A flower of touching beauty and tenderness, once grown near African streams, it has been rapidly changing and improving for over 100 years as a result of the work of breeders.
The huge variety of violets (Saintpaulias) does not stop breeders to this day. One of the unique subspecies of this plant is chimera African violets a luxury and rarity in the world of violets. A striking example of this subspecies is the wonder-grade (Yukako) of the Japanese breeder Ueki Masahiro.
The article provides a detailed description and photo of this chimera African violet variety.
What is chimera african violet?
There are different varieties and types of Saintpaulias. But, the most interesting and rather rare in the collections are chimeras, which have not only an amazing color but also a bizarre shape. These types include chimera African violet (Yukako). You can see her in the photo.
Chimeras are compared to an unrealizable dream that carries a mysterious fantasy. Blooming Saintpaulia of this species looks unusually beautiful. Corollas form multi-colored sectors, which rush from the central part of the flower with rays. A stripe of contrasting color is located along the central axis of the petals. In chimeras, it is solid, but it can look like dusting or peculiar strokes.
Interestingly, what attracts breeders and collectors the most to chimeras is not the unusual color, but the genetic structure of such an amazing species. In Saintpaulia chimeras, cells and tissues differ in genetic characteristics, since they have two or more different types of cells that exist in the form of separate germ layers.
These signs are distributed by certain hereditary structures, namely chloroplasts. That is, the organelles of plant cells in leaves and perianth parts carry different genes.
And the children that were reproduced from peduncles and stepchildren are more likely to repeat the parental color scheme.
That is why chimeras do not propagate by cuttings, since the production of a chimera, in this case, is extremely low or even impossible, because the use of chloroplasts is limited.
Important! When propagated by leaf cuttings, you will get a monochromatic flower with a darker color or two-color, but not chimeric.
If you want to know about All About the History Of African Violets.
chimera african violet Varieties
The chimera African violet with wavy blue flowers and a bright green stripe in the center of each petal resembles the shape of a star. Varieties registered from Yukako chimera African violet:
- Shimai;
- 7 Protein (Calgins);
- 7 Dwarfs (Kalgins).
Leaves:
- Large;
- Roll down;
- Standard form;
- Medium green color;
- With a wavy “quilted” structure.
The shape of the rosette is neat with large foliage.
The shape of the flower resembles a “half-bell” it does not bloom completely. Small flowers, usually 2-3 cm in diameter. The green stripe, as if pulling together the flower, does not blur. As they grow and mature, the intensity of the color decreases.
The leaves darken and the color becomes more purple or becomes a reverse chimera, more similar to the selection of N. Andreeva AN-Return to Innocence.
Chimera African Violet Plant Care Indoor
growing conditions
The rarity, high cost, tenderness of the plant require the more careful attention of the grower and some care features.
Conditions of maintenance and care are important components when growing chimera violets, since not only the color of the flower but also the general change in color depends on it. So monotony can manifest itself not only at birth but also during life.
One of the reasons, for example, may be the content at elevated temperatures in the room. Expressed in the slang of experienced violet growers, the Yukako chimera african violet Saintpaulia chimera will “float” at a very high temperature, that is, it will darken. And it is not a fact that has created acceptable conditions, the color will be restored.
Violation of the conditions of detention of “chimera african violet” can lead to the loss of not only the tone but in general the general pattern on the petals. Therefore it is important:
- Carry out correct watering;
- Maintain the appropriate temperature for the variety;
- Humidity;
- Condition and quality of soil;
- And also feed the plant in time with the necessary macro- and microelements.
Proper watering and feeding chimera african violet
Drying of the soil mixture is not allowed. Moderation in watering is an important condition for growing. An excess of moisture is fatal for such a delicate plant. Experienced flower growers recommend more often using watering from a pallet, immersing a pot of saintpaulia in wet sand, or a substrate saturated with moisture. If watering from above, then in moderation. The water should be warm and soft.
Watering the chimera African violet is necessary when the soil dries.
In new high-quality soil, top dressing is optional. But the violet “chimera african violet” is very responsive to additional food, especially in the off-season. Special fertilizers for violets, both organic and mineral complexes, are best purchased from specialized ones:
- Flower shops;
- Or centers.
Advice! Nutrition should be added no more than once a month.
Check our special guide on How Often Do You Water An African Violet?
Lighting and air temperature
Although this variety is not so picky about long-term lighting, there should be at least 10-12 hours of daylight per day, but without direct sunlight. Even a small amount of sunlight will cause stains on the leaves.
Exposing to windowsill results in lightening from burnout, even if exposed to western or eastern directions. The best location for chimera african violet is the racks, where it blooms much brighter.
The ideal temperature for the cultivation of the chimeras is the temperature at 22 ° -25 ° C . But, according to experienced florists, chimera african violet blooms well even at higher temperatures.
It is important to maintain a stable and the same average daily temperature in the room, without differences between night and day, in order to avoid loss of color gamut.
Important! Growing at temperatures critical for chimeras is not allowed – above 32 ° C and below 15 ° C.
Air humidity
Air humidity, unlike other types of violets, does not differ much when growing chimeras. It should be in the range of 50 to 60%, which is common in home conditions. Under no circumstances should Yukako chimera African violet be sprayed. Humidity maintained:
- Airing;
- Or by installing a container with water.
