What is HTF?

Yes, in fact I was looking to get Ness Crinkle Blue too.

I see it mentioned a lot - and sometimes, 60 million Frenchmen really can't be wrong

(even though they usually are :) ).

S-N, You are funny!!! HTF is hard to find, apologies for not clarifying. I do hope you get Ness CB. As a semi-mini, it will give a lot of bloom in a small space.

The Gray Turtle lady on the You Tube compares it to Lyon's Lil' Sweetheart. I grew Lil' Sweetheart. It is not the same. It is more violet-purple.

As for Ontario, I do hope you get it.

If you grow it, you can track your progress here. The older whites maintain their whiteness. The simple white pansy will have had the least tinkering. It was bred for whiteness only.

A mini-tip on the hybridization of those beautiful, fluffy whites. The AV gene is violet-purple. (Sometimes more blue-ish-violet.) In order to get white, which is on the violet gene, a lot of fancy tinkering went on with many crosses to get many other features, such as star shape, double and triple petals. Therefore, a white pansy might have been crossed with a double white that had a blue parent for the double star, or the triple star shape.

Therefore, results can vary if a violet reverts to a parent gene.

I have had several different newer whites with complex blossoms revert to blue or even dark purple. I have had bi-color purple with white splotches revert to either all white in winter or all purple in summer.

Regarding light blue, in addition to what the Lyon's company offers, Optimara did have several light blues a few years back. One was Maine II. But I was disappointed in it. Another was a light blue, almost a true blue, but there were flowers of 3 or 4 different shapes. It was an experiment. I think they still offer it. But I disliked it for the confused, ungroomed look.

Joanne

Terrilou, Regarding your comment about Trinidad II being hard to find, it might not be available from O in their retail outlets. But perhaps Selective Gardener still offers it.

The small grower in southern California who provided those that I bought grow their own. They are not a distributor for O's.

It is an independent, privately owned, family business, a wholesaler with limted stock who sells only to small retail nurseries within California. So their stock is often bred from what was introduced or popular a few years ago. Also, some vintage favorites or hybrids from the past from the more western states. It is also "hit or miss" as to what they send. They also have many minis. Their plants are inspected by the State of Calif Ag Dept before they are put out on the sales floor. So there are no thrips. The State of Calif is an Ag state so is very fussy and bans retail sales of chemical pesticides.

There are also several commercial growers with licenses to grow O plants ditectly in Calif, both with label or "off-label." Those with the labels cost a bit more and usually are larger. They grow their own from leaves or they get plugs and grow them out. They only grow the varieties that O sends them each year. Although all are nicely grown once they get to the stores, they are often likely to have thrips.

Therefore, last year, most of us in our club decided to stop buying from those nurseries.

Also to Alabama, I used to grow Modesty. However, I got one from a club sale from another club that had thrips that I did not detect in time to treat. I also did not isolate it. I lost that plant and several others.

Recently, I got a few of the specialty space violets from Selective Gardener. They look clean and are already thriving.

Back to Severe N, I like everything about the O company. It remains family-owned yet a huge distributor. They have great customer service and offer many extra features. Such as informative websites, Facebook, education, many excellent products they invented and patented. The only "caveat" is to watch out for thrips. Inspect new additions carefully. Some people recommend isolating a new plant for several weeks before adding to the collection, if possible. Isolating can mean putting new additions in a separate room if space permits.

O is such a huge distributor and grows commercially in large quantities, that it is hard to control thrips completely.

Joanne

Forty-seven,

Are there other semi-miniatures like Ness Crinkle Blue that are very bloomy but come in other colors? Any other recs along these lines?

I've been bidding on Optimara Ontario but it's shaping up to be a bidding war and I don't like this.

I won the Optimara Ontario on Ebay. Yey!

25$ total, including tax and shipping. Not little - but I really wanted a good white.

Whatever happened to finding some good AV-s at the store for $3.50 or so?

Terri that is a lovely Fisherman's Paradise! Rosie

Thanks, Rosie. It has been a reliable grower and bloomer in my conditions.

You're welcome Terri !!!! Someday I will add it to my collection but for now,,,,,,it will have to go on my infamous Wish List!!!! lol Rosie

Severe Novice, Selective Gardener is offering Optimara Ontario Leaf Set for $6.00. You might want to order some back up leaves directly from Selective Gardener.

