Macronutrient: See Major Element.
Madrid: Optimara variety belonging to the World Traveler series. Extra large, standard African Violet (6-inch pot size). Flowers are burgundy stars. Leaves are dark green (red reverse). Introduced 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 8326) More information.
Magnesium: (Mg) Major element essential to the growth and vitality of African Violets. Sometimes referred to as a secondary element. Magnesium is important for the proper function of photosynthesis and the production of chlorophyll.
Magnesium Deficiency: Condition which describes an African Violet that is not getting enough magnesium. Among other symptoms, a deficiency of magnesium can cause interveinal chlorosis, especially in the older leaves. More information.
Magungensis: See Saintpaulia magungensis.
Main Stem: Also called collar, neck or leader. On African Violets, the main stem is the part of the plant just below the leaves which connects to the roots.
Maine: Optimara variety. Large, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, bi-color flowers. Flowers are blue and white. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1987. Improved 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 6568) More information.
Major Element: An essential element required by African Violets and other plants in relatively substantial concentrations compared to those essential elements which are called micronutrients. The nine major elements are calcium (Ca), carbon (C), hydrogen (H), magnesium (Mg), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S). Major elements are sometimes called macronutrients, presumably in contrast to micronutrients. Major elements, however, is the preferred term. Also see Primary Element and Secondary Element.
Maki (1): Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, pink flowers and medium green leaves. More information.
Maki (2): Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, pink flowers and medium green leaves. More information.
Malathion: Pesticide used to control insects and other related pests, including Aphids, Beetles, Leaf Mealy Bugs, Soil Mealy Bugs, Scale and Thrips. Since Malathion may discolor flowers, an alternative treatment, such as Acephate, is often recommended. Malathion is classified for general use by the EPA.
Manami: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, red flowers and medium green leaves. Available in the U.S. as Colorado.
Manganese: (Mn) Essential element for the growth and vitality of African Violets. A micronutrient. Manganese plays an important role in the function of photosynthesis, thus contributing to those processes which give African Violets their green leaves.
Manganese Deficiency: Condition which describes an African Violet that is not getting enough manganese. Among other symptoms, a deficiency of manganese may cause interveinal chlorosis. More information.
Manganese Overload: Condition which describes an African Violet that is getting too much manganese. Among other symptoms, an excess of manganese may cause the leaves of African Violets to develop brown spots surrounded by a chlorotic circle, i.e., the circle is either yellow or light green in color. More information.
Mani: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Large, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size). Flowers are light pink stars. Leaves are medium green (red reverse). Available in the U.S. as Centennial.
Manitoba: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, light blue flowers and medium green leaves (red reverse). Introduced 1987. Improved 1988 and 1998. (AVSA Reg. No. 6569 and 6960) More information.
Manuela: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Small, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, bi-color flowers. Flowers are blue with a white edge. Leaves are medium green. Available in the U.S. as Idaho.
Margin: See Leaf Margin.
Margit: Rhapsodie variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, dark blue flowers and medium green leaves. Introduced 1987. Improved 1991 and 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 6615 and 7501) More information.
Mari: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, bi-color flowers. Flowers are blue and white. Leaves are light green. More information.
Maria (1): Rhapsodie variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, white flowers and dark green leaves (red reverse). Introduced 1991. (AVSA Reg. No. 7502) More information.
Maria (2): Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, two-tone blue flowers and dark green leaves. Available in the U.S. as Wyoming.
Mariko: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, red flowers and medium green leaves. More information.
Marilyn: Rhapsodie variety. Large, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, bi-color flowers. Flowers are purple and white. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1987. Improved 1995. (AVSA Reg. No. 6616 and 8346) More information.
Marko: Holtkamp variety (Europe). Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, bi-color flowers. Flowers are blue and white. Leaves are medium green. Available in the U.S. as North Dakota.
Martinique: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, bi-color flowers. Flowers are blue with a white edge. Leaves are medium green. Introduced 1988. (AVSA Reg. No. 6961) More information.
Mary: Rhapsodie variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, bi-color flowers. Flowers are pink and white. Leaves are dark green. Introduced 1987. (AVSA Reg. No. 6617) More information.
Maryland: Optimara variety. Large, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with frilled, semi-double, blue flowers and medium green leaves. Introduced 1977. Improved 1988. (AVSA Reg. No. 3156 and 6962) More information.
Mass Flow: One of the three processes by which soil nutrients become available to African Violets and other plants. Mass flow describes the movement of nutrients which flow with the movement of water. Also see Diffusion and Root Interception.
Massachusetts: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with single, purple flowers and dark green leaves. Introduced 1987. (AVSA Reg. No. 6570) More information.
Master List: See Master Variety List.
Master Variety List: (MVL) Sometimes called the Master List. A list, compiled by the AVSA, of every registered variety of African Violet. To quality for registration on the MVL, new cultivars must be reproduced through at least three generations. As a registered variety, the plant receives a number which is recorded with its name, hybridizer and any characteristics by which it can be identified. The MVL has been compiled since 1948. Also see AVSA Registration.
Maui: Optimara variety. Medium, standard African Violet (4-inch pot size) with semi-double, bi-color flowers. Flowers are light purple with a white edge. Leaves are dark green (red reverse). Introduced 1987. (AVSA Reg. No. 6571) More information.
MaxiWell: Trademark for a popular self-watering device developed by Optimara for standard African Violets (4-inch pot size). The MaxiWell relies on the phenomenon of capillary action to draw water from the reservoir into the soil. To do this, two wicks are inserted into the bottom of the pot which maintain continuous contact with the water. Self-watering devices of this sort are very effective in that they provide African Violets with a precise amount of water, thus eliminating the possibility of overwatering or underwatering. In addition, they reduce the amount of maintenance by holding water sufficient for up to two weeks. And because these devices employ a bottom-watering method, they help prevent certain deadly pathogens which thrive in very wet conditions, i.e., Crown Rot, Pythium and Root Rot.
Maya: Optimara miniature variety. See Little Maya Girl.
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