Optimara Violet Glossary: G

Gabi: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Small, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size). Flowers are lilac stars. Leaves are medium green, girl-type leaves. Available in the U.S. as San Francisco.

Gall: A swollen mass of abnormal growth which typically appears on either stems or roots. Galls may be caused by disease or insects. On African Violets, galls are most often found on the roots. Such galls are called root knots and are most often caused by Root Nematodes.

Garlic Oil: Extract of garlic which has natural insecticidal properties. Sometimes used to control Aphids, Caterpillars and Whiteflies. Garlic oil is often combined with mineral oil or soap to help it adhere to plants. These sprays may damage the leaves of African Violets.

Gauguin: Optimara variety belonging to the Artist's Palette series. Named for the French impressionist and synthetist painter, Paul Gauguin. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size). Flowers are white and purple stars. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 8311) More information.

Gemini: Optimara variety. Compact African Violet (3-inch pot size) with single, pink flowers and dark green, girl-type leaves. Introduced 1988. (AVSA Reg. No. 6951) More information.

Genera: See Genus.

General Use: Sometimes called unrestricted use. Describes a pesticide which, as classified by the EPA, does not require a pesticide license to use. Contrast with Restricted Use.

Geneva: Bloom pattern. Also called geneva edged. Describes an African Violet flower which has a white edge. This bloom pattern was first introduced in 1950. Also see Edged.

Genus: pl. genera. Category of plant classification that includes related species. African Violets belong to the Saintpaulia genus.

Georgia: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, pink flowers and medium green leaves. Introduced 1977. Improved 1988. (AVSA Reg. No. 3155 and 6946) More information.

Gerda: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Small, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, blue flowers and medium green, girl-type leaves. Available in the U.S. as Houston.

Germination: Process which describes the emergence of a plant from a seed. For African Violets, germination normally begins about 12 to 14 days after the seed is planted.

Gesine: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Small, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, pink flowers and dark green, girl-type leaves. Available in the U.S. as Atlanta.

Gesneriad: The family to which African Violets (Saintpaulia genus) belong. The Gesneriad family also includes Gloxinias.

Gigi: Rhapsodie variety. Standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with blue and white flowers. Introduced in 1972. More information.

Girl-Type: Leaf type. See Scalloped.

Gisela (1): Rhapsodie variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, double, bi-color flowers. Flowers are white with a dark pink edge. Leaves are dark green. Introduced 1987. (AVSA Reg. No. 6613) More information.

Gisela (2): Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, red flowers and medium green leaves. Remamed Akira.

Gitti: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, lilac flowers and medium green leaves (red reverse). Available in the U.S. as New Mexico.

Glacier: Optimara variety. Small, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size). Flowers are white stars. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1987. (AVSA Reg. No. 6557) More information.

Gloria: Rhapsodie variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with double, bi-color flowers. Flowers are blue and white. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1998. More information.

Goetzeana: See Saintpaulia goetzeana.

Grandifolia: See Saintpaulia grandifolia.

Granulated Fertilizer: Also called pelletized fertilizer. A fertilizer which has been processed into granules, or pellets, which are to be applied directly to the soil. Granulated fertilizers are often coated to produce a slow-release formula. Unless you have experience with these types of fertilizers, they are not recommended for African Violets. Also see Soluble Powder.

Granules: (G) Describes a pesticide which has been processed into coated granules, which are to be applied directly to the plant or soil.

Grape Mealy Bugs: Pseudococcus maritimus. Sometimes called Bakers Mealy Bugs. A common species of Mealy Bug known to feed on African Violets. See Leaf Mealy Bugs.

Gray Mold: See Botrytis.

Green Slime: Condition describing a clay pot or saucer which has become covered with algae. More information.

Greenflies: See Aphids.

Greenhouse: An enclosed structure specifically designed and built for the cultivation of plants. A greenhouse may be constructed with glass or clear, sheeted plastic to allow full exposure to natural sunlight. While specific attributes may vary, all greenhouses provide a controlled environment to some degree. Many commercial greenhouses feature complex systems for maintaining precise temperature, humidity and shade.

Grenada: Optimara variety. Large, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, light blue flowers and dark green leaves (red reverse). Introduced 1991. Improved 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 7484 and 8313) More information.

Grotei: See Saintpaulia grotei.

Grow Light: Sometimes called artificial light. An alternative or supplement to natural sunlight in order to provide proper light to African Violets and other plants. Grow lights are generally fluorescent and provide the full range of light (i.e., blue light to red light) necessary for photosynthesis. Also see Leaf Bleaching.

Grow Mix: See Potting Soil.

Growing Medium: pl. growing media. See Potting Soil.

Growth Habit: Describes the way a specific African Violet grows under proper conditions. The growth habit for a standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) may describe its size, i.e., small, medium, large or extra large. For African Violets which are not standard, growth habit will indicate whether it is compact, miniature or super miniature. For all African Violets, a description of growth habit should indicate whether it grows in a rosette or trailing form.

Growth Hormone: A hormone, such as auxin, produced by plants which encourages growth. Such hormones are often used in rooting media when propagating African Violets from leaf cuttings, peduncle cuttings, suckers or tissue culture. Other plant hormones include cytokinin and florigen.

Growth Regulator: Sometimes called growth retardent. A chemical used by some commercial growers of African Violets to produce smaller than standard plant sizes. Technically, such African Violets are not considered miniature, but miniaturized. Also see True Miniature.

Growth Retardent See Growth Regulator.

Guaranteed Analysis: Part of a fertilizer label required of all fertilizer manufacturers in the U.S. At the very least, the Guaranteed Analysis must provide the percentages of the primary elements as well as their sources. In addition, the Guaranteed Analysis may also list the availability of other essential elements and trace elements.

Guard Cells: On African Violets and other plants, cells which are grouped in pairs on the epidermis. These cells expand and constrict to regulate the opening and closing of the stomata.

Gudrun: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Small, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, bi-color flowers. Flowers are purple and white. Leaves are dark green (girl-type). Available in the U.S. as Columbus.

Gynoecium: See Pistil.

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