African Violets Create a Sea of Colours with Canadian Gold at Sherway Gardens May 1, 2010

See hundreds of African Violets in full bloom in a rainbow of colours from the tiniest miniatures to huge show-stopping specimens at the African Violet Society of Canada’s Flower Show Canadian Gold at Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 and the QEW) in celebration of their 50th Anniversary on Saturday, May 1 from 11am – 6pm, and on Sunday, May 2 from 11am – 6pm in Sherway Square Admission is free. For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca or www.avsc.ca.

“Canadian Gold will showcase the talents of some of Canada’s best African Violet growers and hybridizers, including John Brownlie and Bruno Curcuruto,” states Beverley Williams, Show Chairman, African Violet Society of Canada’s Flower Show. “Our annual show offers visitors a chance to not only get some valuable growing tips from the experts but to purchase some new varieties of African Violets for their own collections.”

There are hundreds of varieties of African Violets, with new ones being hybridized every year. Some of the different types include: Standards (with variegated leaves), Miniatures (under 6 inches), Semiminiatures (under 8 inches), Trailing Violets and Chimeras (which have a unique color wheel pattern).

Canadian Gold is a juried show and Society members compete among themselves. The show does not open on Saturday until judging has finished at 11am.

The Lakeshore African Violet Society is pleased to be hosting the African Violet Society of Canada Convention & Show celebrating Canadian Gold in recognition of its 50th Anniversary. The 41st Convention Flower Show will be held at Sherway Gardens in Sherway Square. In addition, Canada Post will be issuing a postal stamp on March 3, 2010 to commemorate this occasion. Representatives from Canada Post will unveil these stamps at the show at Sherway Gardens on Saturday May 1, 2010. Other convention activities will be held at the Old Mill Inn, Etobicoke. Some members of the Lakeshore African Violet Society will also be attending the African Violet Society of America's Annual Convention and Show in Raleigh, North Carolina from April 11-18, 2010. For additional information on convention activities please visit www.avsc.ca.

TIPS FOR GROWING AFRICAN VIOLETS

“African Violets are the most popular houseplants in the world but they can intimidate even the most experienced gardener,” adds Williams. “This hardy plant can live for decades with the right care.”

African Violets will flower throughout the year if you follow these simple tips for success:
• African Violets thrive in moderate light (no direct sun), so place them in a north or east window.
• Remove dying or dead foliage and blossoms.
• Rotate plants one-quarter turn at intervals to assure even growth. Plants that stay stationary lean towards the light source.
• Remove suckers (tiny plantlets that sometimes appear in the leaf axils) as soon as they are big enough. If you allow them to grow they will spoil the plant’s symmetry.
• If a leaf is growing out of position, gently move it to its proper place and hold it there with small stakes until it shows signs of staying there.
• Remove dust and soil particles from foliage with a soft, natural bristle brush.
• Keep the plant area, pots, tools, etc. clean to prevent disease.
• Plain, round plastic pots are best for growing African Violets.
• For show-quality results, consider growing your violets under fluorescent lights. Purchase a ready-made light stand, or make your own using standard four-foot shop fixtures fitted with two 40-watt ‘cool’ tubes or one cool and one wide-spectrum bulb. Set the lights on a timer to provide 12 hours of illumination daily, and position plants about 14 inches below the bulbs.
• African Violets grow best at temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees during the day, and 62 to 72 degrees at night.
• Don’t over-water your plants. Keep the soil evenly moist, and water only when they begin to dry out a little. Watering from either the top or bottom is fine, but drain off any excess that remains in the plant saucer a half-hour later. Never use cold water!
• For best growing results, use a weak fertilizer solution each time you water. Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon granular food (choose a formulation of 20-20-20 or 12-13-14) to a 4-litre jug of water, and mix well.

Official Website: http://www.sherwaygardens.ca