Question
I just received an African Violet but I'm not doing a very good job taking care of it.  My question to you is where on the stem do you cut back when the flower has shrivled up.  Thank you.

Answer
Laura,
Let me first apologize for not answering you right away.  I receive so many newsletters and junk mail in my In Box that I sometimes miss the IMPORTANT mail.  I need to work on getting rid of these unnecessary newsletters.
Anyway, to be taking care of your first violet and to know that you must cut back dead or shriveled blooms is a great start.  what it does is allows the violet to send its energy out to produce new blooms.  Plus, dead blooms are ugly.  You can remove the spent bloom below its tip or, ideally, pinch it as close to the foliage as possible.  Just use your fingers; very easy to do.  Don't forget bright, indirect sunlight and plenty of moisture. Never let them get dry.  Use half-strength African Violet food diluted in water during the months of March through September.  Violets are intimidating to people, but they really are simple.  I hope you enjoy this one and wish to collect more and more.  That's how I started as a young girl.
Good luck.