Let the African Violet Society brighten your day


Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

Looking for a fun and beautiful way to brighten your home during the winter months?

The Thousand Oaks African Violet Society, an affiliate club of the African Violet Society of America, will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sat., Jan. 26 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 667 Camino Dos Rios, Thousand Oaks.

The event is free of charge.

The first commercially grown African violets originated in Southern California. From these locally grown “originals” came the plants that are found in many retail stores and on many windowsills.

Available in a wide variety of beautiful colors, sizes and growth habits, African violets are relatively easy to grow. The flowers reward growers with an almost-constant show of bloom.

At the open house, club members will be on hand to share information on all things African violets, and introduce visitors to the wide range of other colorful Gesneriads, the plant family to which African violets belong.

Planned activities include a culture class for beginners; demonstrations on grooming, repotting and propagating plants; and troubleshooting problems. Visitors may bring their own problem plants for an expert and free consultation.

All visitors will receive a free plant and other African violetrelated gifts.

The Thousand Oaks African Violet Society has been serving the Thousand Oaks horticulture community for more than 30 years.

Through its monthly meetings, annual show at the Thousand Oaks Library and participation in the Ventura County Fair, TOAVS raises awareness of the enjoyment and beauty of African violets and related Gesneriad plants.

Anyone interested in African violets is welcome to attend the open house.

For more information, visit thousandoaksafricanviolets. weebly.com.