Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
becky15349

I couldn't pass this one up :)

becky15349
10 years ago

Isn't this so pretty!! I found this one today at the jewel osco here in Chicago. I had to have it. I don't think it had a name tho :( I am very frustrated that they don't put names on the tags. All I know is that it says it is grown in Canada. Ah well, I still love it :)

Comments (39)

  • aegis1000
    10 years ago

    It's Optimara Rhapsodie Cora, popularized in retail outlets, and a very pretty flower indeed.

    I haven't had it for a a while now, but it was one of my firsts.

    It is hard to pass up ...

    This post was edited by aegis500 on Fri, Sep 13, 13 at 23:36

  • becky15349
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thank you so much!!! I'll go make a tag for it right now :) I sure do hope I can grow mine to look as beautiful as yours!! :)

  • irina_co
    10 years ago

    It is an easy to grow plant. The way how it grows - is boom and bust - puts a good head of blossoms at once - then nothing for some time - and another boom of blossoms. Kinda what you expect from industrial varieties - get "finished" at the same time for sale. With good conditions will give you probably 3 massive blooms a year.

    irina

  • perle_de_or
    10 years ago

    Irina, I am glad you said that. I don't have Cora, but I have some other Optimaras that I was thinking do the same thing. Huge head of blooms that lasts for a couple of months, then don't bloom for a long time. Now I know that is normal.

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    Irina
    That was a great explanation of the performance of
    the "industrial" violets!
    I had that same plant, also. It was beautiful when it
    burst into bloom.

    When I moved recently, I had to thin out my collection.
    I gifted all of my Optimara's to a young working mom
    who loves them for the office. She
    wanted some "low maintenance" violets to share
    with co-workers. So, I sent the Optimara's off to
    work. They do make a great show. They
    are great "project managers," delivering
    the goods on time.

    Because I had not raised them myself, I felt
    less personally invested in their future.

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Perle,

    It is normal for violets to rest for a while in-between bloomings. Producing blooms takes a lot of energy and they 'rest-up' between bloom cycles.

    Linda

  • LunRTwilight
    10 years ago

    I have at least four Optimara plants (three are the same variety, two babies off the mother plant), but all are contantly in bloom, staggering buds to rise and pop open much like fireworks. Each set of buds last for about a week or so, but I don't think I've ever seen them stop to rest... So, do they need to take a break? I'm guessing that mine are Optimara Susi and either Georgia II or New Jersey. I thought that (most) AV's were known for blooming nearly constantly.

    Should I snap blooms off to force it to rest?

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Lun,

    No, do not remove the blooms to force it to rest. (This can sometimes promote more blooming.) If your violets need a rest, they will take one on their own.
    Optimaras are bred to be easy bloomers. Other varieties vary from heavy bloomers to shy bloomers and everything in-between.

    Linda

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    LunR
    My "guess" is it is probably "New Jersey" as
    New Jersey folks never quit! (
    indulge me in a little corny violet humor.)

    Joanne

  • bragu_DSM 5
    10 years ago

    Jo:
    Jersey ... shore ... we will indulge you, but corn only comes from the buckle of the corn belt ... the Midwest ... where the fields have ears.

    so it will cost you, uh, two leaves and a chimera.

    I couldn't pass that one up.

    ÃÂ. ÃÂ --~

    dave

  • 1beautylover2012
    10 years ago

    Here is mine Cora - love it!
    {{gwi:375474}}

    {{gwi:375475}}

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    Shore thing, Dave,
    But alas, my chimera is R.I.P.
    Same color as the above cited Cora, only a chimera.
    Stipes instead of splotches.
    The salvaged leaves refuse to chime.
    One produced a dainty lavender-pink.
    The other, a strapping, solid citizen purple.
    They hum in two-part harmony, "I'm as corny
    as Kansas in August ..."
    Joanne

  • bragu_DSM 5
    10 years ago

    so do the industrials tend to root and grow babies faster, or are they spending so much time recuperating from their boom bloom that they are tuckered out?

    thots?

    dave

    This post was edited by bragu on Fri, Sep 27, 13 at 3:26

  • becky15349
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Ahhh..ok question: So "industrial" varieties are those that are mass produced for grocery stores and home improvement stores and the like, whereas "non industrial" varieties would be those that are harder to find, more specialized varities that are are not usually available at grocery stores and can only usually be found at AV greenhouses, is that safe to say?

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Becky,

    Yes.

    Linda

  • irina_co
    10 years ago

    Becky -

    some of industrial varieties are super, some - on a humble side - but the main thing they are selected to come to bloom at the same time, have flexible non-brittle leaves, lots of "substance" in flowers so they stay fresh for long - generally anything to survive shipping and arrive in a finished shape so people will be happy to buy them.
    More fancy hybrids do not need these limitations that much - because we are not going to pack them into boxes and ship them for a week in semi trucks. What we want from them - have a good growth habit and have beautiful blossoms. We can take care of them and enjoy the breathtaking luxury we never see on their humble sisters in HomeDepot.
    It is like comparing home grown heirloom tomatoes with the tough and tasteless veggies you can get in Walmart 24/7.

