Hi 'PoohBear here.

I Just saw this post by chance....this guy is the one that SAID 'Jack' said he would send me a replacement for a 'Cosmos Legend-2' that he sold me, that turned out to be ALL purple/blue, no fantasy at all. He went 'dark' no word from him after this promise, and my emails to him. Today i got an email on EBay, from him, and he SAYS he will send me a new one Monday.

I'll believe it when it shows up....or I get a tracking number on Monday. I saw the 'Blue dragon' for sale, I TRIED to buy it and 4 others....he has blocked me from buying from him! One complaint and I am blacklisted.I complained in private to him, that 2 of my 3 violets died...didnt ask for a refund or replacements, but he blacklists me from buying from him...Very nice guy.

I even left him positive feedback on the 3 violets i bought from him. Including the 2 of them that died within 2 weeks. But they were alive when I got them. I'm to trusting. Cosmos FINALLY bloomed after nearly 6 months! All purple/blue, I told him, and to my shock he said he would replace it. Nice I THOUGHT. Till he blocked me from buying, and blocked me from emailing him.

Read my feedbacks to him, all positive, in July 23rd. Here is my Cosmos Legand-2. Nice fantasy isnt it?

I got a leaf of Cosmic Legend-2 at the Albuquerque Convention last year from a very good seller. Grew several starters - none of them passed the muster. Only one of them had fantasy - and barely barely. So - none of them was sold. I am thinking that some plants are stable and last - and some succumb to genetic drift. Propagation from leaf- to leaf -to leaf ... do it 50 times and it is not the same original plant.

I am not going to reacquire CL-2. To heck with it. it is not a reliable plant.

You got a non-blooming starter, nobody cannot guarantee 100% that it will bloom true. Blooming plants cost more - you see what you get - plus the seller kept it on a shelf for extra month or two to get it to bloom. So it costs seller money in light, fertilizer etc.

I am glad Jack is honoring his commitment and replaces the plant.

I think at that point it is better for you not to have any more business with Jack. For whatever reason his plants do not do well for you. You do not want to waste your money on plants that die.

Go for Lyndon Lyon. They do send hefty healthy plants. You pay a but more - but you will be happy with them.

I.

Beachcomber - LLG variety - is extremely changeable. xLarge plant, big flowers - from almost white with blue edges to lots of blue with some white depending on a season.. Very pretty all year around.

I finally decided I am ok with any combination of blue and white if it changes or is unstable. But not so much the combination of blue and red. I learned that by growing them. Joanne

Some plants change the amount of fantasy depending on the season. A good old vintage Fisher's Leone does it. Love it. Puff fantasy... if the first bloom has low fantasy count - it will stay this way. But - if you plant a leaf of it - and grow babies to bloom - you usually can get one with a good amount of fantasy. The genetics is still there.

Thumbprints - blue and white, red and white - they change depending on the temperature - but usually they are pretty anyway - and it is not a defect, it is a cute feature ;-))

I think I am over thumbprints ... at least for now. It's a long story, and you would only say, "I told you so!" My preference is white edges. Joanne

I do not know why they are out of vogue... but right now thumbprints just do not sell that well.

Oh, I did not know they were out of vogue. I just do not like the untidy appearance of the color blotches, which can get random. Other people enjoy them. Personal preference. Joanne

I like Don Ness plants. And this one very accurate small standard. Ness Jesse.

It didn't have enough space to grow symmetrically... which it usually does. The blossoms last forever... what not to love.

Sweet. A starter is a rooted plant in a pot. A plug is a smaller baby sent bare root.

Hmm, that last one, Irina, reminds me of some sort of non-AV flower ... but aggravatingly enough, I can't recall which one.

Gloxinia?

Paul - thank you. Since a 3 oz Solo cup is about 3 cents... plugs seem to be less desirable, vulnerable to the damage on the road...

Canadians cant ship soil to u.s.

I am not sure we can get live plants without phytocertificate anyway. Shipping from abroad is at buyer's risk.

