Welcome to my Sunroom

Welcome to my Sunroom, you guys!!!  Fall is definitely here in Chicagoland!

I would like to thank those of you who have found the podcast important enough to you that you have supported it monetarily. I have recently received some very generous donations via the PayPal Donate button that you see above. Any financial donations made go directly to help defray the costs of keeping All About African Violets “on the air.” Thank you. Thank you. And thank you again. :-)

Tips and Treasures

I’m so glad so many of you enjoyed my grooming experiment last episode. I’m also really glad to get your feedback – and it was as I had feared – hard for you guys to actually see what I was doing, particularly in terms of symmetry.

Big thanks to all of you who provided feedback!!

So – let’s watch some more grooming – from the top, down, this time!

A Look at What’s On the Stands

Things are starting to look a little roomier on my stands!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

There are a few places with shows and events coming up! 

* Saturday, October 23, 2021, Central Arkansas African Violet Society Sale – Little Rock AR in Maumelle Park, from10:00 am – 2:00 pm., Little Rock, AR* Saturday, October 23, 2021, Portland African Violet Association Fall Sale – Portland OR, at Portland Nursery, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Portland, OR* Thursday, October 28-30, 2021, Lone Star African Violet Council (LSAVC) Convention and Show – Fort Worth TX, at the Radisson Hotel from 8:00 a.m. on the 28th to 5:00 p.m. on the 30th, in Ft. Worth, TX.

Please check the AVSA website for events in your area.

The new URL for the AVSA website is: https://africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org/

Keep Moving Forward

Friends, I have some news to share with you and it’s going to sound like bad news. I have endometrial cancer. I know – it sounds bad. But I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as it sounds for me. Endometrial cancer is very treatable and it has a 99% cure rate! If it hasn’t spread, I may not even need to have chemo or radiation. Mine is Grade 1, which means we caught it early. My prognosis is excellent and I plan in being in that 99% group :-)

It is important for you to know that I am not a doctor and anything I share with you of a medical nature should not be construed as medical advice. That being said, I want to mention the importance of knowing the symptoms of endometrial cancer. It is one of the most common types of uterine cancer. Uterine cancer usually occurs around menopause or after,

Welcome to my Sunroom

Welcome to my Sunroom, you guys!!!  I’m going to quickly today because I have a lot to share with you!

Tips and Treasures

I’m trying an experiment this week. I filmed myself grooming my plants on the stand. Normally I would do this and film it for you looking down at the plant on a counter or table. I thought it might be more interesting to see me do this as I normally do it.

Please let me know if you like this or prefer to see these types of teaching videos in a more controlled environment. :-)

A Look at What’s On the Stands

The look is also quick this week because I know that grooming section was long!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

There are a few places with shows and events coming up! 

* Saturday, October 2, Spring Branch AVC, Annual Fall Sale, St. John Chrysostom Church 5402 Acorn Street, Houston.  Plant Sale open 9 am to 3 pm* Saturday, October 2, African Violet Council of Florida, Display and Sale, Christ Lutheran Church 2715 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland, FL, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm* Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3, North Star African Violet Council Show & Plant Sale, Bachman’s Floral, Gift & Garden 6010 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis from 9-4 on Saturday, and 11-3 on Sunday.

Please check the AVSA website for events in your area.

The new URL for the AVSA website is: https://africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org/

Keep Moving Forward

As I mentioned last week, I’ve been thinking a lot about how best to move forward with the podcast.  I hope you enjoyed today’s “beginner basics” video! 

In my state – Illinois – we have a full-on mask mandate again. 

PLEASE – Get Vaccinated.  And keep practicing the 3 Ws:

* Wear a mask* Wash your hands* Watch your distance

Thank you for joining me today – I hope your days are filled with all the things you love :-)

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom

Welcome to my Sunroom, you guys!!!  What a summer it’s been.  I’ve been wanting to be back with you now since I tried to come back in May, but time was not on my side.  And I traveled this summer for the first time since the pandemic started.  I was away for 3 weeks!

Tips and Treasures

As summer has been winding down, I’ve spent some time in the past few weeks thinking about how to move forward with the podcast.  What to talk about.  What topics to cover.  Wondering if I’m repeating myself.  But life has changed so very much in the past 18 months or so – everything is different now in COVID times.  It has changed how we interact with each other. 

It also makes me feel like now is when we really need to find ways to connect with each other again – new ways, different ways – because connection is so very important.  One thing that doesn’t change is that there are plants on my stands, so let’s go take a look!!

A Look at What’s On the Stands

You probably noticed a lot of changes since the last look back in May.  That’s because I’ve been limiting my collection . . . And seriously – East Wind has already gone to its Great Reward . . .

My original bloom stalk project was a total bust – but how about my Mandan Dandy Bloom Stalks???!!!  I’m totally excited about this project.

