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African Violets

My New Space Violet & a couple ??'s pic

16 years ago

So my local nursery had a few Optimara space violets!!! I was thrilled so I went out and bought one.....EVERSPECIAL, I believe. So on the Optimara tag it said that propagation was prohibited, so does this mean that this plant came from one of the original seeds that went to space, or does it mean it has been propagated by Optimara from one of the plants grown from seed? I also noticed that each flower stem has it's own set of leaves, I have never noticed this about any of my violets and wonder if there is a name for this trait, or is it a trait known only to the space violets?

Heres a pic for everyone! In person it is more of a deep violet/purple color, this pic seems to bring out the blue in it....I think I like the pic better than the actual plant, as I have been looking for a true blue violet, not violet, or dark purple, and cant seem to find one. Anyways....lol

{{gwi:377357}}
{{gwi:377358}}

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Comments (5)

korina
16 years ago
Nova, very nice plant. 'Propagation prohibited' means it's been patented. It's okay to give away or trade leaves or plantlets, but don't go selling it commercially. Or they'll send the plant police after you! ;-)

The two little leaves is common to all AVs; some are large, some are barely noticable.

Congrats on your new babies!

Korina

Brain: It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob.
Pinky: You have no idea.
cajunkisses2007
16 years ago
Beautiful! Congrats on your new space baby.
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nova12
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, Wow that is quite the trait! I see what you mean every violet has them, but some are so small, I can barely consider it a leaf, these are quarter sized, and look like the momma leaves, quite unique. I have read that if they are propagated by leaf, they sport, and quite often go back to a faded blue, so am I safe to assume that if I did give it away, it would lose its name and become "a sport of".....Would the suckers bloom true to the parent?

These AV genetics stump me sometimes....lol

Thanks
bspofford
16 years ago
Nova12,

These are properly called 'bracts', and you can use the flower stalk to propagate also. Cut off the flower head and allow the bracts to grow as large as possible. Then remove the flower stalk, and cut on the diagonal 1" to 1 1?2" below the bracts. Pot up as you would a leaf, keeping the bracts above the soil. I've never tried it, but it sounds logical. The new plantlets will appear at the point the bract is attached to the flower stalk.

Barbara
rubyfruit
16 years ago
*squee*
The space violets always look so healthy... and how cool!
I love it!

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