Since you guys got me going ..thought i'd share with you how i got involved in AV's more than 30plus years ago...It was early 1960's..i had just graduated from the Graduate School in Claremont Calif...and had my second church as minister in the United Methodist Church in S.E. Ohio....I was going from street to street and towns nearby Steubenville Ohio area where i was...one of the cities just above there was Wintersville Ohio...i saw that a lady had a sign that said AFRICAN VIOLETS FOR SALE....om gosh....lol...so I went in and met Betty and Henry....they didn't go to church very often and Henry was a gruff old cuss that loved his Cacti more than the AV's....Betty loved them...and of course i announced to both of them that i had discovered PARADISE...lol....Well they were a bit sceptical of me I'm sure...Here was this young whippersnapper minister who was SO UNLIKE other ministers...he he...i had been in radio from a young age..and had a teenage radio program at the same time..Eventually both of them joined our church.
..Any way I found myself getting more involved and before we could say .HOLY COW...suddenly the Wintersville Ohio African Society was born....and i'm sure you all know the REST OF THE STORY>..But Betty's part of Paradise was in the basement with the lights and all..and their little greenhouse extended from that...and i must tell you..NEVER in my life have i seen larger AV'S..much bigger than dinner plates.....someplace in a box i have poloroid pics of Betty holding them etc....and yep we did the shows etc...and, also..as many of you know...when the cold is there and the snow is sky high..."ain't" nothing better than the AV'S.....i will share the pics of Betty and her violets when i find them....Suspect many of you have had similar experiences...thanks for bringing back such happy memories to me....Bob
thought i'd share with you how i got involved in AV's
That is a very cool story!
I am unfortunately not that exciting :)
You see, this is all still new to me!
It all started with some NoIDs from Bust Bee a few months ago and has grown by leaps and bounds due to my enabler husband! :)
well lorry i haven't done these in almost 40 years...lol....plumies are my first love...but it IS fun.
I like plumeria also though never owned any :)
My husband, Chris is heavy into Palm trees :) and quite often has some of those to share! He is also big into his Bamboo :) and we have some of that!
Me is it succulents and cacti *I have a mini desert in my back yard literally*...Cryptanthus and AVS *which are number one in my heart and have invaded the house VERY quickly! Also, getting a collection of episcia if I manage to stop killing them :)
But you are welcome to any I have Bob :)
I have tiger stripe now.
I will have strawberry fields *with luck* in a couple weeks or so.
I also have pink panther *and will have stolons in a couple of weeks or so.
I have stolons of fire ember and chocolate velvet..and if all goes well ...they will grow up and I can share them also :)
Lorry sounds like you are doing very well indeed...I have a very small place here in Palm Bay.,.BUT>.it IS a jungle...no grass etc..lol..thanks for your kind offer...how bout if i pick up one of those AV's at HD and we can swap?....I also am into bamboo..but some of them can take over...
He has Buddah Belly bamboo right now. They are a clumper thank goodness!
Oh and you don't need to buy me anything to trade with LOL..I would be HAPPY for some of these guys to get new homes! I need to space LOL
I also have a ton of suckers which aren't rooted yet..so I can't ship them but if we were going to meet up ..I could bring them...
I will make up a list once my husband is done building my plant stands in there!
Oh and my husband says the buddah belly can get tall but here in FL it tends to Buddah :)
Great story junglebob. Can't wait to see some of those pictures.
Deb
deb...hope i can find them...i;m sure they're somewhat faded but i'll go digging..
...lorry...sure lets meet up and i'll bring some things from my jungle for you guys as well
Nice story Thanks for sharing :))
LOL well if you can teach him how to cut out buddah belly and you want some...Please....we would be happy too!
Also..I am more then happy to share leaves from my AVS...I also hae some babies here that could use a new home I believe....Lots of little plants due to a recent windfall!
So sure...we both work full time...so weekends are better...just let me know when and where!
Lorry great...Sat or Sunday will be fine..let me ck back later today...would love some of the little plants...Bob
That is a great story! Thanks for sharing it with everyone.
Wonderful story!looking forward to the pics. thanks
thanks everyone...i will try and find the box with the pics from the 60's....bob
bob
Thanks for sharing, it was very heartwarming!
HI April...i still have to look for Betty's pics..good to hear from you..Bob
bump
Wonderful story,especially the part where the 'gruff old cuss' joined the church. I always enjoy these true stories and how people can change where love flows.
I do not know the rest of the story or Betty but I loved it. Linda
I love your stories Bob - You should tell us at least one a week!
someplace i have the pics...i just can't find them
anita...well it's been quite a ride for this 71 yo teenager...roflmbbo
and you stay that way - age is in the mind of the explorer - life is the frontier to be blazed..
hmmm...a bit late for me to get that philosophical..must have been that cup of coffee.
he he..i agree completely...i don't have enough common sense to get old anita
good for you!!! :))