About Nancy Expertise I can answer questions on the following subjects:
Pests, chemicals
Showing AVs
Sowing Seeds
Problems with plants
Basics of AV growing
Episcias
Streptocarpus
Experience I am an African violet Advanced Judge in US and Canada. I have written a book on pests of African violets called "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family" My articles appear in African Violet Magazine and Chatter as well as in other magazines.
Organizations AVSA
AVSC
African Violet Society of Greater Montreal
Saintpaulia Society of Montreal
Publications Book author: "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family"
African Violet Magazine, many issues
Chatter Magazine Many issues
Horticulture
Other Magazines
Education/Credentials University of Indiana Master's work (Music)
Awards and Honors Jr. Queen of Show (Pixie Blue) AVSC Convention Montreal
Approximately 100 blue ribbons
25 or so Best of Class
Past/Present clients I sell mostly leaves on Ebay. I sell plants at convention shows and local shows.
Question why are there little fine hairs on the leaves on african violets?
Answer My apologies for the late answer--problem with a changed password.
African violets have very fine hairs on the leaves for a few reasons. In the wild, where African violets grow, leaves have developed with very hairy appearance. These hairs give a certain protection against weather, especially the sun. When the wind blows, the hairs gently move making them look like little insects. This attracts other insects to the plant. Once there, these insects can pollinate the plant so that it makes seed to renew itself.
All the violets in our homes come from these original species and some carry the gene for abundance of hair. The hairiest of the hybrids (man-made violets) was SUPREME. This type of leaf had extremely hairy leaves. It is not a popular type of leaf for hybridizers these days so we are seeing less and less of very hairy leaves.
