How to Grow African Violets 
For success and fairly constant bloom 
on your Saintpaulias, follow this brief put 
tested program. Really, they’re very easily 
grown! 
Location: Place in north or east win- 
dows during the summer months. They 
thrive on fresh air and light. Avoid direct 
sunshine. Shaded porch is ideal. 
During the winter months, place in 
sunny windows, shield your plants from the 
direct sun rays by your curtains or venetian 
blinds. 
Watering: Never water with cold wat- 
er. Let the water stand until it reaches 
room temperature. Then water, in a saucer, 
from the bottom every morning. Take care 
only to give your violets the amount they 
will absorb by early afternoon. 
Temperature: Ideal temperature is 
that which we prefer, 70° to 72°F. Don’t let 
the night temperature fall below 60°. 
If the air is dry, make provisions for 
humidity. Place water in a container near 
your heating unit. Both you and your 
plants will benefit. 
Cleansing: Give your plants the ‘‘week- 
ly Saturday bath.” This may be done by 
spraying foliage with your plant syringe. 
Be sure the water used is room temperature. 
If it’s much cooler or warmer, leaf spotting 
and crown-rotting may result. 
Soil: A good potting mixture contains 
two parts loam soil and one part each of 
rotted manure, peat, and sand. Another 
good mixture is one part garden soil, one 
part leaf mold; add’ enough sand to make a 
loose mixture. 
Sterilize your soil and pots before using. 
Moisten the soil thoroughly. Then bake in 
your oven at 180° for 30 minutes. Dip the 
rims of your clean pots % inch deep in 
melted parafin. ‘This -prevents rot due to 
leaf stems resting on edge of pots. 
Fertilizer: If a good potting soil is used, 
little fertilizer will ‘be required. However, 
your plants need food. We use, and highly 
recommend Plant Marvel. 
Disease and Pest Control: It’s easier 
to prevent than cure. Spray your plants 
every month or so with a good deterrent 
such as Black Leaf 40, N.N.O.R. or Optox. 
These may be purchased from your local 
druggist or florist. Use according to direc- 
tions. 
For classification of varieties, and complete scientific treatment of your 
plants, we can’t praise too highly this book— 
THE AFRICAN VIOLET by Helen Van Pelt Wilson 
$2.75 
B-103 
AR 
feed at you water 
We can’t praise it too highly! 
This easy-to-use, completely soluble fertilizer, will 
work wonders with your African Violets and other plants. 
Complete Directions and Aluminum Measuring Spoon with Each Package 
PM-101 Trial Size Package (makes 50 quarts) 25 
PM-102 % Lb. Can (makes 125 gallons) ei) 
PM-103 1 Lb. Can (makes 250 gallons) $1.25 
