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African Violets

A few blooming today

AnneCecilia z5 MI

8 years ago

I had to take a photo of Louisiana Lullabye as I am impressed with the bloom size. I wish it didn't lay on the leaves so much, but the stem is rather thin and that IS a lot of flower to hold up. You'd think it was a Russian variety!

This is a new favorite, Starry Night Blue. The photo doesn't capture adequately the grandeur of these large blossoms:

Another dark beauty, blooming for the first time for me: Apache Midnight. The photo is lighter than the actual bloom, which is a rich, dark dark purple, almost black:

This one is aptly named Favorite Child - for putting up such a head of bloom, and keeping it for weeks and weeks. I have to tell you that I took this photo after removing several faded bloom stems, as this came into full bloom over a month ago. Wonderful plant. I started this plant a few years ago from a leaf I received from a poster I haven't seen here in a long time (Jivymini) and she told me that it was one of her personal favorites. I trusted her and it has certainly become one of mine.

And lastly, another incarnation of one of my favorites, if not my very favorite AV, Blue Dragon. We have a love-hate relationship; I love it and it hates me. I keep restarting plants and enjoying them for the short time I have them before they either sport or die. Sigh.

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Comments (14)

fortyseven_gw
8 years ago
Anne thnx for pics! LL grows that way, nothing can be done. Lovely color. SNB is very strong! BD has a bad reputation. It's not you! I wondered about FC and will look forward to growing that. I like all those colors, too. Joanne
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terrilou
8 years ago
Beautiful plants! You've done a great job of growing them. I have trouble with BD also; seems like it always goes off. I'm debating whether I should continue to try & grow it. SNB is very impressive!

Its nice to see Favorite Child. I've read that hybridizer, Bill Johnson, considered this to be his finest creation & very close to violet perfection. I grow another of his, Ode to Beauty, & it also is a wonderful variety. Indeed, I'd like to grow more of his plants if only I had the room. Isn't that the ongoing theme of us violet growers. . . if only I had more space!

Terri
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Kay: When I was at the nursery a couple weeks ago the girl there who knows me well insisted I take a sample bottle of this fertilizer. It is deodorized fish emulsion plus Kelp. From my rose growing days I know that there were many expert rosarians who swore by Kelp for making healthy leaves grow greener, stronger and more disease resistant. It sounded like a good combination. I've used it on some of my new plants. You may want to try this stuff out since you rely on fish emulsion. It's called John's Recipe under the Lady Bug Natural Brand (www.ladybugbrand.com).......Maryl
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Comments (7)
The pinkish plant is one of several Spirea I have. They perform better if pruned after blooming, I think they have blooms here for a month. Took some pictures of a few of mine, not the best because they are drooping from ANOTHER batch of rain last night. They will be upright before the day is over. They are past their peak here but add spectacular color to the yard. Love the sun. Sherry
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Comments (10)
Nancy, Lovely pics! Standing out for me are Raggedy Man and your pink seedling . The only thing that stops me when I look at Krakatoa Katie is the color combo.....not one of my favourite combos but the plant looks magnificent. I guess there are lots of other things to consider when registering a plant. I hope you do register your pink seedling . Just because it doesn't have 20 or 30 blooms on a scape doesn't mean it isn't worth registering . I guess that might be important to hybridizers but for the regular Joe let's face it , it is more about looks and there are more Regular Joes like me out there looking than there are hybridizers. Bloom face is important and yours is very very pretty. Lovely saturated color too! And then there is the edge. The contrasting color draws the eye, the chicken fat adds to the allure .......just like the frill on a party dress. Upon closer inspection, I am thinking "hmm, there is more to this plant than just a pink bloom " when you see that. Then there is always rebloom and if a plant does that , well, I would think that is a very important trait. I have lots that simply don't re-bloom. If it has instant re-bloom that is even better ......or how about extended bloom or if every fan puts out a scape . Is it fragrant ? That is always a bonus in my mind . Finally if it just brings sheer joy to see it in the garden , that to me is worth registering !!!!!!
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Comments (9)
The rest of the pictures aren't daylilies, but at this time of year, you appreciate any flower that comes along. The hibiscus take a while to get going, but are blooming nicely now. This hibiscus is unnamed. Bob has been growing hibiscus since before I met him. Here are two he has had forever. Kona Improved Anderson's Double Yellow Red. The yellow part of the name is confusing until you look on the backside of the petals. The gingers are all in bloom too. This one is Hedychium "Tai Spirit'. Bob has another banana in bloom. This is Musa velutina. That's all for today. Nancy
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Rosie1949
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
OMG Anne do I see another leaf trade in my future! Favorite Child (1st choice----2nd choice Louisiana Lullaby!) But I love them all !!! Beautiful!!!! You know me,,,,I want one of each and 3 of everything!!! lol Rosie
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AnneCecilia z5 MI
Original Author
8 years ago
Rosie: As you wish.
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Rosie1949
8 years ago
Anne,,,are you enticing me? It may be working!!!!! Rosie
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AnneCecilia z5 MI
Original Author
8 years ago
You'll see.

;-)
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Rosie1949
8 years ago
Hmmm, call me dumb, but "you'll see" what??? I will pm you about a trade, ok? Rosie
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Julia (1meanmop)
8 years ago
I agree withRosie I could take one of each and three of all.
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AnneCecilia z5 MI
Original Author
8 years ago
Terri, thanks for that tip. I should pay more attention to who hybridized what; I'll admit I don't at present. I will keep an eye open for Ode to Beauty. Thank you!
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Rosie1949
8 years ago
Ha ha ha ha, Julia that phrase is my go to response every time I see a pix of a violet I don't have! The sad part of it is that "I MEAN IT" sincerely!(emphasis,,,, not shouting!)

Terri & Anne, why is it important to keep track of hybridyzers? I mean, if the information is given in a "Master List" from AVSA certainly I notice it and maybe even remember it (maybe) if it is a favorite violet. But other than that is it important? On a larger scale? Am I missing something? Thanks!! Rosie
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AnneCecilia z5 MI
Original Author
8 years ago
For me the only reason to note the hybridizer is to try more of their varieties - making the assumption that if one of theirs does very well for me or I absolutely love it, I may have the same success with others created by the same person. Not necessarily so, but a good chance.
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terrilou
8 years ago
What Anne said. I sometimes like to read about certain hybridizers & note the type of plant they tend to develop. There are some growers who subscribe to the idea that a plant hybridized in your general location, say the Mid West for example, will grow better for you than one hybridized on the West Coast or Texas. I have doubts that holds true but it is an interesting thought.
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Rosie1949
8 years ago
Oh,,,ok I get it now. I guess I choose plant I see over person who made it! No disrespect intended, I just never thought of it that way! But show me a pix of a violet and I am all over it!!!!! Eye candy for sure!!!! And low calorie at that!!!!! Rosie
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AnneCecilia z5 MI
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, much safer for one's health than chocolates, LOL!
0

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