February 2024 - 33

GREEN GOODS
as the " Year of the African Violet. " This plant was mostly
likely selected for a variety of reasons:
* Violets can bloom year-round with occasional periods
of rest.
* They can be grown indoors and prefer the same
temperatures as people.
* A fluorescent light garden grows them beautifully
indoors, as does a north- or east-facing window.
* Violets are available in a variety of colors and sizes.
* Violets are easily propagated by leaf cuttings or a sucker.
Marta Maria Garcia: We were really excited to see
t
African violets selected for the " Year of " program. This
houseplant has increased in popularity over the years
because it is a classic houseplant that brings back a
nostalgic touch for many new gardeners; many of them
refer to it as a " granny plant. " We've been seeing a
resurgence in popularity as new gardeners try their hand
at growing these beauties. African violets are a rewarding
houseplant that, with proper care, can thrive for years due
to their ease of maintenance. Requiring little water once
a week and minimal nutrition, they are pretty resilient.
Furthermore, these are just elegant flowering beauties.
L&GR: What are your personal favorite attributes
of African violet? What makes it special?
Blazek: They are so easy to grow, and they remind me of
my mom's houseplant collection. Not that it was huge -
and she definitely was not a snobbish collector - but it
was a comfort for her to have some plants that she could
keep in bloom year-round. And, of course, the broad range
of colors, bloom types, leaf types, etc., give even more
reasons to appreciate them.
Brooks and Corondan: The variety of sizes of African
violets, colors of blossoms, and types of foliage, shape, and
variegation make them very special. They are also easy to
care for. A timer can be used on a fluorescent or LED garden
light to control the number of hours of light violets receive
daily. Many successful violet enthusiasts grow their plants
on a windowsill. If African violets are watered when the soil
becomes just dry on the surface (about once a week) and
are not left sitting in water, they will thrive. Never wait for
a violet to wilt to water and avoid letting water dry on the
leaves. They like evenly moist but not wet soil. " Weakly,
weekly " is the quick way to remember how to water and
fertilize for plant health and blooming. Half-to-quarterstrength
balanced water-soluble houseplant fertilizer every
time you water is a good recommendation. With this setup
of light, water and feeding in a controlled environment, the
violet will thrive.
Dümmen Orange's 'Maxi Bicolor Catherina', 'Maxi
Jessica' and 'Maxi Double Rococo Pink' have curly
leaves and double flowers, providing visual interest.
Photos courtesy of Dümmen Orange.
James Flynn: I think the bright blooms attract people
to African violets. Also, the small size of the plants is
intriguing, and they make great gifts.
Garcia: African violets have beautiful, vibrant and varied
colors; are easy to care for; offer long-lasting blooms;
and have the ability to thrive indoors. It's the perfect
combination for anyone that wants to start owning a plant.
It also lends itself to start a collection because of the many
types of different colors and flower forms it offers. Lastly,
the nostalgic connection to gardening traditions adds to
their appeal.
L&GR: Do you have any favorite varieties of
African violet?
Brooks and Corondan: We do have some favorite
African violets. Many of the Buckeye standard varieties
grow very nicely. Miniature and semi-miniature violets
available from Hunter's Hybrids or hybridized by Hortense
Pittman are of a superior quality. Optimara African violets
hybridized by Holtkamp Greenhouses grow very well
on window sills and are available as standard, semiminiature
and miniature varieties.
Flynn: All the African violets are great, but customers
really like variegated varieties.
Garcia: We are loving our Maxi series because it features
striking color tones, delightful double flowers and beautiful
bicolor combinations. Some of these varieties have a nice
shimmer on the leaves and flower that almost looks like it has
glitter. Some of the standout varieties we like in this series
are 'Maxi Jessica' because of its unique deep red color, 'Maxi
Double Rococo Pink' because of its double flowers and 'Maxi
Bicolor Catherina', with its beautiful bicolor blue-white flowers.
LGRMAG.COM | 33
http://www.LGRMAG.COM
February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2024
