what is it with top 3, top 5, and top 10 today? i am sure theres another one on facebook from 2 days ago...

get ten that you can get. if there is a club or someone nearby you, that's a good place to start - they will have better knowledge of what your climate supports.

it is the season for AV shows just now, so see if you can find one in your area. and if you happen to be around the later half of a sale, plants are usually fairly cheap (no one wants to take them home).

grocery store NOIDS (plants that didn't come with a name/tag) are great test subjects and fairly sturdy. you can practice de-crowning, bloom stalk propagation, leaf propagation, sucker plucking etc on them... great plants :-)

i am thinking and nope, i don't even grow 10 standards just now. i have leaves started, and a bunch of probably ID'd noids. but other than wrangler's boot stompin', i don't think i can say any do well in my house - yet. the jury is out on my leaf starts still.

now ask me about (mini) trailers and i'll give you an earful ;-p

I'll take the liberty of re-posting a list from the bratpack forum (as i said this topic has come up a few times today...)

• Arcturus
• Pueblo
• Rapsodie Cora
• Anastasia
• Decelle's Flamingo
• East Wind
• Gillian
• International
• Pink Summit
• Allegro Sonata
• Allegro Watermelon Ruffles

Not all of these are standards, but worth looking up considering the source of the list ;-)

Cheers, and keep us posted on your progress!

Karin

There are a lot of different African Violet varieties, ... and all don't do well in all conditions.

But, those which have done well for me follow ... all of these also flower well ...

*

Optimara Modesty - pretty ruffled blue-violet single flowers with nicely variegated foliage

Red Rocket - Red open-faced single blooms with a thin white edge

Sansoucy Julie Marie - nice white star shaped semi-double blooms

Iceberg - white/blue/violet multicolor ruffled blooms

Pink Summit - nicely blooming pink semi-double bloom with white edge

Snowy Skies - mid-tone violet-blue large semi-double bloom

Shazam - dark blue-violet blooms with pink fantasy streaks

Easy Breezy Day - nicely blooming light violet-blue semi-double

Pow Wow - deep red semi-double bloom with nicely variegated foliage

The King - classic semi-double violet-blue blooms

See the attached link for photos of some of these ...

African Violet Selections

The King

Iceberg (9168) 02/03/2003 (Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses/Sorano) Semidouble-double white star/blue ruffled edge. Medium green, plain, wavy. Standard

Iceberg is supposed to be white with a thin blue ruffled edge. I know it doesn't seem to look like that now but it used to look like that. I have a photo of it in my window from maybe 9 years ago looking like that. It also seems to have an issue with birth marking (I'm trying to get one back but I think it's hopeless.)

As Aegis said, these tend to be personal. Optimara Modesty is the only one that I've loved and then the foliage went pink (trying to get it back). I'm sure the others are nice plants - it just shows how different we are. I do have Red Rocket and I'm trying The King.

I'm fond of Optimara Texas - easy, pretty. If you like candy pink and bright green, try Candy Fountain and just let it grow (it's a trailer but don't worry, it will just grow okay in a regular pot, a 5" one and get bright pink double flowers and it's variegated with cream). Harbor Blue will grow in your window and Maverick's Faded Jeans has a very nice blossom. Optimara Dali is a very good bloomer. Pixie Blue is a great plant. Private Dancer is beautiful but seems to like a window best.

Optimara Chico is a nice plant - white with a blue edge. Some people think I just have Optimaras :)

Diana in PA

As stated, the plants we like may not be what you like or will grow well for you. Finding favorites is an ongoing process. I would recommend for anyone starting out to visit various websites like Lyons, Violet Barn, Optimara & look for plants that appeal to you. Green leaved varieties are usually less tricky than variegated ones, though some are strong growers like Powwow & Optimara Modesty.

Violet Barn will send you their selection of ten standards for a special price. I have ordered these many years ago & received some nice plants. Pick up an Optimara or two; some excellent ones have already been mentioned. Also look for a space violet; their leaves are a bit different & they are hardy growers.

A few more of my favorites that are easy growers: Ode to Beauty, Okie Easter Bunny, Tomorrow's Pink Ice, Everfloris varieties: EverGrace, EverBeautiful, & EverPrecious.

Terri

Terri,
Who carries Okie Easter Bunny? I haven't run onto it this year. Someone said I should try it. I've seen various photos of it, some I loved, some not. (All I need is another leaf order :)

Private Dancer is a strong grower too. Of course, if you don't like pink or red or find blue same old.... :) I've been struggling some with Violet Barn's standards - not sure what the problem is there.

