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AFRICAN VIOLETS like a fri- 
able soil, rich in organic matter, 
lots of humidity in the air around 
them and little or no direct sun- 
light. Contrary to the belief of 
many growers, they show no 
preference for north windows or 
south windows, but do well in 
any window if not in direct sun- 
light. It. likes warmth and will 
not blossom if the temperature 
drops below 65 degrees. 
Many people lose their valuable plants because they water 
them too often. Crown rot is a fungus which attacks the 
crown of the plant and is stimulated by overwatering. Water 
your plants by setting them in a bowl of water. When the 
soil at the top of the pot feels wet, take the plant out of the 
water and do not water again until the soil feels dry. Always 
water the plants in the morning. 
Violets grow well in any kind of Pot. We do not use any 
stones in the bottom of the pots. When transplanting or 
placing plants received from Virdans Farms (we do not ship 
in pots) set the plant weil down in the soil so that the crown 
of the plant is just a little below the top of the soil. Pack 
the soil around the roots firm, but not too tight. For small 
foe use a 2% inch pot. For larger plants use a 3 inch pot. 
f your plants are in too big a pot the roots will develop at 
the expense of the leaves and blossoms. The 4 inch wik-fed 
pots which we sell and recommend for African Violets, are 
not too large for the 3 inch pot-size plants we ship. They 
are much too large for the smaller plants. 
There are many insect pests that attack African Violets, 
and we have found the one insecticide which wiil control 
them all. We include the insecticide and a package of Soil- 
ene in our First Aid Kit. It is better to spray your plants 
with this insecttcde once every two or three weeks than to 
wait for the insects to attack them. The insects won’t come 
near a plant if you follow this preventive program, Virdans 
First Aid Kit for African’ Violets costs only $3.00, and it is 
insurance against loss of valuable plants. 
Now we come to HUMIDITY. If you have an African 
Violet planted in Virdans’ Magic Soil, and fed with Virdans’ 
Plant Tonic, and it does not bloom all the time, the reason is 
bound to be lack of humidity. If you can’t increase the mois- 
lure iu the air of the room where you have the plants, try 
this way of giving them the humidity they must have to 
bloom freely. ;, 
Plants that refuse to blossom — or those which develop 
buds, only to have them drop off — usually can be brought 
quickly into bloom this simple way. 
The next time the plant needs watering, set the pot in a 
large bowl and then pour hot, steaming water into the bowl. . 
Pour in enough water to bring it half vay up to the top of 
the pot. Let the pot set there until the soil in the pot is wet 
through. Then lift the pot out. Set a small bow! in the 
center of the big bowl. The small bowl must be high enough 
to keep the water out of it. Set the plant in the small bowl. 
The plant is now on a dry “island” and completely surround- 
ed by water. The soil will gradually dry out, but the water 
around it will provide the plant with the humidity it needs 
to blossom freely. When the water has evaporated, fill the 
big bowl with steaming water again ... BUT KEEP THE 
VIRDANS FARMS 
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SMALL BOWL DRY. Let the soil get thoroughly dry before 
setting the plant in the water again. Over-watering is apt to 
bring on Root Rot. 
Feed the plant regularly with Virdans’ Plant Tonic . : 
and your violets will repay you with an abundance of flowers. 
DIRECTIONS FOR REPOTTING VIOLETS 
1, Water plant a day ahead. 
2. Have ready, pots and dirt. Young plants require 2%-inch 
pots and then as they grow, 3-inch pots and so on, adding 
inch each transplanting. Older and larger plants - larger pots. 
3. Turn plant out of pot and gently loosen soil ball so that 
each crown can be torn or cut from the others with an ample 
supply of roots. Do this carefully to avoid breaking too 
many leaves. All broken leaves can be used in propagating 
new plants. 
4. Violets prefer a rather loose and moist soil so do not pack 
too firmly. Avoid burying the crown; but set it well down 
into the soil. 
9. Water thoroughly from bottom, using Virdans’ Plant Tonic 
as directed. Do not fertilize again for two weeks. 
PROPAGATING LEAVES: 
{. Water - Drop leaf into a small glass of water and leave 
until reots form. Then pot in Virdans’ Soil. This water 
should be boiled before using to prevent damping off. To 
hold leaf up oul of water, cover top of glass with wax paper 
and hold in place with a rubber band around glass. Punch 
holes in top and slip leaf stem into water. 
2. Plant leaves with stems covered one-half inch or more in 
pot or tin can with drainage holes. Use sand, peat moss mix- 
ed with sand, sphagnum moss kept damp or this African 
Violet Soil. Do not over-water, just slightly damp for the first 
couple weeks. then water when needed. 
If a leaf is accidently broken without any stem, root it the 
same way. 
VIRDANS MAGIC 
SOIL foc African Violets 
We prepare this soil for our own use — and our 
plants love it! It’s a scientific blend of organic 
materials — sun-cured and sterilized with Soil- 
ene. Your plants will quickly respond to this 
soil and repay you with more and larger blossoms 
GOOD FOR ALL HOUSE PLANTS 
ESPECIALLY BEGONIAS 
Package $1.25 postpaid 
2 Pkgs $2.25 postpaid 
5 pkgs $5.00 postpaid 
PHELPS, N. Y. 
