gathers suggestions for awards, and the committee votes upon these suggestions. Some of the most prestigious awards are also voted upon by the Executive Committee. Commercial Activities - The promotion of greater inter- 20 African Violet Magazine est in the African violet industry for the betterment of AVSA is the primary goal of this committee. Effort is made toward creating unity among the commercial members. Commercial Sales and Exhibits - This committee is most active during convention, assisting the commercial members in both the sales area and in the show room. The committee also assists commercial members in promoting and improving the Society. Convention - The planning and direction of all AVSA conventions are the responsibilities of this committee which is led by the Convention Director. Invitations from hosting groups are received by the Board of Directors and voted upon, usually several years in advance. If approved, the convention director contacts possible sites and negotiates with hotel prop¬ erties to obtain a location that meets the Society’s convention needs. The committee members assist in working with the local hosting group to insure a successful convention. Finance - The preparation of a balanced budget is the pri¬ mary responsibility of this committee. The budget is used for pidance during the ensuing year. Other duties include assist¬ ing the treasurer and advising on investment matters. The chair of this committee also serves on the Executive Committee. Library - This committee’s function involves the devel¬ opment, maintenance, and promotion of the Society’s library materials including photographic slide programs, videos, and educational packets. Distribution of the materials, upon request from members, is handled by the Society’s office staff. Master List of Species and Cultivars - The primary function of this committee is the compilation of the Master List of Species and Cultivars, formerly the Master Variety List, and its annual supplements. There have been ten editions of this publication with the recent ones available in both paper form and on computer disk. Membership and Promotion - Expanding, developing, and promoting the Society is the purpose of this important committee. Developing ways to increase membership world¬ wide is their goal. Nominating Committee - A file of potential officer and director candidates is maintained by this committee. From this file is drawn a slate of officers and/or directors for each election. Plant Registration - AVSA is responsible for the regis¬ tration of the genus Saintpaulia worldwide. This authority was granted to AVSA by the Council of the International Society for Horticultural Science in 1966. This committee ascertains that all registrations are in compliance with the January • February 2005 International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. A registration number is assigned to each cultivar. Publications - The publication of the African Violet Magazine and other literature authorized by the Board of Directors is the responsibility of this committee. The chair works with the editor of the magazine to ensure timely publication. Research - One of the Society’s primary objectives is research. This committee reviews applications from academic institutions seeking funding for the study of various aspects of Saintpaulia culture. The applications are then presented to the Board of Directors for approval. Funding is provided from the Boyce Edens Research Fund which was established specifi¬ cally for that purpose. Shows and Judges - This committee is responsible for all activities related to shows, judges, teachers, and judging schools. Standards of judging are developed by this committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Efforts are constantly underway to ensure that judging is as fair and consistent as possible. Special Committees (in alphabetical order) Annual Index Committee - The responsibility of this committee is to compile an index of each year’s issues of the African Violet Magazine. Included in the index are authors, a combination of titles and subjects, and titles of color pictures. The index for a given year usually appears in the following January issue. Best Varieties List and Honor Roll Committee - Each AVSA member and each member of an affiliate group has the privilege and the responsibility of submitting a list of 25 favorite violets annually. This committee collates all these lists into one, which is published in the African Violet Magazine. Those varieties appearing on the published list for three con¬ secutive years are placed on an Honor Roll. Booster Fund Committee - This committee receives and acknowledges donations which are deposited into the general treasury to help defray the Society’s operating expenses. Occasional special projects are also aided by donations to the Booster Fund. Boyce Edens Research Fund Committee - Individual and affiliate club donations to this fund, as well as a portion of each commercial member’s dues, are used to support aca¬ demic research. Acknowledgement of all donations is done by this committee. Grants to conduct research are solicited and reviewed by the Research Committee (a standing committee) and approved by the Board of Directors. Currently, interest from the investments in this fund support AVSA scholarships. Building Maintenance Fund Committee - Formerly the Building Fund Committee, this fund was begun to raise money for the purchase of a site for the Society’s business office. Since the acquisition of a building in Beaumont, Texas, donations to the fund are used to provide necessary mainte¬ nance. The chair encourages and acknowledges all donations. Bylaws Committee - Preparation of amendments or revi¬ sions to the Bylaws is the responsibility of this committee. Such proposals for change are presented to the Board of Directors for their approval, published in the African Violet Magazine , and voted upon by the membership at convention. Convention Manual Committee - This committee is responsible for a manual which explains the procedures which should be followed to successfully host a national convention. The convention director plays a major role on this committee which revises the manual periodically. The manual is a means of transmitting experience from one hosting group to another. Guide for Affiliate Presidents & AVSA Representatives Committee - The guide is a booklet avail¬ able from the chair of the Affiliate Committee or the AVSA office for use by affiliate groups. The booklet is revised peri¬ odically, when deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Handbook for Growers, Exhibitors and Judges Committee - This publication by the Society is the official manual for aD AVSA affiliate and convention shows. The com¬ mittee revises it as needed with guidance from the Shows and Judges Chair. New editions are published when revisions become extensive. Internet Committee - The creation of a website on the Internet created a need for a committee to coordinate and implement the functions associated with the maintenance of the site. Committee members promote the use of the website as a tool for AVSA affiliates and advertisers. Open Forum Committee - The open forum was estab¬ lished to provide the AVSA membership with a means of pre¬ senting information, asking questions, and exchanging ideas with the officers, directors, and committee chairs at conven¬ tion. It is held at a scheduled time and is hosted by the chair of the committee. Policies & Procedures Committee - The Policies & Procedures book is a manual that guides officers, directors, and committee chairs in operating the Society. Actions taken by the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee that change the way the Society functions are incorporated in the book by this committee, chaired by the Secretary. Updating is done at least once a year. Resolutions Committee - This committee is responsible for the preparation of courtesy resolutions such as thanking the convention hosts, to be read into the minutes of the annual meeting. Salary Committee - Composed of the vice presidents, the treasurer, and the finance chair, this committee reviews staff salaries and presents suggestions for changes to the Board of Directors. Scholarship Committee - This committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors those students enrolled in a horticultural program at an accredited college or university who are worthy of an AVSA scholarship. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 21 Tally Time Committee - My Time is an annual list of show winners of AVSA Collection Awards, Best in Show, and other top winners. These awards, from all affiliated clubs, are reported to this committee which collates the information and presents the results in an article in the March issue of the AVM. Technology Committee - The purpose of this new com¬ mittee is to advise the Board of Directors on the application of computing technologies used by the office staff to support the goals of the Society. This includes reviewing the inventory of computer hardware and regulating its maintenance, reviewing license agreements for software, and evaluating and recom¬ mending software upgrades when appropriate. Vintage Violets - This committee is charged with the preservation and restoration of older African violet varieties. Attempts are made to keep these varieties available to mem¬ bers by publicizing wishes and availability in the African Violet Magazine. Ways & Means Committee - This committee is respon¬ sible for researching and securing African violet related items for sale at convention and through the AVSA office. Profits realized are deposited in the general treasury for use in meet¬ ing the Society’s operating costs. [ http://www.avsa.org/AVMIndex.asp New Research Tool on the AVSA Website Jim Owens, AVSA Web Master Are you looking for an article in the African Violet Magazine (AVM) ? Tired of manually searching though current and back issues to find an article of interest? You now have a faster way to locate these articles. Simply go to http://www.avsa.org/AVMIndex.asp, or go to the web site Magazine Page and click on AVM Article Search to locate the issue. Here, you are given the option of finding articles of interest by cat¬ egory and/or subcategory, by author, or all articles published in a specific year. Once you have chosen a search criteria, a scrollable display showing the ! Author, Title, Year of Publication, Month of I Publication, and Page Number on which the article resides will be displayed. (Much faster than manu¬ ally searching, huh?) Once you have pinpointed the article you are interested in, simply pick up that issue, turn to the page listed, and you are set to read about your topic of interest. Didn’t find it? Search again from the top or bottom of the scrollable list. So, now you have a fast and efficient way to locate that article, and save time doing it. This function is new on the website and was implemented to assist writers and those doing research on African violets, but it will serve the AV enthusiast just as well. Currently, the years 1989 and 1993 thru 2003 have been completed and placed in the data¬ base. The AVSA Publication Committee will continue to add classified years as they are completed. We plan to go back to the beginning (1947) eventually. (Hint: you will find unclassified articles there covering 1980 thru 1988, but by the time you read this, more years will be classified.) The next time you see Barbara Pershing, you might want to thank her and her committee for the hard work they have put into this project. I am sure they would appreciate the acknowledgement. 22 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 A New Report of Control Gene Mutation in African Violet Flowers Dr. Jeff Smith Indiana Academy Ball State University Muncie, IN 47306 A little over three years ago, a picture of a very unusual African violet was shared on the e-mail discussion groups on African violets. The plant was from Europe and was named ‘Saintpaulia botanika’. The strange looking flowers of this plant were hypothesized to be caused by a mutation in the structural genes that normally give rise to the flower whorls or layers of flower parts (Smith, 2001). The mutation caused the petals to develop into partial stamens, expressed as a development of yellow anther sacs on the edges of the three lower petals. Now, it appears that a second mutation has been found in African violet flower structural genes. The mutation was found in a plant grown from a leaf cut¬ ting of ‘Isbjom’ (SW#0202/86,1. Lindskog), a standard trail¬ ing African violet with single pansy white/pink flowers. The leaf produced three plantlets. TWo were normal and identical to the parent, but one produced very unusual flowers. Instead of producing sepals, petals, stamens, and a carpel (pistil) as is usually found in African violets, this plant produced flow¬ ers where all of the flower parts were expressed as sepals. The ball of sepals made the flowers look like buds, but the flowers never opened to show the normal flower parts. Similar flower structure mutations are known in other plants. Three genes are thought to be involved. A, B, and C. Gene A is responsible for the sepals. Genes A and B interact to produce the petals. Genes B and C interact to produce the stamens. Gene C controls the development of the carpel. In order to produce only sepals in all of the flower parts, gene A is active, but genes B and C have lost their function. Thus, a double mutation with the loss of two genes is required to pro¬ duce flowers made of sepals only. This is different from the ‘Saintpaulia botanika’ mutation which appears to be an over-expression of the C gene in the stamens. The “sepal only” mutation of this sport of ‘Isbjom’ should be reproduced by leaf cuttings. ‘Saintpaulia botanika’ repro¬ duces true to type from leaf cuttings, and there is no reason to suspect that the sport of ‘Isbjom’ will not do the same. However, since the flowers of ‘Isbjom’ have no sexual parts, the plant is sterile and the mutation can not be passed on sexually to seeds and seedlings. Thus, this mutation is a dead-end for plant breeding purposes. If any reader has seen some other unusual sports or mutations in African violets, please let me know. It is from similar mutations that many of the important flower and leaf characteristics were developed from the original plants from Africa. While the mutation to an all-sepal flower in ‘Isbjom’ is a scientific curiosity and is not useful to hybridizers, other new mutations may be just waiting to be discovered. Literature Cited Smith, J. (2001). ‘Saintpaulia botanika’ - a very unusual African Violet. African Violet Magazine 54(6):41. Thanks to EvaBritta Thorssell of Sweden for permission to use the pic¬ ture and information on this plant, and to Isabell Olevall for her sharp eye on spotting the unusual. