I have lot's of Minis. Not sure if there are any registered Micro Miniatures Av ? The tiny, tiny leaf ones are considered Micro Minautres.
I also like to pot a lot of my Minatures in the one inch thumbprint or 1 3/4 inch pots keeps them Micro !
We have a lot of miniatures going around you, me, jill, Laurie and more so with our trading we will have so many ! Most I have more than one or have leaves down.
Miniatures use to scare me when I first started growing ! Now I like Semi-miniatures and Miniatures best ! They take more care, more grooming, re-potting more often, less water but watering more often. Dry up a Miniature and it surly is going to want to die. But their so cute and most hav blossoms bigger than the plant itself ! They are well worth the extra efforts of owning them !
I posted this before some where can't find it but sense were all loving Minis I'm going to share it again !!
The Miniature Story From African Violets and Gesneriad questions answered by 20 experts and edited by Helen Vau Pelt Wilson 1966
Small African Violets appeal to a great many people, especially those with limited space/ Therefore this book devoted a section to the miniature and semi-miniature types. Elizabeth Prescott has contributed most of this section from her experience with miniature violets, which she grows to proportional perfection.
Miniatures come from propagation of regular varieties, and some are the products of hybridizing. Saintpaulia shumensis and 'Shine Boy' are the parents of many miniatures.
A mature miniature plant (one with four or five rows of small leaves) that is 6 inches or less across in diameter is a true miniature plant. A mature plant that slips gracefully through a 6-inch embroidery hoop is considered to be a true miniature.
A mature plant more than 6 but no more than 8 inches in diameter (a plant over 8 inches in diameter is considered a standard and not in the miniature class) Back when this book was written in 1966 there were in the neighborhood of seventy true miniatures.
Now there are almost 800 mini registered in FC and 1332 semi-miniature registered and others that are not.
There are the same colors and forms found in standard violets as in miniature violets. There are tailored, ruffled, girl, and variegated miniatures and flowers in the same colors and shades as the standard varieties.
What do you consider the most outstanding miniatures?
'Wee Willie Winkie', double white with orchid edges, 'Star Daisy' (Lyndon Lyon), large cerise-pink star, E.P.
What are the most recent miniature African violets?
The two mentioned (oh no I had a whole bunch of Wee Willie Winkie sold & gave away) above and 'King Lear', single wine with white edges; 'Tiny Rose’ (oops sold and gave those away too), (Lyndon Lyon), double rosy-pink, 'Loverly' (Anna Lee Violetry) variegated foliage, two-tone purple white edge; 'Candy', double light blue, white edge. E.P.
Miniatures for Showing
Miniature African violets are classed separately in official shows. There is increasing interest in and demand for miniatures. They received many blue ribbons and even tricolors. Because they require so much less space than standard varieties, they are extremely popular.
Is it a good practice to disbud miniatures in preparing a plant for show? Yes, providing there has been experience with that variety and the cultural conditions are constant. E.P.
Rate of Growth and Bloom
It is the nature of Miniatures to grow slower than standard varieties. Also, environmental condition might be unfavorable.
Do miniatures bloom as profusely as the larger varieties?
Yes, but some flower more abundantly than others, just as with standard varieties. E.P.
I find that my miniatures sucker readily. Is this normal?
Yes. They must be watched carefully and the suckers removed as soon as they are identified as such. E.P.
Notes on Culture
Does the culture of miniatures differ from that of large saintpaulias?
It is much the same, except the miniatures must be watered more frequently because a small mature plant in a small pot uses its food and water faster. If fluorescent light is used it must be adjusted to the size of the plant. If miniatures are grown in conjunction with standard plants the miniatures must be raised up on as invert pot or jar to receive adequate light. Seven inches below two 40-watt tubes is ideal. E.P.
Do you find miniatures difficult to grow?
No. They require more patience when growers on the windowsills though, because unpredictable natural light makes them grow more slowly. E.P.
Why are the miniatures given favored spots at your windows?
Because they require more constant. E.P.
Are miniature violets too fragile to be washed?
No. They are no more fragile than any other African violet. They thrive on an occasional sprinkling with warm water. E.P.
How often do you feed miniatures?
I fertilize with every watering at the rate of 1/20 of the recommended application of fertilizer used. E.P.
Miniatures under Lights
What fluorescent light tubes should be used for miniatures?
I use either 4-8 foot fixtures with the following combinations of tubes for miniatures: one Gro-Lux plus one daylight or cool white; or one daylight plus one natural white; or two cool white. E.P.
Do you recommend windowsill or fluorescent light growing for miniatures?
Fluorescent light, provided the plants are elevated to the correct height of 7 inches from the light tubes. E.P.
Pot, Soil, and Fertilizer
Is it necessary to re-pot miniatures?
Yes. Approximately once a year I remove my miniatures from their pots and gently remove the soil with a pencil and by shaking. Then I trim the roots slightly with a sharp scissors and re-pot in the same size fresh pot using new potting mix. E.P.
What kind and size pots do you grow your miniatures in?
Two and 2 1/2 inch plastic pots. Clay pots may also be used but the rims must be covered with foil and much more watering is necessary. I find clay pots impractical for any small plant. E.P.
What soil mixture do you prefer for miniatures?
I use Bob Reed's (brightwaters, new York) mix: I quart pasteurized soil, 1 quart Michigan peat, 1 quart Black Magic Mix, 1 quart vermiculite, 3 tablespoon whiting. Moisten the mix with 15-30-15 fertilizer at the rate of 1 teaspoon to two quarts of water. Do not feed again until plant reaches flowering stage. E.P.
Notes on Leaf Propagation
What is the best method of propagating miniatures?
Remove a leaf from a middle row of the parent plant. Cut the bas f the stem with a razor blade, leaving about 1/2 inch of stem. Let the cut dry for twenty minutes, then dust with hormone powder if desired. (I have never done this have you?) Insert in damps rooting medium of one-half Black Magic mix and one half vermiculite. Put the stem in on a slant so the base is not set very deep in the mix, thus enabling the plantlets to reach the surface more rapidly. E.P.
How long does it take from leaf cutting to bloom?
About six months to one year, depending upon the variety and culture conditions. The most recent hybrids propagate more rapidly. E.P.
Do young or old leaves on miniatures propagate best, and what is the best time of the year to start cuttings?
Take leaves from approximately the fourth row from the center for propagation. Any time of the year is all right for starting leaves except the summer months. Spring is usually the best. E.P.
How long a stem should be left on a miniature leaf to start it, and how many plantlets grow from one leaf?
Cut leaves with a stem about 1/2 inch long. Any amount from one to twenty plantlets may be expected from each leaf cutting. E.P.
Care of Leaf Cuttings
Do you feed leaf cuttings?
Yes, after they have roots in rooting mix. I use a one-half strength solution of a 15-30-15 soluble fertilizer. E.P.
Should the tiny plants that occasionally form on the leaves in vermiculite be left on?
This is rare, but when it happens the plantlets may be carefully removed from the leaf and set in rooting mix to grow roots. E.P.
When do you separate plantlets from the parent leaf?
When the plantlet has a crown of four to six little leaves. Then I am certain it has roots and can be transplanted successfully. I mix the potting soil with equal amount of vermiculite for the first potting. I find the grow faster and better in the diluted mix. E.P.
Happy Miniature African violet growing
