Thank you. I meant are 'Russian ones' Chimeras? OR are there some that are and some that are not?

I have not figured out why the Russian violets ARE Russians yet. Except they cost about 3 times as much as 'regular' violets, and they are usually bigger and have special flowers!! Like this one. I mean are they from Russia?? Or what? I bought this as a 'Russian'. Not as a Russian Chimera'.

Err, they were bred and selected in Russia, perhaps?

Coming from former Soviet Union. Ca be from Russia - or from Ukraine- varieties RS- and LE - hybridizers Svetlana Repkina and Elena Lebetskaja - are from Ukraine.

I do not see any issues with propagation from leaves - same as any other AV - some are faster, some - slower.

Dbarron It cold be some sale 'crap' to make them sound even more exotic, and jack up the prices. They cost a fortune as it is,...so,...add 'Russia' to it, and it sounds like they were from 'behind the old iron curtain', and now finally available to the free world.

The 'Russian' Violets are simply those which were hybridized in Russia.

Though there may be some Russian Violets which are Chimeras, most of them aren't.

From ... https://www.optimara.com/optimaraglossary/c-chl.html

Chimera: Spontaneous mutation which creates a distinctive bloom pattern called pinwheel. This bloom characteristic is genetically unstable, though it can sometimes be reproduced from peduncle cuttings. Leaf cuttings will not reproduce a chimera.

This is a Chimera bloom ...

Not an easy plant to grow nicely... Ruth Coulson from Australia has a gift of growing everything perfect... huge unruly SInningias look very yummy in her greenhouse...

About overpriced Russian violets and the general desire to get everything for pennies including your own island in Caribbean. (Would be nice...)

The results are 98% depending on the grower. Since you are a good grower - you can produce a stunning specimen plant from a common Optimara. While a majority of people who buy these expensive plants (the reason they are expensive - they are NOVELTY - nothing else) will do no better than anybody else who buys plants in Walmart. If the conditions are right - they will do good, if the person is an average grower - they will do average. And so on. No magic bullet here.

One of the most rewarded plants on the shows around the country is an Optimara Clementine.... I just got an AV journal ...

Irina, It is such fun to talk about the Russian and Uk AVs as they are exciting, recent developments. They are a unique breed. They are rugged and can withstand cooler temps. I would love to know what genetic material the Russian and Uk ladies use to create their extravagant "novelties." The breakthroughs they made look like a new species in the world of AVs. It is worth it to pay a few dollars more for such exotic, giant beauties. It is a dynamic, changing market. So if you find a Russ or Uk variety that is a good performer, it is a good idea to have a back-up. Before it vanishes. The Russ and Uk are into new market developments. Not into creating a vintage legacy.*

If a person wants to have only 2 or 3 AVs, these offer great choices. In general, they are happy, fun, easy-going. I find the solid colors remain true and do not sport. The blooms are showy, long-lasting. The colors are true. They have achieved break-throughs in colors that Americans have not yet achieved. They brought AVs to a whole new level of horticulture.

They also do not seem to need a lot of grooming, making them great gifts.

The stories of how the Russian and Uk markets were first opened are fascinating. I believe it started when an exuberant, prominent Russian businessman first came to the U.S.A. AVSA national convention one year when it was held in Philadelphia. He met Paul Sorano of Lyndon Lyon's and began a long business friendship over several years. He went to many conventions, bought a lot of Lyon's plant material, and consulted with Paul Sorano. He was very successful in starting and developing businesses. When he became fascinated with AVs, he and immediately forged a lasting business and personal relationship. He gathered a group of business people and horticulturists and invited Paul Sorano to visit them and teach them everything. Paul Sorano went to Russia and the Ukraine countries and introducing AV plant material and cultivation where it had never been. Therefore, Russian AVs all started with Lyon's stock. But somewhere along the line, they discovered some secret ingredients, like Jack and the Beanstalk magical beans, to create amazing, intricate botanical wonders.

Dating back in history, the Lyon's family include the very earliest hybridizers and are strong mentors of many others. They helped create the original AV industry we enjoy today.

As a result of what Paul Sorano helped them achieve, the Russian government reveres Paul Sorano as a dignitary and has honored him in many ways for this significant horticultural development.

In later years, Kent and Joyce Stork visited those countries and generously shared their horticultural knowledge and plant materials. The Russian reds probably have some of the red genetic material that both the Lyon's and Stork's labored so hard to develop.

It seems that thanks to the businessman's excellent development of this market, AVs in those countries are enjoying wide-spread contemporary popularity among all, including the young. They are sold in retail stores dedicated to AVs. The conventions are enormous. They developed a quality product that captured popular national attention. For anyone who has not tried them, spread the joy. Include a few Russians or Uk's in your collections.

*We U.S. American and perhaps Canadian collectors can still perserve our vintage AV legacy. However, we are also now able to share the fun of new and exciting developments.

Joanne

Irina, Rhapsodie Clementine sounds worth pursuing. It probably can be ordered directly from Selective Gardener. Joanne

I'm currently attempting to grow Ian Bokal from a couple of leaves - it's been about 3-4 weeks, and it appears they've both already rooted.

What a great thread! I whole heartedly agree with Irina's comments and thank Joanne for adding some background. I enjoy a fair number of Russian and Ukrainian AV's in my collection and a fairly large number of Ukrainian streptocarpus as well. I also do not have any difficulties in propagating them any differently from US AV's though they are less heat tolerant. Now I live up on top of a mountain mine are doing better than ever and simply gorgeous.

They didn't come from tundra... most of the hybrids coming from the other side of the pond - are results of crossing of American varieties, selecting the progeny for desirable characteristics, eventually developing their own lines.