Saintpaulias were discovered by Baron von Saint Paul, who sent seed to Europe 
where they first flowered in 1893. They are natives of the Usambara district of 
Tanganyika, equatorial east Africa. Tanganyika includes Lake Victoria, source of the 
Nile, on the north and extends 12° south. It is entirely in the tropical zone. It is always 
summer, with almost no variation or seasonal changes in the climate. Due to the hot 
Indian Ocean on the east, the humidity is high. 
The mean average temperature at lower elevations is 80° with little variation on 
either side. It is a “mean” temperature for the white races and few live there. At higher 
elevations the mean average is about 70°, which is not uncomfortable, but monotonous. 
Culture of Saintpaulias. Climate and soil conditions in the habitat of a plant supply 
a good starting point for the discovery of their proper cultivation. Plants possess a 
variable degree of tolerance and adaptability. Often a plant or an animal, transplanted 
to new conditions, does better in the wild or under culture in the new situation. For 
example, rabbits in Australia, the English Sparrow in America and Cactus in Africa 
appear to have gained by transplantation. 
African Violets under the hand of man have been vastly improved and many new 
colors and forms have been produced. Grotei, the climbing African Violet, and other 
new species have been discovered. They have also adapted themselves to somewhat 
different conditions. They are strictly house plants only. 
The advised range of temperatures for’ winter is 60° at night and 70° daytime. 
They might do a little better at 10° higher but that is uncomfortable for people in winter 
clothing and summer brings about 10° increase, in our living rooms. 
The plants do not like sudden changes nor great changes. A nearly even tempera- 
ture, within a limit of 12° between high and low is better. They are bound to have a 
greater range sometimes and if not more than about 15°, they are unlikely to lose their 
flowers. Loss of flowers is the first evidence of something wrong. This may result from 
sudden changes, drafts, too high a temperature in summer and in winter it may result 
if temperature goes much under 60° for more than an hour or two. 
African Violets grown at a congenial temperature are usually killed if subjected to 
lower than 40°. Therefore it is impossible for us to send you plants by mail in winter, 
to a cold climate. In favorable weather we can usually send to warmer sections of the 
south. Express is safer. Nor do we ship on very hot days in summer. We plan to ship 
so that they do not arrive to you on a week end and thus remain in a carton a day or 
two longer. 
Watering. Do not use cold water. The water should be near the room temperature 
and never over 10° lower or higher. Most of our watering is done by spraying with a 
hose. The plants need to have the foliage sprayed and it does not spot the foliage if no 
sun falls on the foliage before they dry off. The interval between waterings should be 
long enough to permit the top soil to become slightly dry. 
Good ventilation is needed by all plants but Saintpaulias do not like drafts. Slow 
movement of air currents are more conducive to their comfort. 
Soil formulae. Plants have a considerable tolerance and do well in a wide variety 
of soils. They should be at least mildly acid in reaction and a type that will drain easily 
and quickly. Heavy clay soils, therefore, are not good. 
We use about one half oak or redwood leaf mold and one half sandy loam or good 
loose garden loam. To this is added enough Sponge Rok or coarse sand to make the soil 
gritty and aid drainage. Fine screened peat is as good or better than leaf mold. 
We list Black Magic under Supplies. We have tried this and can recommend it. 
It is not only a good growing medium for African Violets, but for all the Gesneriaceae 
and most shade plants that need acid soils. 
Fertilizers. We use only Spoonit and recommend it to be applied once a month, on 
a day following watering. See our listing under Garden Supplies. 
Sun exposure. Most of the advice one receives over-emphasizes shade. Lack of 
sufficient light intensity is one of the most frequent causes of non-blooming. All shade 
plants need a certain amount of modified sunlight to make them flower. In the winter, 
the sun is at a low declination. Its rays must pass thru several times the thickness of 
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