African violets come in many colors, shapes and textures
By Kathy Van Mullekom
November 12, 2009
When Adrienne Topping isn't riding her Harley motorcycle, she's in her basement, enjoying a quieter hobby — growing show-quality African violets.
Topping's sister introduced her to the pastime in 1983, but she gave it all up when neglect and a fungus claimed the plants several years later.
Nine years ago, a visit to the annual home and garden expo in Virginia Beach rekindled her interest.
“We both went home with more than 20,” says Topping.
“This happened again in 2001 and they suggested I join a local club. In 2002, when I bought more, they strongly suggested I join a club. Once I joined, I started learning from the members, many who have been growing them for decades.”
Tomorrow, Topping, 53, takes some of her favorite violets to the Mid-Atlantic African Violet Show and Sale at the Woodlands Conference Center in Colonial Williamsburg. There, she and other members of the Tidewater African Violet Club join more than 200 exhibitors competing for prizes and sharing their plants and expertise with the public from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $1.
African violets and their soft, fuzzy leaves typically stir up nostalgic thoughts of violet, blue and purple flowers blooming on windowsills in grandma's kitchen.
Growers like Topping quickly tell you the plant family — Gesneriaceae — is far more sophisticated than that. Even children and teenagers are growing and showing the plants, according to event organizers.
“Back when grandma was growing violets, there were 10 hybridized plants,” says Topping.
“Now there are around 10,000 registered violets and 5,000 or so unregistered but named. Violets have been hybridized with many combinations — three blossom types, four blossom shapes, six blossom color combination, 11 or so foliage shapes and textures and three different variegated leaves with difficult color variegation — and they come in four sizes and shapes. When you put all these characteristics in the mix, you have a whole lot more than grandma had.”
Topping's 200 violets grow on Costco-bought racks in a small room of her basement in York County. At first, she grew standards and has since added miniature versions.
“You get a lot more plants on a shelf when they are only 4-8 inches across,” she says of the smaller versions.
Her favorite African violet is Yukako, a standard chimera with green and purple stripes. She also likes Rob's Inner Orbit, a semi-miniature with pink blossoms and pink-and-green variegated leaves, and Rob's Mad Cat, a double rose pink blossom with blue splashes. Carnation Sprinkles with white blossoms edged with pink and blue also tops her list.
“They grow symmetrical and the blossoms are great,” she says.
What do African violets need? •Potting mix with no soil in it. Violets need ample air around their roots, so a regular potting mix and even some mixes specifically labeled for African violets are too dense. The best answer is to make your own potting mix: 1 part milled sphagnum peat moss, 1 part vermiculite and 1 part perlite with a bit of charcoal tossed in. Avoid pressing roots when you place soil around a plant.
•Bright, indirect light. A lack of light is the biggest reason violets don't bloom, says Topping, who grows them under fluorescent lights. Window-grown violets should be set within 12 inches of the glass, and the window should large enough to allow generous light with some light filtering like sheer drapes or trees outdoors, according to the African Violet Society of America at www.avsa.org.
•Consistent moisture and fertilizer. Don't drown the plants and don't let them dry out too much or they go limp and may not recover properly. Violets also require a weekly fertilizer specially formulated for them.
•Regular repotting. Standard violets are usually repotted once a year, miniatures every six months. Repot your plant in a pot no larger than one-third of the plant — for example, a nine-inch plant in a three-inch pot. Violets prefer crowded growing conditions. It's also best to repot a new plant because the potting mix they are shipped in is not the best; the mix is difficult to wet again once it dries out.
•Disease and pest controls. Topping hangs Hot Shot no-pest strips from her growing shelves to control pesky thrips. If powdery mildew starts on her plants, she brushes Lysol on the affected ones. One of the most important ways to control pests and diseases is to isolate new plants for six or more weeks.
“Grow your violets in a temperature that you are comfortable in, keep your pets out of the plants and don't work with the violets after working outside, change clothes and shower first,” says Topping.
“I find it relaxing to water and care for the plants. Without plants and blossoms, it would be a dull world.”
African Violet show When: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Woodlands Conference Center, 119 Visitor Center Drive, Williamsburg; call 220-7960.
Sponsor: Mid-Atlantic African Violet Society, an affiliate of the African Violet Society of America — www.avsa.org
Details: More than 200 exhibits include plants for display and sale, plus African violet floral arrangements, jewelry and stationary.
Admission: $1
Info: Carol Van of Hampton at 851-2543
Bingo 'n' violets •Play "leaf bingo" and win free African violets leaves or cuttings with the Tidewater African Violet Society at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at St. John Lutheran Church, 8918 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk. New members welcome. Call 479-2115 for more information.
Copyright © 2009, Newport News, Va., Daily Press
Adrienne Topping has been growing african violets for nine years. Topping will compete in the upcoming Mid-Atlantic African Violet Society show in Williamsburg on November 13-14. (Adrin Snider, Daily Press / October 29, 2009)