African Violets

[Demeter]

I’m going on a plant craze as of late and I will soon have 7 new types of African violets that I will be propagating from leaf. That means I’ll more than likely have say ~21+ young fancy African violets (more than I have space for!)

Was wondering if anyone would like to have a couple in the distant future should they grow well. I’d expect them to be a shippable size in the winter/spring months but we shall see.

I do have a couple plants that I have multiples of right now and I think it’s time to down size to try and make room for the new arrivals. Let me know if anyone want one of these little guys, there’s one plant in particular that has a few suckers starting so I need to cut them off and either toss them are get them rooted.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Love the ruffled edges!

 

[Demeter]

My leaf cuttings came in 2 days ago, both sellers sent me an extra so now there are 9 new types. They’re all labeled and planted, just need to wait a few months to see growth. Waiting is the hardest part.



One type was sent as a sucker, this one is called Rob’s Humpty Doo, a type of trailing violet. It has a bud, perhaps it will bloom.


I repotted a bunch if violets and cut off the suckers from the one pink, the two largest ones are trying to take root. I’m going to hold onto these till they flower, I learned that some suckers can produce mutations called chimera and it sounds interesting.

 

[Demeter]

I bought plants from the violet barn and they arrived about a week ago. They were in the mail for an entire week but they are perfectly fine, they were packaged with great care.

Introducing my growing collection


EK Prekrasnaya Slavyank, Russian standard


Rob’s Loose Noodle, a miniature


Pixie Runaround Sport, a trailing mini chimera


Mac’s Elegant Emerald, another miniature


Carnival blues, this one is going to be a big plant at maturity.


And here’s one of the pink ruffled plants, finally adjusted after repotting and it’s now being wicked. Nice healthy leaves


The two suckers cut from the big ruffled pink, they have healthy roots now and I expect a growth spurt soon. They’re in cat food containers. Also shows Rob’s Hunpty Doo plantlet in a medicine measuring cup!



The leaf cuttings are taking forever and a day to get going. A couple died on me completely, I blame the leaf quality and shipping methods as the ones that died came from all the same seller. I’m seeing the beginnings of root and possible plantlet formation on the stems but no baby plants yet.

Also put in another order from the violet barn, I just couldn’t help myself. I need to stop but there’s no one to keep me in check

 

[Demeter]

An update to keep this thread alive. I’ve been buying, propagating and repotting a plenty.

I removed a few more suckers and put them in tiny glasses, one was still connected to a leave so I left it as is. Also put down a couple other leaves.


Here’s my newest mini violets, they are dainty.


The two suckers I removed and potted are now blooming!

 

[Demeter]

Plants doing well for the most part. I’m getting into trailing violets and now have 6 types. Only one is blooming, here’s Rob’s Humpty Doo.


Here’s the a baby tray, it’s a mini cupcake container



My original NOIDs with the pink ruffles are in full bloom, I repotted the largest one and trimmed some old leaves so that means the blooms had to go too. They have a lovely shimmer in the right light.





Then there’s Vanilla Trail, this is from a leave I got in the mail. This particular plant has a funny leaf, which could be something called “zippering”.

 

[Sofiafish17]

Hi, I don’t really know much about African violets, but my grandpa always had flowers in his garden and they filled his windowsills. He had so many African violets, and now African violets remind me of when I lived at his house when I was younger. I don’t know what variety he had, but they looked like these photos I found

the color of them was kind of in the middle of both of these. I was wondering if you had any that looked like these. Thank you!

 

[Demeter]

I would guess they are the average un-named grocery store varieties. I don’t have any solid colored violets like that but it shouldn’t be too hard to find some. Shop around at the big box stores like Walmart and whatnot, I bet you could find some.

Alternatively you can brows The Violet Barn, you may not find the type you have in mind but they are still beautiful to look at. All the ones they sell are named violets too

 

[Sofiafish17]

Thank you!

 

[Demeter]

Small update, a lot of plants are finally growing decently. If only the cat would stop knocking them over and/or getting hair on the leaves.

Great Nebula, the second bloom I’ve had. This one is very cute.


And then the beast that gives me trouble, Carnival Blues. I cleaned it up which means I plucking off the blooms. I like the flowers, if only the plant would behave! Attempted to start a few plants from bloom stalks and a leaf.





One of the trusty pink ruffles, second bloom cycle for this one removed as a sucker in previous posts.

 

[Kribensis27]

Beautiful plants! I used to have a ton, but I gave them all away a while ago. The cats had started laying on top of them!

The leaves would then collect cat hair and get all messy. They're also incredibly hard to clean. The cats would even bite off flowers any time they grew!

It became too much to deal with, so I got rid of them. I regret doing that to a huge level. They were great plants. I still have my streptocarpus, episcias, and columneas, but they're somehow less attractive to the cats.

