HOW TO GROW AFRICAN VIOLETS 
In the past, some have felt that African Violets were 
temperamental, 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, plus a window (any 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 will need to remember 
to keep your plants looking nice. They need some sun- 
light, and of course you’ll want to take a peek every other 
week, to see if the wick on the flower pot is damp. Our 
spongy potting soil holds the moisture, and the plastic pot 
theory keeps it well distributed. 
If you mix your own soil take: 2 parts good garden 
soil, 2 parts rich woods earth (leaf mold), 1 part of sand 
or vermiculite, 1 part peat moss, 1 part very rotted cow 
manure, 1/4 part bonemeal you’ll have to sterilize by bak- 
ing 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 African Violets. 
Don’t spill hot or cold water on the foliage as this will 
spoil the appearance by causing brown markings. These 
plants originated in Africa, so they appreciate warm tem- 
peratures. 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 anx- 
ious for a spot to show appreciation by dutifully reward- 
ing 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. thev’re easy to 
grow. 
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