Publication of Dixie African Violet Society Fourth Quarter 2010 Affiliate of African Violet Society of America, Inc. (www.avsa.org) Vol. 58, No. 4 Mary Lou Harden, Editor (mlhard@verizon.net)

President’s MessagePresident’s MessagePresident’s MessagePresident’s Message

The first week-end in October, the African Violet Council of Florida (Dixie’s convention/show hosts for her 54

th annual get-together in Ocala, FL) held its

annual convention and show. Carolee Carter (Dixie’s publicity chair for the 2011 convention) won best in show horticulture for ‘Buckeye Seductress’ (a plant hybridized by Pat Hancock, one of Dixie’s commercial members and one of our speakers at the Ocala Gala); and Mary Lou Harden (Dixie’s editor of The Dixie News) won best and second best in show designs.

While at the Florida convention/show, I had the privilege of speaking to many members of the Florida team, who are working hard to insure that Dixie will have one of its best conventions ever at “Dixie’s Ocala Gala – A Cinematic Journey,” in 2011. But, no matter the planning and work by your Florida hosts, to be successful, we need all Dixie members to participate. I am reminded of the following, which I received in my in-box last year: “A Lesson from Geese, author unknown. Have you ever wondered why migrating geese fly in a V formation? As with most animal behavior, God had a good reason for including that in their instincts. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. In a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone … and quickly gets back into formation. Like geese … people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and with greater ease than those who try to go it alone. When a goose is tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. If people had as much sense as geese, they would realize that ultimately their success depends on working as a team, taking turns doing the

hard tasks, and sharing leadership. Geese in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to up their speed. It is important that our ‘honking from behind’ be encouraging. Otherwise it’s just – well – honking.” What a great lesson from our geese friends!

Since we changed our convention dates in 2011 so as not to interfere with spring shows in Texas or with commitments already made by Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses and The Violet Barn, I hope to see more Texas members at the convention. Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses (Paul Sorano and Marie Burns) and The Violet Barn (Dr. Ralph “Rob” Robinson and Olive “Ma” Robinson) have already let me know that they will be in Ocala. You will receive the convention/show packet by mail shortly. Please look it over, and get your registrations and forms in, while everything is fresh on your minds.

This will be the first convention in many years, in which we have four presentations planned. Your Dixie Vice President, Lynne Wilson, has done a wonderful job of profiling three of the presenters (Thad Scaggs, Pat Hancock/ Mel Grice, and Olive Ma Robinson) in The Dixie News, and has lined up a fourth, as a mystery presenter. I know you will all want to attend the presentations.

Also, in this issue of The Dixie News, you will find a complete overhaul of the Dixie bylaws and standing rules, incorporating many long-overdue changes. Many of these proposed changes have been discussed with your elected officers, many members of the board, and a cross-section of the membership. It is our intention and hope that you will see the proposed changes as beneficial in helping Dixie to return to her glory days, when Dixie had almost 1,000 members, over 50 affiliates, over 45 commercial members, over 20 hybridizers, and between 200-400

(continued, page 2)

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CONTENTS

President’s Message – Bob Green 1

DAVS Website Information 2

Welcome, New Members! - Johnnie Berry 2

Publication Deadlines 2

Dixie’s Ocala Gala—a Cinematic Journey – 3 Kathy Spissman

Dixie Awards 2011 – Phillis Hinkle 3

Notice of Annual Membership Meeting 3

DAVS Judging School 2011 – JoAnne Martinez 4

Designing Miniature Gardens – 4-6 Selecting Materials – Betty Ferguson

Olive Ma Robinson, Workshop Presenter 6 at 2011 Convention – Lynne Wilson

Using “Umbrella Plant” in Interpretive 7-8 Arrangements – Bob Green

Correction of Registration Numbers 9

DAVS Collections Rosettes – Al Armstrong 9

Other Rosettes Available – Al Armstrong 9

Notice of Proposed Bylaws Revision 9

Commercials Selling at 2011 Convention 10

Presentations at Dixie 2011 Convention 9-10 Lynne Wilson

Coming Events 10-11

Gesneriads – It’s All in the Family – 11-12 Eucodonia – Mel Grice

Club News 12

Officers 13

State Directors, Standing Committees 13

From the Editor 13

Bylaws and Standing Rules 14-17

DAVS Membership Application 17

Commercial Members 18

Commercial Ads 19-20

‘Frosted Denim’ Christel Collier photo

President's Message, continued from page 1 convention/show attendees! Please review the bylaws and standing rules and bring your copy with you to the Ocala convention where you will have opportunity at our membership meeting to ask questions and discuss the proposed changes. It is my fervent hope that you will vote affirmatively for the new bylaws and standing rules so that Dixie can continue to move forward.

Faithfully,

__________________________________________

DAVS members can download the Show Schedule, registration form and reservation forms for meals, workshops, judging and entries. _____________________________________________

Johnnie Berry, Membership Secretary Kay Black, Huntsville, TX Carolee Carter, Ocala, FL Sharon D. Dunwody, Townsend, GA Marjorie Hendon, Silver Springs, FL Sue Hoffmann, Virginia Beach, VA Pamela A. Lund, Dunnellon, FL George Ramirez, Morgan City, LA Jay Sespico, Valrico, FL Johnnie Shepard, San Antonio, TX Jamie Walcott, Montgomery, AL _________________________________________

Publication Deadlines February issue – January 15

May issue – April 15 August issue – July 15

November issue – October 15 ____________________________________________

‘Frozen in Time’

Christel Collier photo

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DIXIE’S OCALA-GALA A CINEMATIC JOURNEY

by Kathy Spissman, Convention Director

mrsstrepstreps@comcast.net 770-939-5289

We are so excited about the upcoming Dixie African

Violet Society annual convention/show and sale at the

Ocala Hilton, Ocala, Florida, March 30-April 2, 2011.

The Convention Information is being sent by mail to

every member in a few days after you receive this

newsletter. All the information will also be on the

www.DAVS.org website by the end of November. Please

share it with all your club members, violet friends, and in

your community. There are a few teasers in this

newsletter about the convention. Watch those mailboxes

for all the information and register early for all the fun.

If you do not receive it for some reason or have questions, please do not hesitate to email or call me, mrsstrepstreps@comcast.net or 770-939-5289. _____________________________________________

April 2, 2011 Ocala Hilton, Ocala, FL

The Annual Meeting of members of Dixie African Violet Society will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at 9:30 am for the purpose of transacting business that may properly come before the meeting. _____________________________________________ “Rob’s Foolishness” Best Semimini Lynne DiMaio AVC of Florida 2010 Show Christel Collier photo

“Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum” Best in Design AV Council of Florida 2010 Show by Mary Lou Harden

Christel Collier photo

_______________________________________

by Phillis Hinkle pchinkle@bellsouth.net

THANK YOU to all who have sent awards for the Ocala show. Following is a list of the most recent contributors.

Mel Grice

First Lakeland African Violet Society African Violet Club of Greater Atlanta

African Violet Club of Ocala Memphis African Violet Society African Violet Council of Florida

It’s not too late to give an award. If you or your club would like to donate, please make checks payable to DAVS Awards and send to: Phillis Hinkle 806 Sheppard Cove Stone Mountain, GA 30083 You will receive a complete list of awards received to date with your convention packet which will come to you by mail. _________________________________________

“Precious Pink” Hybridized by Hortense Pittman

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DIXIE JUDGING SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2011

9 am to 4 pm

by Jo Anne Martinez 4jam@tampabay.rr.com

The Judging School will be taught by Paul Kroll, president of the African Violet Society of Western New York. Paul also serves on the AVSA’s Shows and Judges Committee as the “other gesneriad” advisor. Registration information will be included in the convention packet which will come to you by mail later this month. _____________________________________________

by Betty Ferguson

You’ve checked and double checked your schedule

and have a general idea of your landscape design.

