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African Violets - Not as Hard to Grow as Everyone Believes

By Toni Weidman

Real Estate Agent with Sailwinds Realty

November 28, 2010 09:59 AM

African Violets were a major hobby of mine for several years. I raised them, showed them, and went to African Violet shows all over; and, at one point, I had over 500 of them. Many people think that African Violets are hard to grow so I thought I would start a series that showed some of the unusual and intriguing ones in order to show you how many different varieties there are.

I chose this one to start the series with because it looks nothing like your typical African Violet that you would buy in Lowes or Home Depot. It's called Emerald City and has green and lavender striping on the petals. It is one of the more difficult ones to grow, as many of the hybrids are. However it is so beautiful that everyone wants one.

Grown and photographed by Toni Weidman of Re/Max New Dimensions

Emerald City - African Violets - Toni Weidman

I will be posting more African Violets and some tips and hints to keep them alive. Today's hint: Don't overwater them. It kills more of these lovely plants than anything else.

If you have questions about them, email me and I will try to answer your questions. The African Violet Society has a great website at www.avsa.org with tons of information and pictures.

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Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Toni - I have NEVER seen an African Violet with those stunning colors. I don't have too much difficulty growing them, although I haven't had any for awhile. You have peaked my interest in doing so once again!

Nov 28, 2010 10:05 AM

Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Hi Myrl, when I found the AV pictures on a cd it made me want to start growing them again. I have a few now but nowhere near what I had.

Nov 28, 2010 10:06 AM

Erby Crofutt

B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY

The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Pretty, but I'm much better at looking at plants that I am at growing them. Thanks for sharing.

Nov 28, 2010 11:06 AM

That's quite common, Erby. :) Thanks for stopping in.

Nov 28, 2010 11:26 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Toni- I took care of my friend's African Violets one summer and was really surprised at how easy they were to grow. I spend so much time on my orchids, I've forgotten about these beauties. BTW- love your fish!

Nov 28, 2010 01:25 PM

Diane Williams

Pell City, AL

Toni, I am looking forward to your future post about African Violets. Last week I picked one up to put in my kitchen window. It added some much needed color.

Nov 28, 2010 07:58 PM

Kathy, my husband does Orchids too. I post pictures of those once in a while; they are so beautiful.

Nov 28, 2010 11:21 PM

Diane- Great, they really are wonderful plants to have inside for color.

Nov 28, 2010 11:22 PM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Toni, I have tried and tried to grow African Violets, and they just die. The best plant at my house is the philodendron. It seems I can't kill those!

Nov 29, 2010 12:00 AM

African Violets don't like their roots sitting in really damp soil, Joan. You have to let it dry out a bit so I water about every 5 days because if you let it dry too much: that's not good either and don't drown them when you do water. I love my philodendrons too: I don't have to overthink them :)

Nov 29, 2010 12:10 AM

Toula Rosebrock

Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ

Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Toni:

I LOVE African Violets.

I have over a dozen all over my home.

They flower for me throughout the year, so beautiful.

Nov 29, 2010 12:28 AM

Nice to meet another AV lover. They do add so much life and color to a home. Have you been on the AVSA.org website?

Nov 29, 2010 12:30 AM

John Mayer

Oikos Realty, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Florida - Cocoa Beach, FL

Your Beach Area Expert

Toni - Those are beautiful flowers. My wife loves orchids but maybe we'll get an AV to see how it grows.

Nov 29, 2010 03:59 AM

Thank you, but be careful; they are like potato chips, you can't have just one ;)

Nov 29, 2010 04:07 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

This post reminded me of my mother-in-law. She loved African Violets and took great pride in being able to keep them alive. I look forward to the rest of your series.

Nov 29, 2010 04:10 AM

Thank you, Sharon.

Nov 29, 2010 05:11 AM

African Violets - Not as Hard to Grow as Everyone Believes

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