Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Come on in and relax for a bit. It’s been a lovely few days in Chicagoland, but those days are getting shorter. On my walk yesterday morning I saw a couple of trees already starting to turn! Wow!

Tips and Treasures

Today I have some sad news to share – Barbara Elkin – grower, hybridizer, judge, teacher, and my friend, has passed away. She was one of my mentors and was the first teacher I ever had for judging school. I’m so saddened that she is gone. The interview I’m sharing with you today was done in 2013 at the Austin, Texas AVSA convention. The sound is poor and there is a lot of ambient noise, so turn your volume up.

I know that the photo I chose for the header of this post is a little blurry – it’s because we were both moving – I love it so much that I used it anyway :-)

Here are the photos I mentioned in the podcast. These were both taken a few years later at the AVSA Convention in 2016 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Here is Carolee Carter with Barbara. I know that Carolee also considers Barbara a true mentor, just like I do.

Photo by Neil Lipson – used with permission

And here is Neil Lipson with Barbara, also taken at the 2016 Albuquerque convention.

Photo by Neil Lipson – used with permission

A Look at What’s On the Stands

I can’t quite figure out why – when I have all this time now – I’m still not getting things accomplished with the plants! :-D

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:

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

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone! Come on in and relax for a bit :-)

COVID-19 numbers around the country are still rising – so please stay home/stay safe, wear a mask when you go out, and keep washing your hands!!

Remember the Three W‘s:

* Wear a Mask* Watch Your Distance* Wash Your Hands

Tips and Treasures

The new edition of the African Violet Magazine arrived!

A Look at What’s On the Stands

Since I had to skip the look last time, I’m giving you a good long look today.

My current collection totals 57 varieties of African violet, plus seven of the “other gesneriads.” That’s a lot for me! It remains to be seen, however, if all the leaves put down make it. And of those that make it, how many will truly thrive in my growing conditions.

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:

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

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone!

Come on in and sit down!

COVID-19 numbers around the country are still rising – so please stay home/stay safe, wear a mask when you go out, and keep washing your hands!!

Tips and Treasures

Have I got treasure for you today!! I hope you will enjoy this conversation with Kurt Jablonski. This was filmed last year at the AVSA national convention in Houston, Texas. When Kurt and I sit down together it is always a gabfest!

Listen for how Kurt approaches a show – how he chooses what plants to bring – lessons he has learned about bringing plants to show – and about knowing your number. All really good things for any grower to know about!

A Look at What’s on the Stands

Because the interview with Kurt was long and I didn’t want to split it up, there is no look at what’s on the stands today.

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:

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

Welcome to my Sunroom

Come on in to the Sunroom!

While Illinois has progressed to Phase 4 of its reopening plan, we have seen a recent uptick in cases of COVID-19.  Many other states are now facing what Illinois was facing back in March and April when we were under a stay-at-home order, so please stay home/stay safe, wear a mask when you go out, and keep washing your hands!!

I just realized that I completely missed a podcast episode on the 21st of June, and not only I missed it: NO ONE missed it! This helped me make a decision that I’ve been contemplating for awhile. I have decided to let the podcast Facebook page go dark.  Back in the wayback there was a lot of conversation on our Facebook page, but by the time I rebooted the podcast a couple of years ago, groups were happening, and many new African violet groups had sprung up on FB. That’s where the conversations are happening these days (as they should! :-) ). 

There are multiple options for viewing All About African Violets:  You can subscribe to the podcast directly on the website and also on iTunes/ApplePodcasts. In addition, you can follow the podcast on Instagram and on Pinterest!  I would encourage you to do so, as I will be posting more in both locations over the summer to see how things go in these social media outlets.

Tips and Treasures

I don’t have any treasure for you today, but I was asked a great question by Geneva, about what to do after a plant has bloomed its head off, so we’re going to take another extended look at what’s on the stands.

Let’s jump right in!

A Look at What’s on the Stands

First we’re going to look at some footage from a week or so ago, and then we’ll see today’s usual look!

It was tough for me to do some serious limiting of my collection this past 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:

* Here!* On Apple Podcasts!* On Facebook!* On

Welcome to my Sunroom!

Hi Everyone! Come on in to the Sunroom and relax for a bit!

Tips and Treasures

Today most of our time will be spent checkout out the stands, but in other years, right about now would be the time when many of us would be just home from Convention. One of the things that happens at convention – at least for me – is the purchase of leaves and plantlets.

And also for me, that means that I have to start to look at my stands with a serious eye to limiting my collection of plants. When new stuff comes in, some of the old stuff usually has to go.

Following are links to the posts where I shared how I got about limiting my collection:

How to Limit Your Collection: Part I

How to Limit Your Collection: Part II

A Look at What’s on the Stands

This is the most beautiful my stands have looked in a very long time. I hope you enjoy this extended look!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

The AVSA 2021 National Convention will be in Atlanta, Georgia. Further 2021 information is not yet available.

