What's the secret to growing African violets? Book tells all

If you've ever killed an African violet, Kent and Joyce Stork can sympathize. They killed their first one, too.

But the couple didn't let one failure stop them. They've gone on to become widely recognized authorities who have gathered armloads of ribbons and trophies for their prize-winning violets. They also own their own shop, Kent's Flowers, in Fremont, Neb., where they specialize in African violets.

Now the couple is sharing their tips in their new book, "YOU CAN Grow African Violets" (iUniverse, $18.95), the official guide authorized by the African Violet Society of America. The book has no pictures, just plenty of information on how to succeed, whether you want to grow just one African violet on your windowsill or aspire to growing prize-winning violets in competitions.

Just for fun, I turned first to the "Violet IQ" quiz in the back and answered the 10 multiple-choice questions. After scoring in the "room for improvement" category, I decided I'd better start at the beginning with the basics.

A chapter entitled "Can This Violet Be Saved" is one of my favorites. It includes the Storks' reassurance that violets are surprisingly resilient even when seriously neglected. For example, the authors describe a relatively simple method to save a plant that has gone without water for weeks or even months and has roots withered beyond recovery.

"Saving an African violet from certain death is one of the satisfying parts of growing," they say.

The chapter also advises how to determine if a limp plant is overwatered or underwatered, how to perk up a plant that's been left sitting in the dark too long, and when it's best to give up on one (usually because of a disease that could spread).

Don't blame yourself if your African violets have developed leafless stalks, or necks. Necks, the Storks say, are inevitable as the older leaves die. You can slow the progression with perfect cultural conditions, but you can't stop it. Just consider the neck as a sign that it's time to repot, something you should do at least once a year. Here's how:

Break away any faded lower leaves. Remove the plant from the pot, then empty any remaining soil and clean the pot. Use the dull side of a knife to gently scrape away any callused tissue on the neck. Cut away enough of the root ball so the bottom row of remaining leaves will be even with the top of the pot, then repot in fresh soil.

And here's something that surprised me: The Storks say don't worry even if you have to cut away the entire root ball to bury the neck. In fact, they say, you can cut away some of the stalk, too. Simple steps for growing new roots are provided.