Friday, March 29, 2024

How long will violets bloom?

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 […]

Striped blooms turning solid

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, […]

How often do violets bloom?

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 […]

Blossoms don’t open fully

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 […]

Stolon growth and blooming

Question:  Chirita ‘Vietnam’ (usbrg #98-083) grows very well for me, but I’ve never been able to get it to bloom.  Perhaps it’s just a poor bloomer.  Is that true? Answer:  This was a comment overheard in a showroom last fall.  We’ve seen this particular plant more than once in shows, and it always looks terrific, with perfectly […]

Blossom not as described

Question:  Several months ago I ordered several plants.  One of the violets was supposed to be ‘Cherries ‘n Cream’.  As I’ve grown this plant, it has bloomed well and is very healthy, but the blooms are single to semidouble reddish stars with “no edge at all”.  The foliage is as described.  What can this particular plant […]

Streptocarpus. Too much bloom?

Question:  I recently purchased a young Streptocarpus from you in a 2″ pot.  It started blooming for me almost immediately in this small pot.  The problem is, the plant itself hasn’t seemed to grow very much since I got it.  Even though it’s blooming, am I doing something wrong? Answer:  Streptocarpus are one of the easiest to grow and most […]

Episcias: getting to bloom

Question:  I love Episcias.  Mine seem to grow really well.  They produce lots of leaves and look healthy, but never seem to bloom.  Are they difficult plants to get to bloom, or am I doing something wrong? Answer:  Most people think that episcias are difficult plants to get to bloom.  Even the best growers often have problems getting them to […]