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Growing and Judging

 African Violet Trailers

by 

Gary R. Beck

Gary has served as a Senior Judge for

 AVSA 

for 15 years and is now a Master Judge

Tiny Wood Trail (T. Khoe) Single blue. Miniature trailer.

Photo by Marjorie Bullard

In the past twenty years, the interest in growing African violet trailers has skyrocketed. Yet, there seems to be a small void in information on their culture. I am going to discuss a few areas which come up in workshops and lectures, but feel free to contact me with any other concerns.

Trailers are not merely multi-crowned violets, ones which have been left to sucker and send up side shoots, so that the one plant is chock full of growing points, so much that they cut off the light source to their neighbors.

Champagne Pink (7945) 10/08/93 (S. Sorano) Double light pink pansy. Crown variegated green, white and pink, plain, ovate. Semiminiature trailer.

Photo by Marjorie Bullard

Trailers are violets which have a natural habit of growing many crowns from the same main stem and sending up more branches out of the side axils. If grown in good light, proper soil, well-watered, and pinched if necessary, the plant will turn into a ball of foliage with flowers coming from each exposed

crown! They are quite easy to grow and once you have mastered the culture, you should have no problems.

There are three categories devised by AVSA: standard, semiminiature, and miniature. These names describe the type of growth expected according to size. Even smaller than miniature are what are commonly called microminis. Some of these can be mature at the size of an inch or two and can be grown in

a pot as small as a thimble! Care must be given to assure such pots never dry out, as that may spell death.  

Rob's Sticky Wicket (6467) 01/27/87 (R. Robinson) Semidouble light fuchsia. Medium green, pointed. Semiminiature trailer.

Photo by Marjorie Bullard

Form is the vital concern when judging a trailer. Is the plant well-shaped all around? Does it have a minimum of three growing points, each on their own stem? Are there flowers on all stems at judging? If you have only two stems from the one plant, you will lose 11 points right off the top. That drops your plant to no higher than a second place [red] ribbon and it is not eligible for any show awards.

Some trailers do not grow in a down-hanging fashion. They may grow more sideways or as an upright clump of stems. There is nothing wrong with that growth feature and no points are deducted according to variety.  

Lil Runaround (7965) 10/08/93 (S. Sorano) Double white and pink pansy. Medium green, plain. Semiminiature trailer.

Photo by Marjorie Bullard

Still others do not tend to branch on their own. Pinching must be done at an early stage to encourage side growth leading to a bushy growth habit, with many flowering stems. Remove any top leaves which cover a growing point below them. Shaded crowns will not grow well and usually do not flower.

As for all plant entries in a show, the condition of the flowers and foliage is extremely important. You want to trim your entry to make the best impression, not only on the judges, but also on the public, to encourage the interest in growing trailers. Remove spent, wilted or browning flowers. Leave only the freshest ones. Take off any leaves which are marked or brown-tipped.

Any bruised, broken or cut leaves should be removed. A trailer with very healthy growth and flowers will make a lasting impression.  

Honeysuckle Rose (6522) 03/30/87 (Munk/Dattalo) Double lavender-rose. Variegated green and white. Standard trailer.

Photo by Marjorie Bullard

The amount of flowers expected on a plant vary by the hybrid. Most bloom quite heavily, so if a plant is sparse, points would be deducted. But, others bloom very reluctantly and we appreciate the flowers that they can muster! No points would be taken away for lack of blooms on certain varieties. Also, the number of blooms per plant is based on the size, so a tiny one would need far less than a trailer which is 10" across.

Flowers must be spaced well around the crowns and branches. If you have all flowers on one side of the plant, naturally points are deducted. Blossom stems can be carefully moved to fill in such gaps before judging. It is best to space all flower stems as they pop up from the foliage when they are more pliable and less apt to snap off.  

Cirelda (3620) 03/01/79 (P. Tracey) Double pink two-tone. Quilted. Semiminiature trailer.

Photo by Marjorie Bullard

Finally, the size and color of the blossoms must be true to variety. Points are deducted if the flowers are smaller than expected and the colors are not true to the plant's description.

All trailers can be grown in the same soil or soil-less mix which you use for your other African violets. Some varieties prefer to grow at the ends of the light stands where they receive less light, or off to one side in a window, partially shaded.

Try growing a trailer, follow the easy directions, and you will be surprised how easy they are to grow and bloom.

There is nothing quite like that sight!  

Gary

San Francisco, CA., USA

AVInternational

AVSA

Gary’s Home Page

email Gary with questions or comments

All photos on this page copyright 2002 Marjorie Bullard

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