YY Ls Easy fo Grow rican Ushi 
In the past, some have felt that African Violets were tempera- 
mental, but with just a few simple suggestions, you’re sure to be 
confirmed enthusiast! Let’s visit a while, and I hope you'll be 
persuaded to give your green thumb a chance to show you how 
lovely your windowsills can be. 
I wish I could convince everyone that my healthy plants, plus 
a Wik-fed pot, a window, and my good special potting soil is all 
that you need to have an abundance of bloom. It’s just that 
simple! Let’s suppose that you have all these things, and from 
now on it is just a few hints on culture you need to keep your 
plants looking nice. They need some sunlight. Our spongy pot- 
ting soil holds the moisture, and the plastic pot theory keeps it 
well distributed. 
If you mix your own soil take: 4 parts good garden soil, 
4 parts rich woods earth (leaf mold), 1 part of sand or vermiculite, 
1 part peat moss, 1 part very rotted cow manure. You'll have to 
sterilize by baking this one hour at 250° to remove the nuisance 
of worms or weed seeds. I should say here that you must hide all 
fertilizers before you start, lest you be tempted or carried away 
with enthusiasm in this important mixing process! 
Now look for a pot that is in proportion to the plant, too 
much pot detracts from the beauty of your plant. The Wik-fed 
pots allow for proper drainage, or select any kind with a hole 
or two in the bottom. Our customers report that Pokon Plant 
Food enriches the color of your foliage, increases the size of the 
flowers and generally increases the loveliness of your violets. 
Don’t spill hot or cold water on the foliage as this will spoil 
the appearance by causing brown markings. These plants origi- 
nated in Africa, so they appreciate warm temperatures. Of course, 
you wouldn’t want them to die with sunstroke by allowing the 
hot sun to shine directly upon them thru a plate glass window. 
Now if you have some old gnarled plants that just don’t look 
right to you, firmly resolve to throw them out and start anew! 
Coddling a weak specimen on your limited windowsill just isn’t 
worth it, when you recall how many nice healthy plants are 
anxious for a spot to show appreciation by dutifully rewarding 
you with flowers. Give them room to be graceful, don’t separate 
plants that are blooming lest you knock off the flowers; and 
don’t let me frighten you, they're easy to grow! 
22 