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 23 a/tc/foc/t/ex Shows and Judges Committee 3610 Gray Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Email: lbpfoster@sbcgiobal.net Hopefully, everyone enjoyed a great holiday season, and now is the time to strive to make this an even better year than last. It is time to start making your plans to attend the 2005 AVSA Convention. Everything you need to complete your plans can be found in this issue. The design schedule is quite interesting, so all the designers should be able to find a class or classes that will allow them to render their interpretation of “Violets Eeign in the Queen City”. Please note that the forms for judging, clerking, and attending the judges’ school has a space for an e-mail address. Be sure to furnish that information if you have e-mail. Correspondence by e-mail saves money for AVSA. Pat Kennedy had an excellent article, “Planting in an Unusual Container” in the November/December AVM. However, the last sentence might indicate that other gesneriads might be exhibited in unusual containers. This would be great to decorate your home or perhaps to enter in Gesneriad Society shows, however, classes in AVSA shows for unusual containers only ; Unusual Containers are in the horticulture classes, i design. Therefore, the plant cannot be purchased the night Let’s discuss sports! There have been several questions about this. Our Handbook states that sports are to be shown only as a new cultivar. For instance, if a plant of ‘Mary Craig' turned up with a white blossom with a blue edge, this should be entered as a new cultivar with the name being shown as ‘Sport of Mary Craig’. However, if a plant of ‘Favorite Child 1 turns up with solid blue blossoms, if shown, should be placed in the class for multi-colors. If all the blossoms are blooming solid, the judges should deduct 10 points under “color of blos¬ som". Most plants with multi-color blossoms will eventually produce some plantlets that revert to solid color blossoms. All sports should be judged by the scale of points for judg¬ ing new cultivars. We get some beautiful new cultivars from sports and mutants, but unidentifiable plants, plants that have lost their names, or plants that have simply reverted to a solid color should not be entered as a sport. We humbly apologize to Celia Schafer. Celia lives in Iowa, and she became a MASTER JUDGE in October, 2004. Her name was omitted from the list of new master judges in the previous column. To make matters worse, we promised “top billing” in the November/ December AVM and again, an omis¬ sion occurred. Celia, we applaud you for your hard work and welcome you to the rank of Master Judge which is no less gen¬ uine because of the omissions. As always, I look forward to seeing all of you at the AVSA Convention. r~ My family and I deeply appreciate your cards, letters , and phone calls during our Bereavement over the loss of our dear wife and mother. Tour kindness will never Be forgotten. Bill Foster and Family 24 African Violet Magazine January • February ARE YOU STARVING YOUR AFRICAN VIOLETS? by Nancy RobitaiUe African violets can survive very tough situations. Rooms that are too cold or too hot, insufficient light, and even very little food. But for plants that are healthy and vigorous, the following things are necessary - and in the correct forms. If you are using only one type of fertilizer for extremely long periods, you may be starving your plants. PRIMARY NUTRIENTS: All fertilizers carry three numbers on their packaging. These are the PRIMARY NUTRIENTS, those which will carry the plant to its ultimate. These primary nutrients are Nitrogen for green foliage, Phosphorus for healthy roots and bud count, and Potassium for the general health of the plants. SECONDARY NUTRIENTS: Each fertilizer container will have some of the SEC¬ ONDARY NUTRIENTS which are very important to the devel¬ opment of your plant, as well. Different fertilizers hold vary¬ ing amounts of secondary nutrients and trace elements. Secondary Nutrients are Calcium, Magnesium, and Suffer. CALCIUM: (Ca) - Calcium cements the plant’s cells to one another. Roots must have a good supply of calcium. Calcium neutralizes organic acids in plants and protects plants by act¬ ing as a buffer against stress caused by soil toxicity or extremes of acidity or alkalinity. Calcium also makes nutri¬ ents available to the plant for higher energy. Calcium influ¬ ences intake of other plant food. Calcium materials are: 1. Limestone 2. Caustic lime 3. Oyster shells, ground finely. Deficiency symptoms are: 1. Leaf tips curl backward 2. Buds are small, shrivel and die 3. Tips of leaves brown and curl 4. Roots turn dark and die. MAGNESIUM: (Mo) - Magnesium can also be obtained by using Epsom salts. Magnesium is the center core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue. When deficient in mag¬ nesium, a shortage of chlorophyll results and plants becom¬ ing stunted and are poor in health. SULFER: (S) - Suffer releases larger amounts of energy to the plant. It also ensures maximum seed development. Suffer gives increased root growth. It helps maintain dark green color and encourages vigorous plant growth. Suffer corrects the alkalinity of soil. Suffer is washed down 26 African Violet Magazine from the atmosphere, and large amounts of this element are furnished by humus and other organic matter in soil. TRACE NUTRIENTS: Other elements of fertilizers are TRACE NUTRIENTS which include: IRON: (Fe) - Even though iron is often found in large quantities in most soil mixtures, the form that it takes does not allow plant roots to use it. This plant food works closely in association with nitrogen and suffer and helps it to form chlorophyll molecules. Iron is available as Ferric Sulphate and Iron chelate. Iron is used in the correction of iron chlorosis or yellow¬ ing of leaves. Acid-loving plants like iron which aids in chlorophyll formation. Lack of chlorophyll prevents the manufacture of starch needed for energy and growth. Sources of iron: Iron sulfate which is usually present in all soil, but locked up too high a pH caused by over-liming. Deficiency in Iron shows up in young plant growth first. The blade of the leaf turns yellow while the large veins remain green. BORON: (B) - African violets need only a very small quantity of boron. An ideal amount of boron would be 6-8 parts per million. Boron helps roots in the uptake of water. Boron also assists the plant’s defense mechanism and pre¬ vents a large amount of absorbed water from evaporating and escaping from the plant back into the atmosphere. Borax was one of the first chemicals to be used as a fer¬ tilizer and is used in very small amounts. If one or two parts per million parts of soil is lacking, there may be deficiency symptoms. Borax in too heavy concentration may be toxic. Boron affects 15 functions of plant growth. The source of borax is borate which is released by the addition of organic matter when it is locked up by improper pH. Deficiency shows up in form of: 1. Leaf stems being brittle 2. Base of leaf is yellow 3. Centers are small and die 4. Dark spots on tips of young leaves. MANGANESE: (Mn) - Very small amounts of Manganese will allow it to perform its three functions in a plant. Manganese aids in the formation of the chlorophyll molecule. It makes other plant foods more accessible to the plant and it causes germination to occur more quickly when propagating African violets from seed. January • February 2005 Manganese increases availability of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. It is vital in chlorophyll formation. If miss¬ ing, sugar and starch formation is severely checked. Too much lime is often the cause of shortage of manganese as this element becomes insoluble in alkaline soils. Deficiency shows the color of foliage altered in some way. You can suspect lack of manganese when the veins of the leaf remain dark green, but spaces between veins turn yellow or brown. The deficiency of manganese is different from that of iron or magnesium in that the yellowing takes place in the center of the leaf. Copper: (Cu) Copper's role in plants is played in a way that chlorophyll molecules react when light strikes them. Copper is also an energizer since it activates enzymes for starting several important plant processes which produce healthy plants. Copper is both a poison and a nutrient. It was one of the earlier weed killers in the form of copper sulfate and was not proved to be a nutrient until 1927. Deficiency shows up in retarded growth. Leaves and stems are flabby. Leaves have a bleached appearance. ZINC: (Zn) Zinc provides proper growth and function of plants. The lack of this plant food causes yellowing or chloro¬ sis of leaves. Zinc is essential for plant growth and it controls the synthesis of indoleacetic acid which regulates plant growth. Zinc is also active in many enzymatic reactions and is necessary for chlorophyll synthesis and carbohydrate forma¬ tion. Deficiencies first appear on younger leaves. Plants con¬ tain and need as little as one part per million parts of soil. This is a growth regulator and important in the production of protein. A source of zink is zinc sulfate. A deficiency is detect¬ ed by leaves twisting and growing crooked. Color is blotchy. Deficiency is least where organic matter is in abundance. If zinc is lacking the plant will rob older foliage. When enough has been taken, a near normal plant will set on stunted growth. MOLYBDENUM: (Mo) Like Zinc, molybdenuman is an activating compound which causes certain plant-growing processes to occur. Molybdenum is from a Greek word “molyb- dos” meaning lead. Molybdenum is a trace element for virtu¬ ally all life forms. It functions as a co-factor for a number of enzymes that catalyze important chemical transformations in the global carbon, nitrogen, and sulfer cycles. Thus, molyb¬ denum-dependant enzymes are not only required for the health of plants and people, but for the health of its ecosys¬ tems as well. The biological form of molybdenum is present in almost all molybdenum-containing enzymes and an organic molecule known as the molybdenum co-factor. Molybdenum is a metallic substance and helps bacteria get nitrogen from the air. As a source it is released by adding lime. It is needed in barely detectable amounts, one part of one million parts of soil, but the lack of this tiny particle is critical. The amount of molybdenum in soil is always small and, the deficience appears when pH is below 5.2 Deficiency would be detected by the same symptoms as lack of nitrogen. WATER: Water is two parts hydrogen and one part oxy¬ gen. Water is a basic food and essential to life of all living things. CARBON: Carbon in soil contains about six or seven times as much carbon dioxide if the soil contains any amount of organic matter. It is slightly poorer in oxygen due to the constant absorption of oxygen by roots leaving carbon diox¬ ide behind. CHLORINE: (Cl) Its presence is necessary for the growth of plants. Chlorine is required for certain photo-chemical reac¬ tions in photosynthesis. Chlorine uptake affects the degree of hydration of plant cells and balances the charge of positive ions. Deficiency causes wilt. These trace elements, along with the three major ele¬ ments, are the 15 components of fertilizers. When your plant is lacking in any particular element, you now know how to diagnose the problem and what to do about it. By knowing your fertilizers and what they contain as well as what is in your soil, you are equipped to intelligently feed your plants. When buying fertilizers, buy nutrients, not only the fertilizer. Study the label and know what is included. Elements other than the top three: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are very important. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 27 Rosie Rtiffles Exhibited by: Evye Strong Hybridized by: D. Harrington Standard Moonlight Magic Exhibited by: Kathy Bell Hybridized by: S. Sorano Standard HTtoto Credit: Winston J.< 28 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 Photo Credit: Winston J. Goretsky Pink Mischief New Introduction 2004 Exhibited by: Paul Sorano Hybridized by: Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses Standard January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 29 Some Things Never Change: A History Lesson by Norah Otto People and violets just seem to naturally go together, and when violet lovers are faced with absolutely no place to grow their African violets, do they give up? No way - they just get creative. Over the years, the AVM has reported on some high¬ ly creative and very unusual places where African violet lovers grow their plants. So what strange and unusual spaces have growers been utilizing, you ask (with dreams of poten¬ tial new spaces floating in front of you)? WeU, let’s check out some of the more unique growing spaces about which some¬ one, somewhere, can say, “been there, done that.” “Attendees of the 1977 St. Louis Convention were stunned and amazed to read later that Tom E. Toms, winner of eight top awards, including the Gold Rosette for the AVSA Best Collection, grew these prize-winning plants in his attic” 1 ! Mr. Toms, of Bossier City, Louisiana, turned a “bare, unfin¬ ished attic” into a plant room where he was growing around 1000 African violets 2 . He managed to get a sink, a storage area (don’t many of us wish we had one), and a tabletop work area (ditto!) into his attic, along with plant stands for those 1000 plants. That is, after installing stairs, paneling the walls, and carpeting the floor! He also managed to provide light, proper humidity and temperature for said plants - no mean trick in an attic in the South. And why the attic? Well, like others we know, he started with one stand in the den then added the utility room and finally took over a bedroom Something had to be done, and he did it - in his attic! What Tom E. Toms did for attics in the ‘70s Charles Garrod, of Spotswood, New Jersey, did for crawl spaces in the 60s! Yes, that’s crawl space, not basement. Believe it' After filling his rec room to overflowing with shelves and lights, Mr. Garrod noted, “it soon became obvious that we would have to either expand or stop taking trips to Tinari’s, Lyon’s Fischer’s, and Champion’s.... and that is why we put our crawl space to work. 2 " Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? But who would have thought of their crawl space? Garrod notes that the builder had built the crawl space, which was accessible from the rec room, complete with a cement floor, heat and even aluminum insulated foil walls. 3 " You might be interest¬ ed to know that those foil walls reflected the light from the fluorescent fixtures he installed very nicely. Gerrod installed 30 double fluorescent four-foot fixtures in the 3 1/2 foot high space running beneath his living room, dining room and kitchen. He then grew “many hundreds” of African violets successfully there, in addition to the plants filling tTS room. By the way, Gerrod admits he started with just one lit¬ tle plant in his office... 2 Sound familiar? One grower, faced with such a problem - six years earlier, 30 African Violet Magazine she had received one innocent little plant of ‘Blue Boy’ - found a home for her hundreds of varieties in a bus! She wrote in 1957 that, after her violets took over the dining room, living room, back and front porches, and the bay win¬ dow, and finally spread into the bedroom, her husband, “in sheer desperation...bought an old bus...which he converted into a greenhouse. 