I don't know anything about the ''category' of small standards, but I've been able to keep standards small by pulling off the oldest layer of leaves more frequently, keeping them in a smaller pot, and repotting more frequently.

In my collection, the Optimara's tend to be more compact - say 8" -9" in diameter as opposed to most others which want to grow from 10"-12" or larger. (Although the Optimara Space violets grow very large, so stay away from them.) And as mentioned by joyfulsu, keeping them groomed and in smaller pots helps. Here are pictures of my 3 Optimaras which I keep in 3" Oyama pots.

Trinidad II

Rhapsodie Michele

Yosemite

I have never heard the term "compact standard". Do they mean the leaves are standard size but the petioles are short thus making it more compact around? I have also heard of "small standard". Is it different than "compact standard"? I think the terms are interchangeable, but that is just my opinion.

Dave's Garden says: Ness' Blueberry Kiss (D. Ness) Single white sticktite star/large blue tips. Medium green. Small standard. Several other sites refer to it as "small standard" instead of "compact standard".

I have never had Ness' Blueberry Kiss so I don't know how it grows but that is the only explanation that makes sense to me.

I am thinking someone used "compact standard" to mean "small standard". This is what happens when labels are casually changed. We get confused and think it is something new.

So if you google small standard african violets, you should come up with a lot.

I did find this site that discusses size of violet growth, pretty good site for info but they refer to "large violets" as "giant violets". Again,,,,,,someone changed the name. (As I have always said I learned it as "Supreme" back in the 1950s and 60s so that is what I refer to it as.) http://www.grow-african-violets.com/african-violet-plant-size.html

I would say if you are tight on space I would stick to the smaller violets but you did raise an interesting question!!!!! I can't wait for someone to explain it to us!!!! Rosie

Thank you all for responding! I honestly had no idea that there were size differences within the “standard” category of AVs. So would you say small/compact standards average around 8 inches or so?

Joyfulsu and judy musicant, so you keep your standards smaller by keeping them in a smaller pot? Kind of like bonsai, but not as extreme, I guess. I’m curious...in keeping your plants on the smaller side, did you start with a plantlet and kept them in a small pot? Or did you start with a mature plant and gradually move them down to a smaller pot? Judy musicant, the photos of your AVs are gorgeous! They don’t look like they suffered at all for being kept in a tighter container.

I’ve always admired so many standard AVs, but stayed away because of space limitations. It would open up so many possibilities if I could, in essence, “miniaturize” them a bit.

Rosie1949, thank you for the clarification on AV termbiology. As a novice it gets confusing sometimes researching on the internet and coming across such varied information.

You're welcome! I wish people would just use one term and stick with it. Actually I was confused by the "compact standard" and "small standard" terms. I had never heard of the compact one before which threw me for a loop.

BTW the pix I posted was the Ness' Blueberry Kiss (internet pix) in case anyone wondered.

I tend to let the violets do their thing. When the lower row or two of leaves have to come off it is usually repotting time for it. I just take off enough of the bottom of the rootball to make sure when I reset the plant I don't have a "neck".

Glad we could help you! Rosie

Thanks Violets. Re your questions: I haven't "downsized" any of my smaller standards. I keep them in 3 1/2" Oyama pots, which, if you're interested, you can get on line. Violet Supply is a good supplier. Some I've grown from leaves, others from plantlets received from sellers such as Violet Barn. If you buy an Optimara variety from Selective Gardener, as opposed to leaves, it will come in a 4" pot, which you can easily downsize to a 3 1/2 Oyama pot if you want, or keep it in a 4" pot and keep it groomed as joyfulsu describes. Try one or two and see what happens.