History
The Stampede City African Violet Society was formed in 1976 as the Calgary African Violet Society. Meetings were held at the Cross House and presided over by our first president, Greta Durand. Mrs. Durand was an inspiration to many new members, encouraging the newly-formed club to hold their first of many annual shows, and the then-inexperienced growers to enter their plants for judging. In 1986, the society underwent a name change to reflect the spirit of the Stampede City and it has been the Stampede City African Violet Society ever since.
In spring 2019, the Stampede City African Violet Society celebrated its 40th year – and 40th annual Show and Sale. The society has been host to the African Violet Society of Canada (AVSC) National Convention and Show in 1981, 1985, 1995, 2002, 2009 and 2016.
Purpose
We are a non-profit organization that has members from beginners to experts in growing African violets and gesneriads. We strive to learn together as a community and share knowledge and expertise, as well as plants!
We meet once a month and it’s an opportunity for members to share tips, ask questions, get solutions to problems, and show their successes. Our goal is to help our members become better at growing gesneriads and show quality plants.
Affiliates
We are an affiliate member of the following organizations:
- African Violet Society of Canada (AVSC) – The national society devoted to the growing and showing of the world’s most popular house plant.
- African Violet Society of America (AVSA) – The official international registration authority for the genus Saintpaulia and its cultivars, and the body responsible for qualifying judges through established judging standards and rules.
- Calgary Horticultural Society (CHS) – A registered charity dedicated to cultivating Calgary’s gardening community.
- The Gesneriad Society – An all-volunteer international society devoted to the identification, culture, propagation, and conservation of gesneriads.