    What always puts me out of sorts - is when people order violets from a grower - and complain about some damage to the leaves. We are paying for the variety - not for the leaves. We really do not need large immaculate plants - we need small healthy starters to produce our own magic in our own home.
    Irina, TGIF

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Dave,

    In my experience, the industrials root readily, and send up babies that are perfect rosettes. They are tough little boogers.

    Linda

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    Linda, Dave, Becky, Irina,
    Helpful discussion here. Optimaras go to work in offices with lots of cubicles and fluorescent lights but not a lot of spare time to fuss over them. Indeed, that is how many
    a violet addiction starts ... knowing the potential in
    that dormant plant ... bringing in a fresh plant in
    full bloom from the vendor at the door to the office ...
    or in the subway on the way to the office ...
    until that bloomer, too, goes dormant.

    When I take plants home, once the Optimaras stop flowering, I repot them with
    fresh soil with nutrients, put a stick in the pot with a
    picture attached of what the bloom looks like,
    and send them on their merry way to new homes.
    The recipients are thrilled
    when the plants bloom in a few months.

    The Optimaras sold locally are not as exciting as some
    on the website. This input from Irina has inspired me
    to order a couple from the website.

    Joanne 47

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Okay, I know I will get called a nit-picker but--I am a horticulturist and, as such, I am sensitive to correct terminology. Joanne, your violet is not dormant, it is just not blooming. And, where do you find all these people to give violets away to? No-one I know grows anything indoors. I would love to find happy homes for some of my violets!

    Linda

  • bragu_DSM 5
    10 years ago

    yes, it is quite ... frustrating. I am a MG in our county, and we now have over 100. Each of us has a dif area of ... experience or expertise ... so to speak. When I asked for a list of folks who might have more knowledge of inside plants there were none zero, zip ... nada.

    So, I am trying to get some folks at the church, who work w/ the kids, interested. I wish AV leaves would have babies quicker so we could plant leaves as a class project. Usually, though, youth get a packet of flower seeds in the spring, and we never know if they planted them, the dog ate them, or they got stuffed in a drawer somewhere.

    AVs aren't instant gratification things ... but are wonderful.

    ÃÂ.ÃÂ

    dave

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    I know of only one other person who "grows" violets. She has one multi-necked, been-in-the-same-over-sized-pot-for-years pathetic, sad little plant. It never blooms, (surprise!), so she sticks artificial wild violet blooms in it. Sigh......

    Linda

  • irina_co
    10 years ago

    Linda-

    I know some people like this too. They should better stick to something more cast iron. I draw the line on plastic plants. Hate them even in the offices. Cemetery is probably one place where they make sense.

    Office cubicle...nothing can grow there - reason - no light. You can bring a plant - and take it home when it finishes blooming. Or you can buy a grow light for one plant - and
    it will be happy - unless the cubicle is so tight - that you do not have space for it. I worked in an office without a window - but I put a hanging shoplight above the file cabinets and had some violets blooming non-stop. Asked the boss first if he doesn't mind.

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Dave,

    One of the first things I learned about gardening: it teaches us patience if nothing else. I also grow orchids. Some take seven years to reach blooming size. No instant gratification in this field!

    Linda

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Irina,

    I always thought having plastic plants was akin to having a plastic husband. Although, sometimes...

    Linda

  • bragu_DSM 5
    10 years ago

    hey ... hey ... let's be nice ...

    or I'll call for a violet shutdown ...

    and some of the greenhouse's will be closed to the public ...

    ÃÂ .ÃÂ --~

    dave

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    Wow, You folks are giving me much-needed laughs!
    Linda, I found two more ladies who want violets today!
    (Hint: try the local library, or teachers,
    you will find all sorts of
    indoor types and window-sill gardeners there!)
    I did not know that orchids took seven years to
    bloom. The wait is worth it, the blooms last and last.
    Dave, you are cryptic ... MG ....?
    Irina, in my case, it was "dah boss" who introduced
    us all to the delights of violets on our computers.
    I was the "nerd" who stayed after-hours, grooming
    them all. Well, time to go talk with my Ken doll and
    stick silk flowers in the pots of the violets that
    are post-bloom...
    Luv, Joanne-Barbie

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Joanne,

    Think about it-I bet your Ken doesn't give you grief about bringing the car home on empty... And you don't agonize over wick vs. top vs. bottom watering with your plastic beauties, do you? Am I right???

    Not all orchids take that long to bloom-just the ones I like. And the blooms last for about two weeks. If they decide to bloom.

    MG-Master Gardener.

    Linda

  • irina_co
    10 years ago

    Aha - that's why I do not grow Cattleyas - wow factor is superb - but they only last for two weeks - after long time of waiting. A couple of Paphs and a couple of Phals keep me in orchid bloom practically through the year - and they are happy under the lights.

    Plastic hubby...nope - I like mine as is - even if he gets grouchy every so often - and really doesn't like food without salt. I banned the salt from the house - and you know - now the food in a restaurant feels like super salty.

