Library

The Violet Barn

Library of articles

These pages are periodically updated, so you may want to return to this location later!

Articles on growing and exhibiting:

"Episcias: Lovely Plants with Lovely Leaves" From VioletsFun issue #8
"Discovering Streptocarpus" A lecture originally presented at the 1998 African Violet Society of America Convention Show in Sacramento, California. Appears in VioletsFun issue #7.
"Fine Tuning Your Showplants" An article that originally appeared in the Empire Violet Magazine, in September, 1990. It has been rewritten, appearing in VioletsFun #6, and reflects our growing environment in 1990.
"Provide 'Living Shade' For Your Plants" First appeared as an original article in VioletsFun issue #7. Reprinted in numerous other publications.
"Some Suggestions for Keeping Miniature Violets Miniature" Originally appeared in the Empire Violet Magazine, in March, 1987. Since repeated in numerous other publications, including VioletsFun #4. The subject might be a bit dated, given the quality of today's hybrids, but the cultural advice contained in the article is timeless.
"Some Notes on Trailing African Violets" Notes from a lecture originally presented at the Mid-Atlantic AVS Convention Show, November 1996. Reprinted in numerous other publications. Appears in VioletsFun issue #12.
"Knowing Your Violets: Basic Flower Types" Knowing the terms that hybridizers use, and learning the characteristics of different flower types can help us in selecting violets. From VioletsFun issue #2.
"Natural Planting Made Easy" Basics in miniature landscapes made on natural materials. Excerpted from workshops presented in spring of 1998 by Olive

The Best of "Violets Fun": A compilation of some of our favorite essays on the hobby and the growing "experience", written by Rob or Olive and reprinted here.

"About Us... A Fairy Tale" Can two "plant nuts" meet and live happily every after? The true story (in a "nutshell").
"It's Hot in Here!" When your greenhouse becomes a "hot" house.
"Of Mice (and more) and Men" Trying to live with nature's little creatures.
"More Tales of Mice and Men" An update.
"The Joy of Watering" True happiness found among the plants (our favorite essay).
"Good Help is Hard to Find" Everyone loves plants, but do they love the work?
"Help! (gasp)...I need (ack)...Water!" When we should water isn't always when we do.
"Things that Hop...and Things that Slither" Amphibians (and reptiles) at the Violet Barn.
"Violets as House Plants" Not every plant is a showplant, nor should be.