The
Violet Barn
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AFRICAN VIOLETS
OTHER GESNERIA |
News and updates Check out this page for the latest news:
Check out these pages, regularly updated: To link to these pages, "click" on highlighted words, or on buttons in left margin
Looking for that hard to find variety? Check out our "Collector's Treasure" pages, for both standard and miniature African violets. These are listings of varieties not usually found on the web-site or in our printed catalog. What's new on the site: Besides all of the new plant material and new photos.
See what's new for 2010! Among other things, are the following.....
"Good news See us in the early spring issue of "Country Gardens" Magazine. "Alluring African Violets" is the title of the article that appears on pages 41-45 of the magazine. A number of our plants can be seen pictured, in particular many of our "Rob's" varieties of miniatures. An informative and well-presented article on African violets and their care. More big winners! A number of our varieties appeared on the list of top winners at AVSA shows for 2009. 'Rob's Boolaroo' reappears as the winningest trailer for 2008--our varieties taking 3 of the top 5 spots amongst trailers. Others among the top varieties include 'Rob's Boogie Woogie' and 'Rob's Heat Wave'. Our thanks to all who entered at the shows! Congratulations! To all of the other big winners at affiliate shows around the US and Canada! There is quite an extensive list appearing on the site on our "congratulations" page. The exhibitors winning Best in Show honors can receive discounts of $10 from any orders placed with us--seven different exhibitors are shown at the moment!. A special congratulations goes to Anne Nicholas for her Best Robinson collection and Tom Greer, for his 2nd best collection, at this year's AVSA Convention Show! To us! For winning the Best New Cultivar award at this year's National AVSA Convention Show, with 'Rob's Lucky Number'. We also won a number of other awards, including Commercial Best in Show, with 'Rob's Chilly Willy', and Best Commercial Display. "Good deeds" Promoting the hobby. For the seventh consecutive year, we were honored for enlisting the greatest number of new members into AVSA. If you love African violets, there isn't a better way to learn than by joining AVSA. In an effort to promote membership in the African Violet Society of America, we're offering a few incentives. Choose to become a member when ordering, and we'll send you a free plant (our choice)! See the home page and order form for details. It's money very well spent, considering the value of the information contained in the magazine. "Good deals" Special plants and special prices. Be sure to visit our "special offers" pages! This is where you'll find plant material that isn't regularly listed elsewhere on the site or in our catalog. We grow a lot of unusual, different, plant material, often just for ourselves--when we have extra plants, we offer them for sale! Or, sometimes, we just have too many of a good thing, and use this page as a way of selling off the excess--often at discounted prices!
Consider adding one or both books to your order. Exhibitors! Enter our special class at next year's National AVSA Convention Show in Philadelphia! First place wins $200 cash! 2nd place wins $100. The collection must be of 3 different named Robinson hybrids, all of the same type (mini, semimini, standard, or trailer). If a collection of standards wins, the exhibitor receives, in addition, a gift certificate for $50!! We also offer special awards at many of the affiliate shows that we attend
ourselves. Be sure to grow those Robinson originations! Where we'll be next: September 16-18, 2010. Annual Convention Show of the Ohio State African Violet Society. Held at the beautiful Kingwood Center, in Mansfield. Show open to public on Friday 1-5 pm, and on Saturday, 9-4 pm. Sales room open Friday 9-5 pm and Saturday 9-4 pm. Lectures for attendees include Doris Brownlie speaking on "Early Conventions and Violets" and Steve Turner, on "Chimeras". Admission to show and sales rooms is free. Walk the grounds and tour the gardens, while visiting Kingwood. For more information, contact Thelma Miller, at tmillerbus@aol.com Our apologies.... Looking through the site, you'll notice that some varieties are either out of stock or in very limited supply. Those in short supply are noted on the web-site, as well as the date we expect to again have them available. To ensure that your order gets filled promptly, please list substitutes! Please bear with us. We do the best we can in sending you the best plants available. Listing substitutes always helps, since this allows us to fill orders with the most mature plants. if you are entitled to free plants, we'll often select these from your list of substitutes. Looking for work? Have a green thumb? Employment opportunities available. If you're from the area (or, for the really ambitious are willing to relocate), we're always considering hiring additional full or part-time help. The pay is modest, but fair, and comes with a full package of benefits for full-time employees. The environment is pleasant and the work is enjoyable, especially if you love getting your hands dirty--though it is work. For those sincerely interested, give us a call at 585-374-8592 or e-mail us |
For your library--two informative books. We're now offering two
of the most useful books for growers of African violets and other Gesneriads.
Growing to Show ($16), recently updated and revised, has long been the
"bible" for those wanting to grow "show quality" African violets or, just for
those who want to grow their violets better. Contains a wealth of
information, for growers of all abilities. How to Know and Grow
Gesneriads ($10), published by the Gesneriad Society, is a great reference
book for gesneriad (African violet relatives) growers. Descriptions and
detailed cultural information is provided for many of the many genus of plants
within this large family.