Growing Subtract
The best option for growth is a purchased soil for violets, which includes:
- Peat;
- Coconut flakes;
- Chernozem;
- And perlite.
Its composition has a balanced form of necessary components for good moisture retention and sufficient oxygen supply to the root of the plant.
Pruning and hygiene
Adult rosettes periodically need to remove old leaves. Usually, the entire bottom row of sheet plates is removed, and the rosette itself is lined with sphagnum moss or simply fill up with soil.
When a trunk is formed on a rosette, it is re-rooted or transplanted into a new soil with a deepening to a whole row of leaves. During the flowering period, some flowers wither and must be removed.
An adult plant needs to be shaped. Competing overgrown leaves obscure the light, come into contact with the ground, and generally spoil the decorative appearance.
Important! Contact of leaves with soil provokes the development of fungal diseases.
Also, side layers should be periodically removed – stepchildren, which significantly take nutrients from the plant. Optimally, the arrangement of the green mass should be arranged in three rows.
Transplant rules, rejuvenation
Over time, the soil is significantly salted and depleted, so it needs to be replaced transplant. There are several ways to transplant :
- Transshipment;
- With partial replacement of soil;
- With complete replacement of soil.
Each of the methods has its own focus and task. This is how the transshipment is carried out mainly in violets with a fragile or immature root system. For mini-varieties, a transplant with partial soil replacement is used. A complete soil replacement is usually carried out at intervals of 2 times a year.
Important! The rejuvenation of the violet chimera “Yukoko” does not differ from the rejuvenation of the classic violets.
chimera african violet growers Reviews
James. “Incredibly beautiful violet. I bought it at the chimera african violet exhibition three years ago and I am still overjoyed. The cap bloom is so beautiful. My friends will not get enough of my “mattresses” as they call “Yukoku”. In vain, they frightened with chimeras. In care, the variety is completely undemanding.
Even if it dries up, after moderate watering it returns to normal development. There are not even enough words to describe the admiration for this miracle. There are so many flowers on it that hardly ever fade. For the entire period of 3-month flowering, only about a dozen wilted flowers were cut off. “
Asim. “A very beautiful plant with a lot of flowers. Lush, long flowering – a wonderful violet. The first time I bought a stepson from some woman and did not receive this particular variety. Then she bought an adult plant from a woman who was selling it through an ad.
Expensive, but beauty is worth the money. I have been growing it for the fourth year now and I am not overjoyed. It develops and grows without any problems. Do not over moisten, do not dry out, feed in a timely manner, that’s all that requires attention. “
Here is our review on Pink African Violet.
Features of chimera african violet variety
It grows for a long time before flowering. But, this variety grows surprisingly calmly, not as demanding as many chimeras. At home, and it can only be grown in such conditions, it develops quite well.
Very resilient, strong to pinching. Resistant to stressful situations. A slightly large rosette, but as flower growers note, this does not spoil the decorative effect of the plant at all.
An adult chimera usually has 3-4 rows of leaves. According to experienced florists, this happens on average two years after planting a young sprout.
Important! With proper conditions and proper care, violets develop faster.
Breeding methods
Reproduction of chimeras occurs only by stepchildren. There are 4 ways to get a stepson for breeding:
- Wait for the independent appearance of the stepson. But this usually only happens on a young plant in a fairly spacious container. Experienced violet growers do not consider this method effective and practically do not use it. Such reproduction does not depend on the grower, but relies more on “the grace of nature”;
- “Chopping off the head.” Quite a good way to get several stepsons at once. In the future, it is precisely them that can be rooted;
- By rooting the peduncle. The breeding efficiency by this method is approximately 25%. That is, out of 4 peduncles, only one will take root;
- With the help of hormonal paste .
Important! Rooting stepchildren with hormonal paste is not always effective due to hormonal disruption.
chimera African violet produces many sports when breeding. Stepsons who have light leaves give out the plant according to the variety. Those with age spots are recommended to be discarded. With a high degree of probability, they will go into sports.
In general, chimera African violet is one of a small group of chimera varieties that reproduce a chimera from a leaf. The truth is not like a parent. It is interesting that the leaf is taken without a petiole and quite interesting and beautiful chimeras are obtained.
Bloom
Loves to bloom very much. Flowering is frequent and willing. It blooms in a nodding manner, with numerous flowers. Long flowering. New buds appear over and over again, replacing the faded ones. Flowering usually lasts 3-3.5 months and resumes again after a short rest.
For some growers, it continues almost all year round, with the least number of peduncles.
What do chimera african violet peduncles look like?
There are many peduncles (up to 30-35 pcs.). They are quite long and have flowers all over the rosette. From the peculiarities of the species, it can be noted that intertwining, they gather in a kind of heap. Each peduncle contains 6 to 10 flowers. There are usually about 70 of them at the outlet.
Bud life
The duration of flowering directly depends on :
- Care;
- And growing conditions.
Typically, a bud, with proper care in an adult plant, blooms for about 3 months.
Conclusion
There are no special secrets and peculiarities of growing the chimera African violet variety. And there are no particular difficulties in leaving. Compliance with the thermal regime, the absence of drafts, regular ventilation, the correct watering and feeding regime are the usual rules for caring for your favorite plant.
Observing their chimera african violet will delight you with a real nodding bloom for many years. And with luck, it is possible to create an interesting and beautiful chimera.