4 ” Heated with a floor furnace, Mis. Neeman reported growing over 600 African violets happily in the bus in the backyard of her Hebron, Nebraska, home. Regrettably, a few years later, Mrs. Neeman wrote that a fire, caused by her heater, burned the bus. She lost her plants, but said she was starting over. Growers never give up either... Ok, are you ready for the clincher? In 1966, Jack MacKenzie, Safety Director for the Canadian Rock Salt Company’s Ojibway Mine (as in the Windsor Salt Mine), was growing “a profusion of African violets...a fifth of a mile below the earth’s surface in the salt mine. 4 ” The AVM author, James A. Murdoch, picked up the story from a piece by Mel Howey in The Montreal Star. In “African Violets Grow at Bottom of Salt Mine” Murdoch reported that African violets were flourishing 1000' below the Earth’s surface. That must raise a few eyebrows, but please observe the footnote -1 am not making this up! Seriously, the African violets and other plants growing under lights in the mine were part of a 1966 University of Western Ontario experiment to prove that electric light was sufficient for plant life (I think we can all testify that they were right!). The Canadian Rock Salt Company permitted the scien¬ tists to grow flowers, vegetables, and other plants in their mine under lights. Needless to say, the plants did just fine! And just in case you wondered what it would have been like to take the mine tour that year: “When visitors enter the Windsor salt mine, ...they are instructed from ‘a list of dos and don’ts’ that includes the warning, ‘And mind, now, don’t pick the flowers.’.. .Everybody chuck¬ les as they step into an elevator, drop 1,000 feet into the earth’s depth, and step out into a cav¬ ernous salt mine ...And there, on their right, are the flowers: a profusion of African violets, bright coleus, begonias, geraniums and others...” 5 WeU now you have it. Tfuth really is stranger than fiction if African violets have flourished under the eves and under the floorboards, as well as in a school bus and down a mine. So remember, if you happen to feel you can’t possibly hnd one more iota of space for those new plants: get creative. Think outside the box, or, in this case, outside the family January • February 2005 room! As we’ve just seen, space can be found in some of the strangest places. Use them, because we have a tradition to carry on! We want growers in 2020 to be able to marvel at the ingenuity of us tum-of-the-millennium growers just as I am astounded at the strange places space-starved growers have found for their violets! As Mrs. Jean Toms said about her husband’s plants in 1977, growing African violets is “a hobby that gets away from you.” Some things DON’T change! 1 Foote, Grace. “T\vo Missouri Women Tie for Top Honors at AVSA Convention/Show.” African Violet Magazine, Vol. 30, #3 (19 77): 78. 2 Fischer, Marge. “His Attic is Full of African Violets.” African Violet Magazine, Vol. 31, #2 (1978): 14. 3 Garrod, Charles. “Violets in a Crawl Space." African Violet Magazine, Vol. 16, #3 (1963): 82-83. 4 Neeman, Mrs. George. “A Bus for the Violets.” African Violet Magazine, Vol. 11, #1 (1957): 39. 5 Murdoch, James A.. “African Violets Grow at Bottom of Salt Mine.” African Violet Magazine, Vol..20, #1 (1966): 32. Fun Things to do in Cincinnati. by Penny Wichman If you are thinking about bringing a husband or wife or a friend that is not an African violet enthusiast, we have excit¬ ing things for them to do while you are busy with your plants and plant related festivities. First of all, check out our great list of tours in the purple pages. We have everything from museums to auto racing to an afternoon sightseeing cruise on the beautiful Ohio River. After you have chosen a couple of tours for them to take, and they still say, “What else am I going to do,” here’s what you can tell them. If golf is their game, we have 6 golf courses within 12 miles of the Drawbridge. From an 18 hole par 3 course to a Jack Nicklaus designed tournament course and everything in between, there is something for everyone’s tastes and abili¬ ties. The World of Sports’ par 3 course has the perfect mix of rolling hills and lakes to keep it interesting, but it’s easy to walk the entire course if you do not want to rent a cart. It’s reasonable too if you are on a budget. World of Sports is only $17.50 for nine holes and an extra $10.50 if you want to rent a cart. Lassing Pointe is a little pricier at $49.00 for 18 holes and a cart. Tee times are easy to get, especially during the week. On weekends, it is recommended to call ahead. Those who would like a little more excitement can take a short ride over to Indiana to visit one of our Riverboat Casinos. The Argosy in Lawrenceburg has Las Vegas style gaming with slots as well as live games. If they are not hav¬ ing any luck there, a short drive further along the scenic Ohio River will get them to the Grand Victoria, which has exactly the same gaming as the Argosy only on a slightly smaller and more elegant scale. If slots and blackjack are not their style, we have 2 horse tracks close by. Turfway Park, just 5 miles down the road, will have simulcast betting, whereas River Downs located aboutlS miles away will have Jive racing. If they are looking for something to do in the evening, maybe they could take in a Cincinnati Reds baseball game. Tickets are always available at the gate. Our new stadium boasts a restaurant, a gaming area where you can try your hand at pitching and hitting, and even broadcasting, and the brand new Red’s hall of fame museum, which will have something of interest for every baseball fan. Maybe we’ll even be hosting their favorite team. And of course, there is always shopping. We have malls and shopping centers galore. In nearby FJebron, we have the GAP/Banana republic outlet store and Gallerie Au Chocolate outlet store where they can find something for everyone and especially for you. So bring them along. We’ll keep them busy. We will have maps and directions and a lot more ideas at our information table in the lobby. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 31 Buckeye Extravaganza Exhibited by: Tony Hulleman Hybridized by Pat Hancock Large Streptocarpus \Sandra ’ Exhibited by: Esther Hopkins 32 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 AVSA CONVENTION SHOW SCHEDULE VIOLETS REIGN IN THE QUEEN CITY CINCINNATI, OHIO APRIL 17-24, 2005 HORTICULTURE DIVISION-AMATEUR SECTION I - COLLECTIONS CLASS 1. AVSA Collection of three different registered standard varieties all of the same type (three single crown or three trailers) or three different species regardless of type. 2. AVSA Collection of three different registered varieties of the same type (three single crown miniatures, three miniature trailers, three single crown semiminiatures, or three semi¬ miniature trailers). 3. Holtkamp Memorial Collection of three registered Optimara and/or Rhapsodie plants of the same type: standard, miniature, or semiminiature. 4. Robinson Collection of three registered Rob’s Violets plants, all of the same type (three single crown miniatures, three minia¬ ture trailers, three single crown semiminiatures or three semi¬ miniature trailers) or three standards. 5. Buckeye collection of three registered standard Hancock (Buckeye series) plants. SECTION II - STANDARD PLANTS, ANY TYPE BLOSSOM, GREEN FOLIAGE 6. Dark blue and purple 7. Light to medium blue 8. Light to medium pink 9. Dark pink, rose, and coral 10. Red, wine, fuchsia, and plum 11. Lavender; mauve, orchid, white, cream, and blush 12. Multicolor and chimera (all shades of blue and purple) 13. Multicolor and chimera (all shades of pink, red, and yellow) 14. Fantasy 15. All edged SECTION III - STANDARD PLANTS, ANY TYPE BLOSSOM, VARIEGATED FOLIAGE 16. Blue, purple, lavender, and orchid 17. Pink, red, fuchsia, coral, and wine 18. White, cream, and blush 19. Multicolor and chimera 20. Fantasy and all edged SECTION IV - MINIATURE PLANTS, ANY TYPE BLOSSOM 21. Purple and all shades of blue 22. Pink, coral, red, wine, and fuchsia 23. Orchid, lavender, white, cream, and blush 24. Multicolor, chimera, and all edged 25. Fantasy 26. Purple and all shades of blue, variegated foliage 27. Pink, coral, red, and fuchsia, variegated foliage 28. Orchid, lavender, white, and blush, variegated foliage 29. Multicolor, chimera, and aO edged, variegated foliage 30. Fantasy, variegated foliage SECTION V - SEMIMINIATURE PLANTS, ANY TYPE BLOSSOM 31. Purple and all shades of blue 32. Pink and coral 33. Red, wine, and fuchsia 34. Orchid, lavender, white, and blush 35. All edged 36. Multicolor and chimera 37. Fantasy 38. Purple and all shades of blue, variegated foliage. 39. Pink, coral, red, and fuchsia, variegated foliage 40. Orchid, lavender; white, and blush, variegated foliage 41. Multicolor and chimera, variegated foliage 42. All edged, variegated foliage 43. Fantasy, variegated foliage SECTION VI - TRAILERS, SPECIES AND VINTAGE VIOLETS, ANY TYPE BLOSSOM, ANY FOLIAGE 44. Standard trailers 45. Miniature trailers 46. Semiminiature trailers 47. Saintpaulia species and natural hybrids 48. Vintage Violets (must be at least 25 years old) SECTION VII - NEW CULTWARS 49. Seedlings 50. Sports or mutants SECTION VIII - AFRICAN VIOLET PLANT IN UNUSUAL CONTAINER 51. One African violet plant, either standard, miniature or semiminiature in a container 52. One African violet trailer in container SECTION DC - GESNERIADS OTHER THAN AFRICAN VIOLETS 53. Miniatures (may be displayed in regular pots or growing in clear container, cover permitted; no angle plant more than 5* in diameter) 54. Hiberous-rooted (Sinningia, Nautilocalyx, Chrysothemis, etc.) 55. Scaly-rhizomed in bloom 56. Fibrous-rooted in bloom (Streptocarpus/Streptocarpella) 57. Fibrous-rooted in bloom (Long stemmed such as Aeschynanthus, Cdumnea, Nematanthus, etc.) 58. Fibrous-rooted in bloom (All other blooming fibrous-rooted Chirita, Episcia, Petrocosmea, Alsobia, etc.) 59. Gesneriads grown for ornamental foliage (All Episda) 60. Gesneriads grown for ornamental foliage (Other than Episda) Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine A-l DESIGN DIVISION SECTION X - INTERPRETIVE PLANT ARRANGEMENTS All entries in this section are to be designs using one or more blooming African violet plants with other plant material. African vio¬ let plants should be removed from their pots with die root ball encased in plastic or some other material. Fresh cut, dried, treated, painted, colored plant materials, and any man-made materials are permitted. Artificial plant materials, live or dead creatures, and the American or other national flags are not permitted. Accessories, back¬ drops, and/or draping are permitted. Tables in all classes are cov¬ ered in white. The niches are white. Class 61 - Great American Ballpark - "Me Me Out To The Ballgame” has been a familiar tune for many years in Cincinnati. Cincinnati has the oldest professional team in baseball. A plant arrangement honoring the REDS and the New Cinergy Great American Ballpark. To be staged in a niche 28*H X24"W X15TD. Limit 8 entries. Class 62 - High Atop Mt. Adams - Winding streets through an old world atmosphere of historic and new architecture offer spec tacukr river views as well as unique shopping and dining. Interpret this hip and historic community in your design. To be staged in a nirhp V 1 V n»n r ^ & U U1 d niche 22"H X 18*W X 12*D. limit 6 entries. Class 63 - Findlay Market - An open air marketplace that is a Cincinnati tradition, to operation since 1852. Famous for feh pro¬ duce. eftnK foods within, and Old World atmosphere, lb be spLd in a ruche 22'H X 18-W X 12'D. Limit 6 entries 8 Class 64 - Main Strasse Visited - This historic 19th century German village located to Covington. Kentucky entertains^ of its 19th centuiy origins in yout plant design. To be staved niche 22*H X 18"W x 12’D. Limit 6 entries ^ ^ Ctoss 65 - Arnoflf Center For The Performing Arts - The centoris three theatera present more than 10,000 anAdttts aS BalfeL Feature your favorite an form in a plant arraneenvSS sta^d in a niche 28-H X 24*W X 15-D. Limit ^ Class 66 • A German Taste - Mecklenburg Gardens is on the National Register of HistoTp^^^ ,aurant mirrinnr hipr an . , wtes - features are an outdoor bier garten. an indoor pub, and intimate dining r capture me German spirit in your design. To be sta^T ' 28*H X 24"W 15"D. Limit 8 entries. 10 ** ^ed in a niche Oass 67 - Riverboats - These paddle wheek^ to enjoy the vibrant Cincinnati skyline, scenic hh au ™ quew ^ entries. A 12 T>- Umit 6 Each design win use fresh-cut African v mane materials are permitted. No artifiS'nb^ 6 ^’ andrnan ' drad creatures, nor the .American or other naftaS?’ “ ve * nutted. Accessories, backdrops, and/or draping ** P»- restricted by individual classes. Tables in afl unless white. When niches are used, they are white ^ C0Vered in Class 68 - Riverfest - August Slstisaday^oe^ n liter capped by a 35 minute fireworks disnb to su m- mujar that has become one of the 10 bigger iL5^ 0nize d to merits in A-2 Supplement t •February 2005 Class 69 - Racing at Turfway - Thrill to live horse racing at Ttirfway Park! Located at Florence, Kentucky, it is just 10 mmnfn south of Cincinnati and adjacent to the bluegrass region of race¬ horse feme. Include a representation of horse racing in your desp. To be staged in a niche 28"H X 24"W X 1ST). Unfit 6 entries. Class 70 - Go Bengals! - The orange and brown Bengal uniforms bring to mind fall and football. You can root for the Bengals wibai arrangement suggesting fall. To be shown in a 22"HX 18"WX 12'D niche. Limit 8 entries. Class 71 - Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Home to 3 museums and the Omnimax Theater, the building once was a great railroad terminal with bustling travelers. Stage a frozen moment in time of this historic terminal turned museum in your flower design to be presented in a 22"H X 18"WX 12"D niche. limit 8 entries. Class 72 - Newport Aquarium - Thousands of aqufflic dis¬ plays from every continent and ocean. The Bizarre and the BeamM This underwater design is to be staged for viewing from the front only and at eye level. Containers must not exceed 12* in width. No backdrops or underlay permitted. Limit 10 entries. SMALL INTERPRETIVE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS All small flower arrangements will be viewed at eye level Class 73 - Adventure in Kings Island - The amusement park boasts a 15 acre water park, a haunted castle, 12 roller coasters, Scooby-Doo and gang, and 365 acres of Family Fun surrounding a model Eiffel Tower. Express a mood or activity that you find tee in a niche 10"H X 10*W X 5"D. Limit 6 entries. Class 74 - Shakespeare as You Like It - Nine plays are pre¬ sented annually at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival. Present an aspect of your favorite Shakespeare play and include the title on your 3x5 card. Tb be staged in a niche 10"H X 8"W X 5’D. Limit 8 entries. Class 75 - Krohn Conservatory - Contains thousands of eis and plants in permanent and seasonal displays. The annual WW Show is worth a special trip. A flower arrangement to be displays in a niche 8"H X 6"W X 4”D. Limit 8 entries. Class 76 - Cinergy Children’s Museum - The Children’s Musa® is a part of the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Tfenninal^ are several hands-on exhibit areas for infants to 10year dren. This is a small arrangement that a child would enjoy. * exceed 8" in any direction. To be staged on am individual base, underlay is permitted but a backdrop is not Limit 8 entries. African i SECTION XII - CONTAINER GARDENS ^ These designs are miniature gardens or landscapes more blooming African violet plants and other growing plant ^ lmens - ^ Plants must be planted in the container. See Class Jfmer size. No cut plant materials, artificial plant materKd^ dead creatures, American or other national flags are pe® 1 ^ i ^ ess °ries are optional. No limit on number of entries but only one entry by each exhibitor in each dte* 77 “ F <»rt Ancient State Memorial - A P re ^^ Rden t ^>rk built on a plateau by the Hopewell Indians. F^^^ ^compasses