African Violets in January 2024 - Part 1 - Standards

Featured in this episode are my favorite African Violet standards growing in January 2024. In the order shown: Cajun’s Ethereal Fairy (probably sport), EK-Belaia Koroleva (EK-White Queen), Evening's Descent, SM-Tanets Galaktik (SM-Dance of Galaxies), Ann, Buckeye Scrumptious, Buckeye Seductress, LE-Rimma, Feather, Cajun’s Flamboyant Mistress, Buckeye Nostalgia, K’s Summer Plum Smash, Hunter’s Kashmir, Lyon’s Magic Charms, Optimara Trinidad II, Willodene, Funambule, LE-Madame Pompadour, RS-Aquamarine, Ian-Sahara, Louisiana Lullaby, K’s Fiesta Lady, Pink Sensation, EK-Sky Azure, Rum Punch, Cajun’s Dixie Pride, Happy Harold, Optimara Yosemite II, Cabbage Patch, Splendiferous, Markiza (Marquise), Ancient Lace, Tiger, LE-Chernika, PT-Ianina, Reflections of Spring, Eva, EK-Mulen Ruzh (EK-Moulin Rouge), Buckeye Love’s Caress, Rose Bouquet, PT-Svetlanka.

[@susannahwalsh2153]

Absolutely gorgeous. Tiger, Happy Harold and Rose Bouquet my favorites. Thanks for showing off your beauties. 💚🇨🇦

[@Charity-vm4bt]

Wait until Tiger takes off!

[@janesowter-maranion9176]

Always a gorgeous collection. Thank you for sharing 🌸

[@Charity-vm4bt]

Hi, your trailer collection is stunning. I learned that some of the LLG hybrids have trailer genes and were never grown in rosette patterns. Those strains are grown for size and open growth patterns, not symmetry. This growth pattern is seen in Russian violets, which resemble LLG plants. That is because they were first grown from LLG genetic stock because it Paul Sorano gave the Russians his stock and taught them how to grow in their harsher climate. LLG plants are very vigorous. That is why Russian AVs have trademark LLG traits such as large, sprawling, open growth, and tend to sucker. (because they are trailers). They can be spectacular display plants. Your White Queen is a good example. In the earlier days of the AVSA, perfect mathematical whorl symmetry was not as much in demand as it is now with advanced lighting andvtechnology. LLG has other hybrid strains that have different genetics that grow more compactly and symmetrically. As you no doubt have found. As for other hybridizers, I did not have success with a newer hybridizer who specializes in complex bloom color vombinations. Because the plants had so many parent genes, in my slightly cooler growing conditions, they sported back to various of the original parents. Some vintage hybridizers did master the large blooms with fantasy and well-behaved growth. Croteau's Funambule, which you have, is a good example of a stable plant that remained true. It is worth the trouble to keep Rose Bouquet going. Plants with girl leaves are hard to find. I see you have a few from Optimara. They are the strongest or best growing examples of girl leaves. It seems you can grow Buckeye's in your environment. (In some environments, they do not grow well.) They are often considered the best all-around collection of standards for the right environment. It looks as though you are having fun as you learn about the vintage plants, as they are the ancestors. Thank you for sharing!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you for sharing the LLG hybrids' history, I didn't know that! Appreciate your feedback!

[@greenleaves6340]

Another great video to start 2024. Thank You for sharing your beautiful AVs🤗

[@SANTIAGO18222]

All beautifull violets !! Congratulations!!

[@SS11660]

I've been wondering about Madame Pompadour ! Hopefully she will bloom for next video. She was such a great story.

[@karenspencer763]

Thanks!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Appreciate your support!🌸

[@terepenados4560]

Beautyfull violets love the colors.

[@motled]

So gorgeous! I ended up getting a grow light but, my african violets still don't compare to yours. You know my favorites: I'm always partial to the whites and light pinks (which my mother-in-law warns that in Germany, they never give white flowers because they represent death.. ah well). 🌸

[@Charity-vm4bt]

Ugh! Brides in the U.S. always carry white bouquets. Also, Easter Lilies are white.

[@jak30341]

💐

[@tameracoelho87]

You are amazing! Wish mine looked like yours. Winter in New Jersey has been very gray so violets are a bit stressed. Any advice? Also did you take your violets out of wick water? I can’t tell on video but it appears you are top watering them.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you! They could benefit from supplemental light in the winter, check out All My Lights video I had posted recently. Here is the latest on my top watered plants: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6Pdcn2lo9-Me5osi=msizAAwarzeUWqQj

[@Charity-vm4bt]

It is more difficult to grow AVs in NJ. It seemed a simple mistake, mostly, too much humidity, would be damaging. I eventually stopped trying. When I moved from NJ to Calif, I resumed growing AVs. They seem to grow more easily in an environment that is more similar to their natural habitat. At first, we grew only LLG. They were very hardy and survived nearly anything. Then when we became more confident, we branched out. Because LLG is one of the originals, they deserve recognition and credit.

[@maryrogers5307]

Fabulous! Will you be in Phoenix for convention in April? I would love to meet you in person.

[@grayturtleviolets]

I would love to attend! I was planning this year, but plans changed and now I have to postpone. Hopefully next year!🌸

[@Charity-vm4bt]

​@@grayturtlevioletsI guess I heard Kansas City next year.

[@charocflores]

Is it me or you have some of these beauties on larger pots. I mean taller? I put some of my new collection on bigger pots and find that they grow larger in diameter and the stems are a bit longer too. I don't mind but I have so many that most are in 3x3and a half or 4. I am lacking space! Your collection is prettier and prettier each time! Congratulations once again!🌺🌸💐🥀

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you! Good catch - I did go up in pot size for standards and large varieties when I moved them from wick watering to top watering! They look so much healthier now. I will observe them some more and will only keep those that do well in my environment. My minis and semis do better when wick watered, so that's my new watering resolution for 2024 - top watering for large and standards, and wick watering for minis and semis!

[@charocflores]

@@grayturtleviolets Yes ,I did that too and noticed the bigger pots are doing awesome! Because of you! you mentioned it before and decided to try. Good move indeed. As usual change is good.

[@Charity-vm4bt]

​@@charocfloreshi, if you move to larger pots, the plants will expand. Both leaves and blooms. If you want to maintain a compact size, especially if the AV is meant to grow in a rosette or whorl shape, then it is advisable to repot annually. Videos can be found on the AVSA website showing the process of trimming the root ball and freshening the potting mix. There are other videos that show AV plants being moved up to pots that are too large. That is a mistake for AVs. The crown should always extend beyond the rim of the pot about 1/3.

[@SANTIAGO18222]

Hello!!, how cut the flowers Of violets?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Great question! I will make a video showing how I remove flowers from African Violets, stay tuned!

[@SANTIAGO18222]

@@grayturtleviolets Thank you very much