How to grow an African Violet

One of the best gifts for the Mother's Day is a potted plant. Of course, if your mother likes houseplants.

My mother likes African violets and grew them in her apartment as long as I can remember. I guess I caught that green thumb bug from her since for the last 10 years I have been propagating them.

I'd like to share how to propagate them but lets start with care.

Start with just one plant. Purchase the one you really like in bloom. When you bring it home, place it near the sunny window sill, they hate direct sun light. Mine are blooming all year round on the north window sill protected by the blinds.

Rule 1: bright and even light condition.

Rule 2: regular watering with room temperature water.

Regular watering is very important. I am doing this 1 time a week, lets say, every Monday. Do not over water! Pour the water on the soil and avoid to wet the leaves. Let the soil soak all the water completely and in about 15 minutes turn your pot slightly over the sink to get rid of extra water from the saucer.

Rule 3: fertilize.

African violets love fertilizer. You can either purchase a liquid one and add it in a water every time you water the plant or you can purchase a stick fertilizer. Follow the instruction on a package and your plant will bloom.

Rule 4: choose the right pot.

In my opinion, the best are simple plastic pots with a saucer which allows you to collect the extra water. They are not as pretty as the glazed ceramic ones but African violets do great in them! You can always put a plastic pot to a ceramic one to make it look better. I would decorate a top with a pretty decorative peat moss.

Rule 5: the right temperature, humidity and ventilation

Other important issues are the right air temperature, ventilation and humidity. It's easy with temperature: if it is comfortable for you, it will be comfortable for your African violet. Avoid the sudden changes in temperature and try to keep it in a range of 70 to 78'F.

Ventilation is very important. The plant does not like drafts but loves indirect air circulation. So do not let air blow directly on them and do not place 2 pots with 2 African violets too close together. This will prevent diseases. 

They love when the air is humid. The best level is 70 to 80% humidity but they will thrive at slightly lower levels also.

Keep your plant healthy and happy and it will return your care with non stop blooming all year around!

Late summer garden

It is still hot here in Arizona and not much you can do in a garden right now. You can still run outside and quickly do something at about 6 o'clock in a morning when it is finally getting a little cooler but other than that there is no time for gardening yet.
During day I am quickly running outside to walk dogs and it is brutal... I am surprised that my garden has survived this summer! We had some wonderful monsoon season rainy days earlier this Month, I wish there would be more! The desert needs it !Well, on a positive note, my roses are starting to bloom again which is a good sign. That mean Fall is almost here with it's moderate temperatures. I can not wait :)Another nice thing is that we got our first harvest of bananas! We planted this small banana bush 3 years ago with intention to give our garden a tropical flair. Well, 1 bush turned into the tree, than another one, and another one... it is very pretty and huge now but the sad thing is each tree dies after producing fruits. Pity ! The good thing is the new one is quickly growing since it is multiplying from the rhizomes. There is still hope we will be lucky to have it for years to come! :)
I did some canning (yes, I thought of my friends & family, the jam is a lovely Holiday gift) and finally digged out the spring bulbs of freesias, hyacinth and paperwhites. It is time to dry them and prepare for the Fall storing!

Where salad is coming from

Summer heat during day but wonderful evenings are perfect for the friends gathering. Traditional BBQ and salads are in favor right now! Fresh produce is on sale now at the stores and we love to try some new recipes over light dinner with friends. Some ingredients are coming straight from the garden, and it can not be fresher or tastier!

So I'd like to share with you the salad recipe we enjoying now pretty often since we have first tomato harvest this year. We like it with grilled chicken and a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio but you can have it your way.

Ingredients
(you can change the quantity of ingredients - after all, you know what taste you like!):

3 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 cup red onion, diced, soaked in cold water for about 20 minutes and drained
1 cup fresh mozarella cheese, chopped
10 sweet basil leaves, diced
sunflower oil
red wine vinegar
salt & pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and enjoy :) Please let me know how you liked it!