My paternal Grandma was a natural born grower of every living thing
She grew 12 children, on her own, back when people raised all of their food out of necessity
In her later years African Violets became a passion
I remember a tall shelf lined with pots and blooms everywhere, even when there was snow on the ground
I loved touching the soft furry leaves and every so often she'd snap one off and give it to me
I'd rush home and put it in dirt and without fail ~ my attempts at propogation
slowly melted into the soil...she'd just give me another one...over and over again
I came to the conclusion, at the age of eleven, that I just didn't have the Magic
I could grow EVERYTHING ~except~ African Violets
Then about six years ago.....I spotted a clearenced lil mostly dead one.
It was going to cost me a quarter...so I went for it!
My dad asked me why I was wasting money on dead plants?
I said "for the Magic!"
The one in this picture is a baby from the one I bought for a quarter
It fell over recently...dirt went flying everywhere and I broke a bunch of leaves off trying to catch it in mid-air
I repotted it...gave it a drink of water..and a front row seat to the Kisses of Morning Sun
Two days later...B0ING....a bloom!
Sometimes when I close my eyes and the sun hits me just right I can feel my Grandma's Smile