You’ve brushed up on the elements and principles of

design. And now, you’re ready to incorporate your

materials into your design.

Choosing Your Container:

First, decide on the size and shape that’s appropriate

to the schedule and available plants.

For a dish garden, a rather wide

and shallow vessel helps to

create the illusion of a miniature

landscape. Select a container

deep enough to provide room for the roots, soil, and

necessary drainage materials. A traditional

Japanese dish garden is planted in a 1” tray. For

African violet shows, the judges frown on containers

much deeper than two inches. The shape of this

shallow dish may be oval, round or square, but with

the Japanese the shape is most often oval. The

African Violet Society of America Handbook for

Growers, Exhibitors, and Judges (p. 71) says a

shallow, long stemmed compote dish would be just

as acceptable. Other possibilities include dinner-

ware, saucers for large pots, plastic-lined wooden

bowls and boxes, shallow baskets, antique and

reproduction items such as the basin from basin and

pitcher sets and metal containers. Use a neutral

color. A visually active container demands very

simple plantings. A container with simple lines and

subtle colors permits the variety of exotic plants to

catch the eye. Traditional Japanese tray color is blue

mottled or plain white.

For a terrarium, any shape is acceptable. A square

or rectangular fish aquarium is the easiest to plant. I

prefer the natural look of rounded bowls even though

the round sides can distort the view somewhat.

Bubble bowls, brandy sniffers, and cookie jars may

be used. A cover is required.

You can have a glass cover cut

at a glass company or use

plastic to fit. Glass is easier to

slide open to allow steam to

escape. The Handbook states

the container must be

transparent. Regarding the use of mirrors, Bill Foster

wrote in the July-August 2003 African Violet

Magazine, “A mirror is opaque so it would not be

transparent. Furthermore, a mirror tends to distract

from the landscape plan.” On the other hand, Paul

Kroll wrote in the July-August 2006 magazine, “It is,

however, possible to have mirrored backs approved,

so long as the schedule states so.” Paul prefers

mirrored backs as they add depth and interest and

cut out the distraction of background or wallpaper

busyness.

Bottle gardens present

their own challenges and

usually need to be

started earlier than other

designs, while the plants

are small enough to fit

through the bottle top.

Natural gardens can be

planted in driftwood, a

log, a stump, a seashell,

a piece of lava rock, a

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gourd or other natural containers.

Choosing Your Plants

Choose plants that are compatible with African violets

and with your design. If any of your plants even

smack of having a cactus or succulent look,

unknowledgeable judges may not realize the plants

are not actually in the cactus or succulent family.

Some succulents naturally grow in the same

conditions with African violets, but violets are rarely

able to withstand the extreme conditions succulents

can exist in.

Really hunt for small plants to keep from

overwhelming your container, which you may find at

planting time is smaller than you imagined. But make

sure you have enough height. Here are a few

container plant hints:

1. Put down cuttings about 3 months in advance. Easy-to-root plants may take less time.

2. Some plants that really like the terrarium environment are episcias, gesnerias, petrocosmeas, pilea, artillery plant (Pilea microphylla), miniature begonias, some ivies, ferns, and miniature palms.

3. Learn all you can about bonsai. Dwarf azaleas, some begonias and geraniums, barberry and cotoneaster, cedar and juniper, yew, boxwood, small leaved peppers, and privet hedge are just a few that work as “trees” in container gardens. It’s hard to find “trees” with small enough root balls—one of many reasons to grow your own bonsai trees. Many plants tolerate severe root ball pruning.

No cut material is permitted in container gardens.

Only live, growing plants are allowed, i.e. have roots.

Discussion has been hot about using driftwood, pine

cones, acorns, and sticks because they are plant

material but aren’t growing. Paul Kroll explains this

controversial issue saying, “A possible exception to

this might be a piece of driftwood (relatively small in

size, used as an accessory, very discreetly, and lying

down, to represent a fallen tree or log….Height

should be achieved by plant material and not by a

large rock or piece of wood standing up [as high or

higher than the plant material] within the container.”

Use a tall plant(s) for height, medium sized bushy

plants for the transition, and ground cover or plants

that grow close to the ground such as small ferns.

Remember: Sufficient height is one of

the primary elements judges look for.

It’s generally accepted that the height

be about 1 ½ times the diameter or

height of the container, but other

experts say this should not be a firm

rule.

If you use a clump of trees, place some shorter trees

in the back to give the illusion of distance. Other

ways of creating the illusion of distance include using

tall moss or bigger blossoms and leaves in the front

and shorter/smaller ones in the back. If you notice

the trees and mountains in the distance fade into

hazy pastel colors. Use brighter colors up front and

bluer or grayer and lighter colors in the background.

Vary your texture and color so that all plants of the

same texture and color aren’t in the same place.

It’s okay to use other flowering plants, but don’t use

flowers that distract from your violet for an African

violet show. A natural color blossom is preferred for

dish garden violets rather than multi-colors.

Since there’s rarely room in the nooks and crannies of natural gardens, you can wrap the roots of your plants in moist sphagnum moss to reduce transplant shock and wilting.

To Accessorize or not Accessorize?

You don’t have to use

accessories at all, but if you

do, follow the KISS principle.

Make sure the accessories

don’t take over as the center

of attention in your garden. As a rule, minimal

decorations create the greatest charm and delight. A

good place for accessories is slightly hidden behind

greenery. Natural accessories such as a stick

representing a log, a rock, a stone path, water

features, or a tiny pinecone are acceptable

accessories.

Ideas for “water” include: mirrors, slate, blue

aquarium gravel, dyed sand, sliced rocks, plastic

wrap, paraffin, and candle jell, or broken windshield

glass.

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Going Shopping

To save money, buy small plants and grow them out

or take cuttings from plants already in your collection.

If you need instant gratification, buy plants just the

right size and ready to pack into your dish garden,

but remember, finding what you need is a gamble,

especially for early spring shows.

Collecting container garden materials and miniature plants makes a fun secondary hobby in itself.

___________________________________________

Bud’s Melanie Christel Collier photo

_____________________________________

OLIVE MA ROBINSON WORKSHOP PRESENTER AT 2011 CONVENTION

by Lynne Wilson tpalynne@tampabay.rr.com

The Dixie African Violet Society will receive a rare

treat in Ocala, Florida. Our esteemed president Bob

Green spoke to Olive at the AVSA Convention in

Raleigh, N.C. and Olive agreed to give us a program

on Design. I’ve been blessed by the opportunity to

interview our speakers and Olive was a delight from

start to finish.

Olive Ma Robinson is known to many AVSA

members as a winning designer in our shows, a

marvelous hybridizer, and as the creative force in the

Raleigh Show for the ‘tree’ which symbolized the

African violet family tree.

Growing up in Taiwan, children are expected to

pursue higher education with ‘usable’ degrees.

Though her dream was to become a farmer of cut

flowers, Olive followed the traditional path and

majored in ‘Western Language and Literature’ with a

highly employable B.A. degree. Meanwhile Olive

always had either a rooftop garden or a balcony

garden. She also took floral arrangement courses.

