LADY BUG...AFRICAN VIOLETS GIVE YEAR-ROUND BEAUTY

There are more varieties of African violets than any other house plant, and they have been around for a long, long time - for more than 100 years, in fact.

African violets have received the unfair reputation of being temperamental, but are no more difficult to grow than any other container plant. With just a little tender, loving care and good growing practices, they will reward their owners with abundant blossoms the year around.

Grandmother used to display her choice African violet on a lace doily in her parlor. Those that grew more than 30 years ago flowered for short periods and the blossoms lasted only a few days. Not true today. Anyone can grow today's hybrids right at home in even the most contemporary setting. Today's plants are bred to flower almost continuously, with blossoms lasting up to a month.

History of this popular flower is most interesting. In 1892 Baron Walter Von St. Paul discovered it growing in Tanzania, then known as German East Africa. The plant was named in his honor and today belongs to the plant genus Saintpaulia.

The original African violet was found growing in warm, humid areas of Tanzania and is considered the plant basic to our modern African violets. (Cape primrose, Episcia and Achimenes are also close kin.)

In the 102 years since their discovery, African violets have gained popularity. They have been developed into more varieties than any other plant. There are few other plants that will flower as well in low light land that can be grown with relative ease.

Colors of these flowers are varied and include shades of purple from deep violet to pale lavender, blue, fuchsia, pink, white and ivory. Bicolors are popular also. Some have solid white petals with purple or fuchsia stripes down the center of each petal, giving a five-pointed star effect. Fantasy, one variety, has blooms with spots, freckles or streaks, while others have a tiny border of color along the edges of frilly petals.

Flowers may be single or double, fringed or ruffled, in all the many colors.

Even the leaves have variegated colors and shapes. Some are the original dark green, others are curly, wavy, ruffled or even quilted-like with fluffy surface bumps.

Those with plain green leaves are termed "boys" and those with frilly, notched and ruffled leaves, often with a large white area in the center, are called "girls." These terms have nothing to do with the ability of the plant to bloom. Both kids will bloom profusely given good growing conditions.

African violets flower best with only one crown (the area where stems come together and join the roots.) New crowns can be removed and used for rooting new plants.

Leaves can be propagated easily by any number of ways. Select mature leaves, but not the outermost ones that touch the soil. Any length stem can be left on the leaf. Place the stem in water, soil, vermiculite or perlite. New varieties are propagated by seeds. Those who are into more technical division, and the making of new plants, can do it by the grafting of two varieties. Slit their stems lengthwise, fastening stems together with thread, and root as usual.

In times past, we made our own potting soil by using some good soil, a bit of sand and some perlite, but now there is commercial potting soil just for African violets that is perfect for them.

One authority stated that whatever temperature is comfortable for you during the day is also just right for African violets. However, night time temperatures should remain no lower than 65 degrees or growth will be slowed.

When grown in a window, they do not need direct sunlight. Bright north or east windows where they may get a little morning sunlight seem to be the best. If they are not receiving enough light, few or no blooms will be produced and the leaves will be dark green and the leaf stems abnormally long. The most beautiful ones I have seen were grown by a friend's mother in a north window, and I never recall being there when they were not blooming to the fullest. They also grow well under fluorescent light.

Caring for these plants has been made all the more simple by the introduction of African Violet Food (6-9-5). Constant soil moisture and fertilization are most important for best growth. Excessive moisture will often cause roots to rot and result in weak, wilted plants. Make sure the water is always room temperature, or just a little warmer. Cold water is particularly harmful to plants and will reduce the magnificent blossoms. They have few pests.

With just a little TLC, African violets will be most rewarding.