VioletReflections Newsletter 

   November 6, 2000                            Editor- Sandy Crawford                                        Issue 3      

Don't forget to vote!  There are two polls currently open.  One is on a baby project for trading in the spring and the other is on a leaf starting project.

VioletReflections Logo contest -
VioletReflections is looking for a logo and has asked its members to submit their creations.  We have already have some great logos submitted.  You may view them in the files section.  Keep an eye out for the announcement for when it's time to cast your vote!

The Chimera project 
is off to a great start with 50+ members participating.  Wayne, you've done a great job heading up this project--many thanks!

  Member bio of the month

Hi, I'd like to introduce myself, Sandy Crawford.  I became a member of this group in July.  I immediately found this group to be friendly and willing to answer any question that came along.  My interest in violets goes back before I can remember.  My grandmother had one of those green thumbs and she always had violets and would give me one to take home and care for.  I always knew she could take a leaf and start a new plant.  I attributed that to her "green thumb."  Because of her, I like to always have a violet but that violet starting having "trouble."  I searched the internet for answers only to find that there thousands of varieties and many different colors--even red!  Well, I was hooked!   Violets to me are a  great hobby and a reason to learn new things but it gives a therapy of getting back to nature that can't be beat.  

I work full time and take ten credit hours a quarter so that therapy comes in handy.  I'm working on an AA in Computer Application Specialist.  When the offer to become the editor came along, I grabbed the chance to put the skills I've learned into practice for fun.

LIGHTING FOR PLANTS

By Don Geiss

Lights for African Violets are about as varied as the type of soil mix or fertilizer. At one time we placed plants on a window ledge in front of our picture window. They never flowered and it was thought that the light was not sufficient for the plants. We are surrounded by woods and the lack of flowering then could easily be blamed on the shade. Later as we learned some of the techniques for growing the plants we found that the lack of flowering was the fault of missing elements in our raising regimen. 

The blame was removed from the lack of sufficient light later on when too many plants necessitated our placing some of them on that same shelf. They flowered beautifully. That tale was related to emphasize again that one particular aspect of growing should not be blamed out of hand for a failure. That aspect of overall techniques will be examined at a later time.

While most casual growers use a convenient windowsill, artificial light is usually the method of choice among people who have a more serious intent. Of course if any grower has too many plants to fit the existing window space they will also probably turn to plant stands and artificial light. Light coming through the window is generally adequate. Often window ledges are very narrow but there are extenders that will serve in that case. 

It has been said that windows facing specific compass directions are better locations for plants than others. Our findings would suggest that it does not make that much of a difference but then there has never been an opportunity for us to try all directions. It is certain that the afternoon sun in summer is harmful to African violets. A sheer curtain will usually take care of the problem. It is necessary to turn the plants frequently because they always tend to lean toward the light. It would be interesting sometime for someone to try experiments of plant raising in various windows.

Artificial lighting generally catches the eye of people who grow many plants. Not only does a plant stand with lights provide more room to house the beauties but it also has other advantages over window light. First of all it is more balanced, thus plants tend to grow more uniformly. Although there may well be no proof, they are also faster growing we believe.

The question always arises about what type of fluorescent light should be used. In the beginning we
believed that grow lights would best serve the purpose. A friend who worked in a location where grow lights were used was able to get them free of charge. She offered me all I could use because she preferred plain ones.

The plain ones she preferred were warm white but we have not differentiated between warm and cool. We feel that either does an adequate job. Of course one good reason for using plain lamps is that they are considerably less expensive. Remember now we are discussing these things from the viewpoint of someone who raises for the general public and so do not experiment as a grow for show person would. 

It has been shown to us by customers that even an incandescent light on a table lamp can work effectively. The lamp should be from one foot to eighteen inches above the top of the plant and shine on it for about 12 hours per day. A friend who is an eye doctor had one of our plants in his waiting room. It was continually in flower. He had long office hours and despite the fact that the waiting room was dark the little lamp did the job.

