Are you guys in the States able to buy named varieties in your supermarkets/plant shops?
Or do you have to go to a specialised supplier?

Hi, Jerome:

Sorry about Alliance. Sometimes they just die.

When I get mail-order plants, I don't repot for about six weeks (even if they are ready to pot up) to give them time to acclimate to their new growing conditions.

Try that next time you order to see if you notice any difference.

Best,

Linda

Sorry to hear that, Jerome! I still feel very bad, each time I have to toss one of mine, even though I know that sometimes it is just inevitable. :(

Sue

The ones we order certainly are more delicate in general than the supermarket varieties that are bred to deal with the neglect they often receive in stores that don't specialize in plant care. Doesn't make the loss any easier. So many of the best looking hybrids just fail to thrive once taken out of conditions similar to those they were hybridized in.

GCTBA- It depends on the supermarket/plant shop. In the US some supermarkets and plant shops do carry named violets, but it's common. If they are Optimara brand (as they often are) the plant is named, but sold without a label, so identification using Optimara's site can be tricky. Most AV people here use specialized shops. They have greater variety anyway.

Thanks for all your condolences. Yes, what snappyguy said about the store bought violets...no labels on them at all. But they're strong things. Of the other ones I've bought here's a progress report:

1. Funambule - looks okay
2. Ma's Jamaica Farewell - looks like it'll make it
3. Rob's Wagga Wagga - growing but a spindly little thing.
4. Jean-Pierre Crouteau - Terrific. Strong. Beautiful.
5. Ma's Wedding Day - Spindly leaves, growing well tho'
6. Ma's Winter Moon - almost lost it, but it's coming back.

The rest are store-bought