Hi, all -

I no longer grow plants under fluorescent lights, preferring instead to keep them in my windows - more eco-friendly, more like natural gardening, and better looking to me.

Anyway, I have a collection of plants that are easy and do well under these conditions. Happily, I like singles and commercial-type violets. I have many NOIDs that are probably Holtkamps. Looove single frilled pansies the best (e.g. Rhapsodie Barbara). Like them to be sticktite, but don't like little extra-petal thingies showing in the center of the flower. BTW, my best grower under windowsill conditions is Optimara Manitoba I. It is no longer available commercially, but if you like windowsill plants, this one never complains, is easy to propagate, and extremely floriferous. If it had a frilled edge, it would be perfect.

On to my question - My plant of Optimara Millennia just doesn't like me. It is not very tolerant of the little stresses that come with windowsill life - changes in temp, etc. Have a bunch of babies of it that I have been trying to grow up to blooming size. The young plants have a terrific tendency to lose their centers, sucker, and just make unhappy centers. I know I can help it by putting it in a plastic bag - been there, done that. However, living in a plastic bag is not what I want it to do. They tend to go downhill when I bring them out to play. I have one plant that is looking good on the windowsill, but I don't know how long I can maintain the even environment it requires. So -- I'm probably giving up on Millennia. BUT I do love the 2-tone singles, especially frilled. SO -- how is CRIMSON ICE? Would that be a better choice for my conditions, or is it even more demanding than Millennia? Other ones I think are pretty in pictures but haven't grown - Taffeta Blue, The Alps.

Quite a few of my two-tone NOIDs (I believe them to be Optimara artist series) are good window plants, but they seem to go solid color on my pretty often. Time will tell whether this is because of sporting or too-warm temps this past summer.

I will be grateful for any recommendations you may have for bulletproof singles.

Thanks!

Barbara