    I.

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Irina,

    If he is getting grumpy, he must be feeling better ;)

    I do have one orchid, Psychopsis papilio, that has been in bloom for about three years. Definitely the exception.

    Linda

  • irina_co
    10 years ago

    He does. My DH is definitely on a mend.

    Wow - what an interesting plant.

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    Hi Linda,
    You keep me in chuckles!!!

    Wow, one of your orchids blooms continually!!
    Impressive.
    I have a "phal" that must be plastic ... it is very pretty
    and has 15 blooms on it that have been there for
    more than a month. The two stalks line up back
    to back like mirror images. I keep taking pix.
    Orchids are relatively new to me. They are so tidy
    and clean-looking, with their simple foliage.
    It cost $12 at
    Trader Joe's. Best $12 I ever spent. (It is possibly
    an "industrial orchid," but I am too new to the orchid
    game to know the diff.)

    Maybe this thread, maybe elsewhere, you asked about
    where I find people to give violets to ... as I thought
    about it, there are almost too many to list!
    Friends, co-workers, Dentist
    office, for the receptionist and patients; people who
    work in garden nurseries; senior centers; AV clubs;
    teachers; librarians; neighbors; moms; people who work
    in offices or graphic design shops. Gardeners,
    or those who want to try for the first time to grow
    a violet. One of the latest is someone who lost her
    collection to a bug. There seems to be a nostalgia theme. The AVs seem to remind people of
    someone from their past. I just ask around. There
    is always a bare window sill somewhere in need of
    some life.

    I feel they are like kittens, they are best given away
    in pairs to keep each other company.
    Mine seem to "compete" with each other.
    I put my Bob Serbin next to my perfect "plastic-looking"
    Idaho space violet that has held a full head of bloom
    for more than a month, and now the Bob Serbin took off like a rocket in terms of its blooms. You will forgive the
    pun (or not!)

    Joanne

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Joanne,

    Great ideas. Thanks!

    Your phal sounds pretty. Phals are the 'Optimaras' of the violet world but they will get you started with orchid care and culture.

    Let me know if you need any help with it!

    Linda

  • bragu_DSM 5
    10 years ago

    Linda .... if Phals are the optimara's of the violet world ... which orchid is the space violet of the Optimara world?

    Also ... the neverfloris of the orchid world would be ...

    lol

    dave

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    HI
    I kinda figured that phals must be the optimara's of the
    orchid world.

    Yes, Linda, I would like to know how to take
    care of them, or "it."
    Perhaps I will look on some older threads for the topic
    of "orchids."
    perhaps there is a Garden Web Forum devoted
    to orchids.

    Joanne

    This post was edited by fortyseven on Fri, Feb 14, 14 at 0:56

  • bragu_DSM 5
    10 years ago

    Jo:

    yes there is an orchid forum.

    WE HAVE a couple of cross posters from this forum there.

    Great info to be had. Tho' there are as many cat orchids as there are AVs.

    dave

    we have number of folks here who dabble in orchids ...

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Joanne,

    Phals are easy because they like the conditions most of us have in our homes. I give mine the same light, fertilizer and temps. that I do my violets. Very important: do not cut off the peduncle unless it goes brown and wilty. Often new blooms will grow on old peduncle growths. And if the roots grow wild and wooly outside the pot, don't worry about that. It's natural growth.

    Dave,
    The neverfloris of the orchid world would be any one I have ever grown, You know what I'm talking about...

    Linda

  • bragu_DSM 5
    10 years ago

    linda .... i didn't know plants played peduncle too!

    my fave card game.

    dave

  • PRO
    Whitelacey
    10 years ago

    Dave,

    They try to play pedicel but the amount of cards needed is a challenge because they lack opposable thumbs.

    Linda

  • fortyseven_gw
    10 years ago

    Pinochle? You guys crack me up! Now, I've done
    it .... after staring at Cora on this thread every time
    I come here ... I just ordered Cora from Selective Gardener.
    No sooner did I send the order, when
    Monique called me to make suggestions about my
    order. This is Sunday at 10 p.m. where she lives,
    for goodness' sake!!
    This is the first time I ordered from Monique.
    She suggested
    that I order the selection of three for $20 and she would
    include Cora. I specified what else I wanted--some
    leaves of some specialties. She also suggested I get
    plugs, not leaves to try for the first time if plugs
    were available. She explained
    that when Optimara releases new varieties, they have
    to let go some of the older ones that are more difficult
    to grow or might not bloom true, such as the
    specialties. I found this interesting and excellent
    advice, because it reflects much of what I have read
    here. I especially wanted Cora because the two I
    had and gave away did very well. It is a way to
    get a color combo without the fuss of a delicate
    chimera.

    Today, another neighbor asked for a couple of violets!
    I showed her some pix on my Smart Phone.

    Maybe I should get a job in a violet
    nursery.
    Joanne

Sponsored
Hoppy Design & Build
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars9 Reviews
Northern VA Award-Winning Deck ,Patio, & Landscape Design Build Firm