If your Saintpaulias do not flower altho they grow well and appear to be healthy, 
you need to check on all points we have mentioned. Light intensity and duration are 
important. In the far north we have customers near the Arctic Circle where there is 
full daylight only in summer. Here the only possibility of winter flowers is the use of 
artificial light. They express interest in fluorescent lighting. Mrs. Rector, in How To 
Grow African Violets (which you should have,—see our book list,) says that an 80 watt 
fixture, 18” above the soil, has been found to give good growth and free flowering. 
Greenhouse growers who force lilies for Easter are able to advance the blooming date by 
the use of electric light. Any kind of light will do provided the plants receive 15 to 
30 foot candles (as measured by a photographic light meter) for 12 hours duration, 
daily. This should be tried in the Northern states where winter days are short and dull. 
Humidity. The humidity of our homes is likely to be not much over 25%. One can 
increase the humidity around the plant sufficiently by setting the plants in saucers or in 
a long tray that will hold several pots. A chick feeder with guards removed makes a good 
tray. These may be partly filled with small gravel. Set pots on top of gravel and pour in 
water until it does not quite touch pots. Vases of water set in among plants will help. A 
saturated sponge in a shallow dish will help humidify air. If you have a greenhouse, 
keep the walks wet. 
Pests. Be sure to keep your plants free of insect pests. One of the most common on 
house plants is the mealy bug. Examine plants frequently for pests. Mealy bugs look like 
tiny specks of cotton. One way to remove and kill them is to use a bit of cotton on 
the end of a toothpick. Dip the cotton in alcohol and pick off the bugs. Wonder Garden 
Spray, used as a spray is effective. A badly infested plant should be discarded or at 
least removed from the vicinity of all other house plants. All effective insecticides are 
poisonous. You must not breathe the fumes. You must avoid skin contact. See our listing. 
Cyclamen mites are most destructive. The center of an infected plant takes on an 
abnormal appearance and changes to a different color, usually grey. It becomes rough 
in appearance and young foliage is misshaped. Mites spread to all the plants and effective 
measures must be at once applied. We have found the most effective remedy is to spray 
with Wonder Garden Spray, which is listed under “Supplies.” Immediately remove 
infected plants into quarantine. Do not handle infected plants, then healthy plants. 
Customers are invited to visit our nursery when in Los Angeles area. Drive east on 
Garvey, N. on Azusa, E. on Arrow Hwy. to Esther St., S. one block, or take La Verne 
Bus. Get off at Firey and walk west one block to Esther, Then south one block. 
Distant states, Hawaii, Alaska, Cuba, Europe, etc., should include enough for 
delivery by Air Parcel Post. We have shipped as far as Denmark, nearly 6,000 miles, 
this way and plants arrived in almost perfect condition. They did not quit blooming. 
We charge the customer the excess of Air Parcel Post above the cost of Parcel Post to our 
8th Postal Zine. Please state in your order that you will pay the difference promptly if 
your estimate is too low. But send your estimated amount with order. 
Starting leaf cuttings. A good many growers start cuttings in water. We believe a 
better way is to start in terralite, (a fine grained form of vermiculite), kept moist and in 
good light but no sun. Long distance shipments should go by air, the same as for 
plants. If leaf is wilted, soak 2 hours in weak vit. B, solution. 
Sales Tax. Californians must include 3% Sales Tax. Out of state customers sending 
plants as presents to California friends must also pay it. If this is not included with your 
order, delay results as we do not ship until sales tax is paid. Please read our “Terms 
and Instructions for Ordering,’ and comply on all points. 
Please give substitutes as some varieties are in short stock. If substitute is left to us 
we will send as good or a better variety. 
Arctic Night. Vivid dark blue double flowers. A sport of Bridesmaid. $2.50. 
Bavaria. Rich sky blue, distinct white edge which never fades. Shiny, quilted, 
emerald green leaves. $1.25. 
Bernice. New. Light blue, extra large double flowers. Created a sensation at the St. 
Louis Convention. Foliage, a soft medium green. $2.50.’ 
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