about 100 acres containing remains of vm? ^jUfctr mounds that were used as a calendar. mdu de one or mnr, i„ ^ design, not to exceed ’ andBotani< :«^ “ one or more circles '-‘ass 78 - CS ® 18 75. There ou? r Magazine over 580 animal speaes l rhinoceros, white Bengal tigers, elephants, and giraffes in natural settings that are both hilly and rocky. A natural garden not to exceed 12 inches. Class 79 - Little Miami Bike Trail - With a little personal time there is biking on this trail that winds through a natural setting that includes trees, hills, and a river. Design a terrarium not to exceed 20 inches in any direction. Class 80 - The Heart of the City - Since 1871 Fountain Square and its 43 foot Tyler Davidson Fountain have been the spectacu¬ lar setting for Cincinnati gatherings. The central figure of this Bavarian fountain is the Genius of Water which signifies Mother Nature and the origin of water as rain. Her open arms welcome all while her flowing waters spread a mist refreshing visitors on warm days. Create a sense of this fountain, the heart and soul of the city, in your dish garden that is not to exceed 12 inches in any direction. SPECIAL EXHIBITS DIVISION SECTION Xffl-EDUCATION EXHIBIT 81. Education exhibit (by invitation only) COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE DIVISION SECTION XIV-SPECIMEN PLANTS A. COLLECTIONS 82. AVSA Collections-Standard Plants 83. AVSA Collections-Miniatures and Semiminiatures 84. Holtkamp Collections B. NEW CULTTVARS (from seed or mutation) 85. Standard African Violets 86. Miniature African Violets 87. Semiminiature African Violets 88. African Violet Trailers (standard, miniature, semiminiature) C. SPECIMEN AFRICAN VIOLETS 89. Standards, plain green foliage, solid color and two-tone blossoms 90. Standards, plain green foliage, all other blossoms 91. Standards, variegated foliage 92. Miniatures, plain foliage 93. Miniatures, variegated foliage 94. Semiminiatures, plain green foliage, solid color and two- tone blossoms 95. Semiminiatures, plain green foliage, all other blossoms 96. Semiminiatures, variegated foliage 97. nailers, (standard, miniature, semiminiature) 98. Saintpaulia species D. GESNERIADS OTHER THAN AFRICAN VIOLETS 99. Fibrous-rooted gesneriads in bloom 100. All other gesneriads in bloom 101. Gesneriads grown for ornamental foliage SECTION XV-SPECIMEN PLANTS 102. Display Tables 103. Commercial Showcase-Horticulture only 104. Commercial Showcase - Horticulture plus - includes a creative aspect HORTICULTURE DIVISION AMATEUR-RULES AND REGULATIONS 1. Only amateur AVSA members in good standing and registered at this convention are eligible to enter exhibits in this division. 2. ENTRIES will be accepted on Wednesday, April 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. If an entry is not entered by the owner, the name of the person making the entry must be on the back of the entry tag. Members ON TOUR ON WEDNESDAY ONLY, MUST turn in a list of their entries at the Convention registration desk on TUESDAY OR WEDNES¬ DAY and MUST receive a late pass to enter on WEDNESDAY, April 20, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. 3. Only clean, healthy plants which have been in the possession of the exhibitor for at least three months will be accepted. 4. Plants must be correctly named or they will be subject to correction by the classification committee. 5. Double potting, flared-top pots, supports, and collars will not be accepted. All pots must be non-decorative. DO NOT COVER POTS IN FOIL. Self-watering pots, such as Moist-Rite and Oyama, etc. may be entered in cokws such as white, black, green, or any neutral tone. All other plants must be slip potted into pots in colors such as white, green or any neutral tone. Slip potting means dropping the pot containing the plant into a dean pot of the same or just a fraction larger sized pot It is recommended that plastic be placed in the bottom of the outer pot to prevent leakage onto the table covering. This must be worked out prior to entry. Exception: trailers, trailing spedes, trailing gesneriads, and gesneriads in protective containers may be exhibited in the containers in which they are growing, 6. An exhibitor may enter only one plant of each variety in classes 6 through 48. 7. An exhibitor may enter plants of the same variety in classes 1,2,3,4,5,48, 49, 51, and 52 as those in classes 6 through 48. 8. All plants in classes 1 through 52 must be single-crown plants except trailers and some spedes, which may be multipie-crown. S. Amazon velutina, S. Amazon grotei, S. Sigi Falls, and S. House of Amani will be accepted in Class 47. 9. Any number of new cultivars may be entered provided they have been originated by the exhibitor from hybridization, from purchased seed, or from mutation, or the released rights in writing from the hybridizer have been given to the exhibitor for purchased seedlings. New cultivars may be entered by num¬ ber or name, and the entry tag must indicate whether it is a new cultivar from seed or mutation. A sport (mutant) may be exhibited as a “Sprat of_.” If a name has been given to the sport, the name in parenthesis may follow, such as “Sport of ‘Valencia’ (‘Dale’s Dream’).” New cultivars must not have been previously shown in an AVSA Convention Show. 10. Gesneriads (other than African violets) may be exhibited in pro¬ tective containers, and natural-colored mulch may be used on the soil surface. 11. Exhibits will be judged by die merit method of judging. The deci¬ sion of the judges will be final unless in conflict with AVSA rules or rules of the schedule. Only qualified AVSA judges will be per¬ mitted to serve as judges. 12. Only blue ribbon winners will be eligible to receive special awards. Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine A-3 13. Any African violet entered in any of the collection classes, receiving a Hue ribbon, will be eligible for other awards. 14. All African violets entered in the Holtkamp Memorial Collection, Class 3, must be AVSA registered Optimara and/or Rhapsodie plants and must be different plants of the same type. 15. All African violets entered in the Robinson Collections, Class 4, and Buckeye Collections, Class 5, must be AVSA registered. 16. Only one collection may be entered by an exhibitor in each class,* AVSA Collection, Class 1 and 2, Holtkamp Memorial Collection, Class 3, Robinson Collection, Class 4, Buckeye Collection, Class 5. 17. AVSA will afford all possible protection to exhibits but will not be responsible for any damages or losses. 18. Entries must be checked out on Saturday night, April 23. Instructions on check out will be given at die convention. 2005 DESIGN DIVISION RULES AND REGULATIONS l EXHIBITORS Both amateur and commercial AVSA members in good standing and registered at this convention are eligible to enter exhibits in this division. 2. ENTRY TIME On Wednesday, April 20, 2005, entries will be accepted 6um 9:00AM to 6^)0 PM. Entrants on tours Wednesday only may enter from 6:00 to 9:00PM. Design entry books will be closed at 9:00PM. Those desiring to enter designs after 6:00PM must notify the Design Entries Reservation Chairman in writing by the morning of Wednesday, April 20, 2005 (messages may be left at the convention registration desk). 3. ENTRIES Each exhibitor may have only one entry per class and is limited to a total erf eight entries in classes (interpretive Bower and plant arrangements) and one in each of the con¬ tainer garden classes . 4. DESIGN WORK Exhibitors will be permitted to work on their designs until 10KJ0PM on Wednesday, April 20. On Thursday, .April 21, designers may place blossoms and touch up designs from 7:00 to 8:00AM. All exhibitors and their materials must be out of the show room by 8:00AM on Thursday, April 21. 5. INDEX CARD AH exhibits must have a 3"x 5" index card list¬ ing the African violet varieties and other plant materials (if known). A written subtitle may also be included on die card. 6 . DESIGN RESERVATIONS Advance written reservations are required for aO design classes. Anyone desiring to enter designs must send a completed reservation (or copy) from this show schedule by regular mail only, postmarked no earlier than February 6,2005, nor later than April 6,2005, to-. Janice Beaty; 900 Kenwyn a, Columbus, Ohio, 43220. Commercial Horticulture Division Rules and Regulations 1. Only commercial AVSA members in good standing and regis¬ tered at this convention are eligible to enter this Division. A commercial exhibitor may enter EITHER a display table OR a commercial showcase, but not both. Exhibitors in; Section XTV. All commercial exhibitors are eligible to enter the Design Division. 2. For dates and times for entering exhibits, please refer to rale 2 under HORTICULTURE DIVISION AMATEUR. 3. All plants must be correctly named and must have been in the possession of the exhibitor for at least three months prior to convention. All African violets must be in bloom and must be single crown plants, except trailers, some species. 4. In the Specimen Plant Section, exhibitors may enter any num¬ ber of plants in each class, but only one plant of the same vari¬ ety in the same class. Exhibitors may enter plants of the same variety in the AVSA Collections, classes 82 and 83 and the Holtkanp Memorial Collection, class 84, as are entered in the other classes. Exhibitors may enter one collection in each collection class. Plants entered in the Holtkamp Memorial Collection class must be AVSA registered Optimara/Rhapsodie plants. AVSA collections rules are the same as they are for amateurs. 5. Any African violet plant in Specimen Plant, Display Table, or Commercial Showcase sections may be designated as compet¬ ing for the AVSA Best New Cultivar Awards. Entries may be seedlings, sports, or mutants originated by the exhibitor, or rights and ownership to them released by the hybridizer, and must not have been previously shown in an AVSA Convention show. Each entry must be labeled “New Cultivar”. 6. Each display table shall contain 15 plants (no merchandise). Three, all of the same type, miniatures or semiminiatures, or miniature or semiminiature trailers shall count as a specimen plant and shall be judged as one unit The display must be pre¬ dominantly (at least 75%) African violets. Other gesneriads may be included in the 15 plants and will be judged as one unit. 7. Exhibits in die Commercial Showcase Section will be allotted table space sufficient for their display. Table covers will be neu¬ tral. Exhibits in this section shall contain 6-10 plants, either miniature, semiminiature, standard, or trailing African violets, or other gesneriads. Showcases must be predominantly (more than 50%) African violets or designs using African violets. Class 103, Commercial Showcase-Horticulture only shall be a collection of 6-10 plants with NO embellishment Class 104, Commercial Showcase-Horticulture plus must include a cre¬ ative aspect and may include designs (flower or plant arrange¬ ments or container gardens) incorporating African violets. Each design will count as the equivalent of one entry. No merchan¬ dise will be allowed in this section. 8. In Commercial Showcases each entry in the exhibit will be judged. Class 103 shall use standard plant name and entry tags supplied by Entries. In Class 104, the exhibitor has the option to use the standard plant name tag provided by Entries, or to provide his own tag or diagram. The entry’ book number of each plant or arrangement must appear on the tag or dia¬ gram, For class 104, no ribbon awards will be given,- instead, each showcase with all blue ribbon exhibits will receive a ing how awards were determined. 9. A 6' table with three tiers will be furnished for each exhibitor in tire Display Ttible Section.Uniformly covered tables shaft be furnished. The exhibitor may provide their own covering. Cobred lights which distort or enhance the color of the plants wiil not be permitted. dal showcase class may also enter specimen horticulture, A-4 Supplement to January • February 2005 Apkican Violet Magazine 10. Any shape and type of pot for specimen plants will be per¬ mitted except flared top pots. Supports and collars will not be permitted. Pots in the specimen plant section must be slip pot¬ ted into clean, non-decorative pots in colors such as white, green, or any neutral tone. The bottom of the pot containing the plant must be completely covered with plastic or aluminum foil. The pot is then inserted into a pot of the same size or shape. The inside pot may be of any color and may extend above the rim of the outside pot. Exceptions to slip potting are self con¬ tained reservoirs (i.e., Oyama, Moist Rite, etc.) in colors such as white, green, black, or any neutral tone. Pots in the Display Thbie Section do not have to be covered and may be elevated and tilted with individual pot holders. 11. Prior to judging, signs, cards, or codes identifying the exhibitor may not be displayed on the display tables or commercial showcases. 12. Exhibits will be judged by the merit method of judging. The decision of the judges is final unless in conflict with AVSA rules or rules of the schedule. Only qualified AVSA judges will be permitted to serve as judges. 13. Only blue ribbon winners will be eligible to receive awards. 14. Entries in the Display Thble Section and the Commercial Showcase Section will not count toward Commercial Sweepstakes or Design Sweepstakes Awards. 15. Rosettes will be awarded as merited to the exhibitors receiving first, second, and third highest number of points in each Display Table and Commercial Showcase class. An Honorable Mention Rosette will be awarded to the exhibitor receiving the fourth highest number of points. 16. AVSA will afford all possible protection to exhibits but will not be responsible for any damages or losses. 