In her mid twenties, Olive found African violets and

was immediately hooked. Her balcony plants soon

were replaced with all sorts of colors of violets. In her

early 30s, she was diagnosed with a spinal problem

and was advised to stay away from ‘desk jobs’. She

soon made the best decision of her life and started a

small urban nursery in Taichung, with a goal of

growing, selling and eventually hybridizing African

violets. She was also known for her container

gardens and creative baskets.

Olive started attending AVSA conventions in

1995, where she first met Rob (Dr. Ralph Robinson).

At the end of 1997, Rob made the trip to Taiwan to

propose and they were married there. Olive then

sold her business and moved to Naples, NY, in the

spring of 1998. In 2002, they changed the name of

their mail-order business from ‘Rob’s Mini-O-Lets’ to

‘Rob’s Violets’ when Olive released her new standard

varieties. Later, in 2005, the name on the sign

outside their shop and greenhouse became ‘The

Violet Barn.’

We all know the outstanding mini and semiminiature

African violets that Rob hybridizes. Olive prefers the

standard, variegated varieties. Her goal as a

hybridizer is symmetrical plants, easily grown with

knock-out blooms. When asked about the “Ma” title,

Olive told me that Ma is her family surname and

means horses.

Besides growing plants, Olive also enjoys working

with her hands, sewing, crafting, everything done by

hand. Being a full-time violet commercial does not

leave her much free time. Creating designs at

African violet and gesneriad shows serves the

craving of Olive’s crafty needs.

Be sure to attend this presentation. Olive is a gifted speaker and I’ve been fortunate to attend a couple of her programs and left more enthusiastic than ever. Olive is truly a designing woman!

TO JOIN THE

AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY OF AMERICA Visit the AVSA website:

www.avsa.org

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by Bob Green

Many of you who have known me over the years know of my fondness for using “umbrella plant” in interpretive arrangements. I wrote about it in late 1991, and thought now would be a good time to discuss it again. “Umbrella Plant” is the common name for Cyperus, a genus of over 600 varieties in the sedge family. Actually, however, it refers only to the cultivar known as Cyperus alternifolius, and not to Cyperus papyrus, which is used to describe all of the cyperus cultivars. I have used cyperus for many, many years in many of my interpretive arrangements. It has always done well for me, and I have won numerous awards with designs containing cyperus. I have always grown my own cyperus, here in Florida, in both my front and rear courtyards. I have lost track, over the years, of the different varieties of cyperus that I actually have; but, I know for sure that I have the following varieties: Cyperus alternifolius; Cyperus alternifolius ‘Gracilis’; Cyperus diffusus; Cyperus elegans; Cyperus papyrus; Cyperus papyrus ‘Viviparus’; Cyperus papyrus ‘Isocladus’; Cyperus racemous; and my latest acquisition, Cyperus papyrus ‘Little Tut’, which I recently acquired from our local Lowe’s Garden Center, and found it listed in Logee’s catalog (catalog color picture is shown to the right). On occasion, common duck or nut grass (a plague to Florida lawns) appears in my yard (and I have used it several times in my designs), but I do not cultivate it purposely. I mention it only because it, too, is a variety of cyperus in the sedge family.

‘Little Tut’

Slender apical leaves radiating In graceful curves like the ribs of an open umbrella suggested the moniker, “umbrella plant,” the name by which the

most common cultivar is known. Cyperus alternifolius frequently grows four feet tall. It has excellent staying qualities in the fresh-cut state, but

must be kept in water in a design or it will rapidly dry out and start to shrivel. I have used this particular variety in award-winning designs over the years, in local, state, Dixie, and AVSA shows. Cyperus alternifolius (shown at left) takes spray paint well, either in the fresh or dry state.

To add interest to a design, the leaves can be cut to varying lengths, and will not turn brown where cut, if the stalks are kept in a pinholder of water. The stalks (or reeds) can also be used alone with the heads clipped off to create dramatic lines in a design, or the reeds can be cut into sections and glued or pinned together to create geometric shapes such as triangles and rectangles, but cannot be manipulated into curves or circles as the reeds are hollow and will crease. The cut reeds may be used, also, as elevators/extenders to hold violet blossoms in a design. When mature, Cyperus alternifolius has very ornate drooping dirty-white/green flower stalks which can be used effectively in certain interpretive arrangements to simulate stars or rain drops. This particular variety of cyperus will tolerate dry conditions in one’s yard, but grows more lush when kept constantly wet; it also grows well in full sun, but produces a greener coloration when grown in semi-shade. The flower stalks will form whether the plant is in sun or semi-shade. Cyperus alternifolius ‘Gracilis’ is identical to the common cyperus, but is a miniature variety, which does not flower (at least not for me). Mine is planted in complete shade and never grows over 18” tall. It does not dry well (too much shriveling) and does not take spray paint well. I have used this variety in small and underwater designs. ‘Gracilis’ The “hidden” cyperus, Cyperus diffusus, or dwarf umbrella plant, grows about 12” tall and has coarse grasslike green leaves at its base, as well as 8 to 10 leaves at the top of each stalk; the top leaves are 4 to 15 inches long and about 3/8

ths inch wide. It is

always covered in dirty-white/green flowers. It does not dry well or take spray paint well for me. I have

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used this variety with leaves clipped, mostly in under-water and small designs. It is a prolific grower and multiplies rapidly. Cyperus diffusus grows better

under something such as shrubs or under leaves fallen from oak trees – that’s why I call it “hidden” cyperus. I got my start of this particular variety about twenty years ago from Dora DiLorenzo at her home in

Winter Haven, Florida. Dora, a dear friend and one of my mentors, was an accomplished designer and grower. I think of her often, and her sage advice and encouragement. Cyperus elegans is a shorter, stouter version of Cyperus alternifolius, with shorter and somewhat wider leaves than those of Cyperus alternifolius, and narrower leaves than those of Cyperus diffusus. I suppose it could be considered an intermediate species between Cyperus alternifolius and Cyperus diffusus. The leaves do not droop, but are rather stiff and bush-like. This variety has great staying power in the cut state, and can remain unwatered throughout a three-day show without showing signs of drying. It also takes spray paint better than any of the other varieties, and holds its shape well when dried. Cyperus papyrus (Egyptian Paper Plant) grows in excess of 10 feet tall, and is a stately plant. The leaves are smooth and angular, not flat. Individual leaves are very slender, drooping 10 to 20 inches long. This is, of course, the plant from which

Egyptian papyrus or paper was derived. Cyperus papyrus must be grown in very wet soil in an area protected from wind, or the reeds will not remain erect. I have used this variety dried and clipped, since it is too large to use in the fresh state. It does not last long in the fresh-cut state.