The Space Violets are large and Private Dancer isn't a small plant. Tiger is big. That's something to consider too. Others are smaller neater plants and sometimes we appreciate that. (The Space Violets have more ruffled leaves.) We have liked O. myDarling. My husband likes Ness' Orange Pekoe - look. Its color isn't for everyone.

Diana in PA

Conrad,

A brief answer is to get experience with standards then branch out from there.

You could call Optimara Selective Gardener or Lyndon Lyon's Greenhouses and ask them what are their best recommendations for strong growing plants in standard sizes, not trailers,

that will grow in a whorl that they have leaves to offer right now. Either one will send you sets of leaves. The Optimara company is the most "commercial" in terms of having the very best methods of packing and shipping. They will let you know what they have in stock and might make recommendations of their favorites that sometimes are not listed in their catalogues.

In general, the older varieties with solid blues or purples, doesn't matter if single, double, white edge or not, will be the strongest to learn from. If you want variegation, those with minimal edge variegation on the leaves will grow better than those with spotty variegation.

Your local garden centers might have Optimara plants at this time of year. You will also need to research the potting methods, sizes of pots and medium and have that ready. The advice provided above is terrific and a helpful question for others who read this and want to know what are the favorites of the seasoned growers on the Forum.

When I first started growing, I raised only Optimaras in the deep blue and purple range. They are vigorous growers, they grow rapidly and can tolerate a variety of growing conditions. After that, I branched out to Lyndon Lyon's also in the violet/blue/purple range. Their own hybrids are strong growers.

The Russian varieties grow large and easily and have very large flowers. They give a lot of bang for the buck if you want only a few. You can get these through Lyon's or other vendors.

It is a good idea to subscribe to the AV magazine to get a more complete education.

A Yahoo group called Violet Reflections will mentor you, and will send you 25 violets, (I believe that is the amount.) The cultivation is different for each size.

Have fun with your project.

Joanne

Everyone wants to start out with the top several hundred. Their beauty is legend. BUT if you are a novice [and we all started out that way!] there are a few baby steps to take.

Sooooo,,,,, here's my 2cents,,,,Hope it helps!

[1] START with one or two. Big box store, ebay starter plants or where ever you find one or two that please you.

[2] SEE what location in your house they do the best. You may have to move them around a bit to see where they are gonna be happy.

[3] FIND out what their care preferences are. You may be surprised!

[4] Once you think they are adjusted to your home and care,,,PROPAGATE a leaf or two if your plant can spare it at that time.

[5] LEARN how to successfully follow thru and separate the babies and grow them to their first flower!

[6] By this time you probably have more than a couple plants. Each plant CAN be different or not. Each clump of growing leaves can be different or not. AND each batch of new babies can be different or not.

[7] Before you invest money in the top ten [remember,,,,that is just one person's opinion about what top 10 is.] learn to enjoy and love the ones you are caring for. ENJOY every bud and blossom. ENJOY watering, ENJOY fertilizing and ENJOY propagating.

[8] At this point,,,,SHARE---remember to reach out and share your babies,,,whether you trade for a new plant or leaf or just give one to someone just starting out.

[9] TRAVEL the road of violets with all of their troubles and joys. COLLECT other varieties and LEARN to live through their stubborn streaks, their beauty and the pleasure they give you.

[10] If you ACCOMPLISH all of these steps, you may find out violets aren't for you. Or you may be well on your way to having millions of them and wanting more!!! That will be your choice,,,,but at least try the journey!!! Good luck!!!--Rosie

Rosie

That is the best advice I have seen. That is what I have done and I can grow African Violets.

Now, my core collection of 10 would include one or two of each type:

1) A Mosaic Variegated -- Lillian Jarret, Just Jeff,

2) Champion Variegated, -- Sisk, Wrangler, Buckeye

3) Tommie Lou Variegated -- Tommie Lou, Southern Sugar

4) Species -- Tongwensis, Grandifolia, Velutina

5) Solid Green Leaf with Flowers and Leaves I particularly Like -- Any Listed By Other Members

On thing about some "Best Varieties" lists is to find out how they were chosen. Some are plants that have won in shows. While some show plants make good plants for non-show growers, others don't. I have sometimes seen a show grower say that they won the prize with a variety and then took it and threw it away. They didn't like it either. A show plant must have certain characteristics, some of which really don't matter to some of us who want blooms in the window.

Best of luck in choosing your first 10 :) If you don't want to place expensive orders and have no local places to go, Lowe's often carries Optimaras and they are very good plants for beginners and some of us more experienced growers as well. After you know you can grow them, then you can branch out, buy leaves and grow everything (try not to do it all at once!)

