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starlightbotanist

African Violet search?

I remember years back a site where you could put in parameters like size (mini, standard, etc), bloom color, leaf shape, etc and it would show you results. Optimara sort of has that now, but you can only search one thing at a time and you have to click each result to see a photo/description.


Am i remembering this incorrectly or is this a site that has been shutdown?


Thanks!

Comments (9)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Another option to add to Irina's great suggestions ... is to ask on this forum ... if anyone has grown anything like what you are looking for.

    Typically, in addition to information about the actual physical description of the plant, you can get information about how it grows, how much it blooms, etc.

    Also, you could gain some info on WHERE to obtain what you are looking for.

    One of the things I have discovered in 15 years of growing AV's ... is that there are, likely, a number of different varieties which will satisfy your plant desires.

    For instance, I just lost an Optimara Chico. But, OTOH, I have propagated (3) Ma's Arctic Skies ... which is very close to Optimara Chico (in appearance), and very possibly, a superior plant.

    Finally, such inquiries to the forum will be a source of much appreciated discussion on the forum ... so you will be blessing us, as well.

    We love to talk about our growing experiences ... and to discuss our favorite Violets ...

    Starlight Botanist thanked aegis1000
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you so much for your responses irina_co, and aegis1000.

    I have checked into the software and it does look very nice. Perhaps something to consider later down the road. I currently have lots of house plants, but find my self gravitating most strongly towards AVs and want to start a small collection

    I started with only one plant (about 5 years ago) because I know AVs can be tricky and have their quirks. I killed my first plant 3 times and had to propagate it from a leaf each time to bring it back to life and now I finally have kept it alive and strong for two years and that feels like such a victory. I picked up a second plant a few months back but realized I don't care for any of the blooms i can find locally. I will definitely make a post with some details of what I am looking for. I would really enjoy the discussion and hearing about some varieties you all are familiar with.

  • 7 years ago

    We are glad to have you... tell us your stories - we will enjoy your success stories and may be find the cause of your losses.

    My first suggestion - if you have a house full of plants- you need to decide what is your main interest now - and rehome some of your old friends. AVs do not do well if you stick them under, over or in between ... They need a quality space - with enough light and air.

  • 7 years ago

    irina- I am so guilty of "house full of plants", I need to take your advise to heart! No wonder my AF's languish.

  • 7 years ago

    Plant hoarder myself... guilty as charged...


    First thing - rehome duplicates. One huge Philodendron is fabulous (may be..) ... more.... not so.

  • 7 years ago

    And remember, philodendrons (as a rule) don't bloom, and aren't particularly attractive if they do. More AVs less aroids.

  • 7 years ago

    I thought I had a record 6x6x6 philodendron... until I looked at them in Florida....outside...

  • 7 years ago

    The Optimara site lists only their own.

    There were two sites like you described. One was called Dave's. It is still up. But the owner retired. There was another. But I think the owner took it down when he decided to leave the violet world. I think Violet Voice had a search feature for their forums.

    There is a young man in Hong Kong who is setting up a new site such as you describe.


    I relied on such sites in the past when I was new

    In fact, that was how I found Garden Web Forum/Houzz. I typed in Google "best red violets" and up popped a list.

    A round-about way is to search by the name of the hybridizer.

    Or study the companies like Bloomlover's or Lyndon Lyon Greenhouse then look up the hybridizer's name. Or the Canadian violet society and trace backwards. If you are lucky, you might find a listing of a specific hybridizer. You can search Garden Web/Houzz. Someone listed all the Granger's and all the Senk's. Pat Hancock used to have an on-line catalogue. You can even use eBay. But forget about the Russians. Too many and new added all the time.