Cyperus papyrus

The pygmy papyrus, Cyperus papyrus ‘Viviparus’, grows about 18 inches tall and bears great numbers of stiff brush-like green leaves two to three inches long at the top of the stalks. This variety is the smaller version of the “globe” or “sunburst” papyrus, Cyperus papyrus ‘Isocladus.’ This is the variety I use mostly in underwater arrangements. I have shared plants of this variety with many friends over the years. Cyperus papyrus ‘Isocladus’ is not drought resistant, and must be grown in constantly wet (boggy) soil. I

have mine growing in a child’s swimming pool, with the potted plants submerged. I have used this variety both fresh and dried. It does not look good dried, unless you cut the globes, spray with polyurethane immediately, and then spray paint. That is how I used it at the 1995 AVSA convention show for the interpretive flower arrangement class, “Meet Me at the Planetarium.” My design won best-in-show. In the fresh-cut state, the globes and reeds will remain fresh appearing ‘Isocladus’ throughout a three-day show without being in water. That is how I used it at the 2009 Dixie convention show for the interpretive plant arrangement class, “Far Away Places.” My design won best interpretive plant arrangement. Cyperus racemous is much like Cyperus alternifolius,

but grows much taller (6 to 8 feet), is very drought

resistant, a darker green, and will remain fresh-

appearing longer in the fresh-cut state out of water. I

got this particular variety from my wife’s dear-

departed sister, Raymona, who had it planted in her

back yard, in full sun, in Orlando. Mine is planted in

soil in pots that are submerged in water-tight

containers, in my back court yard, in semi-shade.

Rita Hilton, a long-time friend and mentor, and a past

Dixie director and president of the African Violet

Council of Florida, amazed us all at our Florida state

show in 2007 with her best-in-show design, using

three stalks of clipped Cyperus racemous, entitled,

“America’s Riviera.”

Any of the cyperus that I grow may be propagated by cutting off the top of the plants with 4 to 6 inches of the stalks or reeds intact, and placing the cuttings upside down in moist sand (the best way), potting soil, or water. New plants seem to develop within days. __________________________________________

Sinningia ‘Ruffled Wood Nymph’

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In the previous issue of The Dixie News, some African

violet varieties were assigned incorrect registration

numbers. The correct numbers with variety names

are:

1670 JOLLY WALTZ

1671 OPTIMARA EVERBEAUTIFUL

1672 OPTIMARA EVERGLORY

1673 OPTIMARA EVERGRACE

1674 OPTIMARA EVERHARMONY

1675 OPTIMARA EVERJOY

1676 OPTIMARA EVERLOVE

1677 OPTIMARA EVERPRAISE

1678 OPTIMARA EVERPRECIOUS

1679 OPTIMARA EVERREJOICE

1680 OPTIMARA EVERSPECIAL

1681 OPTIMARA EVERYOUNG

__________________________________________

DAVS COLLECTIONS ROSETTES

Available for show awards The DAVS Collections are important to exhibitors and to the show. It is important that the DAVS Collections Score Sheets be carefully and fully completed by all responsible parties.

To avoid delay in returning the DAVS Collections Score Sheets to the Affiliate Awards Chairman, the judges of the DAVS Collections should handle the DAVS Score Sheets in the same manner as the AVSA Collections Score Sheets. The judges should seal the DAVS Collections Score Sheets inside the pre-addressed envelope included with the packet and give it to the Show Chairman for return. This will prevent any unusual delays, loss of score sheets or complications that have arisen in the past. This will also ensure that your collections results will be published in The Dixie News. To request the DAVS Collections Rosettes, please send one copy of your Show Schedule, along with $10 shipping and handling fee for both the Standard and Semiminiature/Miniature Collections Rosettes and the following information: Name of Club, Show Chair, complete address including the 9-digit zip code, to: Al Armstrong, Affiliate Awards Chair 1313 Gardenia Drive Metairie, LA 70005-1152

OTHER ROSETTES AVAILABLE BALTIMORE AFRICAN VIOLET CLUB BEST FANTASY ROSETTE. To order this rosette for an AVSA-judged show, send your request along with check for $5 to: The Baltimore African Violet Club JoAnne Baker-Pruner (410) 315-8513 125 Dalesway Drive Pasadena, MD 21122-4057 E-mail: jpbaker@coldwellbankermove.com OPTIMARA BEST OF SHOW ROSETTE FOR OPTIMARA & RHAPSODIE. To order this rosette and a sample kit of Optimara products, send your request to: Optimara Attn: Best of Show Rosette P.O. Box 78565 Nashville, TN 37207 Include your name, name of the AVSA-affiliated club holding the show, dates of the show, your complete address (NO P.O. Boxes), and daytime phone number. _________________________________________

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REVISION

OF DAVS BYLAWS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, at the annual

membership meeting in April 2011, at Ocala, FL, the

Bylaws Committee will move for the adoption of the

Bylaws and Standing Rules as published in the 4th

Quarter 2010 issue of The Dixie News (pages 14-17).

Mary Lou Harden, Chair, Bylaws Committee __________________________________________

Carolee Carter, of Ocala, FL

President of the African Violet Council of Florida and winner of Best

in Show at its 2010 Annual Show

‘Buckeye Seductress’

Christel Collier photo

10

COMMERCIALS SELLING AT DIXIE 2011 CONVENTION

▪Bayou Violets

▪Lyndon Lyon

Greenhouses,

Inc.

▪MrsStrepStreps

▪Pat’s Patch/Buckeye Violets

▪The Violet Barn ▪Travis Violets

▪Violet Gallery

▪Anthuriums: The Love Flower

▪Silver Springs African Violets

Host Council: ▪African Violet Council of Florida

___________________________________

Lynne Wilson, Program Chair

All presentations are FREE to all Registered

Members at the convention. No tickets will be given.

Presentation #1 - Friday 2 - 3:30 pm Come one, Come all!!! We will have a Mystery

Guest Speaker. Sworn to secrecy, all I can tell you

is our speaker is a famous (or perhaps infamous)

African violet grower.

Presentation #2 - Friday 3:30 - 5pm Thad Scaggs will speak about the various crosses

he has created and is currently working on. Thad is

improving on an African violet cross he made when

he first stated hybridizing. Thad is also working on

some episcia, kohleria, sinningia, smithiantha, and

streptocarpus crosses which he plans on registering.

So you see, there is something of interest for

everyone attending.

Presentation #3 - Saturday 11:00 - 12:30 pm Pat Hancock, African violet hybridizer, and Mel

Grice present "Species to Spectacular". This is a

presentation we all have been waiting for. DAVS is

honored that we are one of the first to see this

presentation in full. Look at the African violet through

a hybridizer's eyes and you are drawn into

viewing many different factors. Be sure to attend.

Presentation #4 - Saturday 1:30 - 3:00 pm Our fourth presenter will be Olive “Ma” Robinson. Ma is Olive’s maiden name, and means horses in Chinese. In America, “Ma” means mother, someone who nourishes. Olive certainly meets the description. Olive will not fail to nourish our creative sides, however hidden they are. Her enthusiasm for designing is absolutely contagious. You are almost guaranteed to leave this presentation with thoughts of the designs you would like to create. _____________________________________________

February 25-26, 2011 – Tampa, FL Tampa African Violet Society Annual AVSA Judged Show & Sale “Mother Goose & Dr. Seuss” The Farm Bureau 100 South Mulrennan Road Valrico, FL 33594 Feb. 25 – 10 am – 5 pm Feb. 26 - Noon – 4 pm Info: Mary Lou Harden (813) 924-2686 mlhard@verizon.net March 4-5, 2011 – Birmingham, AL Early Bird Violet Club AVSA Accredited Show & Plant Sale "Violets in the Cotton Patch" Birmingham Botanical Gardens 2612 Lane Park Road Birmingham, AL 35223 March 4 - 2 pm - 4 pm March 5 - 9 am - 3 pm Info: Gwen Johnson (205) 991-5335 gjohn99@bellsouth.net

