F 
Yitdans Farms, 
African Violets” 
Are Easy to Grow... 
AFRICAN VIOLETS like a friable soil, rich in organic 
matter, lots of humidity in the air around them and little 
or no direct sunlight. 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 
sunlight. It likes warmth and will not blossom if the 
temperature drops below 65 degrees. 
Many people lose their valuable plants because they water 
-~~~-them. tco-oftea. 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 warm 
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. 
Violets grow well in any kind of pot. We do not use 
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 well 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 plants use a 24-inch pot. For larger 
plants use a 3-inch pot. If your plants are in too big a 
VIRDANS 
MAGIC SOIL 
for 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 steri- 
lized with Soilene. Your plants will quickly 
respond to this soil and repay you with more 
and larger blossoms. 
GOOD FOR ALL HOUSE PLANTS 
ESPECIALLY BEGONIAS 
. $1.25 postpaid 
. $2.25 postpaid 
. $5.00 postpaid 
Package 
2 Pkgs. . 
5 Pkgs. . 
Ae 
pot the roots will develop at the expense of the leaves 
and blossoms. 
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 way 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 
bowl 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 surrounded 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 water has 
evaporated, fill the big bowl with steaming water again... 
BUT KEEP THE 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 21-inch pots and then as they 
grow, 3-inch pots and so on, adding inch 
each transplanting. Older and larger plants 
— larger pots. 
. 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. 
. 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. 
. Water thoroughly from the bottom, using 
Virdans’ Plant Tonic as directed. Do not 
fertilize again for two weeks. 
