(Variegated Pink African Violet)Annah and I purchased this beautiful variegated pink Saintpaulia ionantha ("African Violet") at a store up in the Twin Cities called Linder's Garden Center for a couple of dollars. Calling it a Saintpaulia ionantha in this post is most likely incorrect, but the label on the pot said "Saintpaulia hybrida" and I have been unable to find anything specifically on that. Anyway, I had been looking for this plant ever since I saw this post post on the blog Plantsarethestrangestpeople, which is one of our favorite blogs. I also saw this post on another favorite blog which is called Damn Plants, which also made me want to be able to get my hands on one of these plants. The pictures in each blog have leaves with more variegation on them than the one we purchased, since the variegation is mainly just on the center leaves, but it is still quite beautiful and surely won't be the last variegated African Violet we purchase.
(A little bit closer view...)This is my first African Violet but Annah owns one that she nursed back to health a plant that never bloomed and was rather boring into a plant that is very healthy and vigorously blooming plant.
(Even closer...)Caring for an African Violet is pretty easy. Usually a North or East facing window is best for getting a healthy plant that blooms, but placing them under fluorescent growing lights will also result in healthy plants. I currently have mine placed under growing lights and will hopefully be able to maintain the current beauty of the plant. Temperature should be in the 70s during the day but should not fall below 60 degrees at night. These plants like a little bit of humidity to stay healthy. Also, these plants should never dry out completely and an adequate soil moistness should always be maintained for this plant.
Hopefully our African Violet collection can begin to grow now that we know of a good place to purchase them.
Reference: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-10.pdf
Photo Credits: Me
Very nice find......love the flowers as well......I haven't seen mine bloom yet, but I see that flowers and the variegation are just stunning!! Love your blog too!!
beautiful pink African Violet!