March 12-13, 2011 – Spring Hill, FL Fantasy African Violet Club The Life Enrichment Center 11375 Cortez Blvd., Hwy. 50 (behind Oak Hill Hospital) Spring Hill, FL 34606 March 12 – 11 am – 5 pm March 13 – Noon – 3 pm Info: Thad Scaggs (352) 398-1679 tascaggs@tampabay.rr.com continued, page 11

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COMING EVENTS, continued from page 10 March 25-26, 2011 – Jacksonville, FL Heart of Jacksonville AVS Display and Sale Carriage Club Retirement Community 9601 Southbrook Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32256 March 25 - 12 noon - 6 pm March 26 – 9 am – 5 pm For DIRECTIONS ONLY (904) 641-7501 For more info: www.jacksonvilleviolets.org

May 15-22, 2011 – Cherry Hill, NJ African Violet Society of America 65th Convention and Show Crowne Plaza Hotel Philadelphia/Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill, NJ Info: www.AVSA.org

_____________________________________

By Mel Grice

Let’s continue with my favorite genus of gesneriads

for today, Eucodonia (u ko DOE nee a). This New

World genus of the Gesneriad family comes to us

from Central and Southern Mexico. This genus is

comprised of two species of small rhizomatous herbs

with woolly stems and leaves. By woolly, I mean

that they characteristically have a heavy coating of

white or colored hairs on the stems, and in some

cases, the underside of the leaves. Eucodonias

generally have bluish lavender slipper-shaped

nodding flowers. The name Eucodonia is derived

from the Greek eu = beautiful, good, true; and

kodon = bell, referring to the widely open flowers.

The two species of Eucodonia were originally placed in the genus Achimenes, but botanists have now determined that they have a different number of

chromosomes and are thus two separate genera. Like Achimenes, Eucodonias have an annual cycle of growth and flowering followed by a period of dormancy. Scaly rhizomes are produced under the soil and above the soil coming from leaf axils when conditions are favorable. Scaly rhizomes often resemble pine cones and help the plants remain

alive during the dry season in the wild. They

perform the same function as a tuber or bulb so DO

NOT discard the pot if the plant looks dead – it is

only resting or dormant.

The species Eucodonia andrieuxii grows about 4

inches tall with branching and erect woolly stems.

The small flowers are dark violet with a white

throat with purple dots. The smaller cultivars such

as ‘Naomi’ and ‘Tinctacoma’ were created using

this species.

Eucodonia andrieuxii

The larger second species Eucodonia verticillata has 4-inch long glossy and hairy leaves. ‘Ehrenbergii’ and ‘Frances’ are cultivars of this species. I grow the cultivar, Eucodonia ‘Adele’ created by Patrick Worley in 1983. It has bronzy green foliage densely covered with silvery hairs. It has large deep orchid nodding slipper-shaped flowers. It is always an excellent bloomer for me.

Eucodonia ‘Adele’

To propagate Eucodonias, I begin by placing a wick

in the bottom of the pot since eventually I will wick

12

water the plants once roots are well established. I

plant the rhizomes in a 4” pot (for 3 rhizomes)

laying them on their sides approximately 1” deep in

a loose, well-drained medium. Some rhizomes are

several inches long, so I break them into about 1/2”

sections and use a larger pot depending upon how

many sections I have. Some growers break off each

scale and sprinkle them over the potting mix since

each scale has the potential to make a separate

plant. I have not had much success with this

method and prefer to use pieces with multiple

scales attached.

Once planted, I place the pot in one of those clear

plastic saucers with the raised sections on the

bottom and water from the bottom. Eucodonias

seem to require warmth to start, so I place the pot

on a top shelf of the light stand just 2 or 3 inches

from a T-8 or T-5 light bulb. The pots are gradually

lowered away from the lights as the plants grow.

Once the plants reach about 3” tall, I think of Mary

Martin and her trailers and PINCH, PINCH, PINCH.

Leave one or two leaf nodes and pinch off the

growing tip to encourage branching. The more

branches you have, the more floriferous the plants

will be. The tip cuttings that you pinch off may be

rooted individually in a Solo cup or if you have

numerous cuttings, they may be placed in a larger

pot placed under a dome for a few weeks to root.

All these cuttings should eventually produce a scaly

rhizome. WARNING -- Before you know it, your 3

rhizomes that you began with could increase

exponentially into more rhizomes than you know

what to do with.

A crucial factor in rhizome production is keeping the

plants consistently well fed and watered. If excess

drying occurs too early in the growth cycle, the

plants may go dormant prematurely without

producing any rhizomes for next year. That is why I

wick water and also try to have two or more pots of

a variety growing so that I won’t lose the variety if I

occasionally forget to fill a reservoir.

In the fall, flowering starts to slow down and then you gradually let the pot dry a bit every so often. Once the plants start looking bad, you may cut them off and set the pot away somewhere for the winter where it won’t freeze. Then in late winter — early spring you go “fishing for worms”. By that I mean you overturn the pot on a newspaper or paper towel and comb through the soil looking for rhizomes.

You should have many more than you originally began with. I do this in the fall because I don’t have a lot of extra room for storage. I place the rhizomes of each variety in a labeled plastic bag and store them where they won’t get much light so that they don’t try to start growing before it’s time. An added bonus of this process is that you end up with room on your light stands to grow other gesneriads while the Eucodonias are resting.

WINNERS AT RECENT SHOWS African Violet Council of Florida, October 2, 2010, Lakeland, FL, "ONCE UPON A TIME": Best in Show, Horticulture, Buckeye Seductress, Carolee Carter, Ocala, FL; 2nd Best in Show-Horticulture, Senk's Snowy Egret, Lynn DiMaio, Palm Beach, FL; Best in Design, "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum," Mary Lou Harden Seffner, FL; 2nd Best in Design, Dish Garden, Mary Lou Harden Seffner, FL; Best AVSA Collection-Standard, Spring Rose, Suncoast Lavender Silk, Dignitaire, Christel Collier, Lakeland, FL; Best AVSA Collection-Mini or Semimini, Boo Man, Ness' Satin Rose, Ness' Sno Fun, Martha Spyridon, Delray Beach, FL; Best Miniature, Shirl's Hawaiian Lei, Phyllis King, Seminole, FL; Best Semiminiature, Rob's Foolishness, Lynn DiMaio, Palm Beach, FL; Best Vintage, Double Black Cherry, Mina Menish, Brandon, FL; Best Trailer, Senk's Snowy Egret, Lynn DiMaio, Palm Beach, FL; Best Gesneriad, Columnea 'Miami Sunrise', Bev Promersberger, Pensacola, FL. __________________________________________

Victorian Ribbons

Best Chimera Lynn DiMaio

AV Council of Florida 2010 Show

Christel Collier photo

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DAVS OFFICERS Bob L. Green, President 997 Botany Lane Rockledge, FL 32955-3913 321-631-1106 GjaBob@aol.com Lynne Wilson, Vice President 645 Hudson Avenue Tampa, FL 33606 813-251-1581 tpalynne@tampabay.rr.com Tom Greer, Treasurer 977 Moores Mill Road NW Atlanta GA 30062 770-617-8641 jtg6491@aol.com Laura Walker, Recording Secretary 11048 Big Canoe Big Canoe, GA 30143-5142 706-579-1871 violetsofbc@windstream.net Martha Dyson, Corresponding Secretary 5021 Bayou Black Drive Gibson, LA 70356-3381 985-575-8247 mdyson1009@yahoo.com EDITOR OF THE DIXIE NEWS Mary Lou Harden 902 W. Old Hillsborough Ave. Seffner, FL 33584 813-689-8700 mlhard@verizon.net WEBMASTER Kenneth W. Barbi 1809 View Top Court Annapolis, MD 21409-5873 410-757-5044 kenbarbi@verizon.net

