Very nice.

Glad to know you are still posting beautiful photos of your well-grown LLG violets.

I have not been on the forum for a long time. Much has changed in my local violet community last summer with the unexpected passing away of our long-time president. He had managed the club responsibly and faithfully for "umpteen" decades and was still vital and active. The shock resulted in decreased activity for all of us. We all had other personal matters in our own lives taking our attention.

Then due to "C-19," we stopped meeting in person, stopped going to shows together or having sales and shows.

I maintain a much smaller collection now and have more time for careful grooming.

I am always delighted to donate a few well-grown violets to local friends. That made room for thinking of new AVs to add. I came to see what "old friends" ( and new members) have been growing and sharing.

When I tried to access the forum through Houzz, I saw there were unhappy discussions from members trying to use the Houzz format. I was not able to log in.

However, I had saved the old GardenWeb log-in. Fortunately, I could enter that way.

Best kind regards to all. Glad to see familiar names and know you are still growing.

Joanne

Glad to see you back, Joanne.

Maybe we need to move forward into more "virtual" events ...

Are you referring to the AVSA? I understand they had some activity. They never made their site mobile-friendly so I let my dues lapse. I use a phone.

I just placed an order with LLG for a new chimera, California Dreamin' It is a sport of California Victory, which they no longer offer. I also got Pixie Sprite and Shy Blue, two semi's. The summer shipping for 3 plants was only $16.

The seasoned growers in my club grow chimeras. However, they use lights. I will try my hand at growing C.D. in a window.

I moved and down-sized one year ago. I lost nearly all of my LLG standards in the move.

I replenished vacancies with locally grown AVs, some are named. They are all thriving.

I am down to about 40. Not counting duplicate starters or mini's.

I want to get down to about 30 to 35.

Best, Joanne

I was referring to maybe virtual club meetings, shows, etc.

I just ordered (3) violets from P.J. Violets (on ebay).

I think that I have around 55 plants now ... and about 6 leaf-starts.

Nice ones from LLG are Arcturus and Perfect Harmony.

Other nice plants are Looxo Gorgeous from Optimara, Lyon's Harvest Moon, and Rebel's Wild Wings.

I don't think I've ever tried to grow a chimera (too expensive) ... and I've had sketchy success with some of the Russians.

Great advice, thanks. My original reply was more detailed but got scrambled when I posted so I deleted it. An easy to grow Russian is Beauty Goddess. Very large triple deep pink bloom.