Nope, you are not missing anything. Optimaras are bred for popularity and longevity. They are the backbone of the industry. In fact, it can take several years for an O to achieve its full potential in size and beauty.

Virtually every AV alive today has Optimara in their ancestry.

Unless the founders of any line went to Africa and scrambled in the wild mountains and collected their own species, they all started with Optimara. Almost every hybridizer first discovered violets on Auntie or Grandma's window sill. They had very domestic and humble initial discoveries.

Not on a romantic, danger-filled Safari to Tanzania.

Most violets will last 5 to 7 years and most people restart them after a year to get a fresh new plant. Of course, they keep Momma. Or by then, probably Great grandmother.

The AVs are shipped in what is called "peat" for shipping purposes to hold moisture to get from factory-farm or nursery to store. Many growers eventually repot in their own mix. Some right away. Others wait a few months. The plant will do better if eventually repotted because peat tends to get hard and has no nutrition.

That man was before my time here. He seemed to be ignorant and angry. He knew nothing about violets and came here to cause trouble. Pay him no mind. The lady who managed customer service Optimara came on and set him straight. He tore into her also, showing an ugly attitude.

I vote Optimara for president. Long live Optimara. If there were no Optimaras, there would be on violet industry.

Regarding that person's comment, many people who do not understand how to care for an AV will buy an O then do not take proper care. When it stops blooming, they simply neglect it. That is out of ignorance for plant care. But it is not the plant's fault. Those people are not collectors nor gardeners. Many people who are collectors specialize in Optimara. They would not be the hugelu successful company they are today if they did not produce a quality plant to survive many varied home growing conditions.

Joanne

The history of the African violet makes for interesting reading. The US was foremost in bringing forth and popularizing the AV. The Original 10 led the way starting in the 1930's with Blue Boy being the most important parent. Old time hybridizers like Ulery, Odom, Fishers, Eyerdom built their stock on descendants of these plants. I believe Holtcamp originated in Germany but became an important force after arriving in the US. I really don't know how many violets actually have Optimara in their genetic pool.

Many growers consider Optimaras to be the "plain Janes" of the violet world and many more exciting and gorgeous plants can be found. Are these types easier to grow? I think it all depends upon one's growing conditions and expertise. Personally, I have never found Optimaras to be easy to grow, at least not into a prime looking example. But, I grow mostly under lights and feel Optimaras are better suited to window light. Right now, I am experimenting with a few Optimaras to see if I can get them into show worthy plants, not meaning that I will show the plants, just get them to that point. Time will tell!

Terri

All of that makes sense. Thanks so much. I was confused about those posts. If anything, I thought Optimaras were the ones with longevity, not other types.

Now that I got some extra room at the window and with the experience I have acquired over the past few years, not just with AV-s, but with gardening in general - I would like to try my hand again at a few non-Optimaras.

But Optismaras will definitely remain the backbone for me because I know they do well in my East / NE facing windows and my conditions, in general.

Terrilou,

Great post! So clear and informative!

I believe the Holtkamp family early on set up their research facilities in southern California. A branch of the family settled there and did all of their initial breeding and developing in California for many years. There also may have been a separate company in Europe.

I think "back in the day," there were many other hybridizers in California who shared insights and developments amongst others.

The H. company wanted to develop a commercial product that could withstand many average home conditions and also grow into a pleasing shape. Their AVs are grown for windows, or natural lower, varying home lighting. They look for sturdiness and repeatability, such as quick and easy propagation.

Maybe because their various traits were originally developed in California, they seem to grow very well in California.

They are usually widely available in Calif because the commercial nurseries grow O brand, or off-label O's. Here, in Calif, they are a good, basic, reliable AV that will often grow into perfect whorls with a perfect cloud of blooms.

As for breeding or hybridizing stock, much information has been compiled and put on line. Although off-hand, I do not recall the link. It was compiled by an independent researcher.

In the past, when there were more early hybridizers, that kind of info was top secret. It is interesting to know it can now be found and studied.

Joanne