An African Violet on the Edge

For years, my horticultural pride and joy has been this African Violet. I’ve had it for more years than I care to remember and it continues to reward me with clumps of gorgeous pink flowers, at least 11 months out of the year. I must admit that I’ve considered it worthy of an occasional brag or two – that perhaps I had a slightly green thumb where this potted plant is concerned.

All that dissolved this morning when a friend commented that plants tend to produce lots of flowers when they are under stress. Stress!? What stress?? Then it hit me. This plant has seen its share of heartache. It never gets fed, receives way too much direct sunlight, only receives water once a week (if I remember), has crashed to the floor after which it was not-so-gently ripped apart by the roots and forced into new surroundings. For the love of peet moss, I haven’t even given her a name. Perhaps I’ll call her Violet.

I think Violet deserves a day at the spa.

— Sandra P. Demarest Underwriting Director North Country Public Radio St. Lawrence University Canton, New York 13617

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