Monday, February 23, 2009

Violets in Home Gardening from Years Past

Several years ago I had several plants in my home that I really enjoyed. Sadly, with my schedule I couldn't take care of them. Over a period of time they died or I gave them away. Since I began reading Tina's blog "In the Garden" over a year ago, my interest in these lovely flowers has been renewed. Now I once again have several violets in my home. I have all the colors but white.

Here are some of them:

Also the cutting that Cindee from "Cindees Garden" was so gracious to send me has started to put on new leaves. Thank you so much Cindee.

I really like the unusual so I have the one that has the different coloration. I'm anxiously waiting for a bloom so I can see what color it is.
As you can see one is in bloom. One of the lovely flowers is artificial. Can you tell which one?

So I have these lovely ladies to enjoy when I can't get out........

In The Garden
Lola

48 comments:

  1. Hi Lola, it is such a nice and durable houseplant. Great to have the at home although I wish I could go to Madeira and see them 'live'.

    Take care / Tyra

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  2. They are lovely and there are so many different to choose betwen. I think the white one is the artificial since you said that you didn't have any white / gittan

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  3. Good morning Lola --very nice flowers. I'm guessing the white one is the artificial one:) Have a great day! Ciao

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  4. Hi Lola, Sure do like the one at the beginning of the post. Like the white and pink margins on the leaves, very pretty.
    Janet

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  5. Hi Lola, good morning to you. I cannot grow these at all but admire them anyway. I love the variegated leaves, that way you have interest even without the flowers. I cannot see well enough to be able to tell which is artificial, but would guess the white one?
    Frances

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  6. Thanks for the article, these are beautiful plants! We have one in the front window with 6 blooms on it now.

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  7. Good Morning Everyone,
    Tyra in Vaxholm they sure are durable. Trouble free. No maintenance. You would really like them.

    gitten, your are so right. I gave it away didn't I.

    Anonymous,Thank you so much. You guessed it too. seems I made it to easy.

    Janet, Thank you very much. I like the unusual. That one has started blooming now & it's purple.

    Good Morning to you Frances. It would be a joy for you if you could grow these lovely plants. There is such a variety it's hard to choose one. The variegated sure is a pleasure as it does provide color even without the blooms.

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  8. Good morning all!

    Lola, I am so glad you are getting more into to gardening again. I think it is therapeutic and such a part of life that you can't put it aside. The violets are perfect too! I used to grow them and liked them so much. I might have to find another one of these days. I also guess the white one as being artificial. They all look great! Have a great day!

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  9. Good Morning Lola!
    I love the violets! Between Cindee and Tina my desire to try my luck with violets has increased--and now you may have pushed me onward! I always thought they took so much care, and a special place that I may not have, but next time I am at the garden center I may splurge and buy some.
    Have a great day!

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  10. Randy you are most welcome. The plant in the orangey/pink container has started to bloom & it's about the same color as the container. I tried to match the color of the bloom to the color of the pot. That way I could remember what colors I had. What color is yours?

    Tina, seems we are almost toe to toe. You were committing the same time as I. Yes, do get another. Plants in the home help filter the air. Some more than others. It is good for ones health to garden no matter the size. Helps the spirit greatly.

    Linda, yes by all means get started. You will be amazed how easy they are to take care of. I have mine sitting on the end tables & just leave the light on all day--perfect.

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  11. Lola,

    The violets are so pretty and dainty.

    I used to grow them and kept them on a bookshelf outfitted with a light. They lasted a few years, then I got too busy, too.

    Cameron

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  12. Hi Lola, Your violets are sweet and delightful...I fear they would perish here...between my neglect and a plant eating cat! I love when you guest post...I get to see into your garden! Have a great day! gail

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  13. Cameron, Yes, they seem delicate but are rather hardy. The only thing I do is water & dead head when necessary.You should try them again.

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  14. Hi Gail. I'm glad you enjoy my post. Tina is so gracious to allow me to do so. My garden is ever so small but I do enjoy talking gardening. Mostly asking questions.
    36º here at 8:24. A bit too cold.

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  15. I've always loved African violets, but for some reason I haven't grown them in a long time. My mom used to propagate them by sticking a leaf in a foil-topped glass of water and placing the glass on the windowsill. She ended up with quite a few of them using this method. When I would help with the plant-watering, she always reminded me to be careful not to get water on the leaves.

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  16. I've always thought violets were beautiful and so exotic looking. Yours seem to be thriving.

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  17. My cats get such great pleasure from unpotting these plants. Yours are so pretty, lucky you can grow them without the help of your cats.
    Marnie

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  18. Hi Lola,
    I am so glad the violet is doing so well(-: That violet seems to be a real hardy one. Violets are fun to have in the winter months. When you need to see something in bloom, they usually are(-: I am still waiting on my last years leaf purchases to bloom. Maybe by April 1st!

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  19. The white one. I have three of these that were given to me, they are not doing as well as they did in the spring/summer. Is that normal?

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  20. Hi Lola~

    Your Violet plants are lovely! I especially like the variegated one, it's a beauty!

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  21. walk2write that is how I do it. Just put that little leaf in water but you do have to be careful not to get water on the leaf as it causes spots. You should try them again.

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  22. Hi Nola, Yes they are doing fine. Just water & plenty of light but not direct sunlight as they burn easy.

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  23. A nice collection, Lola. Mine always seem to stop blooming, but I've learned there is special food you can buy for them.

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  24. Hi Marnie, I'm sorry that your little kitties won't let you have these little beauties as they are a pleasure. I don't have any kitties. No animals allowed due to Young'un's transplant.

