Thank you. I grow a lot of Lyon's which tend to have open growth. Their catalog descriptions indicate if the plant is a candidate for show. Lyon's leaves tend to be brittle. I have inadvertently broken a leaf on a potential show plant, compromising the symmetry. Irina, at judging, is leaf count taken into consideration? Are there supposed to be 3 rows with about 18 leaves total? I tend to let the foliage grow densely.

Joanne

Not really. There is no requirement to have a mature plant. If it carries enough blossoms - fine. And usually you need to have a good size plant to support enough blossoms. On the other side - immature plant often has smaller leaves on the bottom, so you need to let it grow out of them.

Regarding the LLG, gaps and broken leaves. The AV rings help to carry it in one piece to the Show - and remove them only there. 4 T12 tubes instead of 2T12s will shorten the petioles.

If you have the broken leaf - it means a gap - and gap can be up to 3 points taken off. So - it is not 18 / 17 leaves that matter - it is a hole in a symmetry.

LLG plants are usually quite symmetrical and floriferous. Some of them have really long petioles - and they are not good for the show - but there are plenty with medium petioles where you can do something. If you are disbudding and keeping the lights on the high - the leaves usually grow quite large - and it helps to cover the soil.

Irina,

Thank you! For your insight.

Do keep us posted about your B Man's Aetna, you described on the thread about whether AVs bloom true

I can safely take off my list any named AVs that will sport

I just got in a Silverglade that is already wild.

I observed that the major national AV show has a separate judging category for LLG AVs. I suppose that is because it is in Buffalo, so it makes sense as LLG is also in upstate NY also.

I have never shown because I do not grow the type of plants that show well. So instead, I donate starters as my contribution.

Maybe you can tell me about Fisherman's Paradise. What to expect. I finally got one, I have wanted it for years. It is already wild.

In my local area, the general public is looking for Russians whenever we have sales at flower sales. So I am focusing on growing Russians now for future sales.

The Russians do not look like conventional AVs, so they are perfect for people who simply want a colorful plant but know little about AVs.

My Golden Eye is growing into a nice shape. I used the wrong filtered water that it did not like so the center is tight. I will post a pic. Most of my plants need bottled spring water.

A couple of leaves broke off when it toppled over when I was "multi-tasking." I potted up the leaves. I prefer to start plants immediately for club members rather than give them leaves that might not get potted right away. Then if new starts do not come from outer leaves, I can try again from a middle row.

I wish we could have virtual shows so that our prize-winning beauties could stay home and go on living in one piece. Joanne

Your plant wants to have outside droopy leave removed, It is semi-mini - so 8" max, so you do not need to keep them - share them.

Gorgeous variegation even without blossoms,

Fisherman's Paradise - is a one good plant. Great pink variegation, blossoms are not very large - but very pretty. Tries to grow x-large. Not a fast grower - but not fussy at all. Joy to look at with and without bloom.

B-Man's Etna -

Hi, Irina,

Etna is gorgeous! I like the vintage look. Do you use a camera or a phone?

Thanks for your comment. I thought you would comment on what look like droopy leaves.

They are quite firm and stick out sideways. Because 2 leaves got knocked off on the other side, I was going to allow these two to remain for 3 more weeks to stabilize the plant. I have it under lights to open the crown. Or leave them on til next club meeting to bring them to the person who wants them.

Next club meeting! That's a good plan!

Phone camera. I just got a google phone - Pixel 2.

Beautiful photos.

To respect your advice, I plucked off one leaf to plant and see if it "takes."

Looking good!

Another secret - tripod. I got a cheap tripod and phone mount. Stage the plant - you can blow up the blossoms later. Why cheap - the phone is light - and I want the one that is really easy to move up-down sideways.

I was going to ask if you used a tripod because your pics are so clear.

I resolved the issue of trembling camera, I do not do sharpshooting,,, what will happen when my hands will be so shaky,,, I splash my coffee??? And this is - sacred! On the positive note - my uncle - may he rest in peace - his hands were shaking plain awful... but he never splashed his shot of vodka,,, There is hope I think...

Funny! I corrected the name on the above AV. It has large blooms, bright green foliage, large, open growth.

Didn't know you can edit you postings afterwards...Cool!

Yes, there is an edit and a delete icon in the upper right corner. However, the option to edit lasts only for about a week.