Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 188

The Arizona Republic Sunday, March 1, 1981 Sim Liwirs The purpose (of hanging fine art) is not just appreciation. We're trying to create an atmosphere of comfort and introduce some cultural aspects into an institutional kind of structure Love affair with African violets sprouts from gift 19 years ago wj1 'J 4t fnfeu I RepuDiic African Violet Tom Story Republic stainless steel of the Tucson Betsy Evans, Society. Robert Oliver painting is hung on one wall of hospital dining area. Architect Reginald Sydnor in sculpture in new lobby of St. front of Gary Slater's Joseph's Hospital.

SKSH2J WmiiK9JUUinKi Architect prescribes art for hospital By Dayna Lynn Fried Republic Staff TUCSON Roses are red, violets are blue, but African violets come in many hues. Prized for their abundant, colorful flowers, African violets are perhaps the most popular of all houseplants. At least, Betsy Evans, a member of the Tucson African Violet Society, thinks they are. Her short-stemmed plants, topped by a rosette of pubescent green leaves that creep, branch or trail along fleshy stalks, are sprouting buds all over her home. "I've been growing African violets for the past 19 years," said Ms.

Evans. "I used to work in a medical center. There, I received an African violet from a patient I didn't know where to put the plant, so I stuck it on a filing cabinet in my office. It sat under a fluorescent light and really took off. "That started my love affair with African violets." Ms.

Evans said African violets were first discovered in 1891 by the German baron Walter von Saint Paul. He found them growing in the wilds of the Usambara Mountains in western Africa. The baron sent seeds back to Germany, where they were studied by horticulturists, Ms. Evans said. It wasn't until 1927 that the African native was introduced to North America.

Its original blossoms were colored purple, and they fell off the plant at the slightest touch, she said. After years of research, hybridizers have developed several thousand varieties ranging in size from 6-inch miniatures to 12-inch standards. The unscented flowers can be found in various shades of white, blue, purple, pink or red. They're either single (having only one layer of petals) or double (many layers of delicate petals), Ms. Evans said.

And they are more durable than those discovered in the wilderness, she added. "White is the most popular color, but even the double-colored varieties are interesting," she said. "Presently, there are no varieties with yellow blossoms." However, close observers will notice a tiny, golden yellow pollen sac in the center of each flower. Growing African violets in southern Arizona is a bit different than growing them in other parts of the country, but with proper care, they will flourish indoors, according to Ms. Evans.

"African violets do not require full sunlight, especially in Arizona. If the sun hits the leaves it will turn them to mush." Instead, she recommends providing approximately 12 to 15 hours of bright light or filtered sunlight. Fluorescent lighting will supply additional light on cloudy days. Light isn't the only thing these beauties need to flower. "They should have at least four to six hours of darkness each day," Ms.

Evans said. "The dark gives them time to rest and to store energy to stimulate future growth. "African violets prefer to be kept on the dry side. They do not like to be overwatered or flooded with water." Too much water at any time can cause their roots to rot, she said. "Water approximately once a week during cool weather, but in summer water twice or three times per week, allowing the top half-inch of the soil to dry out before watering again," she suggested.

"Once a month, flush the plants out with a heavy watering' under the faucet to leach any salts out of the container." At every watering, she advises giving African violets a dose of fertilizer to enhance their blooms. "I fertilize all the time in diluted amounts, using one-eighth teaspoon of a 15-15-15 fertilizer to one-half gallon of water. There is nothing special about African violet plant food or any other fertilizers; whatever works for you is best." Humidity is equally important to stimulate lush growth. "African violets like humidity," Ms. Evans said.

"That's not to "say they can't grow in Tucson where the humidity level is low. You just have to supply it yourself. "To increase the humidity in the air, group plants together and either place open bottles of water on the plant shelves; set the plants on a tray with wet gravel, making sure they are not standing directly in water; or put the plants on a moist mat." Still another alternative is to mist the air around the plants with distilled water or tap water that has been allowed to settle for three hours, she said. "When misting, don't let any moisture touch the leaves if they are receiving sunlight," she cautioned. "Otherwise, the sun will burn them, causing brown spots." She also discussed repotting.

"Repotting really depends on the variety. Miniature African violets need to be transplanted every three to four months; standards can wait a year. "A good way to check and see if repotting is necessary is to lift the pot up and look for any roots which may be growing out of the drainage hole. If you don't see any roots, don't repot. "African violets like to be rootbound.

The only exception is if you plan on entering them in an African violet show. Show rules call for a container one-third the size of the plants." When repotting, Ms. Evans recommends using an equal mixture of high-grade soil mix and perlite. "This medium will provide organic matter, aerate the soil and improve drainage," she said. To determine the right size container, measure the diameter of the plant's crown and choose a pot with a diameter about twice as large as the plant, 4 she suggested.

The easiest way to propagate African violets is by rooting individual leaves, said Ms. Evans. "But they can also be started by slitting the veins on a leaf and placing it on the top of moistened soil; by rooting the blossom stalks or large suckers; or from seed," she said. Leaf cuttings are propagated by removing a single leaf with its stalk (petiole) from the second or third row on the outside of the crown. With a sharp knifei trim the stalk to 1 Vi inches and insert it into a moistened potting mixture, she said.

