Decapitation // Hybridizing
I had to decapitate one of my violets. It was growing all wonky and wasn't doing well after burying its long, twisted neck, even in its baggie. I snapped off its head and pulled off one or two rows of leaves (dipped it in some root hormone) and potted it in a very small 2 1/2" pot and put it back in its baggie under my light. It almost immediately perked back up. I had to pluck off all the blooms (even the unopened ones) so it could focus its energy on growing roots instead of blooming. Its a shame, though, because it only just started blooming after I nursed it back to health. It was one I got from my boss to salvage it from neglect. I guess it could have been avoided if I had decapitated it to begin with, but I was new to surgery and I've learned so much since then. It seems to be doing very well now. More updates to come.
Oh, if everyone hasn't already, do a search on YouTube for African Violets. There are a lot of helpful (and humorous) videos out there. I have decided that AV people have entirely too muh fun at the shows. The video on hybridizing was particularly funny to me ("hot plant sex").
I have one seed pod already, and I'm practicing cross-pollinating my Optimaras. I figure, if I can get the hang of it on them, I can graduate to some of the fancier hybrids. Maybe one day, I will name my own hybrid! First, though, I've got to grow them from seed, but there is very little information out there that I've been able to find. I've heard it's rare, but obviously it can and has been done, unless its trademark secrets. I've always had a green thumb, and I'll figure it out. I tend to have more luck starting (most plants) from seed anyway. Has anyone purchased seed or had luck crossing their violets? I need to know what mixture of soil would be best for them because the seeds are "dust-sized"! Amazing that these plants start from something so tiny!
Lisa aka LunR (pronounced Lunar (after my great grandmother))
perle_de_or
LunRTwilightOriginal Author
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LunRTwilightOriginal Author
Whitelacey