To simply say use fluorescent lamps would leave out a most important if not the most important aspect of growing under artificial lights. It then demands that some sort of shelving will be important from which to hang the lamps. Shopping for a plant stand or making one is a major investment and necessitates much thought. It is not simply picking one for price but it must answer the question of light evenly covering each shelf. Also needing investigation is whether the shape of the stand lends itself well to a maximum number of plants. 

Our stands are built in to three walls in a room. Each is four foot wide and about 12 feet long. They are three tiers high. Each shelf is lighted with four foot long 40 watt shop lights. They are lighted with warm or cool bulbs at random. Two shop racks 30 inches wide and three shelves high line the wall leading into the plant room. They have been spray painted white to give them a dressier appearance. One shop light hangs from the bottom of each shelf. Each shelf has been made wider by bolting a piece of plywood to it. This extends the width from 12 inches to eighteen inches. 

There are stands that can cost as much as $600. There are also types that are single shelved that cost as little as $60. We favored the shop racks because the entire arrangement cost us about $50 and has done an adequate job. (See our article with photo in the Nov. 98 AV Magazine.)

We have deliberately omitted an in depth discussion of soil mixtures other than listing our type. We are in process of submitting an article for the AVM discussing the subject in depth and quoting persons from throughout the country as well as other nations. Watch for it in the near future.

An exploration of setting leaves will be "on tap" as the next item to be explored. 

Chat with….

 Chatting is a great way to get to know other members.  Unlike posting messages, you will get real time responses, suggestions and answers to any of your questions or anything you would like to discuss.  We do not have any topics set for each chat session, and we just talk whatever members want to talk.  So far we have discussed from chimeras to internet wedding.  (We also talked about Swedish beer! LOL)  We try to stay on African violets or any plants related topics, but it is all up to members.  We basically talk about anything, and that makes chat sessions more fun.  You do not have to stay for a full hour.  You can drop in and leave whenever convenient for you.  What a chat keeper does is to stay in the chat room during the scheduled time to chat with any members who visit the room.  

 Currently we have 5 keepers including myself, and I am now working on convincing one international member to hold chat sessions. (You all know who!)  Hopefully we will have more chat sessions available so that more members can enjoy.  Chat sessions are held at both Rachel’s Reflections chat room (http://www.baynet.net/~wagon/chatroom.htm), and egroups chat room (http://www.egroups.com/chat/VioletReflections).  Please look out for reminder messages to be sent out 1 day before and 1 hour prior to the chat session.  Reminder messages contain times, keepers, and a link to a chat room.  

Please drop by to say hi if you get a chance.  It is a lot of fun, and I guarantee you will be back again!  

 We are always looking for new chat keepers, so if you are interested in holding chat sessions please e-mail your desired time schedule to me at yfcs@home.com.  It’s fun to be a chat keeper, and one of the great benefits is that you can learn so much from members in each session!

 I would like to thank all the chat keepers for their support and time, and of course I would like to thank those of you who visit chat rooms to meet us.  Any suggestions and comments will be much appreciated!  Hope to see you in the next chat room!

* Julie’s time schedule varies for each session, so please look out for reminder messages.  Also, Julie’s sessions are the only chat sessions held at egroups chat room as of Nov. 1, 2000.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! Well, not quite but almost.  The holidays are just around the corner, soon it will be Thanksgiving and before you know it, Christmas!
  Since its introduction, the Violet Reflections' list has had fun projects going for those who wished to join.  So far we have had VR Bingo, a Fall leaf exchange and a seed project.  Well once again the list is having another fun event--a Christmas gist exchange!  This is a fun way for individual members to get to know another member a little bit better and to get into the Christmas spirit.
  If you would like to join the gift exchange, simply send your name and home address to me, Shannon at jlsd99@bellsouth.net by NOVEMBER 15th and your name will be added to the gift exchange.  If you would like, please include some personal information about yourself such as hobbies, interests, etc. so that the person sending you a gift will know a little bit about you.