Ms. Evans has successfully propagated numerous cuttings by enclosing them in a plastic bag or a propagating case placed in filtered sunlight. And in seven to 10 weeks, a clump of plantlets arising from the base of the leafstalk will emerge from the soil. "Propagation is just a trial-and-error situaton," she said. "But growing African violets is a matter of interest.

It takes some time to care for them but doesn't require a large initial investment. It's a real neat hobby." By Ann Patterson Republic Staff As the elderly woman in a wheelchair was pushed nearer to the nailhead sculpture at the end of St. Joseph's Hospital's new tunnel, she leaned to the right ever so slightly, as if trying to guide herself closer to the three-dimensional picture. An ambulatory middle-age man possibly thinking himself unobserved stopped to look at the art, then raised his arms Jiigh to form a mirror-image of the newly hung work. In the far background, elated, stood the man who chose the composition that was attracting all the attention.

"It's an eye-catcher, all right," said architect Reginald Sydnor about artist Robert Seyle's 132 Nail and Wood. "And I got a tremendous buy. "I would have bought it anyway, but the fact that it was a bargain convinced me." Sydnor, formerly a principal with the architectural firm of Varney, Sexton and Sydnor, which is now completing construction on a $60 million addition to St. Joseph's Hospital, has nearly finished spending $100,000 for art work to fill interior spaces. Sydnor said the money was donated by a firm that wished to remain anonymous.

Groundbreaking for the hospital addition, which nearly doubles the size of the old building, took place late in 1979. The environmental designer, now in business with his son as Sydnor Architects, believes the 39 pieces of contemporary sculpture, paintings and prints he has commissioned, bought or ordered will accomplish much for St. Joseph's. "The purpose (of hanging fine art) is not just appreciation," he said. "We're trying to create an atmosphere of comfort and introduce some cultural aspects into an institutional kind of structure.

"The art will be a part of the well-being of the people who work here. are even more susceptible (than hospital personnel) to their environment, need the relaxed exposure that art can bring." The bulk of the collection went up on President's Day, Feb. 16. It was hung by Gallery 3, a company Sydnor hired. Most remaining pieces will be mounted in the next few weeks.

About the selection process, Sydnor said candidly, "I'm a pretty opinionated kind of guy." He emphasized his firm conviction: "Less is generally best. "There is a tendency to believe when something is good, more is better. This philosophy dilutes real creativity and confuses artistic expression." Sydnor typically selected only a single major statement for each long-wall area or enclosed space. The architect also took a businesslike approach to purchase, delivery and payment. He said he dealt primarily with recognized art galleries in Phoenix and Scottsdale and in San Diego, La Jolla and Los Angeles in California.

Sydnor said that wherever he went, he carried a letter of introduction and purchase agreement. He stayed carefully within budget, spending between $250 and $600 for works to be used in offices and between $800 and $1,200 for art designed for public places. Almost bashfully, he confessed, "When I bought all this, I was like an alcoholic. I bought about a fourth as much for my own house." One-wall panels of treated photographic prints are to be installed in patient rooms Sydnor classified art for these inpatient facilities, which will not open until midsummer, as low budget with "long-lasting wearing qualities." The architect said he found his toughest task was to stick by his selection standards. Robert Seyle's 132 Nail and Wood hangs at the end of the new tunnel connecting the old and new portions of the hospital.

Tucson show spotlights violets "To an architect, a very high priority is the need for the art to harmonize with the building," he said. "There is a school of thought that art should contrast, but I don't go with that." Whenever possible, Sydnor opted for the work of regional artists. "Why not get it locally if it's good? I feel pretty strongly that the art in our area is very, very good." He specified that all work be technically qualified, and artists either should be well-known or "hot in the market and coming up." Of course, subjectivity entered into his aesthetic decisions. He said about that: "If the buyer places too much weight on public opinion or universal acceptance, then his decision may be diluted to the common denominator, which serves no one. The buyer must be independent, decisive and anticipate disagreement." The architect already has met and circumvented one minor objection.

A doctor said he didn't like a picture Sydnor had chosen for Hospital, SL28 at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be educational exhibits. Trophies and ribbons will be awarded for each outstanding specimen plant, arrangement dish garden, corsage or other handicraft. Entries for this year's show will be accepted from 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday or from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Plants arriving after 8:30 a.m. Saturday will be entered for exhibition only.

For information, contact the African Violet Society, Tucson Botanical Garden, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, or call Beverly Reiter, show chairman, at 795-2388. Blooming beauties will crown the 24th annual African Violet Show Saturday and Sunday in Park Mall, 5870 E. Broadway, Tucson. The show, sponsored by the Tucson African Violet Society, is believed to have the largest display of African violets in southern Arizona.

Hundreds of miniatures and standards sporting foliage in many shades of green and blossoms of purple, lavender, blue, red, pink and white as well as mixtures will be exhibited from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Lectures covering all aspects of African violet culture are scheduled every 30 minutes beginning.