YOU CAN Grow African Violets: The Official Guide Authorized by the African Violet Society of America, Inc.

by Joyce Stork

Have you ever killed an African violet? Kent and Joyce Stork killed their first violet too! They soon mastered the skills for growing the plant and eventually wrote for the African Violet Magazine, the official publication of the African Violet Society of America, Inc. for over ten years. Their column For Beginners explained the basic elements of growing violets in an entertaining and straightforward way that anyone could understand.Now these columns have been adapted and edited to provide even the most novice grower with a step-by-step guide, whether the goal is simply to keep violets alive or to exhibit the plants in competitive shows.

Genres: Gardening, Plants, Reference, Nonfiction

234 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2007

Reviews

[Joyce Stork]

I'm new to Goodreads, but my husband and I wrote this book. It is officially owned now by the African Violet Society of America www.avsa.org because we donated it to them. Of course I think it's a good book since we worked on development for six years to get it right for new growers needing basic information. It has no photos, since it was published by iUniverse, but we carefully explained each part of good growing in hopes of keeping more African violets alive. It's since been translated into Russian and that version is sold in Moscow at Dom Fialka.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technically did not finish. I didn’t read every single page as it’s very technical, too much so for a casual hobbyist. But I did get some good tips from it

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted a book with simple, straightforward advice on keeping African violets alive and blooming. This is not that book. Although the introduction implies it is for beginners, it really seems aimed at hard core growers and breeders, people who want to enter shows. the early chapters are much too technical. For example, the chapter about cultivation has all sorts of dire warnings about losing track of hybrid names. They even say that if your propagation effort doesn't bloom true, you might as well throw away the plant because you would never be able to enter it in a show. (!!) this makes me wonder if other recommendations are about general plant health or about "showing." For example, "suckers should be removed promptly to prevent distortion of symmetry": is this concern for symmetry about the health of the plant, or so I can win a blue ribbon? And there are no pictures or illustrations. The info on propagation especially would benefit from illustrations.

If you are like me, wanting a quick guide and this is the only book available, start with Chapter 11. It has basic tips, and ends each section by referring you to the chapter which elaborates. (The book would be much better if this were the first chapter!)

[Ruth Coulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is unfortunate that there are no photographs of pretty plants in this book, as has been mentioned. However, pretty pictures are available freely on the internet. What this book gives is hardcore help for growing superb African violets.
Joyce and Kent Stork were established growers over many years with a great deal of success in helping new growers keep their plants going and flowering. Indeed some of the most delightful plants are those hybridised by Kent Stork before his death not long ago. They do know what they are telling us: they have the experience to back it up. Follow the instructions and you will have beautiful flowering plants to enjoy.
I too have been growing African violets very successfully over many years, and this book is a definite and very welcome part of my plant library.

[Dawn Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been growing violets for about 10 years as a hobby and I really learned so much from this book! I look forward to healthier plants that bloom more frequently now that I've learned better how to care for them. Very well written and interesting!

[Dr Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative for the beginner