They also have a Field Guide on-line whereby you can search by color for all the white violets they have produced. They might not offer them all at this time. But at least you can see what they have developed.

You can still find violets in stores. But not if something vintage is desired.

Joanne

Hi Joanne,

I thought about ordering the leaf from Optimara instead but it takes so long to get an AV to full maturity - and by the time you pay shipping, the leaves don't cost that much less than the plant.

If you meant get leaves IN ADDITION to the plant on Ebay (as back up), I don't know...I may take my chances and wait for the plant to mature and then I'll get some leaves from her.

I also got Ness Crinkle Blue on Ebay, so I am looking forward to my new acquisitions. In the meantime, I planted the MyDelight leaves.

So with the new acquisitions, this is my new collection:

(That's what happens when you extend the corner plant stand with two extra plant stands left and right. I may not have a sunroom, but now I have a sun room-corner. :) All will be East window-grown, they seem to get just the right amount of light there.)

O NOID pink, possibly Indiana, New Jersey, or Georgia (bright pink)

O NOID blue, possibly Stephanie (medium-to-light blue)

O Ingrid Rhapsodie

O Smokey Mountain (why can't I get excited about this one? I was supposed to be!)

O MyDelight (leaves set)

O Ontario (small plant, coming up from ebay)

Ness Crinkle Blue (small plant, coming up from ebay)

I'd also love to find:

- a really nice bright red, as far from maroon as possible (I am thinking Zoe Lyon's or Bob Serbin, in case anyone knows anything about these two);

- a really nice variegated one, any bloom color as long as the foliage is vada-voom.

- a pink semi-mini with similar performance to Ness Crinkle Blue.

Severe N.,

Re your question about semi's with high bloom count, I don't know iff-hand.

In general,

Semi's are hard to find. Although I prefer them.

By the way, I referred to an old-time hybridizer married couple in Canada named Brownlie. Their series have the prefix in their name-- "Aca" or "ACA." I think it stands for African Violet Canada.

Maybe others here will see your question about bloom count and about Mr. Ness and other hybridizers and will advise you. It's a great question, your interest and enthusiasm is welcome.

High bloom count is a function of hybridization plus careful cultivation.

The Optimaras in recent years have been enhanced in the lab development to yield high bloom count when provided with only average or moderate care. That is a recent technical achievement.

Some of the older violets, that you see photos of, have been forced or manipulated to have high bloom count for shows.

A grower who I do not myself collect is Violet Barn. They are newer so their AVs might have high bloom count. The Mr., nickname "Rob," grows mini's, I think. The Mrs., nickname Ma, has a line under her last name Ma. She might have semi's. I cannot speak for their AVs because I do not grow them. But I think others here find them favorable.

Joanne

Thank you, Joanne.

My AV interest goes back quite a bit. This is pretty much how I got into gardening. I've been growing them for soon to be 10 years, I think, with some breaks.

I was quite enthusiastic in the beginning, learned quite bit at the front end, with varying degrees of success; maybe because I attempted too many specialty types right from the start.

But then life got in the way and I pretty much stopped for a while.

Over the past 2-3 years, I got ambitious about growing roses,(in the South to boot!. That has been a biggie. Oh, those divas..but goodness, how gorgeous they can be! Having dabbled in the world of roses, I think I now understand what makes some men lose their minds when they see a gorgeous woman (Liz Taylor-style) and they are willing to put up with all of her demands and whims because, well, hot. In other words, how do you resist this? LOL.

So yes, I am active on the rose forum too.

About a year or ago I decided to put two easy Optimaras back on my plant stand in the kitchen just for decoration purposes; so this is how I ended up with my blue and pink O NOIDS. I grabbed them at the store as they were beckoning with their cute, cheery colors, like a boy-girl twin Christening theme. (I have boy-girl twin siblings and the duo reminded me of their Christening).

So after some rose battles, I now see AV-s as the nice, sweet, cute women who make good wife material LOL. Yes, they need some attention and know-how, but once you figure them out - they are long-term reliable. Hey, at least Optimaras. (The AV world may have its share of divas that I am not aware of.)

