RECOMMENDED BOOKS ABOUT AFRICAN VIOLETS from Amazon.com

Self watering African Violet Planters/Pots

African Violets by Tony Clements - A complete and thorough update for a successful guide, originally reprinted nine times. An authoritative guide to success with these supposedly difficult plants, with clear, practical advice from Britain's leading African Violet specialist. Completely free of technical jargon, and illustrated with superb colour photographs, African Violets will fire would-be collectors with enthusiasm and give encouragement to those who have previously found them difficult to grow.

African Violets, The Complete Guide. This informative book, with eight pages of color photographs and 28 line drawings, begins with a brief history of this popular houseplant and continues with a chapter explaining the three main types of African violets, their sizes, and the shapes of their flowers and leaves. There's a list describing 167 hybrids and instructions on their cultivation (light, temperature, compost, watering, humidity, and feeding); propagation; rejuvenation; hybridization; and pests, diseases, and disorders. There's also advice on exchanging hybrids with other growers and on exhibiting plants. George Cohen Product Description: A comprehensive guide to this popular species, with sections on history, development, classification, propagation, general care, hybridization, and prevention of diseases and pests. 128 pp 5 x 8 8 pp color photos, 28 line drawings.

How to Select and Grow African Violets and Other Gesneriads - My picture "Bible"for vintage African Violets & Episcias", March 28, 2000 Reviewer: (Pittsburgh, Pa.) As an African Violet & Gesneriad grower, enthusiast, and self proclaimed "Gesneri-addict", I strongly recommend this publication. I got this book when it was first published. I wanted a book that wood provide me with reliable information about African Violet culture. I found so much more than what I had expected. Mr. James included flourescent lighting information, soil recommendations, and great propagation tips as well. I still, to this day, refer back to this book when I want to see what some of the vintage Optimaras, "Rhapsody", "Ballet" and other great older varieties look like. He also includes some great growing info on Sinningias, Episcias, Aeschynanthus, and Standard Florist Gloxinia. In conclusion, this book has a lot of nostalgic value to me. Having grown African Violets for over 23 years....I love seeing pictures of the vintage varieties like "Ballet" and "Rhapsody" . These were the varieties available in the stores when I first started growing violets! I love this book and strongly recommend it to both novice African Violet enthusiast and advanced!

Growing to Show : How to Grow Prize Winning African Violets, by Pauline Bartholomew - (Currently Out of Print, but some used copies can be found) - The Bible when it comes to growing African Violets, January 11, 1998 Reviewer: Steven Reed (Spokane, WA) - If you own only ONE book on the subject of growing African Violets buy this one, right away. I've grow African Violets for YEARS, and still refer to this book at times. It's a MUST HAVE!!

African Violets : Gifts from Nature - A thorough source of information., May 9, 2001 Reviewer: A reader This is a very thorough book and it will answer probably any question you'll ever have about African violets. It covers anything from potting mixture composition to lighting, watering, pests (covered to the extent to give you nightmares), the various methods of propagation, hybridizing, and genetics. Because it gets into the science of growing African violets, it is probably not for the person who has a passing interest in them. However, I am one of those who love African violets and am relieved to have a source to go to get all of my questions answered. It's a big book, and reminds me of a textbook in size and weight. It has 314 pages and 29 color photos. (currently only available in used or collector's versions, for about $150)

African Violets and Related Plants (A Wisley handbook)