No problem with canada. I got plugs from canada. They said they could not ship soil, only plants. They inclded a cert but probably not needed. One time, a box was opened in the mail by the post office, but that was in the u.s. When the post office saw it was AVs, it went through. The only one in the u.s. who thinks they need a cert. Is Rob's. They don't, but they include it and charge for it. Lyons includes theirs for free. But they do not need it, so they stopped. Joanne

I sent plants abroad myself - and at least once got the box returned because it didn't have a certificate, naturally everything was dead. Sent several times to Singapore... after they made a rule - no soil, only bareroot... the plants started dying on the way. Just too long for them to survive without soil.

Every state is different - in Colorado certificate is $62 and the whole day spent in the office... NO WAY, I heard in NY the inspector comes to your place and certificate costs $10.

Rob's charges an extra $10 for a certificate to mail from NY to California. But California does not require it for small non commercial quantities. It is an extra unnecessary step. Joanne

Correct. But my friends in CA say - do not write LIVE PLANTS on the box. It will be seized, opened and searched for illegal plants. As a result you will have your plants delayed and damaged. I suspect the whole purpose of this certificate is to prevent it.

The certificate only states that the plants came from a disease free, pest free envorinment. That is what Calif is most concerned about. No one should ever write Live Plants on the box. If they do, the box is likely to be opened. Anyway, the very few peoole I buy from know what to do. Leaves don't work for me. Always wilted by the time I grt them. Or mush. Unless bought locally.

Have you grown Harmony? I would like a flower like that if it is not fussy. Joanne

Fresh cut leaves travel pretty well if packed appropriately. If it is hot or cold - the insulated box should be used, tips should be wrapped etc, Wilted leaves can be revived if wrapped in a wet paper towel and kept this way overnight. Should be shipped priority - not first class.

Harmony - are you talking about plants originated in Harmony's Greenhouse in FL? I was there once, I grew Harmony's Little Stinker 3 times - and every time it sported out of a leaf chimera state, nothing I could do. I think I still have Harmony's Lonely Hearts - it is their chimera sport of Sergeant Pepper. Cast Iron. Just like SP.

I.

Irina, Thank you! I have received limp leaves in the mail. I will try that trick next time. Is that more effective than submerging them directly in sugar water?

Thanks for info on those two above. Are they red? The names sound red. I was thinking of a Russian named Harmony, which is a double white with touches of pink.

Irina, Aegis, Anyone Else,

Anything new in the world of medium blue? Any new developments in the past couple of years? I saved your (Irina) list of blues from a couple years ago and also Aegis list. I have been working my way through the two lists. I prefer semi doubles or doubles.

(I don't like the exotic wasps as much.) I am always pleased with Lyon's, but it is time to expand my repertoire. I had a batch from the Allegro collection but they did not flourish in my care.

I have been happy with one of Donna's own hybrids. I just got Ness Blueberry Kiss and Ruffled Skies as Christmas gifts to restart. I am waiting for Russian Stefanie to bud.

I am mostly interested in current variities that are easy to find. There are a few older vintage varieties I have (or had) but they are rare, so I won't name them.

Finally, any articles on Russians you can refer me to? I offered to do a talk on Russians next year for my club. Any help is appreciated.

Do you ever get "hooked" on a specific color, then work your way through the list? I worked my way through many of the reds, as close to true red as possible. I settled on a couple of favorites. (Then learned I missed a couple.)

Joanne

Joanne -

why paper towels and not sugar water. You can do sugar water afterwards. You can submerge the leaf for only so many minutes before you start getting transparent spots - the damaged cells. Wet towel lets the leaf breathe - and rehydrate slower. SO if your leaf is just a bit limp - soak it if it is badly dehydrated - the wet towel will give you a chance to revive it...or not.

Last time I got Russian varieties was a couple years ago. So i am not the authority. Lyndon Lyon and Violet Barn now carry Russian varieties - and I am sure they selected only the best of the best.

Regarding the popularity... I think red color... doesn't matter - if it is American, Russian, Ukrainian... growers always want red. And they not that much attracted to blue. Our eye often seeks unusual. Elusive true red is a function of the light - you put these red AVs on a natural light - and you will get anything from coral red - to dead meat. While under fluorescents - the color looks gorgeous. But - who cares. We mostly enjoy them under the lights.

