Semiminiature African Violets

The following is taken from the AVSA Handbook For African Violet Growers, Exhibitors, and Judges. Only single-crown miniatures (six inches in diameter) and semiminiatures (eight inches or less in diameter) are judged in these class.

In measuring miniatures and semiminiatures, measure only the leaf-span. Do not lift the leaves. Blossoms may extend beyond the leaves.

The judging considerations for miniatures and semiminiatures are the same as for standard African violets except as defined below:

• due to their small size and fewer rows of leaves, some miniatures and semiminiatures have a more open grothe habit and do not have an overlapping of lieaves to form a closed rosette;
• judges experienced in growing miniatures and semiminiatures, should be able to tell the difference between growth habit and poor culture;
• the rule of thumb that the diameter of the pot should be approximately one third the diameter of teh plant does not apply to miniatures and semiminiatures (a five or six inch miniature in a two-and-a-half inch pot is not overpotted);
• the number of blossoms varies with the variety. Many of teh enew varieties are very free blooming, having 30 to 40 blossoms per plant. Plants that are not so profilic should not be penalized for having less bloom. A guide might be six blossoms for a miniature and ten to 20 for a semiminiature.

My Semiminiature Violets

Dean's Cupid (7404) 07/10/1990 (H. Hobbs) Semidouble dark blue. Variegated, heart-shaped, serrated. Semiminiature

Dean's Kitten (7405) 07/10/1990 (H. Hobbs) Single pink/orchid eye. Dark green, plain/red back. Semiminiature

Electric Cowboy (5637) 02/06/1984 (C. Phillips) Double dark blue/white edge. Variegated girl foliage. Semiminiature