I'm going to get more soon, I just can't decide on varieties. Violet Barn has too many options!!! Anyway, I guess I'll watch this thread now.

 

[Lakefish]

I had the same problem with my devil child knocking over, chewing, and digging in my plants. Thrift store to the rescue! They are high enough now to be mostly safe. Mostly! I used monkey hooks in the wall. They are plenty strong enough and don’t leave a big hole. Plants are just a bit sad now from neglect. Lol.

 

[Demeter]

After pruning, grooming, repotting and propagating, many plants are producing lots of buds and this is only a few of them!




This one in particular has me impatient. Coral Temptation is supposed to have very cute blooms, the color so far does look very coral-like. The shape of the blooms should be pansy-like which is currently my favorite bloom type.


I ordered another batch of violets when it was still a little chilly. Only one plant suffered but of course it was the one I was really looking forward to. Rob’s Inner Orbit got chilled and killed all the central leaves. I clipped them off and now I am seeing promising new growth at one leaf node.

 

[Kribensis27]

I'm so jealous! They all look amazing. Btw, I finally got another violet! It's an unidentified variety from a grocery store, but I love it. It's a prolific bloomer and has a gorgeous dark purple color. It's also HUGE! Other violets at the store are usually small and not very impressive, but I just had to get this one. It's nearly 10 inches across, and was only $4. I'll add a pic when I get home, I'm just so happy to finally have a violet again.

 

[Demeter]

Coral Temptation did not disappoint! This was the first bud to open, there’s more on the way.


Vanilla trail, this plant is still a tiny baby hence the medicine cup. A mature Vanilla Trail is stunning.


I had to repot Tina’s April Fantasy. That means removing most the flower stalks.



For those that don’t know, fantasy refers to the streaks and splashes of color on the flowers.



More plants will be blooming for the first time in a few more days or so. I’ll be back with more!

 

[Basil]

Oh wow. Just found this thread. Now I have reading material for my work break tonight .
I had a ton of African violets many years ago, including several mini varieties as there was a small greenhouse near me that specialized in the minis. But I gave them all away when I moved to an apartment facing north.
But now my house has perfect windows so I should get a couple.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I love all these! I have a sunny shelf that needs some beauty.

 

[Demeter]

I love all these! I have a sunny shelf that needs some beauty.

I am propagating some for fun but it is slow going. Mature plants cannot be shipped, only starter plants so you’d need to raise them up yourself anyways.

 

[Kribensis27]

WOW, I need to get my hands on a Coral Temptation eventually! That's amazing!

 

[Basil]

Ohhhh, violet barn has micro-minis! I may just have to order one of each of their three varieties!

 

[Demeter]

More flowers!

LE Gieselle (supposed to be purple and white)



EK Prekrasnaya Slavyank (Russian for something probably)


Mac’s Pure Poetry


Bristol Black Cherry, this is a Strep which is a cousin of violets.


Another pinker bloom from Vanilla Trail


Carnival Blues


Yachiyo Sport (chimera) yet again, lots of flowers


And a few more!
Rob’s Loose Noodle


Texas Space Dust


Ma’s Ice Breaker (chimera)


A family photo of ones in the last post.



Two of the NOIDs ( no ID) that are clones. In the very first post the purple flowered plant is the same as these. Temperature plays a big part in bloom (and leaf) coloration for plants with multiple colors.



And then there’s a leaf with powdery mildew growing on it. I went through all the violets and cleaned their leaves with 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water. Mildew is the bane of my violet collection. I need to get a couple fans to help control it.


I also recently purchased some orchids for cheap. They were being sold in batches as rescue/greenhouse-rejects. 5 total, all random Odontoglossum orchids (Odont for short). These guys are a little rough looking but that’s why they were cheap, I think I can bring them around and hopefully I’ll have some blooms next year!

They are loving named Odont A-E going from largest to smallest. I hope to keep track of their progress here.



Bonus pics of a couple other orchids, these are the ones often found in grocery stores.




Plus a picture of my white Christmas cactus. Grew this one from a little cutting a few years ago. Too bad their blooms only last a couple days.

 

[Basil]

This is a total enabler thread lol!
I ordered the following from Violet Barn:
Rob’s bunny hop is a pink micro miniature violet, Irish flirt is a pretty light green flower miniature violet.
Apple pie and smidgen are miniature tropical begonias, and peperomia minima and hedera silver king are terrarium plants.

Rob's Bunny Hop	1
Apple Pie	1
Hedera h. Silver King	1
Peperomia minima	1
Smidgen	1
Irish Flirt	1

 

[Basil]

I got my Violet Barn order yesterday! Wow, what gorgeous little plants. And look at the micro-miniature, Rob’s Bunny Hop! I’m in love! Can’t wait to set them up in their permanent display but I work this weekend. Of course, I’ll post when I get it done.