AVSA’s 2020 Virtual Convention is still available on the special website. All the presentations from the 2020 Virtual Convention are also available on the AVSA’s YouTube Channel.

If you are are interested in sharing photos of your plants and growing spaces here on the website:

* 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! 

And remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* Here!* On Apple Podcasts!* On Facebook!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!

Welcome to my Sunroom!

Come on in! I apologize for the delay in getting this episode out to you.

Tips and Treasures

A different type of podcast today! It’s actually a rerun of the presentation I did years ago about planting by the phases of the moon. Note that some of the information is out of date – but I have corrected where I could. I hope you will enjoy this!

* Gardening by the Moon* Calendar* PDFs* Software* Moon Sign Book* R.J. Harriss Moon Gardening Book

The sound is lower during the presentation because it was done about seven years ago, but I think you can sill hear it well. Enjoy!

A Look at What’s on the Stands

Now is when things start to get exciting!! Lots of plants are coming into bloom!!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

The AVSA National Convention has been cancelled for 2020.  In 2021 it will be in Atlanta, and we will go to Little Rock in 2022.

Join the virtual celebration from your computer by attending AVSA’s Virtual Convention on a special website which is now live! All information about how to participate, and how to enter the virtual show are available on the special website! Each day of the virtual convention will bring new surprises including:

* 2020 New Introductions from major hybridizers* Virtual AVSA Show Room* Virtual AVSA Sales Room* Educational presentations* And More!

If you are are interested in sharing photos of your plants and growing spaces here on the website:

* 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! We’re still under a stay-at-home order for another week and a half or so. So please continue to stay safe wherever you are :-)

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

And remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* Here!

Welcome to my Sunroom!

Hi Everyone! Come on in to the Sunroom!

Tips and Treasures

We are now on Week 4 of the pre-show schedule – but there’s nothing to be done now until about 1 week before show. 

Today I want to talk about patience, because it’s been pointed out to me that I have none  :-D  I’m well aware that It’s not my strong suit but when you have so many new plants getting ready to bloom for the first time, it’s really hard to be patient.

But in the past month, I have been tripped up by my impatience – with two different Hunter’s varieties, where the actual blossom colors did not fill in until a few days after the blossoms had opened.

I don’t know if this is a trait of Ken’s plants or perhaps it could be my growing conditions – only time will tell, but my experience with both of these plants certainly gave me a lesson in patience.

A Look at What’s on the Stands

More and more plants are coming into bloom, the show hopefuls are looking pretty good!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

The AVSA National Convention has been cancelled for 2020.  In 2021 it will be in Atlanta, and we will go to Little Rock in 2022.

BUT the 2020 Convention is going Virtual!!! 

Join the celebration from your computer by attending AVSA’s Virtual Convention on a special website. Each day of the virtual convention will bring new surprises including:

* 2020 New Introductions from major hybridizers* Virtual AVSA Show Room* Virtual AVSA Sales Room* Educational presentations* And More!

The special website will go live on May 7, 2020 with more details including the virtual show schedule and entries process.

Entries Open May 7 to May 25. Watch for Entries information on the special website, but you can begin taking photos of plants now! You must be a member of AVSA to participate in the virtual show.

Guidelines:

* Original Photos of horticulture exhibits must be of the entire plant viewed from the side or from above and must show both foliage and blossoms.* Each exhibitor will be allowed a maximum of 5 exhibits including violet, gesneriad, and design entries. Submit 5 entries to become eligible for an award!* Exhibits will be enjoyed but will not be judged.* All horticultural entries must be correctly named.* Exhibitors must be members of AVSA and list membership # with entry.

More than ever, 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,

Welcome to my Sunroom!

Hi Everyone! Come on in to the Sunroom!

Tips and Treasures

We are now on Week 6 of the pre-show schedule. 

I’m so glad so many of you enjoyed meeting Stephen Covolo-Hudson last week!  Today’s topic stems directly from the tool that Steve mentioned – he called it a titrated pipette, and some of you asked about it.  He told me that he realized he had described it incorrectly.  It’s actually a chemical spatula, and it looks like this:

Stephen Covolo-Hudson’s chemical spatula

That led me to start thinking about the tools I have and use – some more than others.  And when I went down to the basement, I realized that it was really a pigpen.  So – first, I cleaned it up . . .

You know I like to show you the bad with the good, and the truth is, I allowed things to get out of hand down there.  But I’m really happy to have gotten as much accomplished as I did!

It turns our that my favorite tool is actually my potting bench, and today you get a really good look at it. I know I said that I didn’t have the plans for the bench, but I did find one online that looks pretty similar to mine on the Family Handyman website.

What’s your favorite tool?

