dish washers, mixers, juicers, sweepers, automatic stoves, wall furnaces, 
streamlined kitchens. Because these reduce spaces necessary, our houses and 
rooms are smaller. Many more people now live in apartments. 
Saintpaulias require only small spaces. They make gardening in a small 
apartment possible and return a lot of beauty in small quarters. I know a 
person who lives in a small apartment yet she grows, breeds and sells 
African Violets. She has originated very choice, important varieties and is 
already known to fame. 
Culture. African violets are always in bloom when they are comfortable. 
For comfort, they need water, food and warmth. At a minimum night 
temperature of 60° they are comfortable. If below 60° at night or above 85° 
in the day time they may quit flowering. They do not like sudden changes 
nor great changes. This means they can live comfortably where you can. 
But they cannot put on an overcoat or underclothes to keep them warm. 
The warmth must come from outside. The perfect range of temperature is 
about 70° at night and 82° daytime. 
They like light but very little direct sun. Very early morning or late 
sun and winter sun but slightly shaded is good. But in mid-day, full sun 
exposure will harm them. The right degree of light promotes flowers for 
nearly all plants, perhaps all. If sun exposure is right, foliage will be rich 
green. Too much sun yellows foliage. Very dark green indicates too little sun. 
The best soil is mildly acid. They succeed in a wide variety. We recom- 
mend a porous soil, rich in humus that contains enough sharp sand to permit 
water to drain thru rapidly. Allow them to become slightly dry between 
waterings. If too wet all the time or the plants too crowded some lower 
leaves may rot off. Water in early morning with tepid water near the room 
temperature. A little water on foliage will do no harm if no sun touches 
them before they become dry. Indeed, washing the foliage is beneficial. 
Do not space too closely. Air and light should entirely surround the 
plants. Keep off the mealy bugs. Plants must be fed. Feed once a month 
with Spoonit. It is equally good for all house plants. African Violets have 
language but no words. Learn to understand them, all plants. For further 
information read Mrs. Wilson’s book on African Violets listed under Garden 
Reference Books, for $2.75, or even our brief article in 1949 Price List which 
now costs 10c. 
African Violets are foliage plants as well as flowering plants. If you 
have not yet solved the problem of continuous bloom, you can do it if you 
have the determination and the skill acquired by experience. In the meantime, 
appreciate their foliage and groom with loving care. The prettiest foliage 
of all are the Girl type. Their leaves have crenate, or roundly scalloped 
margins. The dark green leaves become very light green toward the center, 
making them two toned. 
The most highly developed of this type is our 1951 introduction, Sherry 
Girl, which Mrs. Houdyshel has named in honor of our great-granddaughter, 
Sherry, the prettiest, littlest baby girl who smiles so easy to show her dimples. 
Sherry Girl violet has rounded, deep crenations. The leaves are a perfect 
rosette. A profuse bloomer. 
In the following list of varieties, descriptions are brief. If the name 
describes the plant there is no description. This is but a partial list. When 
you want a variety not in our list inquire for it. We may have it. Southern 
California customers should visit our greenhouses and select plants. We are 
30 miles east of Los Angeles. Very near Fair Grounds. 
Bi-color. $1.00. 
Blue Boy Supreme. Deepest blue violet. $1.25. 
Blue Girl. Pat. Dark blue. $1.25. 
Blue Girl Compacta. Sm. plants. Leaves very compact, blue flower. $1.50. 
Bronze Girl. New. $2.50. Delivery in late spring or summer. 
Dainty Maid. Pink. $1.50. 
Double Blue Boy (Dbl. Duchess). $1.00. : 
Double Neptune. New. Lg. Fils. Fully double, and long lasting, perfect 
form. Blue-white petaloids in the center, reverse is Silvery-white, a profuse 
bloomer. $2.00. 
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