Dear Violet

A little while ago someone posted a list of AV. E-mails to search, said they had more, but forgot who sent in. Was wondering if she would post some more. Interested in more as I had such fun looking them up.

Thanks,

Terry, Fl.
 

Dear Terry,

Here is your request. I sure hope we can find the person who posted the list. If anyone out there knows who it was please post the information to the VR list.

Thank You

Dear Violet

Dear Violet:

I have never written to anyone like you before, Because I don’t like some of the things Dear Abby says, so I am afraid to ask anyone else’s advise.

My Husband is a nice man-nicer than most, I think. But, he does get so angry when he goes to make coffee and finds a tray of babies on the counter in front of the coffee pot. I could put it on the stove, but he might turn the burner on and kill my babies.

That’s not all, he had to move the whole stand to get out the front door. Violet stand is on wheels, and I think he is being really unreasonable about all this. After sll, he gets to be on the computer an hour a day, when I am finished looking for stuff about violets and doing chats and stuff.

He told me that if I could not control myself, and the violets, one of us would have to go. I told him that both the violets and I would go and then what would he do?

We are really having a bad time, but he promised to listen to you when you tell him that this is normal behavior for violet addicts and that he should just do what it takes to help me out.

What Shall I do? Violet I think he is being totally unreasonable.

I am just a Normal Sand Violet Lover.

PS I will probably have a fit when I finally figure out who you are.

Dear Just Normal and Sane,

I can totally agree with you. You did not mention how long you have been married to this man but it surely has been a very long time for him to be so coddled. My goodness I think you have bend over backwards for him. After all he is a man. I see no reason why he can not roll the violet stand away from the door to go outside. I also think he should roll it back before he shuts the door as I know you must have a good reason for having it there in the first place. And goodness me he can lift up a tiny tray of babies and move them so he can make coffee. I think you have babied this man way to long and its time you put your foot down.

I would like to suggest that you tell him if he starts being a little more cooperating with you. That you will consider increasing his computer time to between midnight and four A.M. I think he should find that to be very fair.

Here’s hoping I have helped some. Also you need to whip this guy into shape real fast.

Sincerely,

Dear Violet

Dear Violet,

I would like to know whether the green algae in my trays is dangerous to the violets. I have seen Physan recommended to eliminate the algae. Is that a good idea. Or is it sufficient to just wash them once in a while.

I have also seen a trace of green, presumably algae on the surface of the vermiculite/perlite mix I have been using to sprout babies. (It looks as if the perlite pieces have turned light green.) Problem???

Thank You,

Leslie from Olympia, WA

Dear Leslie,

Some people have been using copper wire and copper penny’s in there tray to prevent the algae from building. I have tried this but it did not work for me. I finally broke down and bought the Physan and that works great. I have been using it for about two years and have had no problem with it. The algae will not hurt the violets it just looks bad to see all that green in the trays. I also wash my trays once a month with a soap bleach water. I believe this helps also and it does keep things nice and clean.

The algae in the mixture you use to start babies is normal since the leaves are in there for such a long time till we can remove baby’s. This also will not hurt the leaves or baby’s.

Thank you for writing and good luck.

Sincerely,

Dear Violet

I had a request to post the duties of the moderators. I felt that this was not for me to write about as I am as not to familiar with the subject. I have asked our list owner Rachel to post to the question. She said she would love to and will do an article on that subject.

Dear Violet

Please tell me how to make my big, fat, lazy, neurotic cat, Captain Chaos, stop ripping my plants out of there pots and carrying them around the house. I’ve tried pet repellents, mothballs (YEEEUUUCCCKKK!!!), pepper, everything I can think of. He does have wonderful taste and manages to take the most expensive plants I have. I’ve resorted to keeping nearly all my plants in the library with the door closed, but I’d rather have them all around the house.

Sincerely,

Desperately Wishing I had a dog

Dear Desperately Wishing I had a dog,

I have heard of this problem before. I no one lady posted she put wire around the bottom of her shelves to keep the cat out. I have a lazy cat also but he is not interested in the plants at all except once I had a plant on the window sill he likes to nap in and the crashed that one on to the floor. I have a dog that likes to drink the Fertilized water in the bottom trays. I believe it is the fertilizer that draws the animals to the plants. I for one do as you do have most of them behind a closed door.

If anyone out there can help this poor lady please post answers to the list. Sorry I can not be of more help here.

Sincerely,

Dear Violet

Dear Violet,

I have my African Violets in a Garden window. Will it be to cold for them there this Winter?

Thank You,

Mary

Dear Mary,

I have had violets in a garden window for about 15 years and they have never froze yet. We get down to below freezing in the winter but my window faces south and it is much warmer then the north side of the house. I think they will be OK unless you notice frost on the window in the winter.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Dear Violet