Violets in a strawberry jar!

One of the 'growing methods' popular in the 50's and 60's was planting African violets in strawberry pots. I have found several small strawberry pots that seemed just right for violets. One was just the right size for my extra plantlets of Darling Blue Trail, a semiminiature trailer. Today I 'planted' the pot... and we will see how it grows!

Note about Harrington varieties:

Due to the number of emails I have received about the Harrington varieties, I am adding this note to say: YES, there should be Harrington varieties available this fall. But, I will be offering them to Violet Voice members as part of a fall/winter project. So, if you are interested in Harrington varieties, you will have to join our project! Watch for it to begin sometime in September 2007.
I understand several vendors do presently offer some Harrington varieties, and in the past week, several Harrington plants have brought fairly high prices on Ebay. Cedar Creek Violets will be selling Harrington varieties in spring of 2008.

Roof and Paint Finally Finished!

Yesterday, the paint and roof crew left...
The roof is now tight, we hope, and the siding is all one color!

It is so strange to have the house all grey... we have looked at it so long as two-toned!
BUT IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!
Time to begin on the landscaping and planting. With all the other ranch work that is to be done, I know I should keep my projects to a minimum. Plus, it will be nice to live in and around the house for a little bit before we start adding permanent features!
I am hauling tractor-buckets of dirt, manure, and sand in around the house... more photos to come soon!

My Search For Harrington Varieties

I began my search for D. Harrington varieties in April by posting a request for information on several internet African violet groups. Wow, what a response! I have several vendors who are selling me plants/leaves, and the ever-generous members of the online groups have volunteered for more sales/trades!
The best part of all: I received an email from Delores Harrington herself! Besides the wonderful opportunity to learn more about this interesting person, I received a box of leaves directly from the lady herself! Here is a photo of the leaves, set on May 10th!

I gave them the best spot on the light stand, and they are in my 'most trusted' leaf-starting domed greenhouse!
This is my pet project this year, so I will be posting updates!

To recap the past 10 months:

Last summer and fall, we began work on our new house ( http://montanaranch.blogspot.com/ ) ---and my violets were totally neglected. I literally shut off the lights and never looked at them for over four months. I did save a few of my favorite varieties and several new ones.
In January of 2007, as I moved the plant stands into the new house, the one remaining tray of survivors looked very lonely!
I did some serious thinking and decided to slowly buy or trade leaves... and did allow for some impulse Ebay purchases!
Over the past two months, I have purchsed about 50 leaves, and my friend Loxi lead me through her house, begging me to take leaves off some of our old favorites! Several varieties on my 'most wanted list' came up for auction on Ebay, and I now have plants of Sybil, Apache Sweetheart, Blue Aura and Edna Fischer!
Here are my 'leftovers' from last year... that doesn't sound as complimentary as I would like. These varieties really were tough and strong... and survived alot of abuse!

Now the challenge is to find the place in the new house that is ideal for growing AVs!