For people who love these sweet plants, African violet care is easy and fun. Knowing what they need is the key.

As they grow they need to be repotted into bigger containers, but never too big. Even if not needed for growth reasons, it’s a good idea to repot your African violet every couple years or so.

Size of African violet varieties can be large, 6 inch; standard, 4 inch; semi-mini, 3 inch; and miniature, 2 inch. African violets are easy to grow given an optimum environment. • Light.

African violets are one of the most popular houseplants because of their diverse colors and easy culture.

Copies of the English version and Russian translation of the book, "You Can Grow African Violets,” are placed side by side. Kent and Joyce Stork of Fremont wrote the book, which has been translated.

Enthusiasts who grow and show African violets have to be concerned about foliage, as well as blooms, but the average Jane or Joe who buys a plant for the windowsill is more interested in big blooms.

Gardening columnist Don Kinzler answers questions about treating a maple tree that's shedding leaves, pruning a hibiscus before bringing it indoors, and how to get an African violet to bloom again.

Also, this is one of those plants that should be planted with its crown slightly above the soil, so keep that in mind when repotting your crowded plant: potting African violets too deeply can lead ...

Ask the Master Gardener: As African violets grow, repotting them requires special care When African violets have a bright spot, are well-fed and carefully watered they will outgrow their pots and ...

Glass recommends the African Violet Society of America ( avsa.org) as a great source of information for new growers, who tend to "overfuss." "They love (the violets) too much," she says.

After writing last week’s column on African violets, I reminisced about a large group of related plants, plants in the same family, with similar attributes, especially striking floral colors and ...