Diana in PA

lucky123 I am glad you liked it. I did it off of the top of my head based on my experience with not just plants but a lot of things. Thanks! BTW hmmmm,,,, do you have Lillian Jarret and Tommy Lou??? Rosie

Rosie,

I wanted Painted Silk, variegated girl foliage with blue flowers and Lillian Jarret, mosaic variegated but I bought Skies Over Italy instead. It is mosaic, girl foliage with blue flowers. A One For Two trade off.

Skies Over Italy is supposedly difficult to grow. Not recommended for beginners.

I am getting a starter plant of Tommie Lou in the fall. I have a noid Tommie Lou variegated that I can't guess identify until it blooms. It shapes beautifully, so I don't care if it is a noid.

I listed examples of the types of plants in each category which generally do well for that type or are clearly "that type."

Diana, I don't know who carries Okie Easter Bunny now; I haven't seen it listed anywhere either. I've been growing the plant for years & my current plant is a teenager. A look alike for OEB is Raspberry Crisp. This plant is another one that was quite popular at one time. Maybe its falling by the wayside too. Terri

Thanks, Terri. I just realized I hadn't seen it. I suppose I'll live without it yet another year :) I hadn't even heard of it until a year or so ago.

Diana in PA

I always thought Lillian Jarret had the most beautiful foliage. I will keep looking! Rosie

Ebay - VJViolets has a plant of Okie Easter Bunny up for bid (starting at 6.50) for another day or so.

PJsViolets has leaves for 3.59 (Buy Now)

I have many established, successful, and blooming plants from PJs Violets, including Frosty Cherry, Private Dancer, Okie Easter Bunny, New Year's Eve, Early Spring, Southern Sugar, etc.

I have yet to trade with VJViolets ...

Thank you.

HI, Rosie,

If your "Skies" plant does well and is big enough to share in a few months, maybe we can trade. I ordered a few more vintage plants. It is a slow process to get them, then grow them out.

Joanne

Joanne

I have Skies.

Last year, when I didn't have a plant left, Joanne sent me a box of plants and leaves. All named, mainly Russians.

I don't want to get into trading on the Garden Web but Joanne is special :)

Joanne, It will be good to hear from you again.

Hi Lucky, Your growth in this hobby is amazing, in a short time you have become so informed of the most unusual and rare varieties. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow and your violets take off! And see you mentor others. Thanks for your kind thoughts! Joanne

Rosie

Is Lillian Jarret a type of variegation or is it a plant. There is a Lillian In Lace (The one I almost bought) and Lillian Sparkler (or Sparkling Lillian) but I don't know if Lillian Jarret is around. Wasn't that the first mosaic? Like Tommie Lou variegation, Lillian Jarret variegation but then, Tommie Lou is still around.

Ok, I found Lillian Jarret or a picture of a plant labeled that. Pink flowers. So it would seem that Lillian Jarrett is both a plant and the name of the variegation, like Tommie Lou.

Lillian Jarrett variegation is usually listed as Mosaic, or is it?

Anyone know?

Yes, I believe so. I think there are several different kinds of mosaic variegation. Some with a pattern to the variegation and in two shades of green. Others with random, spotty variegation in bright white contrasting with dark green. Both kinds are more difficult to grow, therefore, harder to find.

Joanne

Hi Joanne,,,,,I don't have Skies. If I did a leaf would be on its way. I would share!!!! And yep Lillian Jarrett is a very old variety AND a leaf pattern. I used to have her way, way back. Would love to find her again along with my many others I am looking for. BTW I can't even find an image for Athena. Oh and she is a beauty!!! But again,,,,back to the 60s and 70s we go!!! Rosie

Joanne,

I have Skies over Italy. I have two plants since I'm testing what it likes best - natural or artificial lights. I can send you leaves if you would like.

Brunilda

Brunilda

Which light does Skies Over Italy prefer? Have yours bloomed?

Brunilda,

Thank you, that would be nice!

Joanne

One has bloomed and I repotted into a 2.5 Oyama pot which under lights. I removed a large sucker Which I can give to Joanne from that one. The one under artificial light is much happier. I repotted the second one into a Oymara pot to see if it likes it better. Both are growing but the one with natural light is much slower and it gets strong filtered southern light. In general, bother are slow growers for me.

Hi Brunilda, I would love to have a sucker of Skies. The plants you sent me last year are doing fabulously well. I would be happy to send you leaves of whatever you would like. I can review your wish list. I also sent you a PM.

thanks Joanne

Top ten's are tough because what grows gangbusters for me may hate life at your house. The AVSA magazine lists the top show winners every year. That might be a great place to start as these varieties are obviously tough and adaptable.

Linda