| Sharing Adventures With African  Violets Janet Stromborg, 57, is a musician and music teacher from Wisconsin and the hybridizer of the “Allegro” series of African Violets. (all photos copyright of Janet Stromborg) Janet got started with African Violets after receiving a very special gift -- a gift that's had a major impact on her life! “My grandmother gave me my first violet about 30 years ago. It was planted in a clear Pyrex custard cup (no holes) in dirt from her vegetable garden. It rode on the dashboard of my car from Bridgton, Maine to Lansing, Michigan when I took it home that summer. I still have that violet and treasure it. It is very special to me not only because it came from my grandmother but it was also the beginning of a whole new world of African Violet adventures for me, in what became a passionate hobby and an intense lifelong interest. Some may think this is a full blown obsession that I've had all these years, but I will never be cured --- not if I have anything to say about it!”  “My favorite aspect of African Violet culture is, without a doubt, hybridizing. I began hybridizing in 1985 but did not register any of my Allegro hybrids with AVSA until March of 2000. When I've sown seeds from a cross I've made and those babies begin to bloom for the first time, I can hardly wait to bound out of bed each day to see those new buds unfolding. It never ceases to amaze me that a seed so tiny could produce such a wonderful plant. When I set a goal and make a planned cross with that goal in mind, I wait anxiously to see if I will get those characteristics that I am looking for. And the few totally unexpected surprises that emerge from time to time are always so very exciting. I now have over 1000 plants in my collection including many of my own hybrids. But when I've sown seed, the number can go up by several hundred while I am blooming out and discarding seedlings. Most of my duplicates and nice looking hybridizing "rejects" go to my local senior citizen center where the ladies use them for bingo prizes. It takes me roughly 8 hours (one day a week) to water all those plants. I also spend much more time than that inspecting them for problems, removing spent blooms and leaves and in general just "petting" them, admiring them, and telling them how wonderful they all are. And yes I've been known to talk to them! “ Janet finds hybridizing a rewarding and fascinating hobby. “I like to think I'm making a contribution to this hobby in the form of my new  hybrids, but the definition of beauty is so subjective. We all like different colors, shapes and forms. While I suspect not all of my Allegro hybrids are of interest to everyone, my goal is to come up with hardy plants that grow well and bloom well without the need for pampering. If I can add something a bit different in the way of color, shape, form and foliage type in a plant that performs well, I'm happy. I'd like to learn more about genetics and have a better knowledge of how to achieve more challenging goals when it comes to creating different foliage and flower types. Hybridizing is an ongoing learning experience for me and I hope to be able to continue learning for many more years.” Allegro Darcy Farrow (above)  
Allegro Moon Shadow Allegro Apple Blossom On to more of Janet's Adventures on Page Two |
