It depends on what you would like to grow. If semis and minis consider Macs or Rob's varieties. If you like bold coral red standards, try Stork's hybrids. If you like single blue flowers that rebloom consistently, look at the species. If you like large variegated standards, consider Buckeyes and Cajuns. If multicolor flowers are your thing, then Sorano and Russian hybrids might have one that fits the bill. There are many others, it all depends on if you want something easier to grow and perhaps a bit plainer, or a very fancy hybrid that may be slower growing than most. For consistent performers, look up violets from AVSA best variety list or honor roll. These are ones that have won multiple awards and are time-tested.

Honor roll violets : source AVSA.org

2014 Rob's Fuddy Duddy and Rob's Chilly Willy
2013 Harbor Blue
2011 Plumberry Glow
2009 Bob Serbin
2008 Blue Dragon
2007 Aca's Red Ember
2005 Rebel's Splatter Kake
2004 Frozen in Time and. Orchard's Bumble Magnet
2003 Rainbow's Quiet Riot
2001 Windy Day
2000 Powwow and Rob's Sticky Wicket

Oh, gosh! Thank you for that list!!

So I poked around Violet Barn, looking at the plants on the above list that they have.... and I decided I like variegated foliage and I like fantasy, so.......... maybe Ma's Cosmic Wonder will happen to me when the weather's consistently warm enough for shipping.

Oh gosh. Or maybe a species.....????? Too many options!

Thank you! I wasn't sure where to turn next, after Optimara! They have lovely plants, but it's a big world out there. :)

Optimara is fine. However, if you buy them in stores where they are sold inexpensively, like a garden store or a Trader Joe's, they are almost guaranteed to come with "hitchhikers" (thrips).

You do not want to risk bringing thrips into your home.

Or you can buy Optimaras directly from the company. They will be clean. However, if you are going to buy through the mail, you might as well just get started with LLG.

Optimaras grow a certain way and do not need much light. They grow circular and will eventually take up space.

LLG's own hybrids grow a certain way, also, different from Optimara, with prettier foliage and flowers.

It is enjoyable to experience different growth patterns of different hybridizers.

Also, this is the time of year when many AVSA clubs have spring sales. If you can find one near you, that would be a good place to get plants and advice. Then you can ask the growers about their plants.

Joanne

No exaggeration w regard to Optimara's not needing much light. It is my guess that they are bred for the average window sill grower. I have given all of my Optimara plants, past and present, serious cases of sunburn, on and off over the years. I just forget and move one of them to a brighter plant shelf and bingo bango, sunburn!

If your current and anticipated plant lights are of a minimal design, I think Optimaras may do very well for you.

On the other hand, if you have efficient shelf lighting, lights that provide enough light for all your "non-optimara" plants, I wouldn't put my Optimaras on that shelf.

As far as how to appropriate AV plants. Everybody does it different. Since I have been doing this a while, I have an established group of growers on Ebay that I primarily deal with. They know me, I know them, they treat me good, I treat them good.

One of the best deals on Ebay, if you are just looking for some nice AV plants, is to sort the Ebay offerings by those that will end soonest. Often there are a bunch of really nice plants that can be had for $5 or less. Even though shipping may be $8 or $9 bucks to start with, most sellers add .50c additional for each plant. (You have to buy all the plants from the same seller.)

I have done this in the past when I was just starting. I would minimally bid on all the plants that nobody else wanted. Sometimes I would get 10 named plants for less than $50 shipped to my house.

You can't even buy NOIDS from Home Depot for that money!

Right now I have a very simple setup--old plant light fixture with one old grow lamp tube and one old regular fluorescent tube. I am sure it's too dim, but money is super tight now. But soon new bulbs. :) And since houseplants and African violets need to be my new hobby (long term hand problems, and all of my other hobbies are super intensely hand related), I know I'll be upgrading the situation as I go.

I am super intrigued by eBay, but I always get stressed out by bidding! I just don't have the soul for auctions. I am skeptical, too, but I am sure I will get over that. :)

I had really good luck with sticking my noid suckers and leaf in a pot and getting them to grow. I am tempted to buy leaves instead of plants for the next go 'round, but maybe I should get one full plant and also some leaves of a different hybrid so I get some more experience with each...

I have purchased both auction and buy-it-now items on eBay. I much prefer buy it now, simpler and generally more economical. Jeff is right in that shipping can be consolidated if you order from the same seller. Just remember to add to cart the buy-it-now items first so you won't pay full shipping on each one. Some sellers can combine shipping and others do not. Read the seller's terms first and it should clear up most basic questions. Many sellers will offer the same plants again, so if you have something specific in mind, it could be offered again after the first one is snapped up.

Schwamm,

There is a lot of controversy surrounding lighting, I suggest that you read all you can and don't let other people make up your mind for you "it's not rocket science". Once you have adequate lighting, perhaps we here could help you with named leaves. I too have recently started with violets over again and have mostly NOIDs but have also some minis from the Violet Barn and I would be happy to send a couple of named leaves.

You could get in touch with your local AV clubs that some of the members would be also happy to contribute leaves and advice.

