Hello, I'm thinking about tip toeing back into Hoya growing and was wondering if there is anyone out there interested in trading a few Hoya cuttings for African Violet Leaves. I have a few varieties of AV's that I can trade with. I'm looking for medium to small leaved Hoyas preferably with a pink/red/orange/yellow bloom. I also like Hoya Obovata. I do tend to like the more succulent like leaved varieties as well. Here is what i can trade with, all african violets: Jolly Frills Jolly Texan Jolly Moonflower Kentucky Gooseberries Raspberry Sizzle Rob's Delicious Rob's Argyle Socks Rob's Berry Shake Mac's Scorching Sun Shy Blue Tiger Neon Fantasy Thanks for your interest! Kaity

Hello, I'm thinking about tip toeing back into Hoya growing and was wondering if there is anyone out there interested in trading a few Hoya cuttings for African Violet Leaves. I posted this on the Hoya exchange but figured a lot of people on the AV forum probably have Hoyas as well. I have a few varieties of AV's that I can trade with. I'm looking for medium to small leaved Hoyas preferably with a pink/red/orange/yellow bloom. I also like Hoya Obovata. I do tend to like the more succulent like leaved varieties as well. Here is what i can trade with, all african violets: Jolly Frills Jolly Texan Jolly Moonflower Kentucky Gooseberries Raspberry Sizzle Rob's Delicious Rob's Argyle Socks Rob's Berry Shake Mac's Scorching Sun Shy Blue Tiger Neon Fantasy Other African Violets I'm interested in trading for: Little Cherokee Chief Denver Doll Variegated Leaf Russian Standard Varieties Thanks for your interest! Kaity

Irina, It is such fun to talk about the Russian and Uk AVs as they are exciting, recent developments. They are a unique breed. They are rugged and can withstand cooler temps. I would love to know what genetic material the Russian and Uk ladies use to create their extravagant "novelties." The breakthroughs they made look like a new species in the world of AVs. It is worth it to pay a few dollars more for such exotic, giant beauties. It is a dynamic, changing market. So if you find a Russ or Uk variety that is a good performer, it is a good idea to have a back-up. Before it vanishes. The Russ and Uk are into new market developments. Not into creating a vintage legacy.* If a person wants to have only 2 or 3 AVs, these offer great choices. In general, they are happy, fun, easy-going. I find the solid colors remain true and do not sport. The blooms are showy, long-lasting. The colors are true. They have achieved break-throughs in colors that Americans have not yet achieved. They brought AVs to a whole new level of horticulture. They also do not seem to need a lot of grooming, making them great gifts. The stories of how the Russian and Uk markets were first opened are fascinating. I believe it started when an exuberant, prominent Russian businessman first came to the U.S.A. AVSA national convention one year when it was held in Philadelphia. He met Paul Sorano of Lyndon Lyon's and began a long business friendship over several years. He went to many conventions, bought a lot of Lyon's plant material, and consulted with Paul Sorano. He was very successful in starting and developing businesses. When he became fascinated with AVs, he and immediately forged a lasting business and personal relationship. He gathered a group of business people and horticulturists and invited Paul Sorano to visit them and teach them everything. Paul Sorano went to Russia and the Ukraine countries and introducing AV plant material and cultivation where it had never been. Therefore, Russian AVs all started with Lyon's stock. But somewhere along the line, they discovered some secret ingredients, like Jack and the Beanstalk magical beans, to create amazing, intricate botanical wonders. Dating back in history, the Lyon's family include the very earliest hybridizers and are strong mentors of many others. They helped create the original AV industry we enjoy today. As a result of what Paul Sorano helped them achieve, the Russian government reveres Paul Sorano as a dignitary and has honored him in many ways for this significant horticultural development. In later years, Kent and Joyce Stork visited those countries and generously shared their horticultural knowledge and plant materials. The Russian reds probably have some of the red genetic material that both the Lyon's and Stork's labored so hard to develop. It seems that thanks to the businessman's excellent development of this market, AVs in those countries are enjoying wide-spread contemporary popularity among all, including the young. They are sold in retail stores dedicated to AVs. The conventions are enormous. They developed a quality product that captured popular national attention. For anyone who has not tried them, spread the joy. Include a few Russians or Uk's in your collections. *We U.S. American and perhaps Canadian collectors can still perserve our vintage AV legacy. However, we are also now able to share the fun of new and exciting developments. Joanne

Sticky yellow cards are more for monitoring than for control. When thrips - yuck - or fungus gnats - these guys are pretty much unavoidable- hatch - the first thing they do - is mate and lay eggs - after feeding - they will take a stroll - and hopefully glue themselves to the sticky card. But ... eggs are already in. So ... if you want to seriously work on it - you need to spray - 3 times week apart - to deal with all new hatchlings. Life is too short to spend it on once a month ivy dunking... Forbid them. ;-))