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African Violets

Plain Blue Violet ?

10 years ago

I had a plain, (simple flower, no ruffles etc) blue, very vibrant navy blue violet. Flat leaves, not rumpled, not very hairy. Then I bought begonias. They took bad. Looked liked a cross between root rot and blow torch damage. Tossed Begonias. Geraniums looked poorly. Then the Dieffenbachia leaves, newer ones turned yellow. This violet turned yellow. I found a picture of a violet that looked like the yellow blighted one and it was Mites! So I tossed the violet but I can't remember the name. I cleaned up the mites, I think, on the rest of my plants but can anyone tell me a similar or same violet to replace the lost one?

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Comments (5)

quimoi
10 years ago
Well, not unless you have a photo and then we can only make a guess.

However, there are a great many lovely plain blue violets. Optimara has many from which to choose. I grow Optimara Texas, but it is a little ruffled. Optimara Manitoba is a nice light blue. I think Optimara Kentucky was one that I had that was plain and nice. You may be able to find these locally.

If you want to order, then your choices are greatly expanded.

Diana
lucky123
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, Diana: I looked hrough Optimara and Little Inca looks close but is that a miniature? I didn't see how to order so I didn't look closely. I am considering a species violet. I only have room for 4. I had 3. Tossed 1 that had mites. I dipped the other two in 110 H20 for 15 minutes. I sprayed with spectracide and it looks like 1 is going to bloom. The third 1 never blooms but I don't expect perfection from my friends. I like violets as foliage plants so I am looking for a variegated and the simple blue. How long should I wait to see if the mites are gone? I have a huge schefflera treated 115 degree H20 in the bath tub. It doesn't look very happy. Neither do the geraniums but I put them outside and it is still a bit chilly at night. I tossed all my other plants.Dieffenbachia, bromeliad, I kept Dracena M. Sprayed that but it is isolated so not too worried.
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Karin
10 years ago
my little inca (well, i assume that's what it is, it came unlabelled) is a semi - happy in a 2" pot. it just bloomed its head off and now is looking a bit worse for wear... i'll see if i can find any pictures...
but, i am never decided on whether it is blue or purple - it really depends on the light...
quimoi
10 years ago
I was just looking for myself but Violet Showcase has some of what they call "starter plants" that include several nice blue or violet Optimaras. It looks like they may not be shipping yet though. I haven't ordered from them though.

I think the species drop their flowers though. Maybe you're okay with that. Blue Boy is a nice old one but it drops too (when the blossoms are done, they don't stay on the plant like new varieties). If you have too many of these it can get a little messy on your shelf.

You do want to be sure you have the mite issue cleared up before adding new plants though.

Diana
lucky123
Original Author
10 years ago
Froeschi: Thanks! Little Inca is a miniature but lovely.
Diane: I would love to have the blue grandiflora species listed at Violet Barn but too big? I found Miho and Wisconsin optimeras which are a lovely blue. I am looking at the site/store you listed (Nice Plants!). Mites! Broad mites, The schefflera was the identifying classic, burned twisted leaves. I was thinking the begonias just didn't like conditions. I thought the geraniums needed repotting but when I saw the Schefflera looking as if it had been hit by a blowtorch, it had to be Broad Mites. I did the hot water treatment and am following up on the schefflera with spectracide after 3 days. Don't know how long before I can bring in new plants. Any suggestions welcome.

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