 

[fishl0rer]

those are beautiful!

 

[Basil]

Set up all the mini plants on gravel trays next to my open top 5 g.
The directions from the Violet Barn stated that the plants can stay in the small pots. So I’ll see how they do like this.

 

[Demeter]

A few more new blooms!
EK Prekrasnaya Slavyank, this one is also in my previous post but this flower is a deep blue color unlike the first one


Carnival Blues again, this one is growing on me with the white edges.



Lyon’s Midnight Sun, my on red flower right now. The leaves are sleek and uniformly wavy, very cute! I had to remove these flowers and repot this plant due to degraded soil which led to dying/drooping leaves.


More of Mac’s Pure Poetry, the blooms have a very soft pink blush.


Rob’s Sarsaparilla if I remember right, light pink feathery flowers. I would compare this one to fine china dish-ware because it is so elegant.




Another strep, TSF Zhizel. It’s becoming a large plant and needs a bigger pot soon. A single leaf is pushing 10in!



As for propagation updates, I plucked a few suckers from and started a few more leaves. PLUS some fancy violet seeds I bought have finally sprouted! These are tiny seeds, like very fine grains of sand so the seedlings are itty bitty. They will be slow growing as I am not using artificial lighting. Excited to see how they do though, these ones are meant to have fantasy blooms.

 

[Demeter]

Gave all the violets some TLC with repotting, soil purging, grooming and separating of baby plants. A quick head count of only propagated babies is up to 50! I didn’t think I had that many, I went a little wild with it I guess. Look forward to seeing some available this summer/fall.

Some of the recently potted babies, 2 Coral Temptations and a Green Dragon.


These three plants were decapitated crowns. The original plants were just not doing well so restarting them completely is the last resort.


Windy Day is one I was so looking forward to, it is from my very first order. It has given me troubles for the longest time but the blooms are finally here. Too bad she was due for a repotting and grooming so the flowers had to go.


Little Humpty Doo has finally filled out to where I am happy with it. Just wish it would be more rounded.

 

[Demeter]

Potting up some babies! Had to get creative and used coffee K-cups, they work really well.




Summer heat has taken quite a tole on some of my plants. They were dropping leaves and blooms, one pink ruffled violet was trashed due to the damage. Thankfully the weather has cooled some and they are on the road to recovery. I cleaned them up and repotted a few, waiting for their leaves to dry before putting them back.


A new bloom that is not what it should be. Comfort Zone is supposed to be more of a pink/coral color with fantasy markings and a lighter edge, similar to Coral Temptation. It turned out all purple with a thin white edge.


Bonus pic of a rescue orchid (from my grandma). First bloom in my care and a different color for my collection, white with a purple center. A common color.

 

[Demeter]

Plants upstairs are growing slow, likely due to the hot temps. Plants in the basement are doing very well.

Ice breaker baby, doing very well.


Oolong baby, a bug found it and munched on a leaf as well as a couple other plants. Looked like some sort of beetle.


Loose Noodle, first of the babies to bloom


Pearl Joy chimera’s original form, forgot the proper name for it. This ones just about ready to bloom.


Green Dragon, growing a tiny bloom stalk


Coral Temptation baby, the parent plant has been looking sad so this one may be its replacement


Rob’s Sarsaparilla, looking good and growing lots of blooms.


A funky orchid where one bloom didn’t have a center


Bristol’s Pen n Ink, looking like a happy camper.

 

[Demeter]

Potted up some babies yesterday, some of the older plantlets are now established






What a root system!



This guy is a trailer, it has many different crowns besides the main one. Its first flower stalk has become an over achiever by growing a baby too!





Tiny Frosted Denim, I WILL make this one work for me. Some varieties do not like my conditions and this is one of them.

 

[Demeter]

Highlighting 2 of my favorite trailers.


Rob’s Humpty Doo, this plant is happy all the time. It does not care if it’s hot or cold, shady or sunny. I have had no issues with this variety. I plucked a sucker off the parent plant a while back and it’s becoming a nice plant now.




Vanilla Trail, this is one of the original leaf propagations. It took about a little over a year to reach this point. It can be a little touchy and is prone to zippering but when grown right it is possibly the best trailer around, it seem to be very popular too! Darker leaves with a red stem contrast the pink blooms so well. I forgot this one was in bud and when I checked it today several blooms had opened!



A similar plant to Vanilla Trail is Deer Path. The few plants I have are still young and very leggy. Their leaves are smaller but also have a red stem. 2 are just starting to grow bloom stalks. If I recall the bloom are about the same as V. Trail but more white than pink. I am excited to see them mature.



Also an original leaf propagation, Green Dragon. This plant is a semi-mini if I remember right. You can see a green edge to the bloom, this edge as well as the white variegation will become more apparent in cooler temps.

