African violets: Gifts from nature

Summary of the Book on Saintpaulia (African Violets)

For plant enthusiasts seeking authoritative knowledge on saintpaulia (African violets), Melvin J. Robey’s African violets: Gifts from nature stands out as a comprehensive and reliable source. This volume provides an integrated perspective on the botanical origins and horticultural development of African violets, alongside valuable practical instruction. It delves into essential propagation techniques, such as leaf cuttings and seed growing, while offering advanced insights into hybridizing new cultivars. Of particular note is the book’s robust diagnostic section, which aids growers in detecting and resolving nutrient deficiencies based on easily observable symptoms—a significant asset for maintaining robust, floriferous plants.

Distinguished from traditional pictorial guides, Robey’s book is tailored to committed hobbyists and professionals. Rather than emphasizing glossy visuals, it relies on approximately 30 color images supplemented by detailed black-and-white and drawn illustrations. This emphasis ensures a focus on clarity, accuracy, and hands-on utility over decorative content.

Written in English and spanning 314 pages, African violets: Gifts from nature is published in hardcover format by Cornwall Books (US, 1988) and primarily available from English-language booksellers such as www.Amazon.com.

Title:
African violets: Gifts from nature
Author:
Melvin J. Robey
Format:
Hardcover
Publisher:
Cornwall Books, US
Publication Year:
1988
ISBN:
0845347667

Key Information on Saintpaulia (African Violets)

Botanical Background

African violets, historically classified under the genus Saintpaulia, are now recognized within Streptocarpus section Saintpaulia in the Gesneriaceae family. Endemic to the cloud forests of Tanzania and southeastern Kenya, these modest perennials have expanded worldwide as favored ornamental houseplants, admired for their manageable size and colorful blooms.

Plant Characteristics

Growing to between 6 and 15 cm in height with a lush, 30 cm-wide leaf rosette, African violets feature soft, hairy, dark green foliage. Their flowers, measuring 2–3 cm across, span an impressive color spectrum: from violet-blues and pale pinks to pure whites and every hue refined through decades of hybridization. Dedicated breeding has produced over 20,000 officially registered varieties, including those with ruffled petals, variegated or splotched leaves, and unique bloom forms.

Propagation and Hybridization

Among the most accessible houseplants for cloning, African violets propagate easily via leaf cuttings, division, or seeds. The book explains both fundamental and advanced reproductive methods, supporting readers who wish to create unique cultivars. Hybridization protocols and even mutation-induced breeding—aimed at breaking new aesthetic ground—are discussed, encouraging enthusiasts to register their own selections and contribute to the genus’s rich diversity.

Cultivation & Care

African violets flourish when provided with consistent warmth, humidity, and bright, diffused light. Their preference for well-drained, slightly acidic soil and aversion to soggy substrates demands careful watering—ideally from below to prevent foliage blemishes. With steady attention, African violets can reward growers with nearly continuous flowering throughout the year.

Diagnosing Nutritional Deficiencies

One of the book’s most practical assets is its detailed guide for troubleshooting plant nutritional deficits. Readers learn to recognize and interpret symptoms such as leaf yellowing, pigment changes, distortion, and growth stunting, and are offered precise remedial actions—empowering them to restore health to struggling specimens.

Historical Context

Discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul in Tanzania, African violets quickly captured the imagination of collectors as they spread to Europe and the United States. The book contextualizes this botanical journey, highlighting the breed’s 20th-century development; intensive cultivation and hybridization have greatly diversified its forms and colors, securing its place as a beloved houseplant globally.

Conclusion

Melvin J. Robey’s African violets: Gifts from nature is an essential reference for advanced African violet growers and serious enthusiasts. With its rich detail in history, sophisticated propagation strategies, comprehensive diagnostic aids, and clear cultivation guidance, the book stands out as a definitive guide to mastering these captivating plants. For those determined to expand their expertise and success with African violets, this resource is best secured via reputable retailers such as www.Amazon.com.

Åsa Stoltz