I've enjoyed growing about 15 different Russian named African violet plants mostly by leaf or if I bought the plants I took them apart and either shared leaves or and grew many babies of these wonderous plants to friends !
EK-Snezhnyi Bars (9581) 01/17/2006 (E. Korshunova) Single-semidouble white large frilled star/lilac eye, violet edge. Medium green, pointed. Standard
English name " Snow Leopard " for one I fount grows very large rather than the "standard" description in FC.
Some of you mentioned maybe it should be changed.
I felt maybe to Russians this size was considered " Standard" not Large.
Or maybe their growing envoriment is so much different than ours.
I wanted to find out ! This is what I fount out I will share my emails with you !
I wish I knew how to quote but it's from my email and she said I could share :))
" You should understand that all the Russian hybridizers grow their plants in their apartments and do not have enough space. So all of them use smaller than 4 inch pots and even large standards usually grow as standard plants. American growers often use bigger pots growing plants for shows. Elena Korshunova hybridizes big plants with big flowers. So some of her hybrids could grow as large standards in bigger pots. If there will be more growers who feel that the description in the First Class must be changed please let me know. I will contact the hybridizer"
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Here is the whole email >>
Growing Russian Africa violets, rewarding, interesting ,&FUN
Hi Allison,
As I know you have a question regarding large growing plant EK-Snezhniy Bars. A few words about the forum where you posted your question. It is a website of one of Russian commercial growers Natalia Andreeva. For some reasons I decided not to visit her forum few years ago so I could not answer your question there.
Since I provided information about Russian hybrids for the First Class, I could give you some explanations. I collected information from Russian growers, translated it and shipped Application forms to Joe Bruns, who is responsible for Master Variety List. Elena Korshunova the hybridizer of EK-Snezhniy Bars described it as a standard.
You should understand that all the Russian hybridizers grow their plants in their apartments and do not have enough space. So all of them use smaller than 4 inch pots and even large standards usually grow as standard plants. American growers often use bigger pots growing plants for shows. Elena Korshunova hybridizes big plants with big flowers. So some of her hybrids could grow as large standards in bigger pots. If there will be more growers who feel that the description in the First Class must be changed please let me know. I will contact the hybridizer.
I forwarded to the hybridizer Elena Korshunova your question and the picture. The plant is beautiful!
Best wishes,
Vladimir Kalgin
Moscow, Russia
I know awhile back when this forum was new Terry posted if we knew a person well of knowledge of growing Africa violets we could have them answer our questions !
Well this person also emailed me again and has offered to answer any of our questions about growing Russian African violets :))
Oh yes she said the Russian Snow Leopard I grew by leaf is beautiful ! I told I am so glad a friend who loves her dearly is growing her now and going to show her in Feb, 2007 :))
Hi Allison,
I am glad you like EK-Snezhnyi Bars and other Russian hybrids. At the AVSA 2004 convention I donated 100 leaves of Russian hybrids for the auction. Libbie from Bluebird and some other growers have got them through that auction. At the AVSA 2005 and 2006 conventions I also donated leaves of Russian hybrids for the auctions. It is very nice to know that American growers like Russian hybrids.
You may share my email address with other growers. If you have AV forums where growers ask questions about Russian hybrids just let me know and I would be happy to answer their questions.
Best Wishes,
Vladimir Kalgin
Moscow, Russia
~ Vladimir Kalgin email ~ Please if you do ask questions please share them with answers :))
vkalgin@yahoo.com
So interesting, Allison... Don't you just love the internet?? You can just chat up the av folks in Russia as easy as pie. (I've got pie on the brain this morning...I'm actually going to bake...gasp) Do you remember the Yan Selena you gave me? Man, I've had so much trouble finding out what that plant wants. The original plant died but not before I was able to get two leaves to start more. One leaf is making babies and the other, not so much. Seems like it needs even more drainage than normal av and higher humidity. Can't remember where I have it right now...I think under my best light. Sometimes the plants really don't like moving away from your house and they take a while to adjust to mine :)
Thanks for the Russian info!!
Jacki
They are wonderful ! And each person's home growing areas will be different. I have a nice leaf of Ian Selena with babies ! When I gave the last Mom away I took a leaf.
I am also getting a bloom stlak basket baby from the Russian Snow Leopard I grew :))
I grew my Russians mostly in natural light thought when Snow Leopard was large she was kept very close under light and where her new owner has her now.
I never did anything special with them as they all grew with ease in natural light like the old fashion type Av's I love !
I use extremly light soil-less mixes for all plants and all types not just AV's wether wicked , top or bottom watered.
Me I enjoy moving plants around like furniture . They have always done well. But everyone's growing environments are different just have fun play around and see what works best for you :))
Please feel free to email Vladimir Kalgin with questions or compliments of these wonderous Russian plants !
Hope you get a new Ian Selena blooming for you soon !
Please feel free to email Vladimir Kalgin with questions or compliments of these wonderous Russian plants !
Hope you get a new Ian Selena blooming for you soon !