AVSC Convention

The Violet Barn

2006 AVS of Canada Convention Show

The 38th Annual Convention Show of the African Violet Society of Canada was held in Ottawa from May 3 to May 6, 2006.

"Ottawa in Bloom" was the theme, and since Olive was invited to give a presentation, she and one of our staff (Karen) attended. The show has been held in Ottawa before (we've been there twice previously), and has always been worth attending.

The big winner this year was Tony Hulleman, whose Best in Show entry of 'Frozen in Time', is shown at left. This is a terrific variety that we've won with ourselves, and Tony is a terrific grower and exhibitor.

'Frozen in Time' was also part of Tony's Best AVSA standard collection. Another plant in his collection was 'Buckeye's Cranberry Sparkler'. This was the nicest example of this variety that we've seen yet.

Pat Renaud also won a number of awards, among them Best Standard violet under 12" in diameter. Her 'Rainbow's Quiet Riot', shown at near left is proof that you needn't grow them huge to grow them well.

A number of our own varieties appeared in the show, including the two shown at right. 'Rob's Slap Happy', shown at near right was 2nd Best Semimini for Lorna Russell. This is an excellent variety for show with a wonderful, deep coral, bloom and variegated foliage.

Shown at far right is a great example of 'Rob's Sailor Bill', which won Best Trailer in Show honors for Pat Renaud. This is an older variety that still is seen winning at shows on occassion. Pat also won Best Semiminiature in show as well as 2nd Best Trailer, among other awards.

Shown at far left is Best Semiminiature in Show, 'Optimara Little Aztec' by Pat Renaud.

Shown at center left is the Best Species, and 2nd Best in Show, S. tongwensis #3397 (Upsala clone), entered by Bill Price of Vancouver. Wow!

At near left is the Best Other Gesneriad in Show, Kohleria 'Kerstin', shown by Eileen McGrath. Looking through the site, you'll notice we, too, are lovers of kohleria.

At far left is Best Terrarium, by Paul Kroll. At center left is the Best Natural Planting, entered by Karyn Cichocki.

Of course, we had our sales table, as always, but on a bit smaller scale (we left the van at home and took our little Ford Focus)--round tables too! Still, it made for a very nice display.