African Violet Farm in the Tumut Region

 

Tumut Valley Violets is a small business with a difference, it started off as a hobby in the early 1980's by Anna Cutler and has developed into a thriving small tourist attraction in the Tumut Valley region.

Set in the grounds of the old Tumut Plains school house ( established circa 1878 ), amid cottage gardens and two acres of trees, just 7 kilometres from Tumut town centre, it has become a major tourist attraction for the area. African Violet enthusiasts come from all over Australia to visit the farm.

African Violets were first discovered in 1892 in the Usambra mountains of Tanzanian in Africa. They were commonly referred to as African Violets as the flower of the wild species looked very similar to the common sweet garden violet ( Violaceae family ). Here the similarity ends as the African Violet, or as it is known botanically Saintpaula ( named after its discoverer ), belongs to the Gesneriaceae family of plants.

Tumut Valley Violets now boasts over a thousand different named varieties of African Violets, all grown by the wick watering system - a form of hydroponic gardening, which is state of the art in Australia. New releases from all over the world are being added to the collection on a regular basis.

All of the African Violets are propagated from leaf cuttings in the stock room on the farm. It takes approximately nine months from planting the " mother leaf " before the plants are mature and flowering. We have special propagating kits available, complete with leaves and instructions, to give even a beginner an indoor garden of beautiful flowering African Violets.

The farm is in the process of rebuilding its stock of ferns and hanging baskets and has a full range of African Violet requisites including the special soil free potting mix and nutrient solution as well as pots for the garden enthusiasts.

The Garden cafe is open daily and renowned for its scrumptious home-made Devonshire Teas or great coffee. Soft drink is available for the young ones. Coaches and groups are most welcome.

Now proudly owned by Leonie and Bradley Jones

When visiting the beautiful Tumut Valley, a trip to the quaint Violet farm is a must.

 

Image Gallery