January Contest Winners

Violet Barn Photo Contest – January 2017

We had lots of nice entries–more than 60, and many of them might have been equally deserving.  We simply haven’t space to show them all.  Thanks to all who entered.  We’re running the contest again, so if you missed entering in January, you’ve got another opportunity.  Click on the thumbnail photos to view the full image.

First Prize winner

Karen Nottonson wins our $50 first prize for her photo of a terrarium she planted with a variety of plants, mostly gesneriads that she purchased from the Violet Barn.  Shown in her terrarium are episcia, kohleria, streptocarpus, columnea, petrocosmea, and primulina as well as other houseplants.  All of the plants seem well grown and cared-for.  She says the terrarium has been replanted a number of times over the years.

 

Second Prize winners

We couldn’t pick just one so both Carol Rice and Thomas Pirtle receive the $10 second prize.  Carol’s showplant of ‘Ma’s Easter Parade’ is spectacular, while Tom’s photo of Primulina tamiana planted in a doll’s head was both a good example of this particular plant as well as a decorative way of using it in one’s home (click on the thumbnail to view full photo).

Honorable mention

There were so many worthy entries, we decided to hand out more awards.  Each of the following receive $5 ‘honorable mention’ awards.  (photos shown in no particular order)

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We liked Sharon Lee’s photo of her ‘Decelle’s Caresse’, because it’s pretty, and a nice example of a well-grown windowsill violet.  She grows it on her east-facing windowsill.

Teresa Jordan submitted ‘LE Esmeralda’, which caught our eyes because it shows the brilliant color of this variety’s blooms.  Teresa’s light stand receives six hours of north-exposure daylight and 6 hours of supplemental artificial light.  This plant was purchased from us about 9 months ago.

The photo five miniature African violets was submitted by Sharon MacRae.  Sharon has been ordering plants from us for 25 years.  She grows these under florescent lights and will display them in her sunroom when they’re in full bloom.  At top are ‘Rob’s Jitterbug’ and ‘Rob’s Boogie Woogie’.  In center is ‘Rob’s Twinkle Blue’, and at bottom are ‘Rob’s Fuddy Duddy’, and ‘Rob’s Voodoo Blue’.  All very well grown and flattering to these varieties–all some of our personal favorites.

We liked John Robinson’s collection of streptocarpus.  They are grown in a west-facing window, and get some supplemental light at night from a compact florescent bulb in the lamp shown.  Counterclockwise from top left are ‘Bristol’s Tie Dyed’, ‘Bristol’s Nightfall’, ‘Bristol’s Cotton Candy’, ‘Bristol’s Anteater’, and ‘Bristol’s Ribbon Candy’.  He says ‘Bristol’s Tie Dyed’ was his first strep, and bloomed non-stop for two years until repotting.