Incognito!

Hortense and I trying to remain incognito!

Howdy John!

John - stop buggin' me...here's your picture!

 

Dynamic Duo!

Here's a picture of Hortense and I at the Lone Star African Violet show in Kerrville, TX.  Thanks to Andrea W. for sharing the picture with me!

 

African Violet Species - Yes, they make GREAT show plants!

While I have never grown an African Violet species to such perfection, we shouldn't be surprised that these "originals" can and do make great show plants.  Yes, they are a little more challenging to grow then their modern hybrid cousins but the accomplishment one must feel to bring one to this stage must be remarkable.  This was exhibited at the 2010 Lone Star African Violet Council convention in Kerrville, TX.

 

Hortense Pittman - The Real Deal

I've had the pleasure of calling Hortense and her husband Ray my friends for nearly 27 years.  Oh, I was so young back then!  Here's a picture of Hortense at the recent Lone Star African Violet Council (LSAVC) show in Kerrville, TX.  At 84 she still grows, shows and hybridizes.  We should all be so lucky!

 

Tommie Lou

Have you ever seen Tommie Lou?  I think most of you probably have not.  What is the significance of this vintage violet?  This was the first variety to display the white and green leaf variegation which is largely concentrated along the leaf's edge.

This was Best of Show at the Lone Star African Violet Council show in Kerrville, TX November 4-6, 2010.  It was exhibited by Steven Spachek.

 

Jolly Mel

Hortense has only named a handful of her hybrids after people and this one is named after Melvin J. Robey, author of several African Violet reference books including, "African Violet - Queen of the Indoors".

I took this picture on Hortense's back porch.  I guess I should have moved the newspaper background.  Oh well!

This variety will also be available in the spring!

Jolly Marvel - The "MUST HAVE" of the LSAVC Convention

I wish my photography was better than it is because this picture doesn't capture the beautiful coral color in this blossom.  It is an extremely striking contrast between blossom and foliage.  This was the "must have" of the convention.  It will be available in the spring!

B-Man's Etna

I don't typically pay too much attention to standards but this one really stood out in the showroom at the Lone Star African Violet Council show.  It's quite striking.

Description:  B-Man's Etna (B. Curcuruto) Single medium pink ruffled pansy/purple fantasy. Medium green, spooned, quilted, ruffled. Standard