17. To reserve a display table, space for a commercial showcase, or for further information, contact Kathy Bell, 9611 E. Blanding Lane, Tucson, AZ 85747, e-mail kkbell@Ag.arizona.edu Reservations must be made no later than March 1,2005. African Violet Society of America, Inc. 2005 Tours - Cincinnati, Ohio Tour #l Delhi Gardens, Gold Star Chili, Jungle Jj Monday, April 18,2005 8:30 am - 4:30 pm I Family owned since 1960, this is Cincinnati’s pre¬ mier garden center. They pride themselves in offering the best products and plants in the area. There is a large gift shop containing a wide selec- We will stop for lunch on your own at Cincinnati’s famous Gold Star Chili. Afterwards, hold on to your hats folks, as we head to Jungle Jim’s International Market. Here we will be met by our Safari guide and hear about how this immense, festive market started. It is the only international supermarket of its kind with four acres of food all under one roof. Animated cartoons can be found throughout the building. There is also a large bakery and an extra large cheese selection as well as just about anything you would like to try. We will be given a tour with about nine samples to taste. There will be bakery items, cheese, perhaps chili, and whatever else is planned for the day. You will be able to shop for your favorite snack to take back to the hotel. Cost $31.00 Tour #2 Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee, Sightseeing Cruise Monday, April 18,2005 9-30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. You will gain a whole new perspective on sea life as you travel around the world to the ocean’s depths, the river’s edge, and the fringe of the Antarctic frontier. You will see the bizarre, the beau¬ tiful, the dangerous, and the deadly, including the clear acrylic tunnel that takes you through the 380,000 gallon shade habitat. Also, visit Gator Bayou, Kingdom of Penguins, and the baby ' Ray nursery. Wear comfortable walking shoes. It is totally handicapped and wheelchair ' accessible, and there are places to sit and rest. Visit on the web Located in the same complex is Newport on the Levee, featuring at an Irish pub or just grab a hamburger from Johnny Rockets. For a list of all of the shops and restaurants visit www.NewpottontheLevee.com . Then it’s off to the Covington Landing for an afternoon sightseeing cmise on the scenic Ohio River. This one hour tong narrated cruise on one of the B&B Riverboats’ paddle wheelers will give you a glimpse of sights on both sides of the river. Cash bar and snacks are available. Visit their website for more information w ww,bt>riy£ to t§. COm . Benken’s Florist & Museum Center 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Today we will travel northeast of to Loveland. We will begin our tour in Benken’s Greenhouse which has been family owned for 75 years. Benken’s has twenty-five greenhous¬ es in this one location. They pride themselves on a large selection of ..mw'mwi. jyuumj imjj-. ■ blooming plants and fresh cut flowers for floral work. We will meet the owners who will give us a background and perhaps a small presentation of some of the work they do. e information go to w ww, .be, nkenflQ , ri gt. ; c o m . Next, we board the bus and travel past the Great American Ball Park and the Bengal's Stadium on our way to the Cincinnati Museum Center in the Union Terminal Building. This building opened as a pies of art deco architecture. Discover Cincinnati’s rich heritage in recreated scenes at the museum. Experience the thrill and awe of a movie on the five-story wrap around domed screen eft the Robert D Linder Family Omni Max Theater Lunch will be on your own. For more Cost $36 § 00 * ^ Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine A-5 Toot #4 Krohn Conservatory/Rookwood/Art Museum Tuesday, April 19th, 2005 8-30 am - 4:30 pm Our journey today travels through Cincinnati on a short drive to Eden Park to visit the Historic Krohn Conservatory, Cincinnati’s “Paradise Under Glass”. This building has a Tropical Forest House, Palm House, Seasonal Floral Display House, Bonsai Collection, Desert House, and Orchid Room. The floral display is beautiful so be sure to bring your camera. fake some time in the Conservatory’s Gift Shop. For more information, visit www.cinci-parks.org . We leave the Conservatory and travel up a winding, narrow road past an eclectic group of homes to the Rookwood Pottery Restaurant for lunch on your own. This building was a pottery factory in the early 1800’s featuring pottery with a jewel-like porcelain finish which is highly collectable. Pottery lines the walls of the restaurant which was once a real kiln. Enjoy a meal from their widely varied menu. Next, we travel down the hill to the Cincinnati Art Museum which has three stories of art and sculpture under one roof. The museum was founded in 1831 and today holds a permanent collection of nearly one hundred thousand pieces of the world’s greatest art spanning six thou- Cost $35.00 Tour #5 Kentucky Horse Park, Yuko on the Elkhora Wednesday, April 20th, 2005 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Start the day with a scenic drive down 1-75 to the only park in the world ded- enjoy “Swan Lake.” More information is available c Then it will be off to Covington’s Mainstrasse Village, five blocks of restored 19th century historic buildings where you can enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants, or just browse in one of die shops offering vintage and handcrafted items. There is also the “Glockenspiel," the German gothic structure that plays a 43 bell carillon hourly, pre¬ senting a mini concert and enactment of the Pied Piper of Hamlin. For a list of restaurants and shops you can horse. At this home to over 40 differ¬ ent breeds of horses, you will be able t visit 2 museums, including the world famous American Saddle bred Museum, s 2 live shows, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and see a movie on the history of horses and horse racing. You will see firsthand how a working horse farm operates, as well as visit the award winning gift shop packed with one-of-a-kind equine items. Lunch will be on your own at the cafeteria-style restaurant located right on the grounds. Wear comfortable walking shoes. It is totally handicapped accessible. For more information and a live web cam look at the park, visit www.kvhorsepark.com. Next, it’s back on the bus for a short ride to Georgetown, known as the Antique capital of Kentucky and frame to Georgetown College training camp for the Cincinnati Bengals. While there, we will visit Yuko on the Elkhom, the official Kentucky-japan friendship garden and one of the largest Japanese gardens in America. Cost $40.00 T °u* #6 Cincinnati Zoo, Mainstrasse Village, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption Wednesday, April 20,2004 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Start the day with a visit to the World Famous Cincinnati Zoo Center for the Research of Endangered Wildlife, where the African about what “CREW” is doing for the preservation of endangered plant life, you will tour the laboratories and get to meet and speak with several of foe scientists working on the endangered plant propagation program. You will also see the frozen garden, the tissue culture propagation area. are grown. Following the “CREW” u uaac will be a short tour erf the Botanical Gardens, or if you prefer, you can visit any of die other zoo exhibits or just sit on one of the many benches and We’ll finish the day at the St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, the French gothic replica of Notre Dame in Paris. It fea¬ tures 80 stained glass church windows, including the world’s largest Made in Munich in 1910, these windows depict the life of Jesus as a child, the adult Jesus, as well as windows depicting the 5 miracles and Today we will travel south on 1-75 to quaint Georgetown, Kentucky, home of Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky. We begin with a tour of the manufacturing facility where Camiys, Soioras, aid Avalons are assembled. For security reasons we are unable to cany backpacks or purses with us; however, identification will be needed as we sign in at the visitor center. We will see a short film about the cars then pick up our safety glasses and headsets as we board the tram for our ride through die factory. Our knowledgeable guide will explain the procedure of assembling each vehicle, starting from initial stamp¬ ing to final inspection. It is thrilling to see the completed car being dri¬ ven off the assembly line. This Toyota facility sits on approximately 1,300 acres with 7.5 million square feet under roof. TMMK is the largest Toyota Plant outside of Japan. We nort fr to the Kentucky Speedway, one of the newest tracks to be built. This track has fMPPlJI a NASCAR Truck Race, an Indy Car Race, as well * as a driving school. Our tour starts in the gift shop and proceeds with a visit to the infield, garages, media center, and Victory Circle. Then (die most fun erfall), we get to take the bus for a lap around the race track! Lunch is on your own. Cost $26.00 Tour #8 Grand Victoria Casino Thursday, April 21,2005 8:30 am - 12:30 pm This half day trip will take you down one of the most scenic byways in Indiana, along the Ohio River, and through 2 historic towns on your way to one of the plush¬ est riverboat casinos in the country. You will enjoy a wide variety of Las Vegas style casino games in addi¬ tion to an expansive area of slot machines. This sta¬ tionary boat is completely handicapped accessible. You will r $5 voucher that you may exchange for tokens or use tov award winning buffet Cost $32.00 Tour #9 Dinner Cruise on the River Queen Friday, April 22,2005 5:30 pm - 1 LOO pm Enjoy the lovely sunset on the deck of an tljsjss*' authentic paddle wheeler, followed by a delicious / dinner and a 3 hour cruise on the lovely OIho ' 1 River. This buffet style dinner includes carved roast sirloin of beef and seasoned boneless chicken breast parsley new potatoes, southern style green beans, mixed salad greens, choice of dressings, fresh baked dinner rolls, freshly brewed coffee and tea, with New York style cheesecake for dessert. A cash bar is also available. It is completely handicapped accessible and will make ex' a most enjoyable and memorable evening. For more information, visit WWW.bbriverboafs y nm Cost $60.00 A-6 Supplement to January • February 2005 African Vmjrr Magazine MEAL FUNCTION SEATING Reservations received on or before March 17, 2005 will receive table assignments. All reservations received after that date will have unreserved seating at meal functions. Special meal requests must be made to the AVSA Office at time of registration. Requests made directly to the hotel will not be honored. Just A Reminder On Friday and Saturday, there is a $5.00 admission fee to the show and sales room for those not registered for the convention. You must have your name badge to avoid the fee. One Day Registration - If you cannot join us for the entire convention, you may want to take advantage of the one-day registration which will allow you to enter the sales and show room, attend presentations and attend meal functions on the day that you are there. Commuter Fee - it has become necessary to add a fee to those registrants who elect not to stay at the convention hotel. This fee does not apply to anyone staying at their principal residence. We are being forced to pay for more of our meeting space, tables, and other equipment which was at one time all complimentary. These charges increase when we don’t meet the room block for the hotel. This commuter fee is the equivalent of one night’s lodging. Don’t forget the AVSA Auction at the Friday Luncheon! “Meet the Board of Directors” Luncheon This year we will again open the Wednesday Luncheon to all members. Meet your officers and board members in an informal setting. Avoid the crowds at the restaurants. Relax and dine with your friends. Come one, come all!! Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine A-7 59th Annual AVSA Convention & Show Sunday, April 17,2005 to Sunday, April 24,2005 " Violets Reign in the Queen City " 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 9-30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. SUNDAY, April 17, 2005 AVSA Convention Pre-Con Registration Information MONDAY, April 18, 2005 Registration Tour #1 - Delhi Gardens, Gold Star Chili, Jungle Jim’s Information Tour #2 - Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee, Sightseeing Cruise Registration Information 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 am. 8:00 a.m. to Completion 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 8:30 am. to 4:30 p.m. 9:00 am. to 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. to 5^)0 pm, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm. 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 am. 7:30 am. to 3:30 pm. 8:00 a.m. to S:45 a.m. 8:30 am. to 4:30 p.m. 8:30 am. to 4:30 p.m. 9:00 am. to 11:30 am. 9:00 am. to Completion 9:00 am. to 12:00 noon 10:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 2:00 pm. to 700 pm. 300 p.m. to 400 pm. 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 pm. 600 p.m, to 900 pm. 700 pm. to 7:45 pm. 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. 8:15 pm. to 9:45 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 700 am. to 800 am. 7:00 am. to 11:00 am. 800 am. to 400 pm. TUESDAY, April 19, 2005 Executive Board Meeting Tour #3 - Benken’s Florist and Museum Center Tour #4 - Krohn Conservatory, Rookwood, Art Museum Information Registration Information Convention Committee Meeting Shows and Judges Committee Meeting WEDNESDAY, April 20, 2005 Judging School New Director's Orientation Tour #5 - Kentucky Horse Park, Yuko on the Elkhora SIL- “ at ‘ ** Mainstrasse Village, Cathedral i Ways & Means Thble, Minneapolis Promotional Table Meet the Board of Directors” Luncheon Awards Committee meeting ^esaent’s Reception for Board of Directors Ctofica^ and Entries -FOR THOSE ON TOURS ONLY SocialBnak' ton ' eiffl0n and New toaoducdon Slides J 10 f ete :- A Growers Forum r the night Design Exhibitors will be THURSDAY, April 21,: permitted to “touch up” > and replace blossoms only. A-8 Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. to Completion 9:00 am. to 11:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. to Completion 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. to Completion 9:30 p.m. to 12:00 m/n 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. I0KX) a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 9.-00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 10:00 ajn. to 11:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Judges and Clerks Instructions Tour #8 - Grand Victoria Casino Judging of Show Hospitality Room Open AVSA Information and Sales Presentation #1 - “African Violets in Japan” by Kazuo Horikoshi Presentation #2 - “Basic Skills of Growing African Violets” by Sharon Holtzman Ways & Means Me, Minneapolis Promotional Me Commercial Sales Open AVSA Information and Sales Publications Committee Meeting Hospitality Room Open Information Registration Photography - Library and AVM Membership & Promotions Committee meeting Nominating Committee meeting Future Conventions Meeting Opening Reception (cash bar) Opening Dinner - Show awards will be announced Show opens to AVSA Convention Registrants Only FRIDAY, April 22, 2005 Showroom open to photographers only Teacher’s Breakfast Information Registration Affiliates Breakfast & Meeting Hospitality Room Open AVSA Information & Sales Show Room Open Commercial Sales Open Presentation #3 - “Sports, Mutants, and Seedlings: In Search of the Queen” by Dr. Jeff Smith Presentation #4 - “Violets in the Thita Hills of Kenya" by Dr. Kamua Mbuthia Ways & Means Thble, Minneapolis Promotional Me Luncheon and Auction Information Registration AVSA Information & Sales Hospitality Room Open Presentation #5 - “Design Mechanics: A Panel Discussion” - Leonard Re, Moderator Panelists: Karyn Qchodd, Jeanne Cotten and Mary Everting Presentation #6 - “Preservation of African Violet Species" by Dr. Valerie Prince Tour #9 - Dinner Cruise on the River Queen Commercial Dinner SATURDAY, April 23, 2005 Judges’ Breakfast and Workshop Registration Information Hospitality Room Open AVSA Information & Sales Show Room Open Commercial Sales Open Presentation #7 - “StreptocarpusT by David Thompson Presentation #8 - “Hands on Propagation” by Pat and Gary Dunlap ($10.00 fee) Agriculture Officials available to certify plant materials for transportation into controlled countries and states Ways & Means Me, Minneapolis Promotional Thble Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine A-9 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.ra. 