  Canada Post recently released two sets of stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the African Violet Society of Canada. |
It’s the most popular houseplant in the world, yet it can intimidate even the most experienced gardener.
That’s where the African Violet Society of Canada comes in, propagating the love of the Saintpaulia (as it’s known botanically) for five decades now.
The organization’s 50th anniversary has been commemorated by a series of stamps, recently unveiled by Canada Post. The stamp set shows two Canadian African violet hybrids – “Picasso” and “Decelles’ Avalanche” – in bloom, both grown by members of the Société des Saintpaulia de Montréal.
View the photo gallery of African violets.
There are hundreds of varieties of African violets, with new hybrids being grown every year. With the right care, “this hardy plant can live for decades,” says Beverley Williams, chair of the AVSC’s flower show.
One of the key considerations is water.
Williams explains: “If you use water that is too cold, your violet leaves will develop spots, like they have the chicken pox; too hot, and they go to mush. The solution is to use lukewarm water – I use water directly from the tap but always make sure that it is lukewarm.”
Aside from the temperature, the water’s content is important.
You can use well water, but test it first and make adjustments according to the pH. The same goes for rainwater – you can use it if it is fairly neutral (as it typically is). You can also use water from a dehumidifier or the runoff from an air conditioner.
Don’t use treated water from a water softener because it contains large amounts of salt that will kill your plants.
The AVSC offers these additional tips for growing beautiful African violets that will flower throughout the year.
• African violets thrive in moderate light (no direct sun), so place them in a north or east window.
• Remove dying or dead foliage and blossoms.
• Rotate plants one-quarter turn at intervals to assure even growth. Plants that stay stationary lean towards the light source.
• Remove suckers (tiny plantlets that sometimes appear in the leaf axils) as soon as they are big enough. If you allow them to grow, they will spoil the plant’s symmetry.
• If a leaf is growing out of position, gently move it to its proper place and hold it there with small stakes until it shows signs of staying there.
• Remove dust and soil particles from foliage with a soft natural bristle brush.
• Keep the plant area, pots, tools, etc., clean to prevent disease.
• Plain round plastic pots are best for growing African violets.
• African violets grow best at temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees during the day, and 62 to 72 degrees at night.
• Don’t overwater your plants. Keep the soil evenly moist, and water only when they begin to dry out a little. Watering from either the top or bottom is fine, but drain off any excess that remains in the plant saucer a half-hour later.
• For best growing results, use a weak fertilizer solution each time you water. Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of granular food (choose a formulation of 20-20-20 or 12-13-14) to a 4-litre jug of water and mix well.
• For show-quality results, consider growing your violets under fluorescent lights. Buy a ready-made light stand or make your own using standard 4-foot shop fixtures fitted with two 40-watt “cool” tubes or one cool and one wide-spectrum bulb. Set the lights on a timer to provide 12 hours of illumination daily, and position plants about 14 inches below the bulbs.
View the photo gallery of African violets.
