Just seven years ago this month in Atlanta, Georgia. The African Violet Society of America catapulted into being.
The organization was the spontaneous result of a gathering of judges (many from distant states) for an African violet show by the H. G. Hastings Seed Company of Atlanta.
This show, which was reported in January 1947, FLOWER GROWER, took Atlanta quite by storm. Instead of the expected attendance of 1,500, some 8,000 people came from 103 cities and towns in 14 states.
Before the curtain rang down on the two-day gala event, a local and national African Violet society had been formed, and officers elected and installed.
The man most responsible for the exhibit was show director C. J. Hudson, Jr., of the Hastings Seed Company. Mrs. Frederic L. Beers and Mrs. G. E. Rhodes of Atlanta also contributed much to the show’s success, rounding up judges from Iowa, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.
Although the small group which launched the organization was very enthusiastic, none of these folks, in their fondest dreams, ever foresaw the phenomenal growth and success the Society was to enjoy.
Today, just seven years later, the Society has more than 13,000 members hailing from every state in the union as well as from Alaska, Canada, Bermuda, Brazil, the Canal Zone, Central America, Costa Rica, Cuba, England, Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and even Africa.
Contributions of Alma Wright and Boyce M. Edens
The fundamental purpose of the African Violet Society has always been the exchange of ideas and information. The chief tool in accomplishing this is the organization’s quarterly publication, the “African Violet Magazine.”
Indeed, to many people, the magazine is the Society. From the beginning, it has been edited by Alma Wright of Knoxville, Tennessee, who has nursed it along from an 11-page booklet to an attractive, well-illustrated 70- to 80-page magazine with a colored cover.
The publication carries articles for both the beginner and the advanced grower and hybridizer, information on disease and insect control, and reports on the newest and finest varieties.
To Alma Wright, for her splendid success with the magazine, belongs a good share of the credit for the success of the Society itself.
And whenever credit is being handed out for the A.V.S.’s prosperity, the name of Boyce M. Edens should be mentioned.
Mr. Edens was an original member of the Society and the organization’s first treasurer, which position he held until his death last December.
Annual Conventions and African Violet Shows
A national convention, generally very well attended, is held annually, usually in April. Speakers include people of national renown and some of the Society’s members.
Undoubtedly, the most popular convention feature is the African Violet show, which is divided into two sections: plants grown by amateur members and those raised by commercial growers. The latter takes this opportunity to introduce their newest developments.
Hospitable Nashville, Tennessee, was the scene of this year’s convention, which attracted representatives from 30 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The 1954 and 1955 meetings will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, respectively. Host cities for the first five conventions were Atlanta. Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. Philadelphia and Chicago.
Since the organization’s founding, an effort has been made to classify varieties and clarify the whole naming business. Although much work has been done, the results are still incomplete.
Research Program and Advancements
The Society is very proud of its research program. Since 1950, it has been sponsoring research work by postgraduate students in colleges nationwide.
This research covers all phases of culture and disease and insect control. Much work has been done on growing African violets under fluorescent light, opening a new field.
The Everlasting Appeal of African Violets
Because African violet shows were so popular and widespread, in 1949, at the Dayton Convention, the Society inaugurated a Judges’ School.
Some 150 judges were trained there, and since then, many hundreds more have been qualified in schools held nationwide under the auspices of the Society.
No one knows when or how the African violet enthusiasm will wane – if indeed it ever will. When the Society was formed, everyone thought that the peak of interest had been reached. But today, interest is still mounting.
It just seems that people cannot be lukewarm about African violets. Their charm is too compelling. All it takes is a plant or two, to begin with, and before long, all space in the house is filled.
44659 by Myrtle Radtke