STATE DIRECTORS

ALABAMA—Myrt Sisler. . . . . . . . . . . 334-272-9106 ARKANSAS—Betty Ferguson . . . . . . . 501-944-5292 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bettygf@aol.com FLORIDA—Phyllis King . . . . . . . . . . .727-398-7456 . . . . . . . . . . . rlphyllis@verizon.net GEORGIA—Laura Walker. . . . . . . . . .706-579-1871 . . . . . . violetsofbc@windstream.net

KENTUCKY—Nancy Rollins. . . . . . . .606-365-1123 . . . . . . . . . . drollins@adelphia.net LOUISIANA—Martha Dyson. . . . . . . .985-575-8247 . . . . . . . . .Mdyson1009@yahoo.com TENNESSEE—Marian Zoller. . . . . . . .901-372-0283 . . . . . . . . . marigregz@yahoo.com TEXAS—Ruth Goeke . .979-836-9736/979-830-2126 . . . . . . . Ruth.goeke@bluebell.com VIRGINIA—Sue Hoffmann. . . . . . . . .757-463-5383 . . . . . . . . . sue.hoffmann@cox.net AT-LARGE—Mel Grice. . . . . . . . . . . . 937-836-9237 . . . . . . . . melsgrice@earthlink.net

STANDING COMMITTEES

Auditor & Budget Al Armstrong Society Awards Phillis Hinkle Affiliate Awards Al Armstrong Bylaws Mary Lou Harden Convention Director Kathy Spissman Historian Genelle Armstrong Membership Secretary Johnnie Berry Plant Registration Jackie & Bob Green Programs Lynne Wilson

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Webmaster Kenneth W. Barbi ___________________________________________

From the Editor. . . Mary Lou Harden mlhard@verizon.net

Thanks to all of you who have contributed articles and news for this issue. I know you will enjoy the articles by Betty Ferguson about selecting material for container gardens and by Mel Grice on Eucodonias, as well as Bob Green’s article about the “umbrella plant.” As stated earlier in this newsletter, every member will receive a convention packet by mail later this month. It will include the show schedule plus all of the forms needed to register for the convention, make hotel reservations, attend the judging school, and enter the show. Please carefully review the proposed bylaws begin-ning on page 14. Because the changes are scattered throughout the bylaws, this is a complete revision and, if adopted, will replace our current bylaws. Have a happy and blessed Holiday Season!

14

BYLAWS OF DIXIE AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY

ARTICLE I - NAME

SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be Dixie African Violet Society.

SECTION 2. The region included in this Society shall be the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

SECTION 3. This Society shall be an affiliate of the African Violet Society of America, Inc.

ARTICLE II - OBJECT

SECTION 1. The objects of this Society shall be: A. To afford members an association with

persons of similar interest in African violets within an area not too vast for occasional meetings;

B. To promote AVSA and work with other African violet clubs, councils and societies;

C. To stimulate interest in the propagation and cultivation of African violets, and acquaint growers with other growers and sources of supply;

D. To sponsor an annual show and convention;

E. To publish and distribute a quarterly newsletter known as The Dixie News to each member and affiliate, to keep members informed of work, progress and activities, and to share knowledge and discoveries.

SECTION 2. This Society shall be a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. A. Any individual, commercial, club, council

or society with an interest in growing African violets shall be eligible for membership upon payment of dues.

B. Life Members may be individuals only (not commercial, dual membership, or affiliate), and must pay the appropriate one-time dues specified in the Standing Rules.

SECTION 2. The Board of Directors may from time to time designate Honorary members for an honorary one-year membership or life membership.

SECTION 3. Affiliates: Any established African violet club, council or society may become an affiliate upon payment of annual dues. This entitles them to receive The Dixie News and apply for the DAVS Collection Awards, Silver and Blue Rosettes, awarded to DAVS

members for the best and second best collections of three different standard DAVS-registered plants and for best and second best collections of three different miniature or semiminiature DAVS-registered plants; and entitles their members to exhibit and/or register at conventions.

SECTION 4. Any membership will be terminated if dues are not paid by the renewal date.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND DUTIES

SECTION 1. Elected officers of this Society shall be a president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and treasurer; preferably the officers will come from different geographical areas in the region. SECTION 2. The president shall:

A. Preside at all meetings and perform all duties pertaining to the office.

B. Appoint one or more directors for each state and chairmen of standing and special committees, with the approval of the executive committee.

C. Appoint a parliamentarian. D. Have check-signing authority and pay bills

in the inability of the treasurer. E. Be an ex-officio member of all committees

except the nominating committee.

SECTION 3. The vice president shall (a) preside in the absence of the president and perform duties as assigned, and (b) make arrangements for convention programs.

SECTION 4. The recording secretary shall (a) keep accurate minutes of all meetings, (b) send copies of the minutes of the Board of Directors meetings and membership meetings to the president and members of the Board of Directors within ten day of meetings, and (c) send copies of minutes of membership meetings to the Editor for publication in The Dixie News.

SECTION 5. The corresponding secretary shall (a) send cards of encouragement, condolence, congratulations or other expressions as appropriate, and (b) handle all correspondence of the Society designated by the president.

SECTION 6. The treasurer shall: (a) be responsible for all monies of the Society, (b) process dues, (c) pay all necessary and authorized bills, (d) keep an accurate account of all receipts and disbursements, and (e) present a financial report at the annual meeting.

15

SECTION 7. Officers shall be elected and installed at the annual meeting in even numbered years and shall hold office for two years or until their successors are elected and installed. Officers may serve consecutive terms.

SECTION 8. Each officer, director and committee chairman shall make a report in writing for the annual meeting, a copy to be kept with the secretary’s records.

SECTION 9. Each outgoing officer, director and committee chairman shall deliver to his or her successor such books and records as belong to that office.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers, state directors, directors at large, chairmen of standing committees, editor of The Dixie News, and the immediate past president.

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers, convention director, the immediate past president, and the parliamentarian. These individuals shall manage the affairs of the Society between meetings, approve standing and special committees appointed by the president, and shall fulfill such other duties as may be assigned. The executive committee may vote by telephone and ratify the vote at the next meeting.

ARTICLE VII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. There shall be a nominating committee of five members, two of which shall be appointed by the president. One of these shall be chairman of this committee and shall be from the previous nominating committee. Three shall be elected at the annual meeting in odd-numbered years. Only one member from any geographical area shall serve on the nominating committee. No member shall serve more than twice in succession. Vacancies shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Duties of the nominating committee shall be to present one name for each office.

SECTION 3. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting of even-numbered years. The nominating committee shall submit the name of one nominee for each office. Nominations from the floor shall be in order. If there is more than one nominee for any office, election shall be by ballot. If not, election may be by voice. The nominating committee shall prepare ballots for the election. A majority vote shall elect.

SECTION 4. Vacancies in office, except the presidency, shall be filled by the president with the approval of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII - STATE DIRECTORS, DIRECTORS

AT LARGE AND DUTIES

SECTION 1. There shall be one or more directors, appointed by the president, for each of the thirteen Dixie states. The president may also appoint Directors at Large from other states. Their duties are: To represent Dixie at African violet functions in their state, obtain new members and assist the membership in securing membership renewals.