A Look at What’s on the Stands

I’m loving the new Hunter’s varieties that are starting to bloom!!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

The AVSA National Convention has been cancelled for 2020.  In 2021 it will be in Atlanta, and we will go to Little Rock in 2022.

BUT the 2020 Convention is going Virtual!!! 

Join the celebration from your computer by attending AVSA’s Virtual Convention on a special website. Each day of the virtual convention will bring new surprises including:

* 2020 New Introductions from major hybridizers* Virtual AVSA Show Room* Virtual AVSA Sales Room* Educational presentations* And More!

The special website will go live on May 7, 2020 with more details including the virtual show schedule and entries process.

Entries Open May 7 to May 25. Watch for Entries information on the special website, but you can begin taking photos of plants now! You must be a member of AVSA to participate in the virtual show.

Guidelines:

* Original Photos of horticulture exhibits must be of the entire plant viewed from the side or from above and must show both foliage and blossoms.* Each exhibitor will be allowed a maximum of 5 exhibits including violet, gesneriad, and design entries. Submit 5 entries to become eligible for an award!* Exhibits will be enjoyed but will not be judged.* All horticultural entries must be correctly named.* Exhibitors must be members of AVSA and list membership # with entry.

More than ever, 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 ...

Welcome to my Sunroom!

Hi Everyone!  Happy Easter!  Happy Pesach! 

Come on in to the Sunroom!

As before, my sincere thanks to all our first responders and all those on the front lines as we fight against the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Tips and Treasures

We are now on Week 7 of the pre-show schedule. 

I have treasure for you today!!  My friend, Stephen Covolo-Hudson sat down with me at National in Houston, in 2019.  Steve and I have known each other a long time.  He’s a champion grower, he’s grown in multiple climates, and he’s a hybridizer.  This is one of my favorite interviews and I think you’re going to like it very much.  And, interestingly, you’re going to hear Steve say some things that you hear me say all the time . . . ;-)

A Look at What’s on the Stands

Things are looking good – I especially like how Sansoucy’ Coco is looking!

Get the Bail Money Ready!

The AVSA National Convention has been cancelled for 2020.  In 2021 it will be in Atlanta, and we will go to Little Rock in 2022.

BUT the 2020 Convention is going Virtual!!! 

Announcing AVSA’s “Virtual Violets 2020” Convention Event!!

May 25 to June 1 is National African Violet Week!

Join the celebration from your computer by attending AVSA’s Virtual Convention on a special website. Each day of the virtual convention will bring new surprises including:

* 2020 New Introductions from major hybridizers* Virtual AVSA Show Room* Virtual AVSA Sales Room* Educational presentations* And More!

The special website will go live on May 7, 2020 with more details including the virtual show schedule and entries process.

Entries Open May 7 to May 25.  Watch for Entries information on the special website, but you can begin taking photos of plants now!  You must be a member of AVSA to participate in the virtual show. 

Guidelines:

* Original Photos of horticulture exhibits must be of the entire plant viewed from the side or from above and must show both foliage and blossoms.* Each exhibitor will be allowed a maximum of 5 exhibits including violet, gesneriad, and design entries. Submit 5 entries to become eligible for an award!* Exhibits will be enjoyed but will not be judged.* All horticultural entries must be correctly named.* Exhibitors must be members of AVSA and list membership # with entry.

More than ever, 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,

Welcome to my Sunroom

Hi Everyone!  Come on in to the Sunroom!

Thank you for joining me today as we remain at home. And for those of you not hunkered down because you’re in an essential industry or business, you have my thanks.  Nurses, doctors, grocers, pharmacists – all of you working to keep essential services going during this unprecedented time – You are WARRIORS!  THANK YOU.

Tips and Treasures

Lots to talk about today!! This episode is a little bit longer than usual, and I’m a talking head!

We are now on Week 8 of the pre-show schedule. 

* Consistent Care:  I filmed myself grooming the Optimara plants.  I was holding the camera, so it’s awfully wobbly, but I thought it would be helpful for you to see the grooming process. * Immature Leaves:  Today I want to touch on Immature Leaves because the concept of immature leaves was one that I found confusing for a very long time.   * Limit Your Collection – when it comes around to show time, the benefits of Consistent Care become very clear. * Know your Number. We talked about this back in February 2019!

A Look at the Stands

It’s a good look today – I think you will really see the difference from two weeks ago.  The days continue to get longer, and the plants just seem to know! 

My growing space is limited, so I think you can also see that I’m going to have to make some decisions very soon on what I give shelf space to. 

Get the Bail Money Ready

The AVSA National Convention has been cancelled for 2020.  In 2021 it will be in Atlanta, and we will go to Little Rock in 2022.

More than ever, 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! 

And remember, you can find All About African Violets:

* Here!* On Apple Podcasts!* On Facebook!* On Instagram!* On Pinterest!