Also, for me, this was my first experience in joining FB groups, there are several large African Violet groups. It is an amazing experience for me, being able to communicate with African Violet owners all over the world, getting advice and seeing pictures.

Schwamm - since money is an issue - think a small setup - but with well grown plants. If you start accumulating leaves - very soon you will have way too many plants, you will need to purchase plant stands, your electric bills will go up...

I am thinking that if I would have a small grow area - I would be growing semi-miniatures. They are much tougher than minis, you can maintain a good amount of them and you can have them in all colors and shapes standard AVs have.

Probably the best size to purchase will be starter plants. Violet Barn has a good selection - but make sure you are buying both their hybrids (Rob's) and other hybridizers plants as well. Just for diversity. Wait until they will start shipping with summer rates - in a month I think.

The best prices are usually on the AV sales - I see that next will be in Oshkosh WI on May 5. http://www.avsa.org/events

Good Luck and Lots Of Joy Growing

i.

Jeff, Yes, Optimaras were bred to be windowsill or low light plants. They shape well on their own and propagate easily.

Lucille, I agree about the groups. They are the best!

Schwamm, and all, For me the packing is the second most important feature. (Plant quality and selection i s first.) LLG packs well, no broken leaves, their plants readily adapt.

In my experience, LLG and Optimara have the most secure packing. They are commercial sellers, customer satisfaction is a priority. Lyon's constantly works to offer the most stable of many different hybridizers. Their selection is huge. You can't go wrong with Lyon's.

Optimara sells only their own varieties. They are usually easy to grow. Good for anyone who wants to have a few instant successes on hand.

If you do buy from EBay, you might want to buy from those who are more commercial. They will use professional packing methods so that plants arrive undamaged. If you need help in identifying who those might be, you can ask here.

Donna of Fancy Bloomers has a video showing how she packs and what plants go through.

The third most important quality for me is if the plants can adapt. Lyon's sells plants of the proper size and in bloom so a newer grower can expect success.

The post office treatment can be harsh, the further away you are, the more postal stops the box will go through. The post office thinks I live on the other side of the moon. So I have the dubious distinction of being the queen of broken, run over, lost in space boxes on this forum. Joanne

Irina, thank you SO much for suggesting semi-miniatures! After such a bad experience with minis years ago (may they rest in peace), I'd written off semis for the same reason. Glad to hear they're hardier creatures! And I'll definitely be watching out for AV sales....

Laurie.

As usual - some are hardier - some are not. Actually if you can get hold of Optimara Little Jewels series - and Indian Girl series - anything that has Little ahead of the name - they are both sturdy and floriferous. Even if they are registered as miniatures - they are mostly semis by their growth habit. I do not think they are in production now - but if you see one anywhere - grab it. Worthy plants.

Perhaps Selective Gardener, Optimara's store, can advise if they can help with AVs not listed. You could send an email. Also, they have a users page where customers post photos. I wonder if you could find people willing to send leaves. Joanne

There are a few Optimara minis for sale on eBay. Bloomlovers has Little Amethyst and Little Crystal plugs. CVVIOLETRY also can have a couple of Optimara minis such as Little Oneida from time to time.

I think I've picked out what my next steps are going to be!

I'll keep looking for Optimara minis on ebay. Little Oneida Girl is beautiful (and selective gardener has leaves....).

From Violet Barn I'll get Plumberry Glow and Rob's Fuddy Duddy. These are both on the AVSA list Alabama provided, and Rob's Fuddy Duddy's description says, "Highly recommended for show or for novice. Very profuse, very easy." Sounds great to me!

From Lyndon Lyon I'll get Little Axel and Mac's Basic Black with Pearls. I love how both of these look. Thumbprints are so charming, and I love love love dark purple.

Now............ to place orders and wait....!

Edit: I'm going to wait until summer shipping season arrives. Yikes!

Sounds like a plan Schwamm!!! I like the choices! Good luck! Rosie

Super glad I held off on placing orders!! Between the sleet/freezing rain mix today and the 3-6" of snow tomorrow.... ick!!

I love spring..........

Spring?? You mean you've seen it somewhere around here???!

(I'm with you on the freezing rain and snow - ICK!)

Looked outside this morning and my maple tree had it's lower branches so laden with ice they were within 4 feet of touching the ground. Don't mind snow, don't mind rain, but freezing stuff should be outlawed!!!! Two days ago it was 76 degrees!!!! Rosie

I agree that semi-minis might be the way for you to go for you right now. I've had good luck with Mac's Scorching Sun (Lyon's has it), and Mac's Elegant Extravaganza. Both Lyons and the Violet Barn carry a number of Mac's. I also love Rob's semi-minis from the Violet Barn. Good luck with choosing!

Mac's Scorching Sun. The variegation becomes much more pronounced in winter.

Mac's Exquisite Extravaganza. While it looks very similar to Scorching Sun, they really are quite different in person.

Rob's Match Point

Oddly enough, though I had to chip through the ice on my car windshield this morning, a "young'un" I saw at the gym who lives just a bit east of here had no snow or ice where he lives.

Beautiful violets, Judy!!