Episode: Five
Date: 5th April 2008
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane  
Story Title: African Violets
Featured Plant- African Violets (Saintpaulia ionantha)

Native to Eastern Africa there are 20 species of African Violets, they are low growing, evergreen perennials and come in several thousand varieties.  It has 5 petals and the succulent leaves are usually hairy. It demands the particular African Violent mix soil, thrives in constant temperature, moderate humidity and bright indirect light to ensure prolonged flowering.  This particular Tanzanian species has clusters of tubular, semi succulent violent blue flowers which usually grow to approximately 1.5 cm across.