African Violet.

Discussion in 'Houseplants' started by eileen, Aug 20, 2006.

  1. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    This is a plant that I rescued from my mothers house after she died. It hadn't flowered for her in years and looked more dead than alive when I brought it home.

    Here it is now:

    [​IMG]

    Isn't it amazing that with just a little TLC a plant can recover? No more crispy brown leaves, but instead, soft velvety foliage and beautiful lilac blooms. I'm really pleased with it!!! :-D
     
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  3. Polly

    Polly Thumb Gardener

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    Beautiful Eileen. My grandmother use to grow african violets. I haven't had one in years but bought a small plant last week. I hope I can keep in going. We set it in the east window - is that a good or bad place? Grandma always had hers in the south window but I have no south windows downstairs.
     
  4. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    They seem to do very well Polly away from direct sunlight. Don't overwater your plant though as African Violets prefer to be kept short of water to thrive well. I only give mine water about every two weeks. I hope your plant survives for you as AV's are really attractive. :-D You must post a piccie of it when it flowers.
     
  5. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    So glad you were able to save them Eileen. They are beautiful and I'm sure that plant has an extra special meaning for you now as well.

    Polly there was another topic started here a few months back about african violet care http://www.gardenstew.com/about1467.html You may be able to find more tips there. I also found this extra bit of care info on the Wikipedia page for African Violet (Saintpaulia)

    Wikipedia page here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_violet
     



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  6. cajunbelle

    cajunbelle Daylily Diva

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    I love the soft color of it Eileen, really beautiful plant.
     
  7. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    Testing a new Flickr slideshow feature out. Can you see the african violets below?

    [flickr]Saintpaulia[/flickr]
     
  8. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Yes I can Frank although the for some reason I have two sets of the pics - one partially overlaying the other. :-? Some wonderful views of African violets though and such a wide range of colours, shapes and textures. :D
     
  9. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    Do you have your mouse over the photos Eileen? Simply moving your mouse out of the photo frame will show the photos without any interference.

    Such fantastic photography.
     
  10. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    No the mouse is well away from the photographs Frank. I'm also getting a 'juddering' noise when I view them. :-? Probably something to do with my 'puter. :(
     
  11. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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  12. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Nope not a one Frank. Now I wonder why that is?

    Btw those sunsets are to die for. Did you take the piccies yourself? If so could I ask a BIG favour? Could you possibly let me have copies of them to add to my collection please? Oh and maybe the one of the moonlight on water too - pretty please? Keeping my fingers crossed.

    What is the 'twisted' building in the photographs?
    It's certainly a stunning piece of modern architecture.
     
  13. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    I'm afraid the photos are not mine, I just linked to them as an example.

    Eileen the building in the photos is Turning Torso here in Malmö. It's basically an apartment block for the really rich and it overlooks the Oresund strait between Sweden and Denmark. It's quite a remarkable looking building.
     
  14. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I'd love to see inside it Frank!!! Maybe one day I'll visit Sweden and see it for myself. :-D
     
  15. Petronius

    Petronius Young Pine

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    Eileen, this is such a gorgeous color. I am glad you know the correct watering technique for violets.
     

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