Will They Shape Up? Part I

I'm starting another African violet experiment! It will be similar to one I did about a year and half ago, but this time, I'm using plants that I have never shown. Both plants are in 3" pots at this time, and they are both approximately 9" in diameter at their widest points. They both have very serious symmetry issues (one more than the other) and I don't know if they will really shape up for show or not, but I'm going to give it a try and see how it goes.

The two plants I'm using for this little experiment are:

Decelles' Triomphe (7429) 08/26/1990 (Y. Decelles) Semidouble blue-purple. Variegated dark green and white, quilted foliage. Standard (CA 423, 1989).

and

Rainbow's Limelight (6677) 06/05/1987 (R. Wasmund) Semidouble white bell star/wide green edge. Plain, quilted foliage. Standard.

I've at least seen one great photo of Decelles' Triomphe (henceforth, "DT"), which leads me to believe it will shape up with the proper, consistent care. But I'm really not sure about Rainbow's Limelight . . . (which shall be known as "RL").

Here are some photos of each as they look today. I let them bloom willynilly, and I have not taken very good care of them. I will be repotting them tomorrow and it is my hope that I will be able to get them to shape up.

Frankly - it's shape up, or ship out for these two :-D

Here is DT - it's not a pretty site from a show-grower's point of view. Although the foliage on this plant has the potential to be show-stopping, this particular plant is pretty sorry looking . . . poor symmetry, blossoms growing out sideways, and an entire row of undersized leaves. This view is from the top looking straight down.

Here is another view, more from the side. You can clearly see the row of undersized leaves, and also the blossoms growing underneath the leaves.





Here's one more view for good measure :-)







And now - here's RL . . . where do I start? Really poor symmetry, uneven blossom distribution (mostly because they are growing under the leaves), twisty leaves and a general unhealthy look.







Um. . .








Why, yes, that leaf is growing upside down . . . This one is going to be quite a challenge.

I invite you to follow along - this will be a process that will continue over a period of months. All the photos will biggify if you click on them :-)

Comments

Anonymous said…
this will be fascinating. I look forward to learning a lot from this series. thanks for sharing it.

Linda M. (Lulabellebird)
A :-) said…
Linda - so glad you stopped by!! :-)

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