ARTICLE IX - STANDING COMMITTEES AND

DUTIES

SECTION 1. The standing committees are: Affiliate Awards, Society Awards, Audit, Bylaws, Budget and Finance, Convention Director, Plant Registration, Editor, Membership and Historian. SECTION 2. DUTIES OF COMMITTEES:

A. Affiliate Awards shall administer the awarding of DAVS silver and blue rosettes by affiliated clubs.

B. Society Awards shall (a) obtain ribbons, special rosettes, and awards (goods and money donations) for convention shows, (b) advise and assist the local awards chairman, and (c) present awards at the awards banquet.

C. Audit shall examine the accounts of the treasurer for accuracy and completeness at the end of each administration and report the results of the audit to the Board of Directors.

D. Bylaws shall present proposed amendments to the Bylaws and Standing Rules as the need arises.

E. Budget and Finance shall annually prepare a budget for presentation to and approval by the Board of Directors and shall advise the president on financial matters requiring Board of Directors' action.

F. Convention Director shall secure venues for the annual conventions and shows, and shall work with local convention/show chairs, and their committees, as needed. In considering locations, preference will be given to the Dixie states (as defined in these Bylaws), but other states may be considered. With Executive Committee approval, and if requested, the Convention Director shall be reimbursed for reasonable automobile travel expenses to and from prospective convention venues.

G. Plant Registration shall maintain the list of African violets registered with the Dixie African Violet Society; assign numbers to newly registered plants and provide the editor of The Dixie News with descriptions of these plants.

16

H. Editor shall be responsible for publishing a quarterly newsletter, The Dixie News, to be distributed electronically and, if necessary, by USPS.

I. Membership Secretary shall receive dues, maintain a current list of members, send state directors lists of members in their states, send out renewal notices, prepare the mailing list for The Dixie News, and send certificates to new Life Members.

J. Historian shall keep an accurate and complete record of the activities of the Dixie African Violet Society, such as newspaper clippings and pictures and have available at the annual convention.

ARTICLE X - MEETINGS AND QUORUMS

SECTION 1. The annual meeting and show shall be held each Spring, either by invitation from one of the regional states or as determined by the Convention Director. The place for the following year shall be announced at the regular business meeting. A special meeting may be called by the president or the Board of Directors in the event of an emergency.

SECTION 2. Twenty-five percent of the members registered and attending the annual convention shall constitute a quorum at the annual meeting. Three officers and five members shall constitute a quorum at Board of Directors' meetings.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS

A two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at the annual meeting shall be necessary to authorize any change of these bylaws, previous notice having been published in The Dixie News, at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XII - STANDING RULES

Standing rules may be amended at the annual meeting by a majority vote of members present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendment was given at the previous annual meeting or submitted to the Editor in time to be published in an issue of The Dixie News before the next annual meeting, or they may be amended without notice by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at an annual meeting.

ARTICLE XIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the deliberations of this Society in all cases not provided for in these Bylaws or in the Standing Rules.

ARTICLE XIV - DISSOLUTION

The properties and assets of this nonprofit society are irrevocably dedicated to public or charitable purposes. No part of the net earnings, properties or assets of Dixie African Violet Society, on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any

individual or private person or any member, officer or director of this society. On liquidation or dissolution all properties and assets and obligations shall be distributed and paid over to one or more organizations which is and continues to be recognized as an exempt organization as specified in Internal Revenue Code Section 501C-3.

STANDING RULES OF DIXIE AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY

1. The president shall be given a president's pin

at installation to be worn during tenure of office and presented to the newly elected president. The outgoing president, upon completion of a two-year term, will be given a past-president's pin and an honorary life membership in DAVS, or a gift not to exceed $50.00.

2. The President shall have an expense account, not to exceed $50.00 per year, to cover miscellaneous expenses in connection with the office of the president.

3. Dues a. Annual dues for individual membership

shall be Fifteen Dollars ($15). b. Annual dues for affiliate club membership

shall be Twenty Dollars ($20). c. Annual dues for commercial membership

shall be Twenty-Five Dollars ($25). Commercial dues shall be due and payable on February 1 each year.

d. Individual life membership fee shall be One Hundred and Seventy-Five Dollars ($175).

e. Two individual members residing at the same address may elect dual membership and receive one copy of each newsletter for annual dues of Twenty Dollars ($20).

f. International dues shall be Thirty Dollars ($30). 4. Convention Fees:

a. Tables for Commercial Sales at conven-tions are $30 each.

b. Registration fee for the annual conven-tion-show is $45.00 per person. A late fee of $15.00 will be charged after registration deadline. Convention Director will determine deadline date. 5. Commercial members will be listed in each

issue of The Dixie News without cost to them. 6. DAVS will provide space to commercial

members requesting to sell plants and/or supplies at each convention, in accordance with the space contracted for at each venue, and will be allotted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Commercials wishing to sell must send a request for tables to the Convention Director along with the appropriate fees (which will be sent to the convention treasurer). The fees will be set from time to time by the Board of Directors.

17

7. DAVS will advance each convention host the amount of $500 to be repaid out of receipts (registration fees, commercial fees, etc.). In the event these revenues do not meet the $500 advance, DAVS will assume the difference. The net profit will be divided equally between DAVS and the host club.

8. At all convention shows, judges must be DAVS members in good standing and registered at the convention.

9. All exhibitors must be DAVS members in good standing and registered at the convention, or non-members of DAVS who are individual members in good standing of a DAVS affiliate, and need not be registered at the convention. Non-members of DAVS who are individual members in good standing of DAVS affiliates may register at the convention and attend all functions, but may not vote at the annual meeting.

10. A Judging School will be held at the annual convention-show ONLY if five (5) members apply three months in advance of the convention date. Those taking the judging school need not be DAVS members registered at the convention, but must be current AVSA members.

11. DAVS will offer a $50.00 cash award to the registered exhibitor who exhibits the best Dixie-registered African violet in the annual convention-show.

12. DAVS affiliates shall submit a $10.00 check, payable to DAVS, to cover shipping and handling fees for both DAVS Collection Awards. A copy of the show schedule, specifying a separate DAVS standard collection class and a separate DAVS miniature/semiminiature collection class, must accompany the request.

13. DAVS will offer the following awards at each DAVS convention/show:

a. A $50 award for the Best Standard DAVS Collection

b. A $50 award for the Best Semiminiature/ Miniature DAVS Collection

c. A $25 award for the Second Best Standard DAVS Collection

d. A $25 award for the Second Best Semi-miniature/Miniature DAVS Collection

e. A $50 award for Best in Show – Horticulture

f. A $50 award for Best in Show – Design g. A $25 award for Horticulture

Sweepstakes h. A $25 award for Design Sweepstakes

14. All registered members exhibiting five (5) or more plants in the annual convention-show will have half their registration fees refunded. 15. DAVS affiliates who obtain five (5) or more new Dixie members within their clubs will be rewarded $100 for their treasuries.

