rob

Question:  I purchased a couple of your miniature violets, ‘Rob’s Whoa Nellie’ and ‘Rob’s Cool Fruit’, about five months ago.  I have both plants under florescent lights at my office.  They get 8-plus hours of light, are both on reservoirs, with violet food.  They have lots of leaves, in fact, they have an abundance of sucker […]

Question:  Please tell me the definition of “stick-tite” and “wasp”. Answer:  These terms are used to describe certain types of blossoms.  “Stick-tite” blooms are those that do not drop from the pedicel (blossom stem).  This is often a problem with single (5-petalled) blossoms that can fall from the pedicel even while still fresh.  Usually this is not […]

Question:  I have one African violet.  Some divisions bloom a solid purple and others bloom purple and white.  What causes this to happen? Answer:  If divisions means crowns, you may want to separate these and pot them individually.  As for the different flower colors, this is the consequence of both genetics and environment.  Not knowing the […]

Question:  Is it true that if you don’t allow an African violet to bloom for a while by clipping the blooms as soon as they appear, that in a few months the plant will explode with blooms?  I have noticed that the leaves are getting thicker.  The leaves look very healthy. Answer:  Yes.  This is what most […]

Question:  How long do African violets bloom? Answer:  This all depends upon environment, the variety being grown, and your care.  Individual blooms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.  Varieties producing thicker petals and those with green in the bloom tend to last longer.  Blooms will last longer under moderate to high humidity […]

Question:  About a year ago at a show, I bought a beautiful chimera, ‘The Alps’.  It has bloomed profusely since then, but now seems to be reverting to solid blue flowers.  What can I do now? Answer:  As a commercial grower, this is the type of question we get frequently from growers.  Often times a chimera, fantasy, […]

Question:  All I am getting are new leaves.  How often do violets bloom? Answer:  Given the proper care and conditions, African violets can bloom nearly constantly.  If your plant is producing new, healthy, leaves, but no blooms, the likely causes are either insufficient light and/or excess crowns or suckeres.  Properly grown, unless this is a species or […]

Question:  The blooms on a few of my varieties, ‘Irish Flirt’ and ‘Rob’s Denim Demon’, to name two, don’t want to open fully.  Any reason why? Answer:  This was a phone call that we received from a customer.  Since the plants were being grown during the summer months, we asked whether she considered her growing conditions to […]