2011 – 2012 PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803  
Program:   “Understanding the African Violet Species” –Mary Schaeffer is organizing this presentation based on the AVSA DVD of the same title which will
introduce you to the discovery, origin, habitat and conservation, culture and showing of the species comprising the genus Saintpaulia, as well as an introduction to recent classification changes.  Following the program, there will be a propagation workshop on species Saintpaulia and an opportunity to take home leaf cuttings to grow and enjoy! Our first plant sale of the season will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants to share bring them.  Don’t forget to bring plants for the Little Show or Show and Tell! 

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
Program:   “Cape Primrose 101”Brian Connor is an award winning grower of African Violets and Cape Primroses, botanically known as Streptocarpus, in
the Baltimore AVSA and the National Capital Area Chapter of the Gesneriad Society.  He is Vice President of that Chapter and also is co-chair of the Flower Show at the Gesneriad Society’s Convention in Philadelphia.  Following Brian’s presentation, there will be a Streptocarpus leaf section prop shop.  A plant sale will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants to share, bring them.  Don’t forget to bring plants for the Little Show or Show and Tell! 

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
Program:  “Aeschynanthus” - Aeschynanthus is a genus of about 185 species of tropical trailing epiphytes with brightly colored flowers that are pollinated
by sunbirds.  They are found in southern and southeastern Asia, the islands of Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Join us and discover the many wonderful houseplants which belong to this genus and how to grow them!  A panel of members will review how they grow and enjoy these fascinating plants.  A cutting workshop will follow the presentation. A plant sale will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants to share bring them.  Don’t forget to bring plants for the Little Show or Show and Tell! 

           
Antique botanical print of Aeschynanthus tricolor
attributed to Lemaire around 1855

Friday, November 11, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Trip to the Mid Atlantic African Violet Society Convention
Join us on Nov 10-12, 2011 in Timonium, MD at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the 2011 MAAVS Convention, Show and Sale.  This year’s Theme is “Violets in Birdland.”  The Sale features many of the premier growers of African Violets as well as growing supplies. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. (Note earlier time!)
            Location to be announced
Hostess:  Hostess for supplies - All members for the food.  Sign up at the November meeting.
Pot Luck Dinner and Auction:  Guests are welcome and we would like you to sign up to bring an appetizer, salad, main dish or dessert that will serve 8
people or more.  Also plan to bring plants, handcrafts, surprise boxes, gifts or something from your kitchen for the auction.  All proceeds go to the club-sponsored horticulture therapy program at the Richardson Park Learning Center a project which Terry Celano,  assisted by Angie Celano and Anne Petrucci developed.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
Program:   - “African Violet Troubles!” – African Violets and their relatives are among the easiest and most rewarding of Houseplants, but occasionally a
problem arises and intervention is necessary.  The AVSA’s presentation on the challenges of growing African Violets will be the focus of the evening.  We also will enjoy a panel discussion on how to cope with the occasional bumps in the road we encounter when growing African Violets and Gesneriads.  A plant sale will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants to share bring them.  Don’t forget to bring plants for the Little Show or Show and Tell! 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
Program:    “African Violet Trailers”   Trailing African Violets have grown in popularity and variety since first introduced by Tinaria Greenhouses at the
AVSA Convention in 1954.  Perhaps no one is a more consummate grower of African Violet Trailers than Bill Price who consistently wins awards at the AVSA Convention..  Join us for an informational program based on Price’s presentation at the 2009 AVSA Convention in Reno Nevada.  Following the program there will be a prop shop on potting young trailers, and you will take one home to enjoy!  A plant sale will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants to share bring them.  Don’t forget to bring plants for the Little Show or Show and Tell! 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012  – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
Program:    “Getting Ready for Show” - This will be the last meeting prior to the Society’s  Annual Show and Sale at Boscov’s on March 31, 2012. 
Committee Chairman will be asked to report the status of their Committee. A plant sale will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants which can be used for designs, please bring them.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
Program:   “Judging Gesneriads”  This PowerPoint presentation was developed by noted and prize winning growers  Dale Martens, Paul Kroll and Bill Price
and was presented at the AVSA Convention in Denver, CO in 2007.  This presentation is of value not only to judges, but especially to growers who will learn how accomplished judges will evaluate their entries.  A plant sale will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants to share bring them.  Don’t forget to bring plants for the Little Show or Show and Tell! 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 – 7:00 p.m.
Rockland Place, 1519 Rockland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19803
Program:    “Terrariums” - Two big hitters from The Philadelphia International Flower Show-Lynn Cook and Troy Ray-will be presenting a very informative
program on Terrariums at our May meeting. Come and learn how to create a dynamic enclosed environment and maybe go home with the creation! It will be raffled off at the end of the meeting!  A plant sale will conclude the evening.  If you have surplus plants to share bring them.  Don’t forget to bring plants for the Little Show or Show and Tell! 
           

Try Ray and Lynn Cook demonstrate how to build a terrarium

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 – 6:00 p.m.  (Note earlier time!)
Location to be announced
Potluck Dinner and Picnic
Everyone is invited to bring their significant other or a guest and your favorite dish.  Installation of Officers and a brief business meeting follow dinner.  Also don’t forget to pay you dues for next year!