I didn't see any printed material analyzing Russian and Ukrainian varieties. The general opinion - plants are bred for the gorgeous flowers. Very festive. Old Russian varieties were not bred for the symmetry of the rosette, nowadays it is not true, rosettes are good.

Typical complaint - not stable. Do not repeat well from the leaves. Nobody does the selection leaf - new plant - to leaf - to plant - to leaf 3 times and names the most stable ones. True. On the other side - if you have a plant with green leaves and solid color flowers - it is very stable anyway - nowhere to go. The more colors, edges, fantasies, thumbprints, rays, frills. schmears ... are thrown together - the more chances the progeny will go haywire... like berries in a fruit salad bowl - you scoop them - but no guarantee you get all of what's there in your first scoop.

I think you need to try several - lets say blues - from different hybridizers - and keep only the ones that grow well in your conditions.

The good feature of vintage varieties - all the so-so AVs are already died out. You get the cream of the crop.

Regarding wasps. Some are butt ugly - and some are charming. So do not give up on them.

Since I grow for quite a while - I go through stages - just like you. Right now - vintage and species. No - I didn't try to collect all reds. But at some point I had 300 streptocarpus plants. That was bad. I figured out that I hated repotting streps more than cleaning dog poop off the yard. Now I have probably 20... and - I can do it.

And same-o - well grown nicely blooming plant of plain vanilla variety - looks better than a stressed fancy one.

RS- Annabel - first bloom

Irina, Awesome! Thanks! RS Anabel is wonderful. Fun colors. The white frilly edge is enchanting. The bright green leaves with a hint of variegation add to the "Look at me!" Party favor charm. Did you get it at a private sale? Lyon's does not seem to stock RS yet.

You are witty! Yes, reds are often best appreciated under lights which draw out the underlying blue. I found a couple that hold their own in natural light.

Do collectors and growers turn their attention to other colors? For a while, I experimented with whites. The results were not satisfactory. Unpredictable, reverted to blue or violet colors. I did grow a Russian pure white, that was good enough!

Yellows do not interest me, except as an academic, scientific study on paper.

Thanks for your analysis of Russians. They are fun. My most recent aquisitions show the pleasing rosette pattern without mucb coaxing.

It seems like medium blue range does not excite collectors. They must be easy, as varieties seem to be plentiful. A few of them make a nice backdrop for showstoppers like RS Anabel. Joanne

Just what I need. Another list dweller. It might be a while. No room on the shelves and lots of leaves propagating. At some point, I would not be surprised to find a RS Anabel on the shelf!

Jeff, Relax, it is nowhere to be found! After viewing it, I went through my collection to tag a bunch of AVs to donate to my club's January meeting. To make room for potential Russians come spring. Irina, the Enabler, par excellence. Joanne

i think we need to be adventurous - and then pass our acquisitions to the Club.

We cannot have them all - not enough real estate.

You cannot drink all water in the ocean...

People either try to find a variety they loved and lost (good luck!) or to try something new, Means if they want white - it shouldn't be just plain white - like Optimara Ontario - excellent variety, BTW. They want something with a twist - variegated foliage, frilly edges, double, may be not pure white but with little touch of color on the edges ...etc,

I hope I am not inviting you to try to collect all whites in the world. One of the prettiest white blossoms is on an older variety "Gillian", But the rosette is beyond pale. Always Asymmetrical is a polite definition.

well as predicted, 'JacksViolets' isn't going to replace the 'Cosmos Legend-2' that he sold me months ago,as promised, that reverted back to solid blue, in the post on here, way above, And he has blocked me from buying from him ever again for some reason. Like I said, i dont know why buy violet sellers on EBay, have VERY thin skin!

Unless you give them high praise, even if they send you the wrong plant, AND you leave them positive feedback, and 2 of the 3 violets you buy from them die within weeks of buying, they block you from buying again, and wont replace the ones that died, or that were sent wrong, like mine. i am going to TRY and win one tonight, if no one else drives the price threw the roof!!

