sounds glorious ... but you only spent 2 bucks?

*tapping foot* we're very disappointed in you

you could have sent us leaves!

dave (would have spent at least $5)

grats!

You're getting grief from the guy who spent his last $3.00 on Starbucks instead of violets??? Curses on you, D.B.

Linda-with the very good memory

If I was there I'd probably end up with one of each variety. Any pictures?

Sort of like hitting the lottery for a violet addict. And tickets only cost 25 cents. Have you been thinking about a return trip?

Bunnycat, I'm trying to restrain myself because I don't have much space. . . but its difficult as its less than 1/2 mile to the store.

Terri

Hi Terrilou
What a bonanza!
Seems like this was meant to be, they are all going to
a good home, someone who knows how to care for
them. Seaj's idea that you get one of each sounds
like a good suggestion! But whatever you decide,
at least you know you had plenty to choose from!
Is there a local club or non-pofit group or mom's
group o church group
having a luncheon that
could use them as centerpieces? This is fund-
raising time of year.
Joanne

Terry, that's awesome! Could you show the pics of your new plants? I always take pics to compare how much nicer they will look in a while.
Polina.

This is what I got for $2.00. I'm quite pleased!

Terri

nice stash!

would that our optimara choices ever looked that good ...

good job!

dave

Terrilou, Exquisite! Isn't that great! You had just
been saying that you were going to order from Optimara!
Joanne

What? All for $2? What a great deal!
It's the BEST BUY of the year :)
And the BEST spent $2 :)
They all look fantastic!

I got two Roman variegated pink blossoms, and Modesty, variegated, blue blossoms at our local grocery store. Since then run of the mill. I got lucky those two days! Have lots of little ones started to share with relatives....

Sorry, I didn't proof read the above...should be Romance, variegated leaves, pink blossoms, Modesty, variegated leaves, blue blossoms. Modesty is a heavy bloomer.

Wish my grocery store labeled their AV's - as it is, the most one can hope for is "floral" and "grown in canada". Ah well, they are still pretty :-)

I only notice plain varieties at our grocery store. Did see some pretty ones at HD once, but something had eaten most of the flowers. Not bugs, something much larger. Mice? Kinda looked like when my cats manage to get at my violets.

Terrylou -
Hope your lucky buy will continue performing even better in your care!
froeschli - "grown in Canada" comes from harstergreenhouses.com
During 30 year of their existence they produe lots of great Anthoflores varietis - some of older ones are highly collectible.

Here is a link that might be useful: some pics

Wow, thanks irina!
I had no idea, that place's address is only about 20 minutes from where I live :-)

Irina, Thanks, I have really wanted to know that information, too! I think I had violets from them years
ago. Ok, Linda, are you tuned in, also? "My name is
Joanne, and I am a violet-aholicâ¦" Tonight, on the way
home from work, I passed the little flower stand in the
subway. They just got in a shipment of Optimaras.
I took home three in bloom, Michele, Connecticut and Omita. My "excuse" is that soon I will be helping sponsor
a ladies' luncheon for a non-profit, so I might volunteer
to make the centerpieces, as at least four of the ladies
love violets. Or, they might become Christmas gifts.
My "rationale" is that my baby plants won't be ready
until spring, or the ones that are ready for new homes
have not bloomed yet. (Actually, the real reason is
that I could not bear to allow them to remain in the dingy
subway stand another minute. And I am helping support a family ⦠)

Which brings me to my "burning question." How
does LLG always manage to deliver plants in bloom?
From them, I always receive compact plants with
good size leaves that are in bloom. (Except for
the variegates, which I won't bring up again until
I get some fish emulsion as Irina suggested.)

Joanne

LLG has a large operation with several greenhouses - so they have mature enough plants to ship. Plus in this greenhouses they have very good light - probably much brighter than your windowsill.

I am a plant addict and I do not need a greenhouse! Otherwise the amount of plants will soon overwhelm me.

I.

That makes sense. In looking closely at a couple of
plants of LLG I got recently that are blooming, I see
that they are actually from mature plants, I can see where
the neck was buried. That probably explains why they
seem so sturdy.
It would be fun to visit LLG! Have you been there, Irina?
Holtkamp has a video of their operation on You Tube
that is fascinating. It is commercially done.
There is also one of LLG, but it
does not go into so much detail.
Joanne

Nope - I went to the Violet Barn - and it was extremely interesting. Upstate NY - is a gorgeous place to go - Finger lakes area - to die for - but it s way to far from home.

Oh wow! What a find. They are so beautiful. I'm just starting out, I hope I'll be able to find a deal like you did :)

Hi Irina
Must have been a lovely visit! I lived in upstate New York
for a few years, a long time ago. It is beautiful. "Extreme winter!"
Joanne