Welcome to all  new list members. Please enjoy your stay with us. We are glad to have you.  
Today's member total = 174 including many  from Matte boosting our list on a Swedish Mailing list.

This month's quip:  "If the water is floating on top of the pot does that mean there is too much of it?"

This classifieds is willing to list  an ad for you.  The placement is free if you offer a deal to the members of the list.  The deal can be on anything you wish from leaves, plants to fertilizers, soil, or pots and books.  Any kind of discount for the members will do.  If you wish to take advantage of this offer, please contact Rachel at wagon@baynet.net  

 Congratulations to Peggy  from Louisana on winning our third vr-bingo game. Her prize was the 15 varieties she chose to make her card. The game ended with one more day left in October.   Look for information to come out about the December bingo around the 15th of November.

Would you like to be published? Do you have an announcement, a favorite recipe, a poem, or have you discovered some information you would like to share with other members? Send it to me and I will publish it here in the next issue of our VR-newsletter.  Please watch for the next issue to be released on the first Monday of the month.

If you would like to contact AVSA  to get information on how to receive their bi-monthly magazine or to order the Master List or First Class, you can go to their web site: http://www.AVSA.org/home.htm or call 1-800-770-2872.

   

           

-------The Kitchen Korner-------
recipes donated by Sandy
Pumpkin Bread
3 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
2 c sugar
1/2 c chopped walnuts
4 beaten eggs
2 c canned pumpkin
1 1/4 c oil

Sift dry ingredients in a bowl.  Add nuts and mix. Form a well in dry ingredients.  Add beaten eggs, pumpkin and oil.  Bake in two well-greased loaf pans for 1 hour @ 350.

Sweet Potato Casserole
3 c mashed sweet potato 
1 c white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c melted butter
2 eggs

Mix together and put in a greased casserole dish.

Topping
1 c brown sugar
1/3 c flour
1/2 c or more chopped pecans 
1/4 c butter

Mix together and sprinkle over sweet potato mixture.  Bake for 30 minutes @ 350.

THE TOP 10 WAYS THAT YOU KNOW YOU’RE A VIOLETHOLIC IF:

by Nancy Schweitzer             

 #10….. you talk to yourself as you walk by new African violets in a store…(“I’ve got that one, don’t need a double blue, wonder if they’ve got names…”)

#9….. you join a Violet Reflections project just to have an excuse to buy another plant

 #8….. you choose the vendor that requires the highest minimum order………. So you can buy more…

 #7….. you seriously consider getting a credit card just to handle your violet purchases so your spouse won’t know how much money you’re REALLY spending….

 #6….. you check your plants more than twice a day………just to see if one more has blossomed

 #5….. you dream in color…… about the new AV you saw in the catalogue

 #4….. you start sending baby announcements about your violets

 #3….. you daydream about clever names for your planned hybrids

 #2….. you plan your weekends around the chatroom schedule

 AND……..#1….. the only kind of fantasy that you have is a flower with blue speckles….

Classified Section
ATTENTION VR- MEMBERS only
 Do you have something you would like to give, sell or trade?  
email your information to me
and I will list it here.

Vendor Specials for November through January
     

   Mahlen & Brenda
offer shipping specials for VioletReflections members only.
   

Order 6 or more 9 inch leaf support rings  - shipping FREE!

Order 6 or more Oyama pots (any size) - shipping will be a flat rate of $2.95 

Order Pro-Mix with the Oyama pots - add $1.00 to the $2.95 for each 5 quart bag

All the supply prices can be found in the catalog at http://www.violetgallery.com

      
Stpaulia program
    

Will Cronk
wcronk@ivs2.com
    

Orders Sent To:
Wilson Cronk
P.O. BOX 321
Swartz Creek, MI 48473

make money orders or checks payable to Wilson Cronk
          

newsletter 4