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  25. Hi Cindee, these little beauties do have a positive effect on one's outlook especially in the winter. I do hope your little ones bloom soon for you. You will have to show a pix of them

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  26. Hi Darla, It depends where you have them located as to when & how much they bloom. I do not have a white blooming one. I have mine under a lamp on my end table with light on.

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  27. Hi Karitta,
    Thanks ever so. I'm finding it to be my favorite till maybe later. It has started to bloom & is purple.

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  28. JGH Hi, I have found that mine slow down at times. I use the special food that makes them bloom but I've found that if I back off that for a couple waterings they start to bloom again. Maybe too much of that. I have about 8/9 now. I'm hoping for more of the unusual ones.

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  29. I really like the African Violets too. I've also just recently bought a couple. My biggest problem is remembering to feed them when I water them. I like the variegated foliage on your first one.

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  30. I had several violets when we were in Germany. Our apartment had wide ledges inside of each window so a perfect spot for such beauties to thrive! We had to give all of our plants away when we left Germany. Sigh, not a happy day as I did love all my plants there. With my kitties, inside plants must be kept up high and out of paws reach so no violets here. One day I hope to have a window over my kitchen sink as that is a perfect spot for them.

    As I was looking at your pics I saw a white bloom then you mentioned you did not have a white violet so I knew the answer but did not know it was artificial until you said so with the quiz! lol I have two artificial violets in the living room. One time my mother in law felt to see if one needed water then she felt the foam and laughed at herself. lol, they do make some pretty real looking ones don’t they….

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  31. All except white? That's quite a collection and from the photos... they look so pretty!

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  32. Hi Lola, I love a african violet, they come in so many different colors and today there are many hybrids of them. They really don't seem to be that hard to take care of but some people don't have luck with them.
    Well, I figured my mother would be on since she has power, I just got mine back on! It went out at 1 am, got cold! Mom must have lost her cable. Boy! did we get slammed with a true Nor'easter about 18 inches if not 2 ft. I don't dare go outside yet, it's even sticking to the siding! Holy snowstorm!

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  33. hi lola, my mother and me, we loves this kind of flowers, my mother allways has luck with them, liebe Grüße aus Bremen von Kathrin

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  34. Hi Catherine, I'm so glad you purchased a couple of them. They are so pretty. I mix the food with the water in a milk jug. Then I have it ready. So no missed feeding times.

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  35. Like you, Lola, I used to have quite a few houseplants, including several violets, but a very busy life--i.e., before the kids left the house--made me neglect them. This long winter has made me re-think them--I could definitely use something blooming in the house!

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  36. Hi Skeeter,
    I'm so sorry that you had to loose your violets when you left Germany.
    Window sills are a good place for them but I don't have any sills so to the end table they go.
    That is cute your mother feeling to see if they needed water. haha. There is some very good looking artificial ones out there.
    Maybe one day you can have them again.
    I have the 2 piece pots.

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  37. Kanak Hagjer Thank you for your gracious comment. No real white ones.

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  38. Hi Dawn,
    Do you have any violets? I did not know that there were so many till I researched them. I understand there is a place in Tn. where they hybridize them. Will have to check & see if I can order a couple of the rare ones.
    OMG, that is a lot of the white stuff. Sorry you lost power. That would scare me to death. Sure hope it goes away soon. By all means do stay in & stay warm. I hope your Mom is ok.

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  39. Hi Kathrin,
    I am happy to hear that you & your mom love these beauties. They are so delicate looking. It's good your mom has luck with them. I've found if you show something love it will reward you.

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  40. Hi Rose,
    Yes you should try them again. They are so pretty & there are so many different colors. They really brighten up the winter days. It seems the care & attention you give them makes them perform more. Like children rewarding you when you give them love & guidance. Or your loved pets.

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  41. Love the violets Lola and glad you are bringing them back into your home. Spots of color are wonderful cheer. I haven't ever tried to grow these ~ I'm too afraid I don't have the right conditions (having heard they are more than a little picky??)

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  42. I had the same variegated african violet a while back. I would still have it but it seems I kill them.

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  43. Hi Kathleen,
    Yes, they are nice to perk up the winter months. You should really try to grow them as they are really not that picky. I set mine on my end tables & turn the lamps on. Just remember to not get water on their leaves or have them too wet. They sure don't like their feet too wet.

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  44. Dan,
    I'm so sorry that you lost your violets. They really are a sweet plant. Seems they are always providing pretty blooms.

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  45. Hi Lola, Oh they are all goorgeous but that first one is truly magnificence!! I have only one and I wish it looked as happy as yours do. Yup, you gave us the answer for the white one. I am okay but lost power for 29 hours due to so many lines downed by heavy wet snow. We only got 8 to 10 inches here but soooo heavy with the temps being in the 30's However, it sure is a pretty sight out my windows. My Birch trees are still lying on the ground and I love watching them pop back up.

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  46. They're beautiful dainty little plants with precious flowers! Love them!
    Brenda

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  47. Hi Jean,
    Wheeew, I'm glad you are ok. I was worried. I heard that 80,000 had no power.
    Yes, seems I did give it away too plainly. I do like these little beauties. I hope I can find more of the rare ones. I really like that one. Believe it or not I found that one at W-M. I will continue to look.
    I left you a message on Dawn's post before I looked here.

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  48. Hi Brenda,
    Glad you like them. I don't know of anyone that doesn't. They help the winter pass more pleasantly. Do you have any?

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