More recently, I figured out an old problem I used to have with the AV-s. I was a bit heavy-handed with the fert, I think, which resulted in tight crowns and stunted leaves. After figuring out the problem and having seen some consistent success, I decided to get a few more.

More than anything, it dawned on me that I was wasting some excellent plant-friendly space on a ridiculous piece of storage furniture placed right in a 3-sided tall window area facing East.

Major waste. I moved it and added two more plant stands left and right of my 3 shelf corner plant stand - and now I have a mini sunroom-corner that can take in more plants. :) Hence my search here.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have added anymore because I don't like to mess with stands with growlights, etc. I am more of a decoration grower.

Hi S N

Your name threw me off. I knew I was talking to a knowledgeable person. So that's why my responses were long.

Your roses are gorgeous. What are they?

Last year we shared a lot about roses here. Aegis and Anne Cecilia are expert rose growers. I think they might be on the rose forum, too.

Roses are favorites for myself and others.

Great that you got Crinkle Blue! Yes, I did mean to suggest buying back up leaves from S.G.

So you don't risk losing the new one or taking off leaves to plant.

When Zoe first came out, a few years ago, it was all the rage. I mean, a sensation. Lyon's hybridized it. So it should be a strong performer because Lyon's is noted for red and vigor. Aegis grows it. He grows lots of reds. I would go with Zoe because it is new. Bob Serbin can get huge and tends to trail.

If you can figure out how to use the search feature on this form for "red" some photos might come up.

Enjoyed your travel back in time and your sharing about "domestic bliss." I'm a twin, so I "get it."

I like your sunroom corner. Sounds wonderful. A balanced selection.

You might enjoy the African Violet Brat Pack II on-line group. The members share a lot of knowledge. Some have grown consistently for decades.

Optimara used to have an on-line group where fans shared photos. It might still exist.

You can look up Harmony Gardens or Nursery in Florida. They hybridize some of their own off-market varieties. They do not sell retail. But some FL sellers will buy from them and sell to you on eBay.

Lately, people have chatted here about "divas," such as Ann and Elizabeth and Rose Bouquet.

I prefer the less fussy gals.

As for O pinks and maroon-reds, they seem to be the most difficult to tell apart in color.

Joanne

Joanne,

Regarding the rose bush I posted - the one in the picture is not mine. I wish.

But I did get one like this - the same variety, Easy Does it - after seeing pictures online, hence my comment about not being able to resist their appeal. :)

Mine is still small - a band in its first season, but even so, I still got a few pretty blooms this summer. This one here is mine:

Thank you for all the other suggestions and I will try to post a picture of my new sunroom-corner tomorrow. :)

Yes, the S N name I adopted when I joined the rose forum - wich I WAS 3 years ago, and still am today when it comes to roses.

I used to be Begonia here, on the AV forum. (Not that I've ever had any success with Begonias).

Regarding reds...yes, I can do the search feature, so I did my homework as you advised...and guess what? I think I am going to pass on the reds for now.

Of all the words that might have come to mind to express an AV's....dark deep red, burgundy, deep ruby, maroon, garnet, berry, etc - what did people choose instead? DEAD MEAT!

Now I can see it too and can't get the image out of my head.

Well, when they put it this way ... maybe I will stick with the bright pinks and corals. Problem solved.

Plus I am a windowsill grower which I understand is not the best thing for reds.

N-S,

The podcast All About African Violets by Annie might be of interest. She shows ftom week to week what she is growing -- O. Ontario plus two other pink

O's, one is Michigan. Plus some variegates, and at least one white pansy, Jersey Snowflakes. Also some Hunter's Hybrids (Ken M.) And some by an up-and-coming hybridizer, Steve Coholo. She said the 2021 National Annual AVSA convention will be held in Atlanta. She also likes to answer questions from viewers. You could ask her about a true blue. Www.allaboutafricanviolets.com

Joanne

N-S, You are too funny! Irina commented that to me back when I was on the hunt for red!!! She is hilarious! She grows under lights.

Well, I grew many, many reds in natural light. I found Christmas Dream, Redoubled and Powwow to be my favorites. Marie Lorraine is beautiful but fuschia.

