Reno Convention Presentations

Section 1 A. Hybridizing and Cultivating Episcias

Wednesday April 15, 2009, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Thad Scaggs, Spring Hill, Florida

Episcias are easier to cultivate and to hybridize than many people realize. This informative program will cover the basic needs of episcias and the proper conditions and techniques for maximum success with hybridization. The range of foliage and blossom color in these exciting and rewarding plants has expanded greatly in recent years. Learn about the most promising new developments!

Section 1 B. Basic Skills

Wednesday April 15, 2009, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Whether you are learning basics of African Violet culture and care for the first time or ‘getting back to the basics’ all over again, this program will help you achieve the results you desire from your plants. Attendees will learn the most important foundational skills and how to adapt the tricks of more experienced growers to their own collections. This will be the perfect setting to ask questions and to learn without intimidation.

Section 2 A. Using the AVSA Entries Program

Thursday April 16, 2009, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

John Carter, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

This is the 10th anniversary of the use of the AVSA Awards program at a national show. It has undergone many improvements since the first version. The program still provides some technical challenges. Used properly, it insures that exhibits are entered correctly, it provides accuracy for the awards committee, and gives exhibitors an official report to use as they advance as judges. John Carter will demonstrate the use of the new 2009 updated program and answer your questions.

Section 2 B. Parking Your Trailer in Paradise

Thursday April 16, 2009, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Bill Price, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

From selecting the first leaf or cutting to root though evaluating young plants for their show

potential and cultivating them to Best-in Show perfection, growing trailing African violets is a unique challenge. The always-entertaining Dr. Bill Price will share his best-practice tips and techniques for evaluating best potential show plants and growing both pendulous and upright varieties as well as general cultivation guidelines for soil mix, pot types, fertilizers, etc. Hitch your trailer to this lucky star!

Section 3 A. Hands-on AV hybridization

Thursday April 16, 2009, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Dave Rollins, Cedar Creek, Kentucky

Limited to 25 participants. $20 fee collected at convention registration desk upon arrival.

Popular Kentucky series African violet hybridizer David Rollins will guide participants step-by-step through the process of hybridization. Participants will be able to select two parent plants at the workshop, hybridize them on site and take them home. Make your debut as a hybridizer or just learn more about how it is done!

Section 3 B. Advanced Judging Skills - Making It Fun to Judge Design!

Thursday April 16, 2009, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Joyce Stork, Fremont, Nebraska

Do you dread being asked to judge African violet design sections? Maybe it's because you never really feel confident that you are giving the correct award. Attend this presentation and get hands-on experience judging actual designs using the point-score method. Joyce has used this method for years and promises to remove the mystery! It's not just for judges... design exhibitors will also learn how to evaluate their own designs so they can avoid mistakes. Don't miss this great opportunity!

Section 4 A. Taking the Gambling Out of AV Hybridizing

Friday April 17, 2009, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Jeff Smith, Muncie, Indiana

Do you feel that hybridizing is always a gamble and you'll never produce the plants you want? Dr. Jeff Smith will show you how to beat the odds using his many years of advice from his column "In Search of New Violets". Learn how traits in African Violets are inherited and how to use that knowledge to improve your chances of hybridizing the perfect plant.

Section 4 B. Creating an Award-Winning Educational Display

Friday April 17, 2009, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Tory Hartmann, San Mateo, California

The educational display, required at all AVSA affiliate shows, is a critical tool for attracting new members and re-energizing existing members. We all know that education is one of the prime directives of the AVSA but how does one create an educational display that will cover all of the required elements in eye-catching and creative ways? Tory Hartmann will share her ideas and resources for creating an educational display to remember.

Section 5 A. The Amazing African Violet – from Species to Spectacular

Friday April 17, 2009, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Pat Hancock, Middletown, Ohio

In little more than sixty years, the African violet has gone from the ‘original ten’ hybrids to more than ten thousand varieties in a myriad of shades, shapes, and foliage styles. Join acclaimed ‘Buckeye’ series hybridizer Pat Hancock for an entertaining and educational history of the major milestones in AV hybridization. Along the way, Pat will reveal some of her past, present and future hybridization goals and a few of her own strategies for success. Follow the fascinating road African violets have taken to get to the rainbow of choices available to growers today!

Section 5 B. First Class: Basics and Beyond

Friday April 17, 2009, 1:00 to 2:30

Barbara Pershing, Cedar Falls, Iowa

If you thought First Class was a Windows computer program with names and descriptions of more than 16,000 African violet cultivars and species, and photos for more than 4,000 of them, you would be right. However, the programs does much more than just display the names, descriptions, and photos. Learn how to use all of the many features that the program has to offer. Even those who consider themselves as "advanced users" will learn a secret or two. Joe Bruns, who developed First Class and still maintains it, assisted Barbara Pershing, one of the 2002 beta testers, in preparing this informative program.