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Garden Gate:  interesting facts about violets  |
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Clumboy
True Blue Farmgirl
62 Posts
Chris
Walkerton
IN
USA
62 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 25 2011 : 4:25:42 PM
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hi everyone--this is from a wonderful book i am reading "noah's garden" by sara stein. its about violets:
"these flowers are unusual because they bloom for so long--nearly three weeks apiece--and they move. They twist their petals; they lay them flat; they hang their heads; they lift them. Each position advertises the location of the flower's nectar reward to a different sort of insect arriving from below or above and provides the pollinator with the landing platform most conveninet for it. In addition, the violet produces a secret flower that stays shut, digs into the ground, and fertilizes itself. Ripe seeds are propelled a modest distance from the mother plant--far enough to avoid competition, not so far that they land in unsuitable terrain. In case some better spot lies beyond ballistic range, violets induce ants to disperse their seeds by larding them with fat. Ants carry violet seeds to their nests, eat the fat as we would eat an olive and discard the pit in the rubbish heap where, as it happens, they also dump their dung, their dead, and the rich remains of rotting meals."
who knew????? chris
not a boy--long story |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 03:49:29 AM
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Is this the Africian violets? I have always wanted one but have never tried them. I'm gonna have to go get me one!
....it's what's inside a women, when she's up against the land.
Farmgirl #680!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lessielouise22 |
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Clumboy
True Blue Farmgirl
62 Posts
Chris
Walkerton
IN
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 06:26:19 AM
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no leslie--the common ordinary violet that grows outside. the africans are more of a house plant and i think they are a different species altogether. also if you like africans i have recently discovered streptocarpus (cape primrose) and growing them is very similar to african violets. they are also very pretty little houseplants.
not a boy--long story |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2011 : 12:52:02 PM
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So no wonder these seem to spread all over the place.......not the pesky violet, but from the violet seed and the ants! but i'd much rather a pretty violet than the other weeds that invade the garden and grow over our heads by August! At least you can east a violet blossom!
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2011 : 12:55:03 PM
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I love Violets, my favorite harbinger of Spring (and oddly enough, Winter around here, since the weather has been so mild). That's why our daughter is named Violet :) This is great info!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2011 : 07:14:19 AM
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I truly enjoyed reading this information since our yard is covered in violets in the spring. Thank you. Also, added Noah's Garden to my book list.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2011 : 11:11:35 AM
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Chris...want to hear that long story sometime about NOT Being a Boy! lol Truly fascinating info on Violets! And like Judith said
I just added Noah's Garden to my reading list.
And Miss Judith...I will think of your yard full of Violets as I enjoy my Violet Jelly on crumpets or toast! *wink & smile*
Christmas Joy,
peggy 
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be joyous, to be passionate, and to Be His! |
Edited by - LadyInRed on Dec 10 2011 11:13:04 AM |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 2:48:47 PM
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thought of this post the other day again when I saw a cluster of blooming violets in the yard.
It was 64 today. Wearin' shorts for the moment and loved it! |
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knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2012 : 03:54:30 AM
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This was great information. Thanks for sharing. I also added this to my reading list. I can't bear to pull a violet plant out of the garden. They are so pretty! I'd rather have a beautiful lawn full of color rather than an all green one any day. I love "weeds"!
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2012 : 08:09:40 AM
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Thanks. Interesting to know. I'll be on the lookout for violets.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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GirlwithHook
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Alyce
Madison
WI
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 1:06:32 PM
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Wow, wild violets are my favorite flowers and I never knew that! They're as practical and inventive as farmgirls!
A hook, a book, and a good cup of coffee.... |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 3:32:38 PM
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And they make great jelly too. That was nice to read and just reinforces my belief that we have an awesome and amazing Creator.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 6:11:50 PM
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We call them "Johnny Jump-ups".... mine are mostly purple & yellow, and some are purple & white...
Thanx Chris for sharing the info on violets....
They always make me smile!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 04:06:07 AM
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Kris, Do you make the jelly from wild violets?! If so and you have a recipe, will you email/mail/post it? I'd love to have one! I bet it is the most beautiful color...
Hugs:)
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
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GirlwithHook
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Alyce
Madison
WI
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 09:41:22 AM
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Kristin, I'd like that recipe too; I had a violet jelly recipe but seem to have lost it when I moved. 
A hook, a book, and a good cup of coffee.... |
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Mary Ann Newcomer
Farmgirl in Training
44 Posts
Mary Ann
Boise
ID
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 11:18:37 AM
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This is great information. Just requested a copy of Noah's Garden from the library. Thanks for the tip.
Farmgirl w/a city garden, Dirt Diva on the radio. Sister chick #246
www.gardensofthewildwildwestcom |
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Garden Gate: interesting facts about violets |
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interesting facts about violets