That was a hilarious time on this forum because another lady, a friend of Irina's, loved reds and grew many and gave me many suggestions. She loved Zoe. She and Irina were extremely generous with their advice.

Since that time, many Russian reds have come out but I have not grown any.

Anyway, for decorative purposes, with limited space, sticking with pink, blue, white is harmonious.

Red is kind of unique. It seems to look best alone or with white. My Bob Serbin trailed and became a stand-alone centerpiece on a coffee table. It grew beautifully in middle-of-the room natural light, with three crowns. That was a commitment!

There is a vintage coral-red with smooth edge shiny wavy leaves with the underside of the leaves the same color as the flower. The leaves undulate and turn upwards, showing the underside. That became a personal favorite because it was so unusual. It is a compact by Lyon's. I do not know if they still stock it. It is more of a novelty or curiosity rather than a beauty.

Joanne

Joanne,

I used to watch Annie regularly but have not done so in a while. That's a good idea to ask her about a true blue. Here is a picture of my corner - still waiting for some plants to fill up the space.

It's a cloudy day here - the corner receives more light normally. I love the brightness of Ingrid in the picture.

Hi Joanne! I'm so sorry for the late response. Those violets are beautiful! I think some of them may be non-Optimaras or new introductions. Only one or two look familiar. They are quite the find!

Hi Severe! You've got a beautiful set-up there! It's so bright and cheery. Looks like the perfect spot to sit in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and admire the flowers blooming both indoors and out.

Have a lovely evening everyone!

damask_rose : )

S-N

Easy Does It is beautiful!!! Wonderful color and shape! Your plant area is wonderful! That explains your name. Sure, I remember Begonia and your sharing.

I appreciate all kinds of begonias. However, these days I focus mainly on AVs.

When Annie first started her podcasts, I watched regularly. I appreciated her interviews and tours of Conventions. She created a niche and filled a gap. It also connected the AV community. I enjoyed them and looked forward to Sunday evenings.

Then when she stopped, then restarted anew, I did not continue regularly. I just happened to watch her episode of Aug 16. It's a good one.

Lovely window set-up! You could try a vintage trailer. I

Is the light too bright? Perhaps a sheer curtain would diffuse the light. Joanne

Damask Rose,

Nice comments on SN's window set up.

Thanks for feedback on the blue violets. I agree, I think they are non-Optimaras. The mid-tone blue ones each have many different bloom shapes. I do not think Optimara has any in the same color range or bloom type. One is grape color with center stripe. Joanne

47,

Thank you for the idea on a vintage trailer! You are right - this plant stand could take something that hangs over a bit. I thought about it but I was thinking more in terms of pothos LOL.

I never grew an AV trailer so I just didn't think about it. Would you be able to recommend a really good one?

In terms of light - well...I too sometimes think the light is a bit on the bright side, especially during the summer, when the plants are literally in full morning sun for a couple of hours or so.

This is probably why my violets always have leaves that grow downwards, some more than others, and crowns a bit on the tight side; but once I figured out the fertilizer, which was causing some stunting - they did well.

I don't mind the downward bending because the leaves are not scorched, pale or anything like that. They look very healthy and they bloomed amazingly this season. So it looks like they can take a bit of sun.

Besides, once the summer months are gone, those sheerless windows are great because on cloudy/rainy days like it is right now, they barely get 500 ft candles, even sheerless as they are.

S N, Regarding your question elsewhere, Traits about Optimaras. They will last for years. They are like iron.

Many people repot them into their own looser potting mix. I normally wait for a couple of months before potting.

Re your corner window set up, it seems ideal. I like when leaves shape downward from the light.

Regarding trailers, a nice trailer might make an artistic contrast to the rounded O's.

Trailers are getting to be more popular now, even though they are not new. In fact, although many are vintage, they are making a comeback.

There is a very popular one that has the word "Blue" that trails nicely. I think it might be called Pixie Blue Trail. It is mini.

I just got a large standard vintage trailer "pup" called Tinari Royal Blue Trailer from Fancy Bloomers. It looks promising.

For your shelf, a large standard trailer might be more decorative. More so than a mini.

I think recent Annie podcasts have featured trailers. She seems to grow what others can duplicate. Joanne

Contrasting plants

Color contrast

Noid

No i.d. mini

Thank you, 47! I love your contrasting arrangement!

