GALLERIA OF CHIMERAS (AFRICAN VIOLETS)

"Remember this : Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

2 Corinthians 9:6

A CHIMERA (pronounced ki{long i}-meera) is mutated/sported African Violet happens by accident that has two or more distinct genetic cell lines in one plant. Biologically, the mesophyll tissue (middle of the leaf) and the epidermal tissue (skin tissue) of chimera's flower colour genes are different, of each produces different flower colour pigment. Therefore the blossoms of the chimera african violets will be stripped or pin-wheeled. In recent years, some new cultivars of chimeral foliage/variegation are also introduced. Since hybridizing babies from leaf cuttings or seedlings can simply propagate from the epidermal cells instead of both layers of tissue, chimeras can only be reproduced true from suckers and bloom stalks.

Referring AVSA handbook, a "Sport" or mutant is a plant that has departed (mutated)from its parent and is showing a noteworthy variation, preferably an improvement. For a "Sport" to be considered worthy, it must have a memorable, distinctive look and not be just a vague copy of something else.

Pat and Bloom are simply hobbyist growers who love collecting gorgeous chimera african violets. We are glad to have three chimera varieties registered under The African Violet Society of American (AVSA), namely Bloom's Debut, Bloom's Utahime and Bloom's Asteroid B612.