Evening star., 1949-05-19
This and That
By Charles z. TraceDel
"HYATTSVILLE, Md

h1A1 11SVlLLE, Hu.
"Dear.Sir:
Always read your column and enjoy 1t.
Our pet turtle thrives on an exclusive diet
of earthworms.
How about an article on African violets
some day? Or hasn't that bug bitten you yet?
Sincerely. A. c."
That bug. as our correspondent puts 1t.
has never bitten us, although we have writ
4. ten few articles, from time to time. on this
popular and ubiquitous house plant.
The truth is that house plants have always
struck us as messy. And by that one means,
Of course. out OF place.
Today the African violet appears in many
colors, and has been increased in size.
It's appeal comes from the green leaves IN
contrast with the vividly bright flowers.
It seems to be plant that is all things to
all men-er, all women Cor truly the men,
bers of this sex love it best. although it has
many masculine devotees).
We are not sure that plants ought to be
in houses, or birds in houses, or cats in
houses, or dogs in houses.
Since all of these living things, however,
are very much in houses everywhere. 1t
seems rather better to say that house plants
simply lack appeal to some natures.
This is true, although those who feel
otherwise may not recognize it,
that Uncle George was "just mean" when he
insisted on sprinkling the ashes of his cigar
in the pot of bleeding heart.
Actually, what the fellow was doing was
showing his resentment of house plants, as
such.
The trouble with house plants is the pot
No man has ever invented flower pot for
the indoors.
Try as inventors have. they always come
UP with just flower pot.
They have made them Of wicker, hidden
them by false fronts, tricked them up with
paper and cloth. but underneath they are
nothing but old flower pots and every one
knows it.
The flower pot is useful utensil. it must
be admitted. but it is no more representa-
ton of the good earth than a bird cage sets
forth the glory of the armament.
Perhaps this Is an ultra sophisticated atti-
tude.
1t is easier, admittedly. to "fall' for Afri-
can violets.
ested in catalogs, in the multiplicity OF
breeders who have done wonderful things
with this humble plant.
The profusion Of bloom of a properly grow
ing plant Is marvellous to behold, and no
doubt accounts for the popularity.
Yet many persons do not have good re-
suits. This is shown by the unending stream
of queries about how to grow.
Some say that careless watering causes
leaves to grow yellow.
They suggest that watering be done from
the bottom. with very little allowed on the
leaves.
Experts have worked on soil mixtures for
this plant Every grower has his own ideas
on the subject 1t is much the same as the
pipe smoker, every one Of whom thinks he
can make mixture of tobaccos more TO his
own taste.
We would give a tip to the housewife:
Do not try to compel your husband to
admiration of African violets If he doesn't
want to like them.
1t will be no use There is nothing you
can do to make him like em. Oh. yes.
he may say he does; he may even. for
time, grow enthusiastic about the different
colors. He may wax eloquent over the way
to make a good potting soil.
Don't let him fool you. Down in his
heart he hates the things. and there is
nothing that can be done about it. He
may be a genuine and ardent rose cultivator.
but something in his nature has been left
out for the African violet. Secretly. he
resents the space they take up, the blobs
of water on the window sill. the yellowing
leaves. and the occasional tragedy when the
cat knocks a priced specimen to the moor.
He has compulsions and doubts. as the
psychiatriSts say. when it comes to the
African violet, and unless you want to ruin
his life, let him alone with his old roses.
or some day he will be in padded cell
screaming imprecations against things
African, including elephants. lions. rhinoc-
crosses. plaintain-eaters and violets.