I want to talk a little about lighting since I was asked about my stands.  I’m an old-school grower.  T-12s.  Grolux tubes. 

Lighting guidelines from Pauline Bartholomew:

* Leaf cuttings, plantlets, and minis should be about 6-8” below the lights.  At 10-12” below the lights, plantlets, and minis have a good growth rate and will stay flat and nicely shaped, but they will have few blossoms.* Mature standard plants should be placed about 8-10” below the lights Standard plants of some varieties will grow flat and compact with the tubes as high above them as 15-20”, but the blossoms will be fewer than normal.

Get the Bail Money Ready!

There are a few places with shows and events coming up! 

* September 11-12, 2021, Wisconsin Council of African Violet Clubs Show and Sale – Oshkosh, WI, at St. Jude the Apostle Church Hall, 531 Knapp St., Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  Saturday, 10-4 and Sunday 10-3.  Free parking and free admission.* September 17, 2021 CANCELLED Ohio State African Violet Society’s Show/Convention is CANCELLED.* September 18, 2021, Rocky Mountain African Violet Council Show and Sale – Englewood, CO, at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church.  8:30 – 12:00 for the show, and 8:30 – 1:00 for the sale. * September 18, 2021, Memphis African Violet Society Fall Sale – Memphis, TN, at Central Christian Church.  10:00 – 2:00

Please check the AVSA website for events in your area.

The new URL for the AVSA website is: https://africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org/

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Welcome to my Sunroom!!

We’re going to talk about sports today. Not that kind of sports. :-D

Tips and Treasures

Today you get to see the possible chimera bloom that was on my Geyser of Color plant. Here is the description of this variety: Geyser of Color (10678) 03/19/2014 (Paul Sorano/Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses) Single pink sticktite star/purple fantasy. Variegated medium green and beige, spooned, quilted. Standard. As you can see in the episode (and in the photo, above) – that’s not what I got! Will the bloomstalk propagation work? I don’t know. I’m crossing my fingers.

A Look at What’s On the Stands

Still a few embarrassing moments here on the stands today . . . but I’m pretty excited about the possibility of another sport! This one from Mandan Dandy. Here is its description: Mandan Dandy (K. Stork) Single-semidouble dark coral frilled star. Dark green, wavy. Standard. You know that’s NOT what I got. This time it’s not a chimera, but rather a gorgeous fully double blossom! I’m excited to grow this out and see if stays true with this new double blossom. I’m going to try some bloomstalk propagation on this one, as well as leaf propagation.

Get the Bail Money Ready!

In 2021 the AVSA will again be having a Cyber Convention. There is still time to register!!

Please check the AVSA website for events in your area.

The new URL for the AVSA website is: https://africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org/

Keep Moving Forward

Thank you for joining me today – I hope your days are filled with all the things you love :-)

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Welcome back to my Sunroom!!

I am really happy to be back with you here on the podcast!

Tips and Treasures

I have a lot to share with you today! I took my four large Optimara plants and broke them down. I filmed so you could watch!

A Look at What’s On the Stands

Wow! There are some embarrassing moments here on the stands today . . . but you know I always show you the bad along with the good, and with there not being any shows near me, I confess that I’ve become a little lazy in the plant room . . .

Get the Bail Money Ready!

In 2021 the AVSA will again be having a Cyber Convention. Today, May 2, 2021 is the last day to register for convention at the early bird price.

Please check the AVSA website for events in your area.

Keep Moving Forward

Thank you for joining me today – I am very happy to be back online with you.

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Come on in and relax for a bit.

Now that the time change has happened, it really gets dark early!

Tips and Treasures

I have some treasure for you today! This is the final interview I have from the 2019 AVSA national convention that happened in Houston, Texas.

I know you’re going to enjoy meeting Bob Kurzynski, the hybridizer of the “Jersey” series of plants!

A Look at What’s On the Stands

Everything is blooming!! It’s nice to see all the colors as we head into winter.

Get the Bail Money Ready!

In 2021 the AVSA’s annual convention will be in Atlanta, Georgia.

Please check the AVSA website for events in your area.

Keep Moving Forward

Thank you for joining me today.

I have some news: I need a break. I’ve been back at this for getting close to three years again, and we all know how challenging 2020 has been for the entire world. The pandemic is still raging all around us – PLEASE wear a mask whenever you leave the house. We are in the midst of a public health crisis. PLEASE practice the Three W’s:

* Wear a mask* Wash your hands* Watch your distance

Anyway – I really do need a break and with this last interview from convention last year, now seemed like a good time. I’ve decided to take a sabbatical, so his will be the last episode of All About African Violets for awhile. I will be back at some point in 2021, but I’m not yet sure when.

