Hybridizing African Violets

African Violet Hybridization Tips by Dr. Jeffrey L. Smith
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African Violet Genetics
by Dr. Jeffrey L. Smith

Flower Traits:
Dominant	Recessive
• Violet Shape • Geneva Edges • Raspberry Edges • Fringed Edges • Fantasy Pattern • Double Flowers • Pale Colors • Blue Flowers • Red Flowers • Non-Coral colors • Bluing Factor • Mottled Flowers • Thumbprint Flowers	• Star Shape • Solid Edges • Solid Edges • Non-fringed Edges • Solid Flowers • Single Flowers • Dark Colors • All other colors • Pink, White • Coral family colors • Non-Bluing • Non-mottled flowers • Solid Flowers
Leaf Traits:
Dominant	Recessive
• Girl Foliage • Ruffled Foliage • Plain Foliage • Longifolia Shape • Red Backing • Watermelon Veins • Clackamus Veins • Solid Foliage	• Boy Foliage • Plain Foliage • Spooned Foliage • Rounded Shape • Green Backing • Plain Veins • Plain Veins • Lilian Jarrett Foliage (in part)
Plant Traits:
Dominant	Recessive
• Small Size • Non-trailing	• Normal Size • Trailing
Maternal Traits: Tommie Lou and Crown Variegation, Lilian Jarrett Variegation (in part). Offspring will only show the trait if the seed parent had the trait.
The following list is the expected results from genetic crosses with dominant and recessive traits:
1. Dominant X Dominant • Result - all Dominant offspring or 75% Dominant and 25% Recessive 2. Dominant X Recessive • Result - all Dominant offspring or 50% Dominant and 50% Recessive 3. Recessive X Recessive • Result - all Recessive offspring The percentages given for the offspring are approximate values. The actual results you get may vary considerably from these percentages.

Please Note: The above material is reprinted with permission from Dr. Jeffrey L. Smith and in conjunction with Laurie A.E. O'Meara. Both this article and the article on Laurie's site are copywrite and may not be reproduced without permission.

BIO: Dr. Jeffrey L. Smith
Ph.D - University of Oklahoma, M.S., B.S. - Miami University (Oxford, OH)
Dr. Smith is the Chair of the Science Division and teaches at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities. Dr. Smith is a leading expert on African violets. For nearly eight years he has authored the genetics advice column for the African Violet Magazine called "In Search of New Violets". In addition, he has authored more than 25 articles for the African Violet Magazine, The Gloxinian, and Crosswords (published by the Gesneriads Hybridizers Association). Dr. Smith has authored a chapter on hybridizing African violets that has been printed by Timber Press in the book "Breeding Ornamental Plants".

Dr. Smith has released three series of African Violets (listed alphabetically):

The Genetic Series : Standard size plants with mosaic foliage variegation
The Tomorrow's Series : Standard size plants with non variegated foliage
The Yesterday's Series - Standard size plants or trailers that are either semi-miniature or standard size, developed directly from one or more Saintpaulia species.