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Since the barn sits on the side of a hill, this level can't be seen from the road--in effect, it's a "half" basement, beneath ground-level on one side, above ground in back. Before its current use, this area held large livestock, such as cows and horses. The original dirt floor is now cement but all of the original timbers still can be seen (one appears in the center of the aisle above). With the exception of the back wall seen in the photo above, all other walls are either wood planks and timbers or the original stone foundation (with the rings originally used to tie the cows still in the walls). As much as possible, we've tried to maintain the original character of the barn, while accommodating the plants and equipment. The shop contains 6 lighted plant stands, all made of wood. Each stand is a little more than 12 feet long and 4 feet wide and , including the top, consist of 4 levels on which plants can be grown. Each shelf is made of plywood and edged in 1/2" square moulding (providing a "lip") and sealed with a thick coat of fiberglass resin (the stuff used on boats) to make it waterproof. The tops of the stands (the uppermost shelf) are unsealed, since only plants in trays are placed there. Each shelf provides 50 square feet of growing space, and is lit by 6 4-foot florescent light fixtures attached to the bottom of the shelf above it (or hung from the ceiling for the uppermost shelf). Each solid-state fixture holds two 48" (40 watt) Gro-Lux WS bulbs, which we prefer because they make for a more pleasant working environment and give the plants a more "natural" appearance. Lights are kept on for 13 hours a day, and are turned on and off by timers. In the rear of the shop is a 7th stand, which has only 3 levels and 6 light fixtures. In total, there is approximately 1,250 square feet of growing area under lights in the shop, containing about 15,000 plants. What happens when the electricity goes out? A system monitors power and temperature at all times and alerting us or our staff (calling them at home if needed). A generator can be started to provide minimal electricity, and two propane-fueled heaters can provide minimal heat if the furnace should fail.
All of the miniature violets on these shelves are arranged in the same order as they appear in the catalog (alphabetically), so that they can be easily located. Signs placed on the sides of stands, containing photographs, also aid in locating plants. Notice that all areas of the 'Violet Barn' are wheelchair-accessible. The front entrance and greenhouse are accessed by a ramp, and all doors and aisles are wide enough to accommodate wheel chairs. A 'handicapped parking' space exists just outside the main entrance. Oh, the two little ears in the front of the photo belong to our dog, "Lucy", who will greet you upon arrival and happily escort you around the shop and greenhouse.
At left, a closer view of miniature violets on one of the shelves. The blue material beneath the plants is (cheap) acrylic blanket, cut to fit each shelf. We use this "capillary matting" to water all of the plants on these shelves. Once plants begin to dry, about 7-8 gallons of water are poured onto each shelf. Plants then absorb this water through their drainage holes from the wet blanket--a fast, efficient, way of watering a lot of plants. At right is a view of the bottom of stand B, showing some of the streptocarpus in 5" pots for sale. As are most plants of this size, these are individually watered, from the top (you'll notice that there is no blanket on this shelf). In the background, you can see the stone foundation to the barn that we referred to earlier. This 5-foot high wall extends the length of the shop along its west side, above it showing the original timbers.
Sorry, but you can't go back there (unless you need to use our restroom)--employees only! Behind window at left is our office. Across the hallway is our laundry and "wash" room, where we clean our dirty pots, trays, and reusable supplies. Seen in the background is our "work" area. Not seen behind the office is our "stock" room, where most showplants and seedlings are grown.
At the front of the shop, across from the sales counter, is our "bulletin" board containing notices about upcoming shows and information on local African violet and gesneriad societies (the red signs celebrate the Chinese new year). We encourage all those who are interested to join one of these societies. Anyone belonging to both the national (AVSA or AGGS) and one of the local societies gets a 10% discount on all purchases made at the 'Violet Barn'. Looking to the left (glasshouse side) of the counter, is our 'supply' area. Pots, fertilizer, soil, tools, and all the basic growing supplies are available there. Along the wall you'll notice a bench--one of two we have for the less-enthusiastic friends and spouses of those who are doing the shopping. Just to the left of our supplies is the entrance to our glasshouse. To continue the tour, click on the link below! |
The
"shop" is our main growing area, under lights, for plants we
sell. When the barn was first renovated, in 1991, it was the only
growing area. The original light stands are still being used.
Looking left are
stands A, B, and C. These stands (as well as one more) hold all of the
miniature violets for sale. The bottom shelves of stands A and B hold
standard size African violets and some Streptocarpus in larger pots. Stands C and D (not
visible), hold only miniature violets.
On the
opposite side of the room are two more stands. This one holds only streptocarpus.
On top are trays of recently potted plants. The lower two shelves hold
about 2,500 plants in 2" pots ready for shipping. The remaining shelf
holds blooming plants in 3" pots for sale from the shop. These are
watered using blankets, those in trays are watered from the top.
At the
rear of our shop is access to the north end of the barn.
