Article:   Healing Through Horticulture

By Ray Morrison

Note: This article was first published in Chatter, magazine of the African Violet Society of Canada, Volume 55, Number 1, January- March 2010. Reprinted with permission. If you would prefer to read it as a PDF file, it is available here: Healing through Horticulture PDF

One of the most rewarding aspects of our African violet and gesneriad-growing hobby is the pleasure we derive from sharing our passion for these marvellous plants with others. I have always been enthusiastic in my efforts to convert friends into indoor gardeners, but I've recently been given a new and, to me at least, exciting way to spread the gesneriad joy.

During the course of conversation with one of our neighbours, I was (not surprisingly) talking about my plant-growing pastime. She listened with interest, then asked if I might be willing to accompany her on an upcoming visit to the Chronic Pain Management Unit at the Chedoke Campus of Hamilton Health Sciences, to talk to patients in the therapy program about violets and other gesneriads. I accepted the invitation gladly.

Like many people who are interested in all things gardening-related, I was aware that the medical community has been more open in recent years to the concept of horticultural therapy in helping patients of all types. For those suffering debilitating chronic pain, whether due to accident or disease, interaction with plants can provide an absorbing and life-affirming diversion few other activities can match. Accommodations can be made to make horticultural therapy valuable for almost any patient, regardless of age or physical limitations.

For my guest visit, I decided to talk in general terms about African violets and their relatives. I took along a number of sample plants from my collection, deliberately choosing specimens that needed "work", so that the participants would be able to get some hands-on experience. Included in my box of goodies were a selection of leaves, a species violet (Pangani Falls), and several petrocosmeas (the latter because I was reasonably sure it would be something new and unfamiliar even to most experienced gardeners).

Horticultural therapy sessions at the Chedoke Campus are held in a classroom-like space that is located in a small house near the hospital. The room can accommodate more than a dozen people with ease, with tables and benches that can be arranged in a variety of layouts. The program is supervised by occupational and horticultural therapist Mary Clare Haley, a capable young woman with a wonderful sense of humour, and genuine compassion for her patients.

The group in attendance that day comprised 14 patients, both men and women, ranging in age from their 20's to their 60's. Following formal introductions, I began my presentation by talking to them about the joy I have found in growing violets and other gesneriads, and in particular the fun of propagating new plants from leaves and cuttings. Just to provide some additional background, I gave them a brief history of the African violet in terms of its origin in the wild, and the development of the wonderful hybrids we enjoy today.

From there, I demonstrated to the group how to remove suckers from petrocosmeas; how to take a leaf from a streptocarpus, cut it and put it down, and how to propagate violets using leaves. We discussed the importance of symmetry and the general care of violets including the removal of immature leaves and suckers, and proper feeding. The neighbour who had invited me to participate, Harriet Hamilton, did an excellent job of asking questions that prompted conversation and the exchange of useful tips.
Despite the fact that we had several blossom-loaded African violets on display, it was the species Saintpaulia that seemed to attract the most interest. I was genuinely surprised by that -- until two individuals told me that it was very much like plants their grandmothers used to grow, and it brought back happy childhood memories.

The session lasted about 90 minutes, and I have to say I think I enjoyed it as much as the patients did. I was very gratified by the feedback from Mary Clare, who told me that the session elicited far more interest and enthusiasm from the group than she generally sees -- so much so, that she asked if I might be willing to come back on a monthly basis. Needless to say, I told her that I would be delighted to do so.

I lost no time in sharing news of my new-found volunteer work with the members and executive of my "home" club, Lakeshore AVS, who responded to my request for donations of plant material with their usual generosity. Leaves, starter plants, rhizomes and cuttings came my way in happy abundance from several individuals at our next meeting, for which I was most grateful. The club donated a large bag of our legendary Lakeshore potting mix, as well as a bag of starter mix. My wife, Sharon, and I donated a three-tier light stand to the program, along with trays and pots. Thanks to all of the above, I was well equipped for future programs.

For the next session, I set off laden with supplies, plants, rhizomes, and leaves. The group was a bit smaller this time around due to bad winter weather, but no less enthusiastic. We tackled lots of hands-on projects; borrowing the pattern we follow at Lakeshore when we have a "hands-on" workshop night, I split the participants into three groups. They rotated between stations set up for potting rhizomes, putting down streptocarpus leaves, and putting down all the wonderful leaves that our club members had donated. We also worked at potting up some of the small plantlets I had received that were ready for larger quarters.

It was fascinating during both of these visits to observe the patients, and the change that occurred in nearly all of them as the sessions progressed. When they arrived in the classroom, nearly all were subdued and preoccupied, struggling with the effects of both pain and medication. But as things got underway, they quickly became much more animated, especially as we got involved in the hands-on activities. Those who were formerly gardeners talked about their experiences; I was quick to point out to them that just because they can no longer garden in the backyard on a grand scale, it doesn't mean their gardening days are behind them. As AVSC members know, there is infinite scope for horticultural adventure on a plant stand or a windowsill!

So after just a short time, the light stand is filling up nicely with a wonderful assortment of greenery. Before long, patients will be greeting babies "born" right there at Chedoke, and we'll have a veritable nursery of gesneriads to care for!

In conversation with Mary Clare, it became obvious that volunteers to work in horticultural therapy are sorely needed all across the country. Hobbyists who are involved in indoor gardening would be especially well-suited for this work, because theirs is a year-round activity not dependent on weather conditions. Its accessibility from a physical point of view also makes it ideal for chronic pain therapy patients.

I personally believe that African violet clubs and their members across the country have a great deal to offer to their communities in this respect. Members of Lakeshore AVS, for example, have for several years been involved in volunteering at a nursing home in the Toronto area. Residents of the home have even attended the Lakeshore Show, to see their plants in a special class created just for them.

So I would like to challenge every African violet club in Canada to get in touch with a hospital or nursing home in their community, and suggest ways that members might be able to help patients or residents enjoy life to a greater degree through the growing of gesneriads. Apart from the good that it will do for so many individuals who may be struggling in their lives, it will also help spread the news about a great hobby. And I'd call that nothing short of a win/win situation, wouldn't you?

Click here to return to Articles main page