Evening star., 1948-06-14
Readers Clearing House
AFRICAN VIOLETS.

AFRICAN VIOLETS.
Iron, Mrs. D. J. L., Washington
Mrs. M. c. W.: In answer to your
inquiry about your African violet
and from your description I think
your plant has Grown Rot" as it
frequently occurs when plants are
divided. 1t is necessary to handle
this process very carefully. If, after
separating, the condition you de-
scribe appears 1t is usually because
this fungus organism has found
entry at some point of cut or bruised
tissue. Keep newly divided plants
on the dry side until the areas
heal over and the root system is
established. Do not overwater; let
the soil get dry to touch and only
water from bottom with warm water,
taking away any that is left IN the
saucer after one hour. Keep plant
out Of summer sun (winter sun is
ok. They do need light and can
be placed in a window II behind a
glass curtain.
Mrs. K. G. H.: In answer to your
question wish to tell you that the
bug you describe is 'mealy bug
and you can rid your violet plant
. by dipping a small brush in alcohol
and touching each bug. There are
other methods but most violet grow
ers find this most effective. II you
remove suckers" from plants you
will have more and better blooms.
(Fron, Mrs. C. W. c., Washington }
Although I am not an authority
on African violet culture, I have
been raising them for the past 10
years. With regard to the inquiries
Of Mrs. j. C. T., Mr.. K. G. H. and
Mrs. M. c. w., this has been my
experience: My violets have done
their best blooming in the eastern
windows with only the morning sun.
Too much sun burns the leaves.
Violets are very sensitive and DO
not like too much heat or cold. l
shield them from either extreme.
They will do their best If the soil
Is moist. AS soon as the dirt looks
even slightly dry I add water.
I remove the suckers" only when
desirous Of forming new plants, or
II the mother plant is too full OF
leaves to get good ventilation.
wonder If Mrs. M. c. w. steril-
ICED the dirt and manure. Her plants
may be dying from a very tiny
worm which eats at the core. II
that Is true, she can save her plants
by cutting the stock back until 1t is
green and healthy all the way
across, putting it into some new
sterile dirt and keeping it quite
moist. Remove all of the limp
leaves and any more necessary to
get it into the dirt.
My dirt mixture is about one-half
rich loan and one-half sand. /
Use only small amount of manure.
I sterilize my prepared soil by bak-
ing ir the oven at $50 degrees for
about an hour. Cool thoroughly
before using.
(From Mrs. L. M. s., Washington
Root suckers may be around stems
and roots. Soil that has been treated
for insects and sucking worm should
be used after all old soil has been
removed from pot and plant. Soak
ing roots In a good commercial
root grower may revive your plants.
MRS. M. G. WIS violets are either
kept too wet or have root sucking
bug.
SPINACH DRESSING.
from Mr.. J. S., Wdshington.)
Here Is q recipe for Conemaugh
dressing for spinach. A friend from
Johnstown. Pa, gave 1t to me. The
recipe had been handed down In
his family for several generations.
I think 1t is find.
Conemaugh dressing for spinach:
Cut, or dice, about q quarter OF
pound of bacon into small half-inch
cubes. Fry these in frying pan.
When done add one cup OF vinegar.
Of vinegar is very strong you may
weaken it with water. Also, 1t might
add flavor If one used "tarragon'
vinegar instead of the usual kind
of vinegar)
Take one-half a cup Of canned
milk and stir tablespoonful or two
of vinegar into it. stirring In little
at time until milk is thick. Then
add two tablespoonfuls OF flour and
stir until the mixture has become
smooth.
Have the vinegar and the bacon
gravy boiling, then stir in this milk
mixture and cook. When done,
pour over spinach or other kinds OF