 

[Demeter]

Second bloom cycle of Comfort Zone. Compare it to the first bloom and you can see how these blooms are semi-doubled (more petals). Just wish it would bloom true. I should probably consider it a NOID now as it is not what it should be.


Rob’s Sarsaparilla showing very nice symmetry, a nice semi-miniature.


Rob’s Chilly Willy from a leaf propagation, it us just starting to grow bloom stalks. This one is a mini.



Also, my attempt at growing seeds has resulted in 7-8 plantlets. This one grew the fastest and has it’s own pot, curious to see how big it will get and how the blooms look. The others are still in a domed nursery.


Green Dragon has a few more open blooms, a healthy looking variegated semi-mini.



And another look at my chimera Pearl Joy propagation. This ones proper name is Rob’s Boolaroo. So many flowers for it’s first time blooming!

 

[Sofiafish17]

How are the violets going? Any for sale too? Great job, I’m terribly bad at starting from seeds.

 

[Demeter]

How are the violets going? Any for sale too? Great job, I’m terribly bad at starting from seeds.

They are doing okay but the cold winter weather has caused some problems with the younger plants. Several little ones died on me, so for some I stopped wick watering in an attempt to keep their roots from getting too cold and rotting. That means repotting a bunch, some of my favorites I domed and/or started new leaves to give extra protection. A few are coming into bloom now too, I’ll add photos when they are full of flowers

My orchids on the other hand are loving the change in temp. Cooler temps stimulate them to grow flower spikes. One has bloomed, another in a couple weeks from blooming and a few are just starting to grow a spike! Also acquired 2 mini phals and a few new species of orchids. There’s a lot to update on, photos will come later.

 

[Demeter]

Small update with photos. This is what the cold temps are doing to my smaller plants This was once Texas Space Dust.


Larger plants are doing fine with the cold. My largest is going to bloom for the first time! Cajun’s Royal Jewels, turns out I had the tags switched between this one and Lonestar Twilight. Just figured that out actually.



Rob’s Sarsaparilla once again. Recently repotted and growing more bloom stalks.


My new mini orchid, it was pathetic looking when I bought. All the minis were dehydrated and floppy. This one has since perked up and I plan to repot it soon.


My G-ma’s white orchid growing a spike. Hopefully I can make it grow straight up instead of all sideways and leaning over.



Some interesting info. These are Tina’s April Fantasy babies but only one will look like the parent plant. The plant with random spots of red on the leaves and stems should be a proper clone, the one with red stems and uniform red between the leaf veins will likely have all white blooms. Time will tell, both need repotting and grooming, in fact a lot of them do.

 

[Demeter]

A few photos
Tina’s April Fantasy, recently repotted and happily blooming.


Cajun’s Royal Jewels, first bloom. Big plant about 1ft across


Some of the baby plants.



Lonestar Twilight, not quite the right pattern as it should be.

 

[Demeter]

Been cleaning up the plants and purging the soil, some plants need repotting... next time.

The only variegated seedling, just came out of a dome.


Little over one month later and Sarsaparilla is in full bloom.



Both the Tina sisters are close to the parent plant’s size, and both are growing buds.


Rob’s Boolaroo, about to go into full bloom again. Seems to have larger fantasy spotting from the cooler window weather.


A trailer I’ve been looking forward to seeing bloom has finally done it, Deer Path! Quite similar to Vanilla Trail but has glossy, red backed leaves and the blooms are a bit bigger. Very nice looking.



The original NOID, big plant but small and unimpressive blooms. Keeping it for the memories.

 

[Lucy]

They are lovely

 

[Demeter]

More violet grooming!
Buckeye Nostalgia had several suckers trying to grow along with bloom stalks. I did some surgery on it. Its been a little while since these were taken, now she has bloom stalks that will open soon.
Before


After




The Tina sisters have bloomed! As expected the one has purple blooms.


Kei-yoki bloomed, very cute



One of the seedlings, it has adjusted well to wick watering.


Sarsaparilla is misbehaving and growing another crown. I hope it is not zippering, time will tell.


And then Ma’s Ice Breaker but the non chimera form.

 

[Demeter]

This year’s blooming orchids. One from last year took a break, the white one with a purple center. Most of these ones will be repotted after they finish blooming.


I have a a new mini that had spent blooms when I got it, cut the old stalk and it decided to grow a second branch from it.



I still really like this dark pink/purple one, it contrasts nicely with the white. Note that a bloom is missing from the white on the right side. I accidentally broke it off when watering it

 

[Demeter]

More blooms




New un-named plant



Streptocarpus plant somehow self pollinated and grew a seed pod. Not sure how long before it matures but I hope to grow the seeds.


Green Dragon with lovely green petal edges.