I think the blue in violets is really asking for a warm/orange-red compliment from other type of plants...which indoors, can be a challenge to get. That is a cactus flower, is that correct?

Well, since I began to wonder what rock I lived under that I didn't think about an AV trailer in all these years - considering what a bloom fanatic I am - I did some quick search on the forum and I decided I'd love to have Rob's Vanilla Trail and the Pixie Blue you mentioned.

I was able to find the first one and just snatched it off Ebay, but I am still looking for a source for Pixie Blue.

The Vanilla Trailer is still small as the vendor picture above shows. Do you have any advice as to what to do with it when I get it? I will wait to repot but it will probably need repotting soon - maybe in something wider and shallower?

Oh. I think I found the Pixie Blue at Lyon's. Is this the one you are talking about?

http://lyndonlyon.com/store/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Pixie+Blue

One more thing. Assuming I will absolutely REFUSE to think of AV reds as...Dead Meat :) ... which would one of these two reds would you recommend if I were to try one?

Lyon's Zoe or Arcturus? Whichever is brighter, more vibrant in color.

The irony is that the deep red/garnet-raspberry is my theme color in the house, in clothing, I even have a ring with a deep raspberry-rhodolite stone. So I need a red too, don't I?

Some 'reds' are more sparkly and less dead meat than others. Can't say I remember which is which though...but I bet some people will know.

Whew! So there I am at it again. Update on collection, which is increasing by the leaps and bounds.

1. O NOID pink, possibly Indiana, New Jersey, or Georgia (bright pink)

2. O NOID blue, possibly Stephanie (medium-to-light blue)

3. O Ingrid Rhapsodie

4. O Smokey Mountain (why can't I get excited about this one? I was supposed to be!)

5. O MyDelight (leaves set, I put them down)

6. O Ontario (small plant, coming up from ebay)

7. Ness Crinkle Blue (small plant, coming up from ebay)

8. Rob's Vanilla Trail (small plant, coming up from Ebay)

9. Pixie Blue Trail (ordered from Lyon's)

10. Arcturus (ordered from Lyon's)

11. Nancy Leigh (set of leaves, ordered from Lyon's)

Now I only need O Romance for a good variegated and O Dali for whimsy - and then I will have everything I need - and I will stop. Ma parole. :)

I will wait on these last two though - I need to slow down.

In my defense, two of them will go in my 12 yo's room. She'll get the Smokey and MyDelight.

Gillian is available right now at The Violet Barn for $8.00.

N-S,

Trailers were not popular for years. You were simply stepping into the AV stream at a point when they became popular again. You were NOT under a rock!

The one I mentioned, Tinari Royal Blue Trailer, seems to have the vining quality of pothos.

Good that you got the Vanilla Trail! Many people talk about repotting Rob's plants right away in their own potting mix. However, the original pot might be ok. I am not sure about Rob's pot sizes.

Also, people talk about using a different pot shape eventually, once it develops more crowns.

JoyfulSu posted a photo of her Pixie Pink. Maybe she can advise.

Also, you could ask Annie. She showed a full trailer recently and has shown how to groom in the past. I think the flatter pots are called azalea pots.

Remember, the same "rule of thumb" applies regarding not to put in a pot that is too big. Again, I am no expert, but I prefer to not hurry the trailing process so that the first crown develops well. So I keep it compact at first.

My club had a few demonstrations on trailers, I think they start off in a normal pot.

The main thing is to keep it to three crowns.

I used to cut off and repot the extra crowns before I knew what to do.

A Rob's red mini I got seemed to be "self-sufficient." I did not realize it was a trailer until it grew a second crown. It stayed compact. I repotted it in fresh potting mix in a slightly larger AV pot and gave it as a gift to a club friend who likes Rob's red trailers. Then after that, the club had a few lessons on grooming trailers.

I am not an expert on grooming trailers.

I grew a couple of his reds that shaped up on their own very nicely. They were strong plants.

I think I mentioned Mac's mini reds. I grew one I got from Lyon's. It was a good grower. It was almost identical to Rob's. I kept it because it is an older variety and more rare. Also, it did not trail, it maintained one crown. (I think Rob uses Mac's as breeding stock. I prefer to grow the older varieties.)