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. to Completion 8:45 pjn. to 10:15 p.m. 8:45 p.m. to 12:00 m/n 9:15 p.m. 12:00 m/n Violets “On Line” Meeting Presentation #9 - “Advanced Judging of Trailers” by Bev Promersberger Presentation #10 - “British African Violets" by Gwen Goodship Hospitality Room Open Annual Membership Meeting and Open Forum President’s Reception and Hospitality Hour (cash bar) Installation Banquet Commercial Display Tables Checkout Commercial Sales Breakdown Entry Checkout Begins Show Room Closes 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 6.00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon SUNDAY, April 24, 2005 Commercial Sales Breakdown Local Storage Clean-up Commercial Storage Clean-up Show Room Clean-up Board of Directors meeting Directions to Drawbridge Inn From Lexington/ Louisville 1-75 to Exit 186 (Buttermilk Pike), Right off the Exit, Left at 1st light onto Royal Drive From Dayton or downtown I-75 South to Exit 186 (Buttermilk Pike), Left off Cincinnati the Exit, Left at 2nd light onto Royal Drive From Indianapolis From Huntington WV From Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky 1-74 East to 1-75 South to Exit 186 (Buttermilk Pike), Left off the Exit, Left at the 2nd light onto Royal Drive 1-64 west to 1-75 north to Exit 186 (Buttermilk Pike) Right off the Exit, Left at 1st light onto Royal Drive 1-275 East to 1-75 North to Exit 186 (Buttermilk Pike), Right off the Exit, Left at 1st light onto Royal Dr. International Airport Airport Shuttle The hotel runs a free shuttle to/from the airport every half hour from 4:30 AM to 2:00 AM. To ensure that the shuttle finds you, you may contact the hotel upon your arrival at (859) 341 -2800. They wfil direct you to the pickup location. You may also contact them prior to your arrival, if you A-10 Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine CINCINNATI, OHIO AVSA CONVENTION PRESENTATIONS 1. African Violets in Japan Thursday, April 21,2005 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. By Kazuo Horikoshi, Tokyo, Japan The Japanese people love African violets, but growing conditions there are very different from the United States. They have adapted using materials such as sili¬ cic add and ground oyster shells. The violet and gesneriad growing community there has flourished for thirty years. Kazuo has been a part of this long history by actively importing violets, attending AVSA conventions, and sharing some of the remarkable sports that have occurred on his continent. He will share photos of the people and plants there and give some insight into the differences and sim¬ ilarities of growing and showing in eastern Asia. 2. Basic Skills of Growing African Violets Thursday, April21.2005 10:00 to It:30a.m. By Sharon Holtzman, Newtown, Ohio especially n violets and has served as president of several of the n AVSA judge. She is also the hybridizer of the “Newtown" it local garden cen¬ ters and clubs and brings a great deal of expertise to this workshop. This is a fine opportunity for novices to learn the essentials of growing 3. Sports, Mutants, and Seedlings: m Search of the Queen Friday, April 22, 2005 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Dr. Jeff Smith, Indiana Academy, Bail State University, Muncie, Indiana Dr. Smith has been working with African violet genetics for over 20 years, researching, hybridizing and assembling one of the world's largest collections of mutations and seedlings and give historical e the world of African violets. He will also apply the science of genetics to the judg¬ ing of plants in die sport and seedling classes. Learn some ideas on how to deter- 10:00 to 11:30 a Violets in the Thita Hills of Kenya Friday, April 22, 2005 The Boyce Edens Research Fund supported Dr. F ject studying forest ecology in the Thita Hills of Kenya in 2002.1 ed the habitat of one of the rarest and most endangered African violet spedes, Saintpaulia teienas. Qmenlfy serving as an instructor at Bowfeig Seen Stale Uravasiy, Dr. Mbuthia will report on the results of the study and the conservation issues relat¬ ing to the preservation of S. teitensis in the area. His academic credentials include undergraduate studies in Kenya, a master’s degree from the United Kington, and a Ph.D. from United States. In addition. Dr. Mbuthia has been involved in tire con- Design Mechanics, A Panel Discussion Friday, April 22,2005 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Moderator: Leonard Re, Fountain Valley, California Panelists: Mary Everting Columbus, Ohio; Jeanne Cotten, Hilsa, Oklahoma; Katyn Ciehocki, Lafayette, New Jersey the materials that really work in the delicate art of designing with African violets. Led by the engaging Leonard Re, three diverse but highly successful designers will share their tips and photos. Mary Everting brings professional florist experi- a former teacher and a Master Judge with the National Council of Garden dubs, who has a very expressive style with a tod box that is the envy of designers every¬ where. Karyn Cichoki grows plants as well as she designs, combining a knowl- i “think outside the box” approach. This should be ew to design, and help experienced designers find e dependable for executing the most creative ideas. 6 . Preservation of African Violet Species Friday, April 22,2005 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Valerie Pence, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, Ohio Valerie Pence is cm a mission to preserve African violet species, especially S. rupicola, in toe wild, by mastering tire technique of cryopreserving tissue cul- edge gained \ r. Jeff Smith, in a team project with e East African Herbarium of the National Museums of Kenya, progress that is being made in the study ami how the knowl- x applied in the future if populations of the spedes become 7. Streptocarpus! Saturday, April 23,2005 lCfcOO to 11:30 a.m. David Thompson, Waterloo, Iowa Did you catch the fever? Streptocarpus fever? Ever since we first saw the hybridiz¬ ing work of David Thompson in Chicago, there has been an outbreak of enthusi¬ asm for this wonderful relative of violets. David, who has a PhD in systematic botany and taxonomy, does his scientific resea and Mimulus (monkey flowers). Horticulture is just his hobby; he enjoys grow¬ ing many kinds of plants, induding African violets. His hybridizing work lately has focused on streps, however, and he will share photos of some of his newest creations, as well as share some of his techniques for growing them to perfection. Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine A-ll African Violet Society of America, Inc. 59th Annual Convention and Show April 17-April 24,2005 • Drawbridge Inn - Ft Mitchell, KY Call for 2005 Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of The African Violet Society of America. Inc. win he held Saturday. April 23, 2005. at 2:45 p.m. at Drawbridge Inn. Ft. Mitchell. KY tor the purpose of electing Officers and Directors and transacting business that may properly come before The Assembly. Call for 2005 Board of Directors Meeting The African Violet Society of America, Inc. Board of Directors Meetings will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2005, 9:00 a.m. - 12.-00 noon at Drawbridge Inn, Ft Mitchell. KY and Sunday. April 24. 2005. for the purpose of t rans ac tin g business that may properly come before the Board of Directors. Call for 2005 Open Forum Meeting The 19th annual Open Forum meeting of the Board of Directors of the African Violet Society of America. Inc. will be held Saturdav, April 23. 2005 at Drawbridge Inn, Ft. Mitchell. KY. This will take place the first twenty minutes of the Annual Meeting. At this time, the Board of Directors of AVSA will welcome any and all . , . Registration For Judging School For Students & Certificate Renewals An AVSA judging school will be held on Wednesday, April 20. for AVSA members who wish to take their first judge s school and I> judges w lie wiers are listed correctly (including commuter fee) Total Meals Total Tburs TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED NOTE: Cancellations must be received by March 17, 2005 to be entitled to a refund There will be a $5.00 fee for all cancellations. ' completed registration form to: □ Visa# Expires □ MasterCard #__ Expires _ □ Check or Money Order Enclosed NEW: Wherever possible, confirmations v AVSA 2005 CincinnaO c^ve^ofTcrower’s Forum “Let Me Tell you About My Violets”. .. Grower's Forum April 20,2005.8:15 p.m. .lack Wilson . 011 Robinson, Paul Sorano, and Pat Hancock TWs is YOUR opportunity to “ask the experts”. If you have and nth < ^ uest * ons a b° ut any aspect of growing African violets ®her Gesneriads - horticulture, pests, diseases, hybridizing, Ac-!? T c ‘ lemic als. planting techniques, and perhaps even using Afocan vriete in designs - don’t miss this opportunity. This open __forum is always a favorite among convention-goers. A-14 Supplement to January . February 2005 Ahucan Vkwt Ma GA2we Hotel Reservation 2005 AVSA Convention Show and Annual Membership Meeting The African Violet Society of America, Inc. Ft Mitchell, KY 41017 In Kentucky (800) 352-9866 Outside Kentucky (800) 354-9793 Sharing Room with_ Make check or money onto payable to Drawbridge ton. Qp not send currency. To confirm your reservations, the hotel accepts any one of the following as means of paymenfc - Drawbridge L : African Violet St $82.00 (up to 4 persons p< Garison Building (detached) _Double (two persons) _Triple (three persons) _Quad (four persons) An early checkout fee of J Bed types available: (double-double, queen) Reservations most be received by: March j 7.2005 The AVSA reserved room block will be released after this date. i anyone leaving before their scheduled check out date. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to/from the Hotel and Airport. Call for pickup. Be sure to indicate flight arrival time on your registration form. “Violets Reign in the Queen City” by Thelma Miller - Show Chairman and Mary Martin - Vice Show Chairman We hope everyone is planning to enter our 2005 Convention Show. All of our committees are hard at work to make sure you and your plants and designs have a smooth entry. We think you'll find this show to be one of the easiest to access because the hotel is laid out perfectly for entries. There will be easy access to the classification and grooming area. The show room is large so we will have lots of room to display all of your exhibits. We are looking forward to seeing all of you in Cincinnati! Supplement to January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine A-15 HOSTS - HOSTESSES Cincinnati and AVSA Need You More individuals than ever before are needed to host the Cincinnati show room! The Show will be open to the public for two full davs and the public will be paying an admission fee. Hosts are needed to greet our guests as they enter the room, to verify that they have paid admission, to encourage them to ask questions, and to invite them to join AVSA (the cost of admission will be applied to their AVSA membership dues). This is an important job!! If you would be willing to serve for a one hour shift, please complete the coupon below by March 17, 2005, and send it to- HoDv Jerig, 4540 Vista Dr., Canal Winchester, OH 43110 ierigh@nationwide.mm ° Uy R.v , --_;___Address_ ^1181 C *y - - : ' ' - Sme _ a P Phone ~~ * Preferred time: Friday _or Saturday_ IS ROOM SHARING FOR YOU?. Room stating has become vety successful. Are you interested in making your expenses less by sharing a room with someone? We offer this service to anyone interested. ; Address _ - state _Zip_ Phone_ $82.00 - Main Building $72.00 Garison Building (detached) Plus Thx of 10.24% Non-Smoker- Smoker_ No Preference_ Age: Under 25_ 26-50__ 51 and Over_ Amval Date:__ Departure Date:_ Any other considerations: - Name. City __ imSately 11 ^ considered y° ur P kns 311(1 to share a sleeping room with someone, PLEASE contact the AVSA Office hotel re^rvration^whLh^s^AarclfT7*2005^ 2005 80 We ma ^ contact 311 interested “violet friends" and meet the deadline for Please send requests to: AVSA Office, 2375 North Street, Beaumont, TX 77702-1722. Phone (800) 770-2872 WANTED! Slides for Social Hour Please share your slides of our 58th Tucson AZ C«w>Hon. They will be shown at the Wednesday SSK* ^ Wo “ «* request them to be returned YOU «ease send your shdes by Man* 17,8005 to: NeneyG-Hayes 9 Cobblestone Rd. Bloomfield^ CT 06002-3003 ATTENTIONS Hybridizers WANTED: Photo slides of New Introductions for the Wednesday Nisht Social at the 2005 Convention in Cincinnati. This year's narrator will be Nancy Hayes. This is an excellent way for seasoned and beginning hybridizers to introduce their new HYBRIDS. Please send two (2) slides of each new plant; one viewing the plant and the other a close-up of the blossom. Please include with your slides a written description of each slide, marked with a corresponding number for clarification. Send your slides before March 17, 2005, to: Nancy Hayes 9 Cobblestone Rd. Bloomfield, CT 06002-3003 2005 African Violet Magazine Mistral Exhibited by: Esther Hopkins Hybridized by: Michael Tremblay Standard Photo Credit: Winston J. Goretsky Frosted Whisper Exhibited by: Bruno Curcuruto Hybridized by: R. Scott Large Photo Credit: Winston J. Goretsky January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 33 2005 Convention Awards Cincinnati, Ohio by Sue Hoffman Society Awards - Amateur Horticulture Division Best African Violet in Show - $50 & Hi-color rosette 2nd Best African Violet in Show - $35 & rosette 3rd Best African Volet in Show - $25 & rosette Best Standard - $25 & rosette Best Hailer - $25 & rosette Best Semiminiature - $25 & rosette Best Miniature - $25 & rosette Best Species - $25 & rosette Best Vintage Volet - $25 & rosette Best Other Gesneriad - $25 & rosette Sweepstakes in Horticulture - $50 & rosette Sweepstakes Runner-up in Horticulture - $25 & rosette Best Standard AVSA Collection - $50 & Gold rosette 2nd Best Standard AVSA Collection - $25 & Purple rosette Best Mini/Semimini AVSA Collection - $50 & Gold rosette 2nd Best Mini/Semimini AVSA Collection - $25 & Purple rosette Society Awards - Design Division Best Design in Show -$50 & Hi-color rosette 2nd Best Design in Show - $35 & rosette 3rd Best Design in Show - $25 & rosette Sweepstakes in Design - $50 & rosette Sweepstakes Runner-up in Design - $25 & rosette Society Awards - Commercial Specimen Plants Best African Violet in show - $50 & rosette 2nd Best African Violet in show - $35 & rosette 3rd Best African Violet in show - $25 & rosette Sweepstakes in Specimen plants - $50 & rosette Best Other Gesneriad - $25 & rosette Best Standard AVSA Collection - $50 & Gold rosette 2nd Best Standard AVSA Collection - $25 & Purple rosette Best Mini/Semimini AVSA Collection - $50 & Gold rosette 2nd Best Mini/Semimini AVSA Collection - $25 & Purple rosette Best New Cultivar - $75, Blue rosette & plaque 2nd Best New Cultivar - $50 & Red rosette 3rd Best New Cultivar - $25 & White rosette Specified Awards - Commercial Division Best Holtkamp Collection - $300 & rosette - Holtkamp Greenhouses (TN) 2nd Best Holtkamp Collection - $200 & rosette - Holtkamp Greenhouses (TN) 3rd Best Holtkamp Collection - $100 & rosette - Holtkamp Greenhouses (TN) Best New Cultivar - $100 - in memoiy of Frank Tlnari - Mary & Art Boland (VA) 2nd Best New Cultivar - $25 - Janet Riemer (NJ) Specified Awards - Amateur Division Best Holtkamp Collection - $300, rosette & Coin - Holtkamp Greenhouses (TN) 2nd Best Holtkamp Collection - $200 & rosette - Holtkamp Greenhouses (TN) 3rd Best Holtkamp Collection - $100 & rosette - Holtkamp Greenhouses (TN) Best Robinson Collection - $150 & rosette - The Violet Bam (NY) 2nd Best Robinson Collection - $50 - The Violet Bam (NY) Best Buckeye Collection - $150 - Pat’s Patch/Pat Hancock (OH) 2nd Best Buckeye Collection - $50 - Pat’s Patch/ Pat Hancock (OH) Best African Volet in Show - Silver Memorial for Fannie & Elmer Hall -Ovella Hall (AR) Best Miniature - $25 - Susan Hapner (MO) Best Semiminiature - $25 - in memory of Fannie & Elmer Hall - Ovella Hall (AR) Best Species in Show - $50 - Cape Cod Violetry (MA) Best Species in Show - $15 - Hoosier AVS (IN) 2nd Best Species in Show - $10 - Hoosier AVS (IN) 2nd Best Species in Show - $25 - Nancy Hayes (CT) Best Standard Chimera - $50 - Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses (NY) Best Vintage Volet - $25 - Janet Riemer (NJ) Best Vintage Violet - $25 - in memoiy of her grandmother, Mary Etta Freeborn - Georgetta Brickey (CA) Best Girl Foliage - $25 - Sue Hoffmann (VA) Best Miniature Girl Foliage - $30 - Tampa AVS (FL) Best TUberous Gesneriad - $10 - Linda Neumann (OH) Best Sinningia - $25 - Ovella Hall (AR) Specific Variety Awards - Amateur Horticulture Best Aca’s Red Ember - $25 - Beverley Williams (ON, Canada) Best The Alps - $100 - Kazuo Horikoshi (Tokyo, Japan) Best Arizona Heat - $50 - TUcson AVS (AZ) Best Blue Tail Fly - $20 - Terri Morgan (AZ) Best Concord - $100 - Kazuo Horikoshi (Tokyo, Japan) Best Cutie (#7141) - $20 - Rocky Mountain AV Council (CO) Best Dean’s Rosalie - $25 - Shirley & Sandy Sanders (TX) Best Emilie Savage - $25 - Jim & Linda Owens (OH) Best Everdina - $45 - Hans & Everdina Inpijn (CA) Best Frozen in Time - $25 - Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses (NY) Best Irish Flirt - $50 and rosette - Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses (NY) Best “The King” (Maas) - $25 - Janet Riemer (NJ) Best Lilian Jarrett Variegated (#2902) - $75 - in memory of Frank Tlnari - Anne Tlnari (PA) Best Louisiana Lagniappe - $100 - The Baton Rouge Convention group/Elmer Godeny Best Mickey Mouse - $25 - Hans & Everdina Inpijn (CA) Best Nancy Hayes (trailer) - $25 - Nancy Hayes (CT) Best Ness’ Candy Pink - $15 - in memory of Don Ness - AVS of Minnesota (MN) Best Ness’ Cranberry Swirl - $30 - in memory of Don Ness - AVS of Minnesota (MN) Best Ness’ Crinkle Blue - $25 - in memory of Don Ness - Lakes Area Violet Growers (MN) Best Ozark Sinningia in the Sinningia class - $35 - Dave’s Violets (MO) Best Precious Pink - $50 - Hortense and Ray Pittman (TX) Best Rebel’s Splatter Kake - $25 - Ruth Bann (MN) Best Tlilsa Boy - $25 - AVS of Greater Trisa (OK) Best Vintage Wine - $25 - Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses/Paul Sorano (NY) 34 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 Specified Awards - Design Division Design Sweepstakes - $25 -Janet Riemer (NJ) Other Awards - Amateur Horticulture or Undesignated $250 donated by: Richard G. Carr, D.D.S. (OH) $200 donated by: William Sugg (TX) $100 donated by: Illinois AVS (IL) Lone Star AV Council (TX) $75 donated by: Georgetta Brickey (CA) - in memory of her grandmother, Mary Etta Freeborn $50 donated by: Ovella Hall (AR) Sylvia Leeds (TX) Bill Price (BC, Canada) Thmpa Bay Gesneriad Society (FL) $25 donated by: Alpha AVS (TX) AV Council of Southern California (CA) AVS of Rochester (NY) Nancy Amelung (MO) Betty Bartley (OH) Janice Beaty (OH) Carol Brown (VA) Doris & John Brownlie (ON, Canada) Central Texas Judges Council (TX) Cincinnati AVS (OH) Columbus AVS (OH) - in honor of Linda Owens Ronald Ennis (NJ) First AVS of Dallas (TX) First AVS of Spartanburg (SC) First Lakeland AVS (FL) First Nighter AVS (TX) Bill & Paula Foster (TX) Dolores Gibbs (TX) Bill & Gerri Goins (TX) Jan’s Workshop - Jan Davidson (TX) Lakeshore AVS of Toronto (ON, Canada) Nelly Levine (CO) Ruth & Will Loomis (AZ) Magic Knight AVS (TX) Mary Martin (OH) Mid Polk AVS (FL) Missouri Valley AV Council (MO) Milwaukee AVS (WI) North Texas AV Judges Council (TX) Ohio State AVS (OH) Pomona Valley AVS (CA) Quad City AVS (IA) Fran Ratte (CO) Leonard & Elaine Re (CA) Warren & Vicki Ringer (CA) Edna Rourke (CT) South Coast AVS (CA) Town & Country AVS (OH) Unpredictable AVC of Blue Springs (MO) Upper Pinellas AVS (FL) Donna Vogelpohl (OH) - in memory of Gran $20 donated by: Columbus AVS (OH) - in honor of Thelma Miller, 2005Show Co-Chairman Jim & Linda Golubski (MO) Long Island AVS (NY) Metro. St. Louis AV Council (MO) Gertrude Moribito (OH) Thousand Oaks AVS (CA) Tidewater AVS (VA) $15 donated by: Columbus AVS (OH) - in honor of Mary Martin, 2005Show Chairman Richmond AVS (VA) $10 donated by: Amethyst AVC (MO) Christel Collier (FL) AVC of Greater Kansas City (MO) Memphis AVS (TN) Jean L. Robine (OH) Sue Ramser (TX) First AVS of Wichita Falls (TX) Other donations: $10 gift certificate - Violet Venture - Fay Wagman (NY) Other Awards - Design Division $25 donated by: Albuquerque AVC (NM) Janice Beaty (OH) First AVS of Spartanburg (SC) Kathryn A. Hedgepeth (VA) Kathi Lahti (MN) $20 donated by: Metro. St. Louis AV Council (MO) $15 donated by: Charmion Woolfe (CA) $10 donated by: Amethyst AVC of St. Louis (MO) Thanks to the many individuals, clubs, and councils who have offered their generous award support for the 2005 show in Cincinnati! If your name is not on this list, there is still time to be included. Send your check or money order payable in U.S. Funds and made out to: “AVSA Awards” to: Sue Hoffmann, AVSA Awards Chairman, 2809 Forest Hills Court, Virginia Beach VA 23454. We look forward to hearing from you! Final deadline to be listed in the Show Souvenir book is February 15, 2005. View a current Awards listing on the AVSA web site at AVSA.org. Although every attempt has been made to list awards correctly, we reserve the right to modify or change these listings. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 35 Pink Dove Exhibited by: Kathy Lahti Hybridized by: S. Sorano Miniature Plumbery Glow Exhibited by: Sandra Lex Hybridized by: Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses/Sorano Semiminiature 36 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 RD’sKerryn 3rd Best in Show (Commercial) 2004AVSA National Show Exhibited by: Kent Stork Hybridized by: R. Townsend Standard January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 37 Location and Light by Susan Gimblet The old adage “location, location, location” applies to violets, too. African violets grow best in a temperature range of 60-80 degrees F, need light to bloom, but that light can be obtained in several ways. Violets may be grown successfully on window sills, near a brightly lighted window, or under flo- rescent lights. As for all plants, light is essential for the growth of African violets. Plants make their own food through photosynthesis from water, light, and air. Selecting an appropriate window for growing violets may involve a bit of trial and error. When talking to growers, there are almost as many options of window location as there are growers! Grandma always advocated a north window. However, most literature recommends “bright light”. What is “bright light?" Let’s define it as slightly sunny, warm, (in that 70 ish range), and lasting for eight hours a day. I live in New England, and our days are quite variable. So, how do we accomplish this? Select a window that meets the above criteria as closely as possible. Note how the light shifts throughout the course of the day. This location may vary depending on the time of year. A south or west window may serve well in the winter but provide too strong a light in the summer. Maybe an east window with good early morn¬ ing light will work, -frees and shrubs, a porch roof, or roof overhang may shade windows and will have an effect on which location works best. Experiment, try violets in more than one window, and monitor their progress. Once a window location has been selected, think about where the violets are to be placed in that window. We are looking for bnght light but want to avoid direct sunlight that may damage the violet. Sheer curtains may be the answer to defuse strong light and protea the violets. Or, the violets may be set back from the window sill, either on a table or plant stand. I grew my first African violets on a coffee table set “a e ulS r ^ fr0m 3 S ° UtWaCing As the seasons change, it may be necessaty to move the “ ***"" 1(x f tiorls 10 the sun. In addition dunng the winter, violets will suffer if placed too close to a add windowpane. Again, consider moving the violets back from the window to a table. dCK As we monitor our violets growing on or near the win dow sill, we also need to perform another task to assure good growing. Any piant will lean or grow towards its light soura Afncanvaoiets are no exception. When growing on a wTndow sill, the violets will be getting light from only one direction It * eaatt f 10 «■* Plants a quarter turn evenrl " ' every other day to assure good symmeoy. Use tMsts « 38 African Violet Magazine opportunity to check the plant for suckers, pests, uneven growth, etc. Lights The final way to grow African violets is under lights on a plant stand. Growing violets under lights solves some of the above challenges, while presenting new ones. Growing vio¬ lets under lights means using fluorescent light. Standard size fluorescent light fixtures contain two light tubes. There are a wide variety of light tubes available on the market. Cool white, warm white, or special growing lights may be used. One cool white tube combined with one warm white tube will provide the full spectrum of light required at a reasonable cost. This combination is very popular among African violet growers. Pauline Bartholomew, in her book Growing to Show , provides an excellent in-depth discussion on fluores¬ cent lights. Suffice it to say that the terms cool white and warm white do not refer to the temperature of the lights, but to the amount of growth rays emitted by the light tubes. Once the light stand has been obtained and set up with the desired fluorescent lights, it is time to add the violets. Here again some experimentation is in order. Is it ever easy? As a rule of thumb, light colored foliage plants should be placed at the center of the tubes under the strongest light. Dark colored plants are then placed at the ends of the tubes where the light is not as intense. Variegated plants should be placed near the center of the tubes, again to obtain as much light as possible. They will retain their variegation better when grown under cooler conditions and should be placed on the lowest shelves of the light stand. The fluorescent lights are to be set up with timers to assure consistent light exposure. Most growers set their timers for the lights to be on 12 hours each day. There have been various articles in Ye Bay Stater , our club publication, and the AVSA magazine about variations on this timing. It is recommended that you be gin with 12 hours of light and then adjust this as you monitor your plants. If the light stand is in a room with a lot of natural light, the timing on the fluores¬ cent lights might be adjusted. If the light stand is in a base¬ ment with very little or no natural light, the timing of the light tubes may need to be increased. If the stand is in the basement or other cool area, consider running the ligh^J* 1 night to assist in maintaining the violets within the desired temperature range. Standard violets are placed such that the center crown is approximately 10-12* from the lights. Semi miniatures, miniatures, and plandets need to be closer to the lights, usu¬ ally about 6-8" from the light. 2005 January • February - As with window growing, monitor your plants. Look them over when watering. The violets will “tell” you if they need more or less light. In the AVSA Handbook for Growers, Exhibitors and Judges, there are some criteria for evaluating whether your violets are getting adequate light. “Too little light: Indications of insufficient light are lengthening of the petioles and lack of bloom. Since bud for¬ mation is governed by light intensity, the most frequent rea¬ son for lack of bloom in African violets is not enough light.” “Too much light: Indications of too much light are short¬ ening of the petioles, curling up of the center leaves, and bleaching and yellowing of the foliage.” Some violets will not grow well under fluorescent lights and should be placed on a windowsill. I can’t stress enough the importance of looking at your violets on a regular basis. I may not have the time to do it every time I water, but I do try to do it, at the very least, on a monthly basis. Once you begin this scrutinizing, it will not take long to notice when a violet is unhappy. It is much eas¬ ier to resolve a light problem early before a lovely plant becomes misshapen. Enjoy your violets!! From Ye Bay Stater, publication of the Bay State AV5 Preparing for the Show by Annette Kennedy When growing an African violet for show, the aim is to grow a perfect African violet. This may seem daunting, espe¬ cially for a beginner, so what I suggest is that you aim to grow the best African violet that you can. The basic things to aim for are growth, blooms, and symmetry. Some of the things to tend to are: Clean foliage - some growers like to wash the leaves with lukewarm water; this is something I have never done. I do, however, groom my African violets using a soft brush. In doing this you may recognize other things your plant may require. Baby leaves - are smaller and around the outside of the plant. These should be removed, as should marked or dam¬ aged leaves. Before doing this check to see that your plant will remain symmetrical. If not it may be better to leave the leaf on. Side shoots - when grooming or repotting, you may notice side shoots or suckers growing, and these should be carefully removed so as not to damage your plant. Keep watching for these as they sneak out even when you are look¬ ing. Some African violets seem to do this more than others. Repot - as your African violet grows, toward the show it may be necessary to repot it into a slightly bigger pot. When you repot you may also like to put a collar around your plant to support the leaves. Food - African violets need to be fed regularly to help them grow and flower well. Some growers use different plant foods at different times, some of which may be a bloom booster. This is something to consider, but you may have just as good results using your regular nutrient. African violets can also be foliar fed, but refer to information sources first. Disbud - to help African violets develop good foliage, it is necessary to disbud them up until about 6-8 weeks before the show; then let them come into flower, right on time for the show. Rather than having a plant with no flowers, try having two plants; one that you let flower naturally for your enjoyment and the second that you disbud and grow for the show. Light - if growing under fluorescent lights, you may con¬ sider increasing the light hours gradually, using the count¬ down as a guide. If growing in natural light, turn your plants regularly to ensure symmetry. Leaf position - you may observe that a leaf is slightly out of alignment, but you can encourage or train it to be in the correct position by moving it gradually into place and using a toothpick or hairpin to hold it Be sure to remove these when entering for the show. Blooms - closer to the show remove tired or spent blooms to ensure they are all looking nice and fresh. Transport - as the show nears, consider how to package and transport your African violet. Remember biggest is not always best. A large plant may be too open or have tired leaves, whereas a smaller, sym¬ metrical plant may have all the qualities a judge is looking for. Do not judge your own. It is easy to be critical of your plant, but if it is clean and healthy and has blooms, you will be surprised how good it looks with all the others on the show bench. From the Newsletter of the Early Mom AV Group, Australia January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 39 AUSSIE GOLD™ ORCHID MIX SSSSH! Don’t tell your orchid lover friends, but Aussie Gold™ works just as well for African Violets as it does for orchids (and plumeria, bonsai, tomatoes, miniature roses and a myriad of house plants). Try it! It works! 