Acadia: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with semi-double, blue flowers and dark green leaves. Introduced 1987. (AVSA Reg. No. 6541) More information.
Acaricide: Pesticide used to control Mites. See Miticide.
Acephate: Active chemical in pesticides used to control insects and related pests, including Aphids, Blackflies, Caterpillars, Fungus Gnats, Mushroom Flies, Scale, Sciarid Flies, Symphylans, Thrips and Whiteflies. Acephate is a common chemical used in household insect sprays. While these can be effective on African Violets, they also tend to cause damage to foliage due to a specific additive. It is, therefore, recommended that African Violet growers mix their own spray using Orthene 75-S (as directed on the label). Half a teaspoon to one quart of water is generally considered strong enough to treat most pests for which Acephate is indicated. Acephate is classified for general use by the EPA.
Acidity: Relative measure of pH. Specifically, a substance is considered acidic if the pH is below 7.0. With regard to African Violets, acidity may refer to the pH of soil, water or fertilizer.
Ada: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, red flowers and medium green leaves. Available in the U.S. as California.
Admiral: Early African Violet cultivar from which many of today's varieties have been developed. One of the first 10 commercial hybrids introduced in 1927, all of which had blue flowers. More information.
Aeration: Process by which air combines with soil so that it can be absorbed by the roots of African Violets and other plants. Among other things, the aeration of soil is necessary in order to get oxygen, a major essential element for the growth and vitality of African Violets. For proper aeration, the potting soil must be very light and porous, while allowing adequate drainage.
Affection: Optimara variety belonging to the Victorian Charm series. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size). Flowers are pink stars. Leaves are variegated. Introduced 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 8304) More information.
Afra: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, pink flowers and medium green leaves. Introduced 1987. Renamed Maki.
African Violet: Sometimes called Violet. A flowering house plant of the gesneriad family. Most common species is Saintpaulia ionantha, though altogether, there are 20 confirmed species. (See Saintpaulia and the species names that follow.) While African Violets are generally recognized for their distinctive rosette growth habit, trailing forms are also common. The first recorded discovery of African Violets was in 1892 in the Usambara Mountains, now a part of Tanzania. The discovery was recorded by Baron von Saintpaul. While Saintpaul is honored with the discovery of African Violets, the AVSA notes that specimens of these flowers had been gathered as early as 1884 by Sir John Kirk.
African Violet Society of America : (AVSA) A member-controlled, non-profit organization which, in addition to sponsoring shows and similar activities, provides a pivotal role in the collection and exchange of information regarding African Violets. First organized in 1946. Publishes the Master Variety List of African Violets and the bi-monthly, African Violet Magazine. More information.
Agar: Sometimes called nutrient gel. In horticulture, a sterile, gelatinous substance used for micropropagation. In addition to providing a medium for the initial cultivation of new plants, the agar contains nutrients and growth hormones.
Agnes (1): Rhapsodie variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, blue flowers and light green leaves. More information.
Agnes (2): Holtkamp variety (Europe). Large, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, two-tone red flowers and medium green leaves (red reverse). Available in the U.S. as Arkansas.
Akemi: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Miniature African Violet (2-inch pot size) with single, purple flowers and dark green leaves (red reverse). Available in the U.S. as Little Comanche Girl.
Aki: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Small, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, pink flowers and light green, girl-type leaves. Available in the U.S. as Dallas.
Akira: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, red flowers and medium green leaves. Available in the U.S. as North Carolina.
Al: Symbol for aluminum, a trace element.
Alabama: Optimara variety. Large, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, bi-color flowers. Flowers are white with a blue edge. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1987. Improved 1988 and 1996. (AVSA Reg. No. 6542, 6938 and 8305) More information.
Alaska: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, bi-color flowers. Flowers are blue and white. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1988. Improved 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 6939 and 8306) More information.
Alberta: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, bi-color flowers. Flowers are white with a light purple center and edge. Leaves are dark green. Introduced 1987. (AVSA Reg. No. 6543) More information.
Algae: One of the simplest organisms among plants. For African Violet growers, it often appears as a green slime on the side of clay pots or in the water of self-watering devices. More information.
Alice (1): Rhapsodie variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, bi-color flowers. Flowers are white with a purple center. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1988. (AVSA Reg. No. 6976) More information.
Alice (2): Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single blue flowers and medium green leaves. Available in the U.S. as Utah.
Alkalinity: Relative measure of pH. Specifically, a substance is considered alkaline if the pH is above 7.0. With regard to African Violets, alkalinity may refer to the pH of soil, water or fertilizer.
Alrun: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, purple flowers and dark green leaves (red reverse). Originally introduced in 1962 as Rhapsodie in Blue. Renamed Flori.
Aluminum: (Al) Trace element which, though not fully established, may have a beneficial effect on African Violets.
Alva: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, white flowers and medium green leaves. Renamed Tamara.
Amethyst (1): Early, standard African Violet cultivar from which many of today's varieties have been developed. One of the first 10 commercial hybrids introduced in 1927, all of which had blue flowers. More information.
Amethyst (2): Optimara super miniature variety. See Little Amethyst.
Ammoniacal Nitrogen: A common form of nitrogen contained in many fertilizers for African Violets.
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