Judges Are Judging, Sales Room Is Sale-ing!

Bay State show is a go!

A Surprise Handmade Gift!

So yesterday I opened my mailbox and had a mysterious surprise package from a violet friend of mine, Melanie Gupton.
I opened it up and found this GORGEOUS little tote bag that she hand-painted just for me! With a sweet little note, too. Don't make fun of me, but I got a little teary-eyed when I saw it. Allergies. That's it. I'm allergic to emotions!

Click to biggerize--PINK flowers--SOOooo me!!

It will be PERFECT for when I am exhibiting showplants and need to carry along extra slip-pots, grooming tools, a little bag of potting mix, a bottle of water, etc. All those little things you gotta bring when you're exhibiting (which I always forget half of, and then run around in a panic trying to beg, borrow, and steal so I can enter my plants). OH MAN, I hope I have some plants for a show soon so I can use this beautiful bag! Fingers crossed for AVSA/AVSC National Convention!

Coming Up Soon: Bay State African Violet Society Show

Crimson Ice - Exhibited by Susan Gimblet at the 2009 Bay State show

Anyone in the New England area should check out the Bay State African Violet Society's show this weekend at Tower Hill Botanic Gardens! I'll be there on Saturday photographing the show plants. I might also stop by Sunday briefly on my way back to Maine. Please say hi if you see me! It's usually a great show, and Tower Hill is an awesome place to visit and wander around.

Here are the details from the BSAVS website:

Spring Show and Plant Sale: We will again sponsor an AVSA-approved African violet show and plant sale. The show gives people an opportunity to enter their plants and floral designs for judging to win ribbons and prizes. You can also attend workshops on AV care. At the sale, commercially grown plants and supplies are sold, along with plants grown by our members. There is an $12 entrance fee to Tower Hill.
50th Annual Spring Show and Plant Sale
Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston MA
April 21, 2012 - 10 AM to 5PM
April 22, 2012 - 10 AM to 4 PM

Rob's Boondoggle - Exhibited by Sharon Rosenzweig at the 2011 Bay State show

 

Much Better!

Did major surgery and repotting on all my Dad's African violets... I am the best daughter in the world!

Here's a tip: Don't pinch the centers out of your single-crowned African violets! It makes hard work for whoever has to deal with them later.

Easter Work!

Hello from my Dad's house, where I have some serious African violet work to do! So much for a relaxing holiday....

Happy Easter everyone!

FINALLY made a good hybrid!

A long time ago I made an African violet cross. Waited months for the seed pod to dry out, put down the seeds, waited months for all of them to grow and bloom, and got one plant worth naming and saving. Then it took months of propagating it thru 3 generations to make sure it would stay blooming true. I think it's pretty special, definitely worth the wait.

At long last, I present...

m3rma1d's Orange Zinger

04/01/2012 (A. Keene) Semidouble-double bright orange pansy. Dark green, plain/red back. Miniature

Click to biggerize

FINALLY, an ORANGE African violet!