Hi Piksi,

There are about 15000 registered and may be more unregistered violets - you will never ID it. But it is a beautiful healthy plant - double star blossoms, geneva edge - means white edging on the petals, - guys - how can you call this color - purple? magenta?, it is standard size one, quilted boy leaves - Hi everybody - did I described it right?

You need to remove smallish baby leaves which are sitting under big size leaves - so it will look more simmetrical - and on the upper left side of the plant I suspect a sucker - an offshoot you need accurately pluck out and try to root separately.

You have a beauty that shows that you have a green thumb - and you need to get another violet to keep company to your first.

Cheers

Irina

Piksi, don't listen to Irina; do *not* get another violet. Because pretty soon you'll think three would look better, then you'll notice a sucker and you'll just *have* to plant it, and then a friend will notice your happy plants and give you one that doesn't like her (or him), and of course you'll come here for advice and someone will offer you leaves from this *beautiful* plant and you won't be able to say no, then your grocery store will get a shipment, and by summer your one happy AV will have multiplied into a roomful with light stands and wick watering and you'll find yourself with a full-blown addiction and no money.

Just from one pretty little plant.

Korina (knowing whereof I speak)

Piksi:

LISTEN TO KORINA! We all started out with just "one pretty little plant" and now we need to join a chapter of African Violets Anonymous. Run while you still can, before they take over your life. I say this with 9 plants and glass of leaves roofing on my desk at work, we won't even begin to talk about the ones waiting at home to be fed, watered and groomed. RUN, Run, run, ruuuuuuuunnnnn the violets are coming to take we away. But if this has not scared you, check out Rob's Violets and The Violet Gallery they both have pictures and names you might see something else you like. These are only two of many growers to pick from.

And if the pull is too strong, Piksi, the African Violet Society of America (AVSA) happens to be located in Beaumont, TX. There's probably an affiliate club near you; check their website.

Korina

Here is a link that might be useful: AVSA

You guys are funny! Thanks for your advice...I will try not to look at any other AVs:) Korina, thanks for telling me that the AVSA is in Beaumont, it so happens to be my hometown.

piksi_hk 9 :

Your African Violet grows so well, the flowers are on top showing clear colour so perfect. My own one has been growing a few years already, the flowers mostly growing amongst leaves or even behind leaves. I think to have remove some unwanted leaves.

The leaves are strong and healthy, therefore I don't know whether need to do remove the middly crowded leaves. Any body who can tell me his/her experience on this problem?

Hi people... I fully agree how AV can get addicted to. I'm a "victim". Several months ago, I only had one AV, then I got suckers from it, so I started having about 4, 5. Then, since the bloom is so pretty and the plant is so easy to take care of, I asked my neighbor in Saigon to let me take care of hers - which wasn't blooming at all. And this one from the neighbor had suckers... so I was having a few more. Then I came across a new color in a supermarket and couldn't resist buying it. Now... I think about AVs all the time!!! I've been spending my weekends running around town looking for AVs from nurseries!!!
How infectious they are, those AVs! But I'm glad I've got to know them and all of you here in this forum.

Alwong, sometimes the bloom stalk needs to be manipulated to stand upright between leaves, instead of under. Go slow and be gentle. Also, a picture is worth 1000 words, maybe more. Is your plant growing in a nice flat rosette? If so, don't mess! You only need to pull off the ocassional outer row of leaves as they get old and grungy looking. If it's not in a flat rosette, if it's all over the place, chances are you have suckers and need to deal with those. As always, check out Rachel's site for illustrated instructions on what to do.

Haxuan, HAHAHAHA! Welcome to the club. Wait until you start getting interested in the *other* Gesneriads; do you have Chirita tamiana? It's from northern Vietnam, and as easy to grow as an AV. All your spare money will go bye-bye along with your spare time. Still, it's a better hobby than gambling or football.

Korina (the first step is to admit you have an addiction)

Here is a link that might be useful: Rachel's Reflections

Well, It is hard to identify a violet from a photo.

There a a bazillion violets out there and it could be one of about 50 with that edged bloom. But, I grow Optimara's "Yellowstone" and for my 2 cents, I'd say that's a good guess.

Brenda

Korina, I don't have time enough to check out the Gesneriads site... so I don't know what it is without a photo. But if it's as "contagious" as AV... perhaps I should steer away, huh?

Ooooh yeah. Steer *far* away.

Korina (it's too late for me, save yourself!!)