African violets don't come in a true red, blue or yellow. The reds are more fuchsia or coral shades. The blues will all have a lavender or purple component to them. They simply don't produce morning glory blue pigments. As for yellow, those varieties are missing an enzyme that keeps the pigment confined to the anthers, which allows a lemon-yellow to diffuse into the petals. Some varieties may come close to true blue, In my opinion Lullaby did, but it is quite scarce. Each person may have a different idea of what a red or blue should look like. Good luck!

" all seem to have a purple/lavender cast "

There is a very good reason for that. As AlabamaAV mentioned, they lack the capability of producing such pigments. True blue is actually extremely rare in the plant world no matter what Family of plants. Even in the orchid Family -- the most diverse Family of flowering plants in the world -- blue is very rare. There are a few true blue flowered terrestrial orchids in Australia (you'll never see them in stores, unfortunately), but that's it even amongst that Family.

Thank you for the information, alabamaav and Paul MI. I had no idea that true blue was a rare color in plants. Come to think of it, I can’t recall ever seeing a plant with really blue blooms. I guess I was just expecting the AVs that I have with “blue” in the description/ name to actually be blue. Not that I’m complaining. I was just wondering whether it was my eyes or if the AVs I purchased were sporting or mislabeled or something. ;) Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

For a blue kick, get some Lobelia and Delphinium instead :).

Just a warning,,,,,,,you will see blue orchids in the stores. Primarily phalaenopsis, more commonly known as moth orchid.

THESE ARE DYED BLUE. Imagine the surprise when during the next blooming they bloom their normal color,,,,,,WHITE!!!!!!. Consider yourself warned! lol Rosie

There are pretty much true blue orchids, but you are not going to see those in the supermarket.

Violets,

A woman who was a horticulturist who was a regular on this forum in the recent past, explained the word "blue" in scientific nomenclature means "horticultural blue." Not the color blue.

However, I have found some AVs are labelled in color as "blue-violet" and others are "purple."

A good blue-violet is Optimara Margit III.

A good light blue-lavender is a classic called Harbor Blue.

I grew Optimara Manitoba for many years. It is light blue-lavender and a good bloomer. This year, Optimara Rebecca is a medium light blue-violet that is popular.

There ARE lots of other true blue flowers in nature. They have the genes for it. But violets don't.

Joanne

I am not sure what this Optimara is but it's about as blue as an AV seems to be capable of.

Judy,

is this an Optimara?

No. I believe it was hybridized by Sorana, who is the owner of Lyndon Lyon greenhouses. It's usually on their website, but it's not at the moment, so perhaps they're out of stock. It's one of the best performing AVs I have - blooms regularly with a huge head of blooms, and is ready to bloom again in a few weeks.

It's really beautiful, Judy!

Might get on my wishlist.

Great to know! Beauteous!