IT'S A cold, blustery day and Arthurs Creek couldn't feel further from the wilds of tropical Tanzania.
Yet here, on the side of a windswept hill, Robyn Harris's small shed is brimming with more than 1000 standard African violets.
If you had told Robyn 25 years ago that she would create a thriving African violet nursery and be in demand to speak about the plants at garden clubs across Victoria, she would have laughed.
But, today, Robyn's African violets are highly sought after in gardening circles. It's easy to see why when you step inside her hothouse.
Here, there are more than 150 different varieties, with flowers in different patterns and hues. They're a far cry from the stock-standard purple African violet you'll find in the supermarket.
"The variety is incredible" Robyn says. "There are stripy petals, petals with spots in different colours, coloured edges, frilly edges, variegated leaves.
And the colours are amazing. All the patterned petals are impressive, but I love the simple ones with rich colours, such as Jay's Frosty Morn, which has a double mauve flower, and Cinnamon Twist, which is red."
- FARM FACTS
- DIAMOND VALLEY AFRICAN VIOLETS AND LAVENDER NURSERY
- Robyn and John Harris grow about 150 varieties of African violets and about 40 varieties of lavender on less than half a hectare of their Arthurs Creek property in the foothills of the Kinglake Ranges.
- Twenty years ago, they started a commercial business, the Diamond Valley African Violet and Lavender Nursery, selling direct to the public and catering for group tours.
- Each year, the nursery sells about 2000 African violets and associated equipment, as well as more than 3000 lavender plants and lavender products.
- Robyn is a member of the Early Morn African Violet Group in Melbourne and gives regular talks at garden groups and shows.
- Robyn and John exhibit their lavender and African violets at major events during the year, including The International Flower and Garden Show in Melbourne and the Whittlesea Show.
- For more information, phone (03) 9714 8439
Robyn also grows species related to the African violet, many with trailing foliage and trumpet-like flowers, such as streptocarpus and columnea.
The African violet was first discovered in Tanzania in 1892 by a German baron, Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire, who sent seeds from the plant to his father, an amateur botanist, in Germany.
Before long, the saintpaulia, as it was called, was being grown in hothouses across Europe. It took on the common name of African violet because it resembled the true violet, even though there is no relation between the plants.
Now, these small but vibrant plants, with soft, feathery leaves and clusters of brightly coloured, velvety flowers, are the most popular household plants in the world. "Everyone has had one in a pot at some stage," Robyn says. "They really are very easy to look after and flower all the time."
Robyn says she and her husband, John, fell in love with African violets quite by accident after adopting a small collection from her mother, who in turn had acquired them from Robyn's sister, an African violet enthusiast.
"My sister was getting married and was moving and didn't want to take the violets with her, so she gave them to my mum," Robyn recalls. "But many of them were drying up at Mum's, so I brought them to my place."
Before long, Robyn was addicted. "They are so easy to propagate and there are so many different varieties, you find yourself wanting to grow more and more," she says.
For Robyn, it was purely a hobby but then, one day, she was invited to speak at a gardening club.
"It all went from there. I was giving talks and then people started asking if they could come up to visit my hothouse," she says.
"Suddenly, there were busloads of people turning up here, all wanting to learn about, and buy, African violets. People love them. Still, I never expected this to turn into a business. We had run some cattle on the property before, but nothing like this."
Robyn and John started propagating and growing the violets commercially and, to cater for the crowds, they built a shed next to the hothouse.
About two busloads of visitors arrive at the farm each week and Robyn gives a presentation on caring for and growing African violets to each group.
"We sell the plants to the groups and direct to the public," Robyn says. "It has been a great little business, especially when the kids were at school. It's really flexible."
John, a school teacher, has since retired and is helping with the business. They have also added lavender to their nursery and propagate up to 40 different species of English and Italian lavender.
The plants and a range of home-made lavender products, including soaps and oils, are for sale at the nursery.
John and Robyn rely mostly on word of mouth for their business. Robyn does, however, give regular talks at gardening clubs and each year she and John exhibit their violets and lavenders at major shows, such as The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show and the Whittlesea Show.
"We like to keep it simple," Robyn says. "We take bookings for groups, but otherwise our rule is: If we're home, we're open. You might just have to take us covered in mud and grime sometimes."
The couple have been approached by nurseries wanting to stock their African violets and lavenders, but Robyn says they don't want the business to get too big for them to manage on their own.
"We can't grow them fast enough for what we are selling now," she says. "And we don't want to have to employ anyone. We just want it to be manageable."
Nonetheless, the business - on less than half a hectare of the property - has flourished and each year sells about 2000 African violets and more than 3000 lavender plants and related products.
"We also sell the violets in kits, which include the pots, nutrients, reservoir and a plant, for $13.50," Robyn says.
The African violets are easy to grow, use very little water and can even be left to fend for themselves for weeks. "We grow them on a wick system," Robyn says.
"This involves a wick running from the bottom of the plant and potting mix into a well, which can be topped up every now and then with nutrients and water. The wick system is very easy and gives you beautiful blooms year round."
Although an indoor plant, African violets do need bright sunlight (but not direct sun) and mild temperatures.
All the violets are grown under lights in the hothouse and, when she's not catering for tour groups, Robyn spends her days re-potting plants, propagating and pulling off spent flower heads.
"Propagating can be done at any time of year and this involves planting a leaf into our special potting mix, which we make up on the property," she says. "From this, it will grow six to eight little plants, although my personal record is 22."
Cuttings of lavender are taken in spring and the Harris household is turned into a factory as Robyn and John sit at the kitchen table and pot up hundreds of cuttings of each variety.
December through to January is also a busy time with lavender stalks harvested for use in products.
"There is definitely more work involved with the lavender, but we can do it now that John is retired," Robyn says. "We have always done everything ourselves with the nursery, when we could, and have never gone into debt for it. It has worked well for us and our lifestyle."
SECRETS TO SUCCESS
Service: Robyn and John provide a friendly and helpful service to visitors. They welcome people at the nursery whenever they are home and are happy to help with growing tips and other information. Robyn also gives regular talks at garden clubs and shows across Victoria.
Location: The African violet farm is in an accessible and picturesque location for many visitors, about a one-hour drive from Melbourne. Robyn believes a good location is essential for a nursery, as it encourages people to visit.
Experience: Robyn has done several short horticultural courses but says she learnt the most about propagation and growing techniques on the job and through the Early Morn African Violet Group. "It was trial and error at first," she says. "But that's the best way to learn."