DAVS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Individual $ 15.00 year Individual Life $175.00 year Affiliate Club $ 20.00 year Commercial $ 25.00 year Dual $ 20.00 year

(2 members at same address)

New______ Renew_______ Date__________

Name_________________________________ Address_______________________________ _____________________________________

City__________________________________ State______________ ZIP+4______________

Phone_________________________________ E-mail_________________________________

Mail application or a copy with check

payable to Dixie AVS to: Johnnie Berry, Membership Secretary

287 Fennel Way, SW Atlanta, GA 30331

johnniepearl@comcast.net

Sinningia pusilla ‘White Sprite’

18

COMMERCIAL MEMBERS ANTHURIUMS: THE LOVE FLOWER Marge Hendon 11951 NE 52 PL Rd Silver Springs, FL 34488 (352) 625 3510 BAYOU VIOLETS Al and Genelle Armstrong 1313 Gardenia Drive Metairie, LA 70005-1152 (504) 837-4037 Aalgen@bellsouth.net CEDAR CREEK VIOLETS David and Nancy Rollins P.O. Box 113 Stanford, KY 40484-0113 (606) 365-1123 drollins@adelphia.net DAVE’S VIOLETS David Harris 1372 S. Kentwood Avenue Springfield, MO 65804 (417) 887-8904 www.davesviolets.com HILL COUNTRY AFRICAN VIOLETS Ken Froboese 32005 Interstate 10W Boerne, TX 78006-9240 (830) 249-2614 HOLTKAMP GREENHOUSES, INC. Reinhold Holtkamp, Jr. 1501 Lischey Avenue Nashville, TN 37207-5106 (615) 228-2683 sales@optimara.com www.optimara.com JO’S VIOLETS Joanne & Geoffrey Schrimsher 2205 College Drive Victoria, TX 77901-4474 (800) 295-1344 or (361) 575-1344 josviolets@yahoo.com www.josviolets.com LYNDON LYON GREENHOUSES, INC. Paul Sorano P.O. Box 249 – Dept. AV Dolgeville, NY 13329 (315) 429-8291 www.lyndonlyon.com

MRS. STREPSTREPS Kathy Spissman 4086 Brownlee Drive Tucker, GA 30084-6113 (770) 939-5289 mrsstrepstreps@comcast.net PAT’S PATCH/BUCKEYE VIOLETS Pat Hancock 7132 Shurz Road Middletown, OH 45042 (513) 425-0308 Pat.hancock@hughes.net www.buckeyeviolets.com SILVER SPRINGS AFRICAN VIOLETS Laura Perdomo 11960 NE 52 PL Rd Silver Springs, FL 34488 (352) 625 6467

THE VIOLET BARN Dr. Ralph (Rob) & Olive Ma Robinson P.O. Box 9 Naples, NY 14512 (585) 374-8592 www.violetbarn.com TRAVIS’ VIOLETS Travis and Darlene Davis P.O. Box 42 Ochlocknee, GA 31773-0042 (229) 574-5167 tviolets@aol.com www.travisviolets.com VIOLET GALLERY Brenda Petry 1590 Cranberry Road York Springs, PA 17372 (717) 528-8268 mpetry@embarqmail.com www.violetgallery.com __________________________________________

“Jolly Luck” 2

nd Best Semimini

Phyllis King AV Council of Florida 2010 Show

Christel Collier photo

19

MRS STREPSTREPS

KATHY SPISSMAN

Streptocarpus, Chiritas, Kohlerias and other Gesneriads

Starter Plants and Leaves “Rainbow’s End” Email for a list of available plants for

mail order. Come see me when you are in the Atlanta Area.

(Tucker is just East of Atlanta) 4086 Brownlee Drive Tucker, GA 30084 (770) 939-5289

mrsstrepstreps@comcast.net

EBAY ID – KATHYSTREP

___________________________________________

Buckeye & Bluegrass VioletsBuckeye & Bluegrass VioletsBuckeye & Bluegrass VioletsBuckeye & Bluegrass Violets

Pat Hancock New 2010 Buckeye Releases New 2010 Minis & Semis from Hortense Pittman 2010 New Year’s Leaf Special: 25 Buckeyes, minis or semis, my Buckeye Gift-Wrapped choice - $38 plus $10 shipping 2010 color catalog $3 US - $4 Canada

7132 Shurz Rd , Middletown, OH 45042 - (513) 425-0308 Pat.hancock@hughes.net

See other releases at www.buckeyeviolets.com

_________________________________________

Violet Gallery

Standards, Miniatures, Trailers, Wasps, Species and Vintage Varieties

Plants and leaves available

Supplies include: Self-watering Oyama Pots, Leaf Support Rings, Pro-Mix Potting Mix, Urea-free Fertilizer, etc.

Online catalog is available with many pictures. Send $3 for the print version with descriptions only.

Visit our website – www.violetgallery.com Email violetgallery@embarqmail.com (717) 528-8268

1590 Cranberry Road, York Springs, PA 17372

Cedar Creek Violets David & Nancy Rollins

Eat a bullfrog first thing African Violets each morning and nothing Plants & Leaves Available worse will happen to you Current Catalog $3.00 for the rest of the day. . . (refunded on first order)

www.orderafricanviolets.com

P.O. Box 113, Stanford, KY 40484 (606) 365-1123

SPECIAL: 25 leaves (our choice) for $28.00 ppd. Six plants (our choice) $30.00 ppd.

You may choose mini/semi, standard, trailers or a mix. VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMEX

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TRAVIS’ VIOLETS P.O. Box 42, Ochlocknee, GA 31773

New and older varieties of African violets from leading hybridizers and our own

new plants. All orders before November 30 will receive 3 FREE PLANT, our choice, with every 12 plants ordered.

Send $2 for our current catalog. Try our super special: 12 husky starters—all different--$54 postage paid. All plants our choice (does not include 2 free

plants) - VISA – MASTERCARD – List all info on card. Minimum card order $30.

See our Web page: http://travisviolets.com E-mail: tviolets@aol.com - Phone 229-574-5236

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JoS Violets

Joanne Schrimsher

AFRICAN VIOLETS

Starter plants and leaves

List available -- Send 1st Class Postage 2205 College Drive

Victoria, TX 77901-4474 (316) 575-1344

www.josviolets.com josviolets@yahoo.com

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DAVE’S VIOLETSDAVE’S VIOLETSDAVE’S VIOLETSDAVE’S VIOLETS

AFRICAN VIOLETS & GESNERIADSAFRICAN VIOLETS & GESNERIADSAFRICAN VIOLETS & GESNERIADSAFRICAN VIOLETS & GESNERIADS “Sinningia Heaven” – Home of the Ozark Series

“It’s a sin not to own a Sinningia!” 1372 S. Kentwood Ave. Price List: $1.00 Springfield, MO 65804 (417) 887-8904

www.davesviolets.com ________________________________________

LYNDON LYON GREENHOUSES, INC. PO Box 249 Dept AV Dolgeville NY 13329

“Where The Violets Are!” Quality hybrids since 1954

“Crimson Ice”

Some of our NEW varieties for 2010: Snowkissed Plum Gum Drop Perfect Harmony Splendid Chaos Lacy Lass Hearts Aflutter Heaven’s Smile Cosmic Art Sierra Sunrise Red Rocket Spun Sugar Lucky Devil

(315) 429-8291

www.lyndonlyon.com _______________________________________

The VIOLET BARN Home of ‘Rob’s’ and ‘Ma’s’ hybrids

Dr. Ralph (Rob) & Olive Ma Robinson PO Box 9 Naples, NY 14512

585-374-8592 Fax: 585-374-6947 Open for visitors Tuesday thru Saturday 1-5 pm

www.violetbarn.com Rob’s Heat Wave