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chimera from violet barn

5 years ago

I have been checking the chimera plants in violet barn and they don't have much choice for a while. Anybody know why? thanks

Comments (20)

  • 5 years ago

    Demand is high most likely. As you probably know chimera propagation is slow.

  • 5 years ago

    ic. I remembered they usually have long list of items, but not much available for the past year.

  • 5 years ago

    I ordered about a month ago, even while I was ordering one of the items in my cart 'ran out'. Things are going FAST.

  • 5 years ago

    I purchased leaf chimera ‘Pearl Joy’ this summer with some Streptocarpus from VB. Be patient and check back in a few days, as demand is high and inventory updates are sporadic. Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses also has chimeras, although the inventory is not live. You should call to confirm availability. Good luck!

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks.
    I thought chimera cannot grow from leaves?

  • 5 years ago

    Leaf or foliage chimeras have unusual variegated foliage that does not change with temperature and the flowers are not striped. Rarely, a few chimeras will have striped flowers and the chimera foliage. Reproduction is via suckers or blossom stem.

  • 5 years ago

    right, I should not spend too much from my retirement fund. :D

  • 5 years ago

    Aha... we are so frugal - it stinks,.. and then an airconditioner goes down... or the car gets smashed on Walmart parking lot...


    No more than 3. Still cheaper than AC.


    ;-))

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    a lot of the big named african violet dealers are short on stock, b/c of the insolation due to the pandemic...so demand was much, much higher than what they had available...if you're still looking for chimeras check ebay...since you can propagate chimeras from a blossom stem or a sucker, they are harder to come by...can't propagate thru a leaf b/c only 2 of the genes are passed on thru leaves, where to get a chimera you have to have the mutation where they develop 3 gene pool...good luck in finding some...

  • 5 years ago

    Chimeras can sprout in your own plants. This is Rhapsodie Patsy which is a white with blueish center. The first flowering was normal but look what happened on the second blooming!


  • 5 years ago

    Beautiful Rhapsodie Patsy, TerriLou!

  • 5 years ago

    just saw some chimeras for sale on ebay...check out plant_maniac,...his plants are all in bloom when you get them, so you can see they are a true chimera...also on ebay, there is a leaf chimera for sale...they are really hard to resist!

  • 5 years ago

    thanks, I will take a look. Also, I saw violet barn post more chimera choice online. they probably heard me.

  • 5 years ago

    You guys are right. I was looking at a chimera a day ago on violet barn. it was gone today. this is like stock market, need to act fast. :D

  • 5 years ago

    I am a longtime buyer of African Violets on Ebay, I have purchased hundreds of them. Most of my usual sellers do not ship this time of year, but there is one of my regular sellers named dew.be.dew who is still selling and shipping, and luckily for you, most of his plants are chimera, and they are gorgeous. Also, he doesn't sell a chimera unless it is currently in bloom. You can not be certain if a chimera is going to bloom true, so I personally wouldn't buy it unless it was currently in bloom, or I knew the seller and trusted them. All that being said, I've seen this plant_maniac seller posting violets for sale lately, and it's a brand new name to me. Also, be careful to read the description very carefully. Be sure you are not buying just a leaf (regular violets, not chimera), unless a leaf is what you want of course. Sometimes it's hard to tell if they're selling a leaf, a plug, a leafpot, or a plant. Have fun, I have 14 chimera in my collection, and I think they're so pretty, as are the Russian hybrids (regular, not chimera) with the humongous blooms. Some of the blooms are almost 4 inches across!

  • 5 years ago

    I have ordered chimeras from plant_maniac. He sends nice & healthy blooming plants. He’s also a well known hybridizer of Streptocarpus.

  • 5 years ago

    I just check dew be at ebay. one of the plant bidding up $75. oh my goodness!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Chimeras are difficult. Need artificial light.

    Chimeras are difficult. enetically weak and only look good under artificial light. Optimara has some that mimic chimeras for about

    In the past, Lyon's had a lot they created.

    Joanne

  • 5 years ago

    Some chimeras are more difficult to grow than others. Just as with single phenotype (normal) hybrids. Some prefer artificial and others can grow well in natural light. I grow my plants in both! Try a trailing chimera and it will be much easier to propagate. Just as with the hybrids that can be started from leaves, when a plant adapts to your growing conditions from the start, you will often have better results. Rob’s MiriWinni is very easy to grow, although the stripes are a bit subtle. Sun Ray Trail likes a bit less light than others and Pony Ride is a fun mini chimera trailer. One of the most resilient is Chimera Sport of Grotei. Don’t give up on chimeras, they can be very rewarding. Just don’t expect them to keep their stripes if you put them outside for the summer!