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African Violets

Help with identifying a red Optimara African Violet

8 years ago

Identifying a Red Optimara Variety
Optimara African Violets Facebook page
Two subscribers posted a side by side comparison of red optimara violets with leaf comparisons that might be easier to look at and figure out what you have than on the ID page on the website.
Dare I add that the human eye has fewer cones and rods in the eye to identify fine differences among reds. And I just read in a Jeff Smith column, I think, that so do the insects that pollinate AVs in the wild. The insects have vision to distinguish better among various subtle shades of blue and purple.
So that is why there are no red violets in nature, nor yellow!

Joanne

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Comments (4)

Karin
8 years ago
Thank You Joanne!
That just cleared up my two reds (probably)...
What i thought was North Carolina, was actually Arkansas, And 'Pennsylvania' turned out to be North Carolina... - Apparently I was just under the impression it was really really dark, but the serrated leaves point the other way...
anyhow, whilst the latter grows really well for me, i doubt it is exciting enough to ever try and show....
However, those are the two seed parents for my first attempts at hybridizing, so even having a likely ID could come in handy down the road...

Karin
quimoi
8 years ago
Pennsylvania is a star. North Carolina appears to be a pansy (somebody correct if I'm wrong on NC). I was double-checking my Pennsylvania id, although some of it is based on the assumption that they are likely to load up Pennsylvania with "Pennsylvania."

I have seen other reds at Lowe's from time to time but never try to figure out what they are.

There's one of the red Optmaras that other hybridizers have used quite a bit. It might be California but could be Colorado (was a "c").

Diana
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Justin, Does your plant have a name? If it is a trailer, it is supposed to be multi-crowned. I don't grow trailers but maybe someone who does can offer an opinion as to whether it's a trailer or not. Usually soil mealies will leave a silver-blue marking on the inside walls of the pot. Dump your soil and see if there are any. It's pretty obvious and you should be able to see it clearly. There are other insects that can live in the soil that are not harmful so you don't want to treat indiscriminately. As to fertilizer-make sure you are leaching your pots, (as well as regular re-potting), as fertilizer salts can build up over time harming your violets no matter how much you use. But, it doesn't look like it's too much fertilizer. Personally, I think fertilizer is a tricky issue. I've had root burn, crown loss, bunched centers (like yours) and now I think my pH is wonky. But, as I said, it's a learning curve! I hope this helps. Linda P.S. The foliage on your plant is beautiful Some grow variegated violets as foliage plants.
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Off topic, but you might want to join the exchange forum in the spring. I also live in Calif and go to an AV club where I trade plants or just get samples. To find AV clubs , just search at the Ava's website. There is one in SF , one in San Mateo, one in Sacramento and one or more in southern cal. As Mark aptly pointed out, your plant cannot be ID but we enjoy the photo and welcome. By the way, it is definitely not an apache or a girl type. It is most likely an Optimara. Or it might be a locally grown California plant. They morph all the time, often reverting to their original parent .p.s . To the new poster, as I live in California , I will be happy to send you clippings in the spring . They usually survive the mail when going a short distance. To Karin , I did not know about FB I'd ! To Mark, a great overview I will save to public clippings as you summarize the state if the art.
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Hi Aegis - thanks! I have long suspected that it's something to do with soil PH or fertilization. Unfortunately, have not been able to find any supporting evidence of this online... I am using Jack's African Violet fertilizer (12-36-14), 1/4 tsp every other week - same as I have been using for years. No sign of salt build up. In terms of repotting: I repotted them about 11 months ago. I already have the materials to repot this year, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I am using repotme dot com's African violet mix, which is a mix of coir, vermiculite, and perlite. I'm currently trying to decide whether to dispose of the affected plants. Do you have a sense of whether the crowns are ruined forever on the deformed plants? If so, I may try propagating from a non-affected leaf before throwing them out.
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StephanieZone6binKY, I will pray God gives you peace and comfort. Only He can. I know what you are going through. I simply remember when my father passed away unexpectedly, it's hard to find words to describe. Then, God showed me my father was saved and in heaven, he was alive and fine. Tears of joy. I miss my dad badly, but knowing he is alive and with the Lord is truly the best comfort. I know I will see him again one day and we will be together. On the violet update, I will continue searching on your behalf. 2 nurseries replied to me so far: 1) The Kate's Garden https://www.katesgarden.ca/indoor-plants/african-violet-plants does not have that variety any more. 2) Valley View Nursery (Ashland, OR) might have it in the coming spring, but they only sell in small bulk batches.
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quimoi
8 years ago
I was just looking at user photos on MyViolet and the Optimara facebook trying to be certain that I do have Pennsylvania! The thing is that it was in a 6" pot and mostly it is not supposed to be a 6" pot one. I would not have called the leaves round.

It does appear to be Pennsylvania. On June 12, the Optimara photo of bloom types also shows Pennsylvania and Delaware side by side and there is a definite color difference and also a difference in the blossom shape. I would call Pennsylvania burgundy red (to my eye). Clementine looks shaped just like Pennsylvania in that photo. Delaware always looks a little more "ruffly" in photos anyway.

That is helpful, Joanne, but they sure omitted a good many :)

I see some ruffled one at Lowe's but since I don't collect reds, it doesn't matter. Maybe I see more than one ruffled one for that matter.

Diana
fortyseven_gw
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi, Karin, It will be interesting to see the results . J

This post was edited by fortyseven on Sun, Jun 15, 14 at 15:29

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