Zoe is a better choice. Some of the problems with Arcturus are noted below. Zoe is a new introduction with a lot of improvements. Although I do not know if the flowers grow upright.

Yes, Pixie Blue is quite charming. It is balanced. There is always room for a little Pixie Blue on the end of a shelf.

That is a great write up. Thanks for sharing with us in your planning.

Arcturus is a dark red. Aegis grew it and posted pictures on this forum.

It is an early red that was used for hybridizing or breeding stock. I grew it for historical purposes. It had not been available for retail sale for many years.

I found it to be "plain," the leaves did not shape well or form well. There are brighter reds available with better shaping foliage. I think the flowers were upright.

With Lyon's, they are taking a long time to fill orders. So if you find another red, if you decide to replace, you can ask them to replace it.

Regarding red, it sounds like you simply must try one or more! You will never be satisfied until you try one or more!

As for Smokey, it is probably the inky color that disappoints. The photos shown in marketing are of their very best. Not always representative of what you will get.

Your daughter will probably enjoy it with MyDelight.

Maybe look for some other advice on Dali or look up more pix. I grew it. It was "neither here nor there." It did not live up to visual expectations, it did not resemble the photos. It kinf if got lost in the collection. It might be too similar in coloration to Smokey.

You can probably find something more exciting. Maybe check Lyon's current offerings again. They have a new one called Bahama Breezes, or something like that. It looks exciting.

The AVSA website features the top ten choices each year. However, getting on to their website is sometimes difficult.

Yes, the plants with the light orange blossoms are a species of cactus called Schlumbergera. The leaves are bracts and stand taller and narrower than AVs. The leaves are smooth. No hair, no thorns.

Joanne

Judy, Wow!! Thanks!

I love Opt. Pennsylvania!! just sayin' !!!!! Rosie

I called Lyons and changed the Arcturus with Zoe. Even though Red Rocket might be a tad brighter red than Zoe, I think I prefer Zoe's fluffier blooms and the additional white edges.

Thank you all so much!

I think I used to have Pennsylvania. Is it this one?

https://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll21/syracusa/20130415_164222_zps0320c2bd.jpg

Re Zoe, when it first started to bloom, the buds faced down for what seemed to me a long time to the extent I first thought there was something wrong with the plant. But they raised their heads in due time and bloomed beautifully. Also, the flowers have quite a heavy substance and the blooms last a long time. Hope it does well for you.

N S & Judy. I first found this forum back when it was Gardenweb when I was looking for info on reds. Then a long-time member who loves reds gave me fantastic advice.

Since that time, many more reds were introduced, including Russians.

When Zoe came out, it was in great demand. I think it is the best choice if only growing one. It has everything.

N-S, I am not familiar with the AV you posted.

But I don't think it is Pennsylvania, which is a very dark red.

In my experience, the O reds are dark, tend toward burgundy, and are single petals.

Have you looked at the newer space violets? They look interesting. I have 3 babies from S. G. not they have not bloomed yet. So far, they have distinctive curly leaves.

No,,,,your pix is not the one. Opt. Pennsylvania is a very, very deep burgundy or red wine color. It may not be the red on Santa's suit but I think it is beautiful. Actually mine is a little darker than this,,,but close! Rosie

N-S, there is a blue and white flower, Park Avenue Blue, with Variegated Foliage you might like. It is a deep blue-violet color.

The Dali color was dull.

With the bonus of leaf variegation on Park Ave blue, it sounds nice. I think it is vintage, hybridized by Lyon's company. Available on ebay by Blue Mountain Violets. It might also be available at Lyon's.

You guys have all been sitting around in the heat with nothing to do but write about violets, right??? I'm catching up today, and taking notes. I want to give so much praise to everyone here - excellent stuff, from entertainment (photos) to information, like historical perspective and current trends. Best thread I've read in a long time. Kudos to everyone, many thanks.

Quick question, Joanne: when commenting on trailers, you said, “I used to cut off and repot the extra crowns before I knew what to do.” I don't think I have appropriate space for trailers, but what did you mean about this?