10 lb. Bag available at $18.50 + shipping and handling Van-Rolen Company LLC Tel: (619) 956-2708 Toll-free: (866) 5 -ORCHID Learn more at Email: vanrolen@hotmail.com 40 Afrkan Violct Magazine 20® January • Februa* New Friends from Old Friends - Growing and Showing the Vintage Violets by Rod Lowe, AVS of San Francisco Each year countless new varieties of vio¬ lets come on the market. Many of these are extremely beautiful with colors and patterns never seen before. It is a wonder that there are always new developments. Sadly, an unintended result of all these new varieties is that people stop growing the older, vintage violets. In an effort to get the latest, newest, and brightest violets available on the market today, many hobbyists let go of the older, tried and true varieties that have been so important to our African violet history. We all have limited space and there comes a time when we must make some room and weed our collections. Too often, the vintage varieties suffer as a result. I offer this article as a testament to the older varieties and also as a challenge to growers both novice and expert alike. I have been growing African violets ever since I was a child. My first experience was putting leaves from my grand¬ mother’s plants into a cup of water covered with tinfoil. I watched as the roots and then tiny plantlets began to form. I very carefully planted the tiny plants and nurtured them as they grew. When they finally bloomed, I was so proud! Thus began my long association with African violets. I joined the AVSA and attended meetings of the AVS of San Francisco. I wasn’t really interested in showing plants, but I did enjoy going to the shows to see all the different varieties. I bought violets from different vendors and remember getting plants from Tinari Greenhouses many years ago. I ordered the older violets that I had seen in the books and magazines like ‘Firebird’, ‘Seafoam’, and ‘Lillian Jarrett’, and I enjoyed grow¬ ing them. Many years passed, and then I went away to school. Although I still kept a few plants, I didn’t have the room to grow as many as I liked, and I gave many away. When I was able to ‘collect’ violets again, I searched for those varieties that I enjoyed long ago. Yes, there were many new ones that I liked, but I still wanted the oldies that I had before. Unfortunately, they were not readily available. Reading the AVSA magazine, I found Barbara Elkin’s col¬ umn about Vintage Violets, and I sent her an inquiry about ‘Seafoam’. She sent me the name of a source, and I contacted the person who generously sent me leaves. I also unexpected¬ ly received leaves of ‘Garnet Elf from this person as well. I was familiar with ‘Firebird’ but not ‘Garnet Elf. Little did I know that this would turn out to be a most fortuitous gift. As the vintage leaves took root and started producing plantlets, I continued to try many other named violets as well as buying those that I found at garden centers and nurseries. I even tried my hand at hybridizing. I started the leaves under lights and then when the plants got too big and needed more space, I moved them to a bookshelf in front of a win¬ dow in natural light. ‘Seafoam’ grew slowly and proved to be a very weak plant, which I eventually lost. I still would like to try grow¬ ing it again. ‘Garnet Elf, on the other hand, did remarkably well, and it grew easily in my window. As time went on, ‘Garnet Elf matured and was (and is) always in bloom. Once again, I was reading Barbara Elkin’s col¬ umn and saw that someone was now searching for ‘Garnet Elf. Wanting to return the gift that was so graciously given to me, I contacted Barbara to let her know that I grew the plant. She told me that it was one of her favorite violets (it is one of mine as well!) and that she used it in her hybridizing. Partly because of Barbara’s praise for ‘Garnet Elf, I began to give more atten¬ tion to my plant and entertained thoughts about showing it. With encouragement from Gary Beck and other members of the AVS of San Francisco, I decided to try exhibiting ‘Garnet Elf in our ‘Violet Festival’. I had never shown an African vio¬ let before and entered ‘Garnet Elf in the novice class. Much to my amazement, I got first runner-up or Second Best in Show. It was my first time ever exhibiting, and it’ll certainly not be the last! At the show, many people asked about the plant and remarked how beautiful it was. Lynn Lombard, one of the judges, said that she had not seen ‘Garnet Elf for many years and she encouraged me to write this article. A new friend as a result from growing an old violet! The moral of this story is not to forget the past. There are so many beautiful violets available, and no one can grow them all. The new ones are exciting, but the older cultivars also need to be appreciated and saved from extinction. Grow one to show. They can be spectacular when grown well. I’ve read that everyone should grow at least one vintage violet and also to NEVER throw a vintage violet away. 1 wholeheartedly agree. I used to think that I could always get another one of a given variety, but if you are the only one growing it, what will you do when it’s gone? If you don’t want a vintage violet any more, bring it to your club and give it to someone who might have better luck with it. Please also share leaves of the older varieties freely as well. If more people grow the oldies, the bet¬ ter the chance that they will still be around for all to enjoy. If everyone would become a champion for and caretaker of just one vintage violet, then we will preserve our African violet his¬ tory. Grow an old violet and make some new friends. January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 41 DRENCHING by Nancy Robitaille Drenching is necessary when you have insects in the soil. Dunking would be a better term for those few times you need to dunk just the foliage in a solution. For foliar bugs and disease, the treatments are made fairly easy. A foliar spray usually does the job. Drenching is a whole other story. Proper drenching in cases of soil insects means spraying both under and over the foliage to chase the bug to supposed safety in the soil. (Some soil bom insects can and will go up into the foliage for safety.) Once the poison is on the foliage, the bugs won’t climb back but will go anywhere where there is less poison - even on wicks. Measuring: Careful measuring is very important. Poisons can be dan¬ gerous. Too much and you can harm the plant; too little and you won’t kill the enemy. When gallons, (imperial gallons in Canada), liters, mm, and cm as well as portions of a teaspoon are used for measuring, it becomes very confusing to calculate how much of the poison you need for the quantity of water in your watering can. Timing of Treatments: Most drenches call for three treatments in order that you first get the adult bugs; then, the second treatment would get the hatching baby bugs. The third treatment should get the last of the bugs. These treatments should be spaced out in 5-7 days depending when the insects hatch. Drenching: In order to get a thorough drenching, start with the top, spraying thoroughly, then make solutions for the soil. Safety precautions: There is another very important aspect of using poisons. Poisons are often camouflaged in a less a frightening term, “chemicals” - but nonetheless, they are poisons that can put you in the hospital or possibly kill a child or an animal. It cannot be stressed enough to always wear protective clothing. This includes long sleeves, high necked garments, and plastic or rubber gloves. Eye precautions are also a good thing although eye glasses can be used as well. A thorough washing of exposed area is also necessary. Doing the tiresome job: The easiest way I have found is to work from the tray of plants in the plant room. The first time I had soil mealy bugs, I took each tray into the kitchen where the poison and water was located. Each tray was carried to the kitchen for treatment I poured from the watering can the solution over foliage and soil and took time to clean the mess afterwards. My second outbreak was treated much differently. I brought each prepared watering can to the plant room and used a turkey baster for most of the job. A spray bottle was clearly marked “Poison” so as not to get mixed with other bot¬ tles for fertilizer. This time, I carefully sprayed the foliage, then drenched the soil with a turkey baster. Pouring the liquid over the soil from a watering can often causes messy spills, and that means you have to clean up the excess so plants won’t be burned. The turkey baster will have to be filled twice at least for larger pots in order for you to make a thorough job of it Before drenching plants, they should be damp, not dry or soaking. Soaking them before would dilute the poison solution. A dry plant might allow bugs to find a safe haven with no poi¬ son. Then you have a relapse. One should never use these poisonous chemicals without concentrating on the job at hand. Remember not to smoke or eat anything when you are working. Keep a deep respect for those cans and bottles of poison. Remember, they are supposed to be our safeguards, not our enemies. In Memory - 42 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 Wkstofrfog Moon Signs Moon In 0rles Barren and dry, fiery and masculine. Used for destroying noxious growths, weeds, pests, etc., and for cultivating. Moon In Tocrrus Productive and moist, earthy and feminine. Used for plant¬ ing many crops, particularly potatoes and root crops, and when hardiness is important Also used for lettuce, cabbage, and sim¬ ilar leafy vegetables. Moon In Gemini Barren and dry, airy and masculine. Used for destroying noxious growths, weeds and pests, and for cultivation. Moon In Center Very fruitful and moist, watery and feminine. This is the most productive sign, used extensively for planting and irrigation. Moon In Leo Barren and dry, fiery and masculine. This is the most barren sign, used only for killing weeds and for cultivation. Moon In 'Yfaqo Barren and moist, earthy and feminine. Good for cultiva¬ tion and destroying weeds and pests. Moon In LIWq Semi-fruitful and moist, airy and masculine. Used for planting many crops and producing good pulp growth and roots. A very good sign for flowers and vines. Also used for seeding hay, com fodder, etc. Moon In Scorpio Very fruitful and moist, watery and feminine. Nearly as productive as Cancer; used for the same purposes. Especially good for vine growth and sturdiness. Moon In Sa^Warltrs Barren and dry, fiery and masculine. Used for planting onions, seeding hay, and for cultivation. Moon In Co^rlcopn Productive and dry, earthy and feminine. Used for plant¬ ing potatoes, tubers, etc. Moon In Quartos Barren and dry, airy and masculine. Used for cultivation and destroying noxious growths, weeds, and pests. Moon In Pisces Very fruitful and moist, watery and feminine. Used along with Cancer and Scorpio, especially good for root growth. 4 Fn. Sagittarius 5 Sat. 9:32 am Capricorn 6 Sun. Capricorn 7 Mon. 9:26 am Aquarius 8 Trie. Aquarius 9 Wed. 8:59 am Pisces 10 Thu. Pisces 11 Fri. 10:21 am Aries 12 Sat. Aries 13 Sun. 3:18 pm Taurus 14 Mon. Taurus 15 Hie. Taurus 16 Wed. 12:18 am Gemini 17 Thu. Gemini 18 Fri. 12:13 pm Cancer 19 Sat. cancer 20 Sun. Cancer 25 Fri. 10:59 pm libra 26 Sat. Libra 27 Sun. Libra Reprinted with permissionfrom Llewellyn’s 2004 Moan . , ” or US Posta * Service: AVSA Coming Events 2375 North St., Beaumont, TX 77702 56 African Violet Magazine January • February VIOLET GALLERY 1590 Cranberry Road, Y< version (with descriptions only). ry.com - email mpetry@cvn.net ork Springs, PA 17372 • (717)528-8268 You know Aftfcdn Violets - fh&v meet the rest of the family-. AwverL&wGl&tinifr AGGS Membership Secretary 'BobClark ‘ xx x . - ’ T122'Ea?t Pike Street, PMB 637 Seattle. WA 98122-39 T6 - ViUtufrordine/. http://\u\uw. ctg&y.org' TravisMolets P. O. BOX 42 OCHLOCKNEE, GA. 31773 NEW 2005 SHIPPING SEASON! 3 FREE VIOLETS!!! Phone: 1-229-574-5167 1-229-574-5236 Fax: 1-229-574-5605 E-mail: tviolets@aol.com http://travisviolets.com >. New Shipping Season starts April 15, 2005, v M ORDER RECEIVED B accept. VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (Min. $30 order) Greenhouse Open 7 days a week (please call first) I: AVSA AND DAVS January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 57 COUNTRY LIVIN’ CREATIONS The World's Largest Selection of African Violet Pots Our unique dual-potted planters are ideal for growing thriving plants with beautiful blooms. These hand-crafted, self-watering pots are perfect for both beginning and experienced gardeners. Mention this ad and get a 10% discount! Visit us at dcvioletpots.com We accept Visa and Mastercard - (916) 685-1284 1372 S. Kentwood Ave. Springfield, MO 65804 www.theaardenanqel.com Large selection of African violet leaves and plants. 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Mini foliage, standard. ers and " 9ht 9 re i n ed 9e blossom, ught green large and pinkfeHage. ^andard' 11 Ruffled plnk pans V^Purple fantasy with white edge, variegated green, ivory Wbite PanSV With soft pink ^ ^ blends Into the petais. Med. Creen Our catalog ils arailabfeto yol ft) ana t other hYbriaizers good selection of standards, trailers, mini, and semis plants are p6ons - You wl11 flnd a SSg P ShlPP,n9 ' Sh,PPin9 iS Cbarged aCC0rdln9 ‘he amount of It SST telephone numberas wfralfeach^curtomer 0 betore^e^^theiro^m? s _ h ' pping AlwaYS include your to expect their order. e sni ° th eir plants or leaves to let them know when _ MaKe check payable to Shirley Sanders 1054 Rayourn Dr. . San Antonio, ix 78221 • Teleph^e (210) 923-1093 58 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH AVSA! AV WORLD’S BEST SELLER A step-by- step guide African Violet Society of America, Inc. 2375 North St. Beaumont, TX 77702 1 (800) 770-2872 IGesneriad NEWS f%f I $16 (CDN) per year in Canada $15 (US) to the United States I John Beaulieu Productions e-maii gesnews@bconnex.net ^ BOX 118, Midhurst ON LOL 1X0 CANADA VISIT THE AVSA’S WEBSITE: www. AV SA.org January • February 2005 African Violet Magazine 59 JoS Violets African Violets, Epiciasand more www.qeocities.com/iosviolets or send stamped envelope 2205 College Dr Victoria, TX 77901 (361)575-1344 jLn J WorUop Custom Made Award Ribbons and Rosettes JLn 2bavicLc 941 FM 2377 Red Oak, Texas 75154 (972) 617-1186 Fax (972) 617-1198 email: chiefrond@aol.com (//ofefcFut Photo (Tournai Phone: 585-374-8592 CALL OR WRITE FOR A FREE CATALOG. Regular potting soil, wick-mix potting soil, constant feed fertilizer, reservoir wick pots and saucers, 24 and 48 inch wide-spectrum lamps, physan 20, dandy pots, plastic pots, wick. 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AVMAG, 16700 AOS Lone Delray Beach, FI 33446-4351 F^TCaKIL 404 ' 2000 Fax {561)404-2100 BmaJ theAOS@oos.org Website orchidweborg 60 African Violet Magazine January • February 2005 January • February 2005 sf^SSSSStiL.., ilpSZL, hGr Growing & Maintenance Help & Advice Hobby Greenhouse Association 8 Glen Terrace, Bedford, MA 01730-2048 Dues: USA $19 (Canada and Mexico, $21 US fimds/MO) ($22 Overseas, US funds/MO) ^ Apex, NC At the Peak of Violetry ■a