Well whether it's a sport or not, it costs him the same amount to grow and ship it. I can see it...you probably should look at only those that certify the violet has bloomed in their care and is true, but expect to pay more for those.

@47: Gloxina could work, but I think the non-AV flowers they really were triggering were Sparaxis -- something to do with how geometric the inner color's borders were, I suspect.

Never heard of them. Pretty

A google search seems to reveal that a RS Anabel could be done during the next shipping season. Its on my list but not on the top!

Irina, Jeff, I would like to get Fisherman's Paradise.

I had a variegate with large semi double darker blue blossoms fantasy in the shape of white streaks. It was vintage. I will try to remember the name.

Irina, thanks for the tip on Gillian. I have wrestled with Lyon's asymtery and suckering on other old varieties. They are "high maintenance" and want to take over the world.

Aegis, Although I did not try every single red, I finally settled on Tomahawk and Christmas Dream. Then I grew a couple of Rob's that did well. But gave them away. Joanne

Irina, Of course, I added your suggestion of Beachcomber to my list, come spring

Joanne

Joanne - I love Beachcomber, do not have it right now... it is an XXlarge thing, it requires a LOW light. If given plenty of space - like half a tray- and a light from old tired t12s - it grows symmetrically. Lyndon Lyon hybrids often have a "feature" - long petioles. So you always can see soil, they do not do overlapping leaves easily. While on most of them you can overcome it by upping the light to 4 tubes of T12 - you cannot do it on Beachcomber - leaves get damaged. So - you enjoy it as is. Same is Gillian - it is NOT going to have a good rosette - high maintenance or not - but it will produce blossoms that will give you joy.

Thanks for the explanation. It is always helpful when you explain the science and background. I like long petioles. Some of Fancy Bloomers' own hybrids also have a loose, open growth pattern and are symmetrical. I got used to larger AVs because I first started with Lyon's hybrids. Symmetry is a plus.

Are you happy with the species you are growing? Are you having success with finding enough vintage? You suggested buying light blues from several hybridizers. I tried, but for various reasons, the two I had the best success with are Lyon's and Fancy Bloomers. It might be because their plants adapted more easily to my environment. Joanne

Paul, I think I know what the flower reminds you of. Primrose. The kind that is for sale in the spring. It took me a very long time to figure this out, but my money is on Primose! They are not particularly hardy in Michigan but they are pretty! Rosie

Rosie, Yes, that is another very similar plant. They are popular in California as ground plants for the outdoors in the spring. They are beautiful, with many color combinations. I often get tempted to buy some to plant, they look like outdoor AVs that bloom all the time. Joanne

In addition to Sparaxis, primrose could also be the flower type brought to mind, Rosie. My sis has a primrose a student gifted her that has survived in a flowerbed for several years now. She's in southern MI.

Thanks Paul! I think there are some hardy primrose, but the one I am thinking of is probably the one that won't come back. It is more the spring bedding plant. Although,,, sometimes someone has a microclimate up by a house somewhere that can make the impossible happen! Rosie

I must disagree, Rosie. Those primrose sold in groceries and box stores in spring are perfectly happy planted out and come back year after year here in northern Michigan - I buy some to add to the garden every year where they not only grow but often rebloom for me if we get a spell of cool weather in early summer or even in early autumn. I can't see why they shouldn't grow well for you there at the bottom of the state. The trick for me is keeping the terrible peat they always come potted in sufficiently moist to keep from killing them by repeated drying and wilting until it is warm enough to transplant them outdoors! (Which is exactly why my AV's are on wicks!!)

I have not tried them for years but maybe I should AnneC! Yeah, that peat is one hot mess. Wish they wouldn't use it. Thanks! Rosie

Guess my Blue Dragon wont ever come to me:(

Blue Dragon is a classic.

Wait until spring and buy from Lyons ...

Blue Dragon is a looker but not particularly hard to find. I looked them up on the internet and they seem to come in a variety of shades. Hopefully you will find one that looks like what you want.

Hear, Hear! Hopefully the LLG has the best line - it is their hybrid.