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| HYBRIDIZER OF THE MONTH Volkmann Brothers JUNE 2005 - by Rebecca | | The Volkmann Brothers Henry and Walter Volkmann are two of the people that have positively impacted the Gesneriad World for over 50 years. Not only did they hybridize over 300 African Violet cultivars, but they also commercially grew other gesneriads like Episcias and Streptocarpus, and provided such supplies as soil and fertilizer with the african violet in mind from their Dallas, Texas business. 
Because of their advancing years, the Volkmann Brothers retired from hybridizing and focused on the sale of supplies. Later, the brothers may have retired from their successful business completely, as the Volkmann Brothers website is no longer active. We have heard that their potting mix is still available at some vendors though. The Brothers had posted some information about themselves on the now-defunct webpage: "It all started back in September 1949, when we, Henry and Walter decided to invest our two weeks vacation in erecting a small green house for the purpose of growing plants during our spare time. It proved to be a wise move. Four years later, in 1953, a commercial size greenhouse replaced the original structure. By 1962 our business had grown to three commercial size greenhouses devoted to the production of thousands of African Violets, Episcias, Colomnea, and Streptocarpus for the African Violet Lovers though out the U.S.A. However, in 2000 we had to make the decision, because of our age, to discontinue growing the African Violets and other plants. Henry was 75 and Walter was 78. We felt it was time to cut back. We were both still in good health and desired to keep busy. So we decided to continue the supply business. We can still supply you with our African Violet Potting Soil, Constant Feed Fertilizer, Reservoir Wick Pots, Reservoir Wick Saucers and other Supplies. We thank all of our many customers for making this possible." |
Volkmann Hybrids There are 305 Volkmann hybrids listed in FC2, showing just how prolific and dedicated the Brothers were to the African Violet world. Most varieties, however, are not registered. Most of these hybrids are standards, but the Volkmann Brothers did hybridize 16 miniature and semi-miniature varieties. Only six hybrids are variegated, but amongst these there is a mini and standard, blues, reds, and Chiffon, which is pink with green edging. All possible violet colors are represented in their hybrids, even yellow - FC2 indicates that Bangor and Holiday Time have yellow eyes. Based on the registration dates available and the time frame in which the Brothers were hybridizing, most, if not all of their hybrids are vintage. The book, "How to Grow African Violets" (1974) by Sunset Books lists a number of Volkmann varieties that places them well into the vintage category: | Blue Butterfly | May Queen | | Dancer | Maytime | | Discovery | Mozart | | Ginger | Sunday | | Jewel Box | Venus | | Jingle Bells | | For a complete variety listing of FC2's Volkmann entries, check out Mrs. John's PDF File.
(Adobe Acrobat Reader Required) | | Pictures Below are various sources with pictures of Volkmann varieties: | Abilene | Geneva Wonder | Pixie Princess | | Annette | Glacier White | Purple Lace | | Atlanta | Green Ice | Red Cherry | | Austen | Happy Returns | Royale | | Beethoven | Heavenly Blue | Saturn | | Bess Williams | Hot Springs | Show Biz | | Blue Butterfly | Janet | Shy Romance | | Blue Danube | Jeanette | Smokey Blue | | Cosmos | Lacy Red | Special Touch | | Elaine | Mary Louise | Tiffany | | Erica | Melissa Anne | Victoria | | Eureka | Mister Cook | Volkmann's Merry Christmas | | Fresno | Nocturne | Whisper |
Senpolia, a Russian Site Geneva Wonder
Plants on Purpose Eureka
Beethoven
Shy Romance
Whisper
Blue Victoria
Carol 
[ TL Wong's Purple Lace ] | How Does Your Volkmann's Grow? Despite the large quantity and variety of Volkmann hybrids, few grow them. Of the ones grown by Violet Voice members, a few seem to have interesting growth habits.  Happy Returns
Happy Returns (Volkmann) Single white/fuchsia ruffled edge. Medium green, plain. Standard
Despite the Happy Returns FC2 description, Mrs. John of the Violet Voice found herself with a single white and blue flower. Of this plant she also said "it does love to grow and bloom. It propagates extremely well, grows fast, and blooms early". A possible downfall of this plant, depending on your viewpoint she says, is that "it loves to sucker! It suckers nearly constantly". To those who want a well shaped plant, this Volkmann variety should perhaps be avoided, but for those who want a good plant in their collection and lots of oportunity for proagation, then this variety may be for you!
Mrs. John had generously sent a leaf of her white and blue Happy Returns to Alana in Canada - meaning the leaf would produce plantlets identical to Mrs. John's plant ... 
Clearly, two plants with the same genetic material produced blossoms with different shades. Since genetic material is the same (excluding possible mutation), the environment may play a key role in the variation. Perhaps Happy Returns is just a little blue in the US! Page Two |
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