be allowed to hang as jewelled pendants. Flowers are usually bright scarlet and foliage 
usually villous, or hairy and velvetlike, They may also be grown in pots, same soil as 
African Violets. Either way they require constant moisture. When you receive the plants 
do not remove or tear apart the mass of sphagnum which contains their delicate roots. 
Plant the entire mass. 
Episcia chontalensis, a small variety with green leaves. Flowers lilac or white. E. 
Coccinea, so called in the trade but probably is E. cupreata. Brownish, hairy leaves, 
silvery veined, scarlet flowers. E. cupreata, var. Silver Sheen. A broad silver sheen in 
center with dark green border. Flowers scarlet. E. Lilacina, bronze leaves. E. splendens, 
large, bright green leaves, broad veins of silver green. Scarlet flowers. A very lovely 
variety. E. Sport is probably an unidentified species. Flowers close to yellow. E. cupreata, 
var. viridifolia, has unmarked green foliage. Price, $1.00 ea. The 7 varieties for $6.25. 
Columneas are epiphytic climbing vines. They may be grown in wire baskets of 
Sphagnum in which case they hang down as trailers. The large red flowers are gorgeous. 
C. Gloriosa is the most profuse bloomer. C. Microphylla and C. Arguda. Small rooted 
plants, $2.25 postpaid. See “Supplies” for baskets and Sphagnum. 
AFRICAN VIOLETS — Saintpaulias 
The latter is the correct botanical name. They are the most popular of all house 
plants at the present time and they are likely to retain this eminent position in popular 
favor indefinitely, as they deserve it. Reference to their popularity as “The African 
Violet Craze,” is unintelligent, because it fails to recognize the especial appeal of these 
little plants and their adaptability for house culture. It fails to recognize the health 
giving value, physically and mentally of a hobby and especially of gardening. Saintpaulias 
appeal to all classes, all ages and to both men and women. If this be a mania, Mrs. 
Houdyshel and I are glad to be victims. As long as human souls love dainty beauty, 
African Violets will be popular. 
Another important quality that will keep them eternally interesting is their versa- 
tility. At first the plants were so small and the flowers so inconspicuously blue that they 
escaped discovery until only about 60 years ago. In the hands of breeders, beautiful 
foliage and larger sizes have been developed. Flower colors have been extended to 
include white, pink and a purple that is almost red. There are double flowers, sweet pea 
shaped flowers, variegated colors, flowers with a border like picotee tulips. Indeed, no 
one has sufficient imagination to guess at what the future holds. 
Questions Answered. Many ask questions or consult us on the following. We can 
save many letters by answering here. African Violets are abbreviated, “A. V.” No, we 
have no Yellow A. V. It is very unlikely that there will ever be one. No, you cannot 
cross a yellow wild violet with an A. V. The first belongs to Family Violaceae and the 
last to Family Gesneriaceae. A. V. are unlikely to cross even with Episcia of their 
own family. One of its closest relatives is Streptocarpus. No, there is no perfect spectrum 
red A. V. They are always purple toned. 
Culture. African Violets under the hand of man have been vastly improved and 
diversified and many new colors and forms have been produced. New species have been 
discovered. They have also adapted themselves to somewhat different conditions from 
those found in nature. 
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 temperature, 
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. Or it may result 
from too low relative humidity. This should be 40 to 60%. 
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