New Beauties

10 years ago

I thought I would share some pictures of some of my newest AVs. I've gotten all of these recently, within the past week or two. My mother and I have been haunting our local greenhouse waiting for new violets to come in. They don't seem to know too much about violet care, as many of the plants are sick and all have multiple crowns or suckers. We know the risks of bringing this type of plant home, but we just couldn't resist some of the varieties they had. It's so tempting to buy the ones you can actually go and see in person and not have to pay for shipping. Although I imagine we'll be ordering some too pretty soon! The most annoying part is that they label the standards, but not the minis! Anyway, we got some real beauties. Here are some of the named varieties.

We cannot get over the size of the blooms on King's Ransom. They measure about 2.5 inches across! Unlike many of the other fantasies we found, King's Ransom looks exactly as it should (many of the other fantasies we saw have little or no fantasy actually appearing).

Ma's Melody Girl. I was excited to find a violet with girl foliage, since I had never seen one before, except in pictures. And pictures can't do these blooms any justice.

Ma's Midland Fantasy is beautiful, even though it doesn't have quite the fantasy markings expected. It does still have some of the speckling, and the foliage is very nice.

Finally, Neon Fantasy. I'm a little more disappointed in this one not having the fantasy puffs. But I'm not the sort to throw something out just because it doesn't do exactly what I want it to. I'm hoping future blooms might surprise me with more fantasy. And we got a nice baby off of it, so I'm hoping that one may have more of the fantasy. And after all, it's still a gorgeous plant!

Featured Answer

aegis1000

10 years ago

Nice plants ...

I grew a Ma's Midland Fantasy for a while ... until it bloomed what can only be described as a pale greyish tan color ... consistently. Your plant looks great ...

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Comments (8)

Royals fan-MO6a
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
They are all gorgeous plants. I can see why you picked them. The nursery I use also only has IDed standards. I've bought 2 of their minis, but I'll never know their names for sure. I still enjoy them!
irina_co
10 years ago
Truly beautiful! Great find.

To my regret - if there is no fantasy on Neon Fantasy - or the fantasy is very sparce - it is not going to improve. When the baby plant is conceived on the mother leaf - this is set for the life. Puff fantasy is beautiful but elusive. I had another puff fantasy from LLG - Storm's Eye - it came with a very sparse fantasy. I set leaves several times - and never had any success on improving the puff count. It was either the same - or none at all. I had better success on improving the amount of streak fantasy by propagating from leaf and growing the babies. So - Ma's Midland Fantasy - you can try to set a leaf or 2 - and grow several starters to bloom. There is another thing that is not right about it - it should be pink, not white. Ma's Midland Fantasy (9044) 05/31/2001 (O. Robinson) Semidouble pink star/blue fantasy. Crown variegated green, white and yellow, quilted.

Both plants are very well grown and very attractive. Just mark them as "Sport of... " - because one day you will be sharing them with your AV friends - so there are no surprises that they are not exactly true to the description. Sometimes sport can be better than the original - so nothing wrong about it.

My friend bought us on ebay a couple leaves of an oldie - "Rodeo Clown" - I am frustrated - 4 starters already bloomed - and all solids. I have 2 more still growing...It should be purple with light pink spot fantasy... aha,,,where are the puffs?

Irina
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AnneCecilia z5 MI
10 years ago
What fun you must have had shopping for those plants. You're right, no amount of internet shopping can top a walk through live plants that you can see and touch. Although in my experience if they show little or no fantasy in the beginning they'll never become the "real deal" but I must admit I've learned to love my "plain" versions like my solid colored Funambule, so I know you'll get lots of enjoyment from your Neon "Not-Fantasied." ;-)

Ma's Melody Girl was a real find. Good for you. Of course you're going to keep these plants separate from any others you may already have until you sure they're healthy and clean of any hitchhikers, right? All in all, you did just great!
irina_co
10 years ago
Aegis - you just reduced poor Midland Fantasy to a dead fish...
Rosie1949
10 years ago
Oh very beautiful! Especially the girl leaf!!!!! Love them all!!! Rosie
Harawlins
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everybody, we think they're pretty great too! Ma's Midland Fantasy is a pale pink, even though it shows up in the picture more white looking.

@ Irina, that's what I feared about propagating a fantasy which has already lost the fantasy. Well, most of it anyway. I may buy some leaves from LLG of Neon Fantasy and see if I can get better results that way. Those elusive qualities like puffs are worth a little trial and error.

And yes, the plants are in quarantine, as well as they can be. I have King's Ransom right on my desk. I can hardly get any work done for gazing at it!
irina_co
10 years ago
It is still a very attractive plant! PJSViolets have leaves of Neon Fantasy for $3.59 plus shipping - on ebay. You can try to grow your own starters and select the best.