HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-04-29, Page 37o's afraid of an African violet?
Unfortunately, many pwple.
The awesome beauty of this
adaptable houseplant
sometimes creates the idea
that violets are a lot of work.
In reality, the hardest work
connected with a violet may be
choosing the right variety. No -
name brands are a real
mistake when it comes to a
violet. Plant breeding has
created a whole new type of
violet. These superbloomers
Time to
repot
Don't take your houseplants
for granted. Now that they are
starting to grow again; check
to see Whether they need
repotting or fresh soil, says
Bob Fleming, Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food
horticulturist. .
As plants grow, their roots
need more room to develop. If
the roots are pot bound, repot,
the plant into a larger con-
tainer or prune the roots.
If you intend to repot,.. choose
a container one size larger
than the original one. Remove
the plant from its pot by
holding the pot sideways in one
hand. Tap the bottom of the ('tot
gently, and ease the plant out
slowly. Shake some soil from
the roots, and repot in rich,
fresh potting soil.
"While "transplanting, . you
may wish to divide or separate
plants, such as ferns, toobtain
more plants," says Mr.
Fleming.
If you have very large
houseplants, Mr. Fleming
recommends engaging the
help of one or two people to
ease the plant from its con-
tainer. Shake some of the soil
from the roots and prune
lightly, then repot into the
same container wjth fresh
potting soil.
Wnen pruning the roots of
any houseplant, be careful not
to remove more than one-
quarter to one-third of the
roots.
Plants that have been
growing in the same pot for
more than one year also need
attention . at this time. After
one or two'years. houseplants
exhaust 'the nutrients in the
soil, says Mr. Fleming. As a
result, they won't produce
good•growth, and may develop
brown leaf edges or paleness
along the veins. Fresh soil will
usually suffice.
Follow these steps to ensure
a healthy environment for the
plant roots, and you'll be
rewarded with vigorous,
healthy plant growth this
spring.
Modern
flowers for
modern tint.' es
Lifestyles change, and garden
flowers change with them. More
women are working; commuting
is taking more time. Most people
have fewer hours to spend' in the
house and yard, but wane the en-
joyment a garden gives them.
New Flower sarieties are easy
to grow, need Icss care and they
keep smiling through heat and
rain,
these modern flowers ers o tort a lit
tie mole than the old cmc'. hu'
.ire womb 11
Vlato:h the new, intnodut.ton..
irk ludine the \o'nnuno• \11•
1\1I Ric \tit11("IIro\,.
are so unique they merit
government patents.
Patented violets, such as the
Ballet series, are products of
rigorous development. The
Ballet violet must have a much
more profuse blooming habit.
Its color must be outstanding
and its disease resistance must
be superior to standard
varieties. Once these qualities
are developed, the patent
insures that the variety will
only be propagated by
specifically approved sources.
When a patented violet name
is expanded to include new
varieties, the same quality
standards are already
assured. The dramatic ex-
pansion of the Ballet series in
1981 adds nine superior violets
to this already well-known
line.
The Encore additions to
patented Ballet violets sweep
the color spectrum. New pink
introductions include Camelot;
Pink Lady and Swan Lake.
` Super blues -io>F_ 1981 are
Bluebird and Patricia. Notable
bicolored additions feature
Aurora, a deep blue edged with
silver, and unique Fairy
Queen, large white blooms
frilled with rose -pink edges.
Now cranberry red is
available in the Ballet line,
with Dark Prince, a ruffled
double variety. Also new is
Evening Star, with soft
lavender flowers.
Success with a Ballet does
not require star treatment.
Page 3
Keep soil moist, but not soggy.
Provide good light indoors and
fertilize • on a regular basis.
More violets are killed by over
attention than the reverse!
When purhcasing a violet,
look for the patent tag. You
can expect years of
satisfaction from these,
progr am med-for-success
varieties!
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