Joanne,

The only book I ever read was by Helen Van Pelt Wilson. In the olden days before the internet, this was all I had to learn from. I recently re-read it and, except for the chapter on treating pests and diseases, (because new treatments come along all the time), it is still a good growing guide.

Linda

Thanks! I love Helen Van Pelt Wilson! I remember her books from way back when, she wrote about other plants as well. I was recently given a copy of her book. I think it was a revised edition. I love the charming illustrations.
I am surprised you read only one book, in Hort school, were there a lot of scientific or academic books to read? Or did you learn by doing and by lectures by the professors?
I found an older thread in which Melvin Robey's books are recommended. I am just wondering if they overlap in the information or if each one is a little different. (I just enjoy books and reading and hand-drawn illustrations.)
Joanne

Joanne,

To clarify: the only book I ever read on raising African Violets was by HVPW. I began growing av's just out of high school before college. And I guess after all those textbooks on plant science, morphology, microbiology, plant biology, plant genetics, etc., etc., I didn't need any more AV books!

Linda

I read a couple av books, but their info was so laughable, none of the titles stuck. I have another on hold at the library, maybe that one will be different....
I wonder how people get funding for wish wash writing...

Linda, sounds like it was fun at the time!
Joanne

Karin,

Sort of like that bit about watering your orchids with two ice cubes a week, right? Where do these people come from?!

Joanne,

It was a blast! I love this stuff, especially plant genetics. Fascinating.

Linda

Whatever is of Melvin Robey - is the top source. The thickest book of 314 pages "African Violets- Gifts from Nature" covers everything - including hybridizing and has a decent chapter on other gesneriads. It just got reprinted - so check Amazon..

Older books - and I read the first edition of Helen VPW - and something on florist gloxinias... they recommended DDT to fight the pests. Ouch! So - use updated versions - and common sense.

Thanks, Irina! Joanne