Trailing African Violets

The following is taken in part from the AVSA Handbook For African Violet Growers, Exhibitors, and Judges.

Trailers are judged on form rather than on symmetry. To be considered for a blue ribbon, a trailer must have at least three crowns growing from the central stem.

Some trailers are semi-trailing and do not trail down around the pot. Their growth habits can be variable, from sideways to a more upright cluster form of growth. These patterns are considered good form for the semi-trailers.

Special Notes On Trailers

African violet trailers range in size from microminis (leaf size approximately a quarter by a half inch), miniatures (leaf size approximately one half inch by an inch), semiminiatures (leaf size approximately one inch by one and a half inches), to standards (leaf size one and a half to two inches).

Trailers require the same loose, porous soil and feeding schedules as other African violets.

For compact growth and heavy bloom African violet trailers need good light from the start. Some of the older cultivars need less light. To prevent yellowed leaves these varieties may do better at the end of light tubes or at windowsills.

When plants are a few inches tall pinch out the two to four center leaves to encourage new growth. This is not necessary for some semitrailing African violets and most microminis which send out new growth in all directions on their own.

As each new extra crown grows to a few inches it in turn should have its center pinched out until the plant fills the pot. At this point, stop pinching and let the plant grow. Sometimes plants will shoot out a crown with larger or smaller leaves than the rest. Crowns with the odd-sized leaves should be removed.

Most varieties can be trained to trail around the pot. Shape and improve the appearance of plants by removing old or yellowed leaves and bare stems, pruning, and by temporary pinning.

Favorite Growing Container

My favorite pot or container for growing trailers is a plastic drip saucer they can purchased at most garden centers and come in a variety of sizes, I usually use the 8", 10", or 12" sizes. Just burn or drill a hole in the bottom for drainage or the wick for wick watering. If using these with wick watering use an extra heavy and extra long wick so there will be enough moisture and then it pays to keep an eye on things and possibly water from the top on occasions.

Miniature Trailers

Edee's Rosebud Trail (P. Harris) Double pink. Variegated, small. Miniature trailer

Semiminiature Trailers

Cirelda (3620) 03/01/1979 (P. Tracey) Double pink two-tone. Quilted. Semiminiature trailer

Ramblin' Reflection (Brenton) Double dark blue. Varigated girl foliage. Semiminiature trailer

Rob's Wagga Wagga (8071) 03/05/1994 (R. Robinson) Double dark blue sticktite/variable white marking. Medium-dark green, plain, pointed, serrated. Semiminiature trailer

Standard Trailers

Cherokee Trail (5234) 04/09/1983 (L. Ray) Double pink/white edge. Variegated white and green, pointed. Standard trailer

Ramblin' Show Stopper (E. Champion) Double pink large. Variegated. Standard trailer

Ramblin' Cream Pie (E. Champion) Semidouble pale pink star. Crown variegated medium green and white. Standard trailer

Sweet Sam (8845) 12/08/1999 (P. Harris) Double pink/variable pink and or white mottled edging on top petals. Medium green, pointed, heart-shaped, serrated. Semiminiature trailer