Hi Teen. That's one beautiful variegeted AV. My favorite. Think you're right. Variegated AV's are easier to kill, or to say nicer, a little more difficult. :) I remember you posted an AV, but can't recall if it was variegted or green...If variegated, did it die? Kalley, like you, I don't care for medium green foliage either, no matter how pretty happen to be. I buy AV's for leaves, then flowers.. I kill miniature AV's. Unfortunately, mini's have the prettiest foliage and blooms. Toni

Um, Dar, chimeras are a type of AV; some kind of genetic thingy. There are many varieties of chimeras. Below is a link to Rob's Violet Barn section on chimeras, so you can see. Oh. I don't actually have any, myself. Sorry. Hope I was at least a little helpful. Or annoying, whatever. Never mind. Korina, having a Tuesday Here is a link that might be useful: Rob's chimeras

Eeep! The spray; it's for indoor outdoor use, plant based pyrethins, but it does caution to not get on skin, clothes, etc.. That I don't like, but I can live with. I usually use gloves and take off my clothes afterwards (and change into something else :-)). I'm looking at waiting a week and getting some ladybugs for indoor use after the first spray wears off :-) I think it was a minor infestation just on one plant, but I did disbud all of my plants as a precaution. I know I can get them to rebloom, so not a problem. Eeep again! They are from California? Aw shoot. That means I have to get a vacuum sealed house :-) Seriously though, I've never had a problem with them indoors on my plants or even on my plants outside, even roses. I think Fisher may have a problem at their nursery, because this is thrips on two separate occasions, months and months apart from one another, but I've never seen them on any other nursery plants, and never on my plants. But you never know :-) At least these are all NoIDs affected. I'll recheck and respray tonight. I got 'em once with one disbud and a spray of Neem. I hope this one is not out of control. They are so small! The babies look like white needletips. I squish them when I see them so they can't fly away, but I understand they are pretty stealthy. I think I finally saw an adult this time. minibot

Jobear - I have The Alps - and it is not it. The Alps have light blue stripes on a pure white background. This baby have blue veins all over the petals, kind of smeared. I agree with Nancy - it is very possibly not a chimera. My congratualtions with your purchase. The Alps is so lovely, it is easy to grow and it is extremely floriferous. Keep an eye on suckers. If you get one - do not destroy it, let it grow big enough so you can accurately cut it off with an exacto knife and root it. It is the only way to propagate chimeras. As Nancy said - they do not come true from leaves. Cheers Irina