Take a look at Ness' Crinkle Blue (in Google).

See if it's purple enough for you. African Violet blue is really a bluish purple/violet.

It is a really nice plant ...

Aegis,

I checked out Ness crinkle blue online and those pictures had different shade of purple. Its hard to tell which color is close to actual. I find the following picture with nice purple color. Any idea which one might be close to this color? Thanks

I've got the plant blooming at home.

It's very purple.

We AV growers like to think that our plants bloom blue, ... but mostly it's just wishful thinking ... also cameras tend to veer to the blue end of the spectrum.

The bloom is more purple than even the photo shows ...

Is this plant Ness crinkle blue? I think I will get it as it look purple. Thanks

Aegis,

Can you tell me what size is your plant?

Thanks

This one is quite dark purple. Very pretty. :) lyons little sweetheart.

Oh no, both are so pretty. Hard to make desicion. I think both of them have similar features. Ness' flower look like rose while sweetheart has more ruffle. Gosh, its still a tough decision. Is little sweetheart bloom frequently?

My Ness' Crinkle Blue is about 7 inches across.

It probably doesn't bloom as frequently as Crinkle Blue... But it is smaller, or at least nine is smaller than 7 inches. I just got crinkle blue in a trade.. so i'm eager to see how it compares. :)

Joyfulsu, please let me know how you like crinkle blue when you get it.

7 inches is ... very large for a Ness's Crinkle blue. Mine stays around 4 or 5 inches which is more the usual size of this hybrid. Here's a shot of mine. African Violets don't really come in 'blue' per say but purple. If you see photos online that look /really/ vivid blue, that's the camera distorting the color. This is pretty spot on for the actual color of my Ness' Crinkle Blue which blooms frequently.

Under cooler growing conditions the flowers have a paler edging that tends to disappear more in summer. It's a very tidy, compact grower with a good rosette.

If in doubt - get both of them!

Ness Crinkle Blue is more bluish than purple. But all around it is an honor roll plant - tough, floriferous, shapes itself well, hold flowers forever.

You need to try several - the ones that do better in your house are keepers. But I am sure that Ness Crinkle Blue will stay.

Irina, the hoarder

Thank you all. I can only pick one because I have 2 windowsills. Because of running out room, I start getting mini. I told myself to limit to 12 plants only at the end of last year. I have 15 now! I'm afraid I will need to quit my job just to take care av if number of plant increase in this speed. :D

Elsa, I've never heard such...running out of room...wow. You just need to kill off some of the ones you like less and acquire new ones.

I hear you about time spent taking care of the plant menagerie. I always look forward to spring, so I can put the majority of house plants outside. Obviously Achimenes are about the only Gesneriad that makes it outside though. It's so nice to water with a hose versus a milk container with fertilizer in it. Makes me envy those with greenhouses that can be less precise with their watering solution.

I actually was shocked at your query, most people want more BLUE than purple (lol). Hope you like what you pick and it does well.

Elsa - I have a suggestion: LIght Stand! I bet you have a dark corner that can benefit from a small shelving unit with fluorescent lights! And AVs grow better this way!

Tempting, isn't it?

I.

I second Irina's suggestion, as you can make a little space for it. Stands can be ordered fairly cheaply, light strips for as little as $10 each for various sizes and kinds. I'll toss up a photo of some of mine but you needn't go so large or so many. Even a single light could be added to a desk or small light strips added to wall mounted book shelves if you have no floor space open. And should you decide to try wicking your plants so that they self water, you can manage a great many more with very little time spent tending to them.

Dbarron,

I always like the purple flower sold in Home Depot (the most common optimara) but I don't like single flower. I have blue mist, rs aquamarine, pixi blue which are all light blue. So, I want to get a purple color.

Irina, Patty,

It's always very tempting to get all the pretty and special AV, but there are couple of months in a year that I work long hours which I have no time to take care of them. That's why I want to limit the number of plants. I have a desk next to the window and I'm starting to expand to there. I think I will get rid the one I like less in order to make room for new member.

I already has my decision. I will get Ness crinkle blue because I don't have the rose like flower. I also will get Irish flirt.

Thanks

Elsa

There is nothing wrong with limiting yourself to a small collection. Quality and self enjoyment should always come first before quantity. So good on you. You can always swap around and yes, upgrade to ones you like more. Lots of options to choose from. ;)

I always liked Irish Flirt, I've had it on and off for years (several accquisitions and move...lose it..etc).