It's surprising that trailers were not that popular for a while. After I saw Bob's Vanilla Trail, I wondered how I did without one all this time? Sure...it probably takes some skill to get it to bloom like this but still...

I can't wait to see what Rob's Vanilla and Ness Crinkle Blue can do in my growing conditions.

I understood they are both star bloomers.

S-N,

The lovely trailers of today that bloom heavily and grow compactly are the results of recent and careful hybridization. They are newcomers.

The main factor in their popularity over very recent years is Rob of Violet Barn who worked hard to create a niche market for beautiful trailers. He "married" several traits of modern violets, such as heavy blooming with compact growth and trailing. Plus, something new and exciting is always fun.

There were several factors that contributed. First, there was a recent craze for minis for several years. Especially for office people in cubicles.

Minis tend to have trailer genes so people were constantly having to remove suckers if they wanted to maintain a single crown.

Perhaps Rob decided to work with that natural trait rather than against it. He and his wife worked to build a commercial business offering something new.

But long before that, the AVSA standard was a standard size plant always with one crown, especially for shows. Even if a plant tended to form a double crown, that was considered to be bad grooming to permit it.

Optimara eventually met a need through careful breeding to produce perfect circles ideal for home decor.

Trailers were not the ideal. They were oddities. They are difficult to grow in a home and are not in nature heavy bloomers. They can be messy and gangly if not groomed well. Some hybridizers in the Western U.S. specialized in trailers but they were known only locally. Sadly, once the hybridizers died, so their plants seemed to disappear. They were hobbyists, not commercial growers.

Rob of Violet Barn is in New York state, a great location. Plus the east coast or south is more of a violet hub these days.

Violet Barn created a niche market. He is a scientist and worked with them to make them more domesticated.

He was a relatively fresh new, enthusiastic voice in a field that needed something new and fun. He came up with whimdical names and injected a lot of energy, willingness to travel to meet other hybridizers, into a field that needed a boost.

He marketed and promoted a lot, plus he is a commercial grower and relative newer voice. He created a niche market. He also has a regular column in the magazine. That also helps to promote his violets. It worked!

On one of the Annie podcasts, she showed a trailer that grew quite dense and compact, all on its own. They all grow differently.

Joanne

N G

It has been escapism!!! Between all of life's environmental problems, and other issues, I distracted myself.

Glad you checked in.

That was a much older trailer I had that sent out vines like a spider plant and developed full mini-crowns. In fact, I suspect it was not a true African Violet.

I cut off and potted up the extra crowns, allowed a week or two for them to set root, then gave them away.

Newer trailers have been cultivated to be much more compact. Older ones that are more vining are still interesting.

Some trailers produce many crowns. Others, just few.

There are probably videos available now on grooming trailers. Or maybe advice has been given here.

Joanne

Joanne, I wish I could "love" your penultimate (last but one) post on this thread. This type of historical and anecdotal information is invaluable. I'm the merest newbie, having only acquired my first violet six months ago, but as a long time gardener I recognize how precious is the known history, and how important it is to preserve it. While I don't yet know how I will use this information, I still bow, and I'll preserve it in my notes.

And, Joanne, regarding your last, which was a direct response to my question: sorry that you've had the need to indulge in escapism. Yeah, that's kinda large part of why I spend time on Gardenweb. I suspect it's true for many; and if not, for specific users, they'll still see our humanity here. I do have questions, that you all help me with. And sometimes I can help others, too, or so I hope.

But on a line that's probably more generally interesting: I, like many others, don't really have the space/suspension/environment that will be good for trailers. Nevertheless, your comments here will be archived, at least by me, for future reference.

Many thanks to you, the matriarch and Diva of this forum,

Joan

I grew up with my grandmother having AVs in the north facing kitchen window. I now realize that hers were mostly traded (from other housewifes) pure species like ionantha and grotei. Looking back over the half decade, I marvel at the things my grandmother grew, like a Brazilian hippeastrum species, achimenes, etc. Things weren't as readily available then, so I appreciate the share with neighbor theory and wish I had been old enough to want to know how she got each. Yeah, great info :)

I didn't realize how much we owed Rob. And he has to be getting up there in years, and I hope his legacy doesn't just disappear, like so many. Nurseries have been closing like hotcakes for the last fifteen years.