I will still be sharing photos on Instagram so I invite you to follow me there at the link below!

Thank you for watching! Thank you for all your questions! I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed producing this podcast for you.

I also hope you will all have a wonderful holiday season, even if you – like me – are not going anywhere :-) Again, I thank you for watching :-)

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Come on in and relax for a bit.

One of the things that came up over and over when I asked for what you might like to see on the podcast, was the other gesneriads that I grow. So, today we are going to look at them!

This episode is a little longer than usual. I hope you will enjoy it and find it to be informative!

Tips and Treasures

The other gesneriads in this episode include:

* Streptocarpus* Columnea* Corytoplectus cutucuensis* Petrocosmea kerrii

A Look at What’s On the Stands

No look this week !

Get the Bail Money Ready!

In 2021 the AVSA’s annual convention will be in Atlanta, Georgia.

If you have photos of your plants and/or growing spaces that you’d like to share for the website, now would be an excellent time to send them in.

* Show Us Your Growing spaces!!!* Show Us Your Plants!!

Keep Moving Forward

Thank you for joining me today, and thank you for the star ratings and reviews on iTunes and Facebook, and for the generous donations you have made via Paypal to help keep the podcast going. I so appreciate this!

If you have a question, you can ask me at, Ask Annie! 

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Come on in and relax for a bit.

I’m still collecting ideas for specific African violet-related things that you are interested in seeing on the podcast. I continue to ponder how the podcast might look in the new year, so if there are things you would specifically like me to cover, please leave a comment on this post or feel free to contact me through the Contact Us tab on the website!

Tips and Treasures

This episode with Richard Nicholas was filmed at the 2019 AVSA Convention in Houston, Texas. Richard passed away unexpectedly on November 22, 2018. I’m very glad I had the opportunity to sit down with him, and I’m happy to share this interview with you.

A Look at What’s On the Stands

Things are growing! Things are trying to bloom!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

In 2021 the AVSA’s annual convention will be in Atlanta, Georgia.

If you have photos of your plants and/or growing spaces that you’d like to share for the website, now would be an excellent time to send them in.

* Show Us Your Growing spaces!!!* Show Us Your Plants!!

Keep Moving Forward

Thank you for joining me today, and thank you for the star ratings and reviews on iTunes and Facebook, and for the generous donations you have made via Paypal to help keep the podcast going. I so appreciate this!

If you have a question, you can ask me at, Ask Annie! 

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Come on in and relax for a bit. Fall is definitely here in Chicagoland! This episode is shorter than usual, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing – sometimes you just want a short break in your day :-)

I would like to know if there are any specific African violet-related things that you are interested in. I’m looking at how the podcast might look in the new year and if there are things you would specifically like me to cover, please leave a comment on this post or feel free to contact me through the Contact Us tab on the website!

Tips and Treasures

So glad so many of you enjoyed meeting Anne Nicholas last time! I don’t have a lot to share with you this week, but I am about to start experimenting with a new potting mix! The mix is the “African Violet Mix” that the late John Cook, of Cape Cod Violets, used to sell. Heidi Dillenbeck is now selling this mix as well as John’s Wicking Mix. You can find Heidi’s Enchanted Gardens Plant Supplies on Facebook.

A Look at What’s On the Stands

Things are growing! Things are trying to bloom!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

In 2021 the AVSA’s annual convention will be in Atlanta, Georgia.

If you have photos of your plants and/or growing spaces that you’d like to share for the website, now would be an excellent time to send them in.

* Show Us Your Growing spaces!!!* Show Us Your Plants!!

Keep Moving Forward

Thank you for joining me today, and thank you for the star ratings and reviews on iTunes and Facebook, and for the generous donations you have made via Paypal to help keep the podcast going. I so appreciate this!

If you have a question, you can ask me at, Ask Annie! 

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Come on in and relax for a bit. Fall is definitely here in Chicagoland! The days are getting shorted and the plants seem to know it.

Tips and Treasures

I’m very excited to share the interview I did with Anne Nicholas, last year (2019) at the AVSA convention in Houston, Texas. I think you’re going to enjoy meeting her and learning some of her secrets to growing the little ones!

A Look at What’s On the Stands

A good long look for you today since it’s been nearly a month since we’ve seen each other!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

In 2021 the AVSA’s annual convention will be in Atlanta, Georgia.

If you have photos of your plants and/or growing spaces that you’d like to share for the website, now would be an excellent time to send them in.

* Show Us Your Growing spaces!!!* Show Us Your Plants!!

Keep Moving Forward

Thank you for joining me today, and thank you for the star ratings and reviews on iTunes and Facebook, and for the generous donations you have made via Paypal to help keep the podcast going. I so appreciate this!

If you have a question, you can ask me at, Ask Annie! 

Remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* On Apple Podcasts!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!