Why do orchid lovers also like African Violets? I don't understand!!

[astrid]

This will sound a little judgmental (sorry little violets), but I just can't understand why it seems there are so many people into orchids who also love African Violets.

AVs are like the homely little sister of orchids–*their flowers seem pretty boring, and they're just little weird shrubs. Yet in several people's youtube channels on orchids, I see AVs in the mix.

AVs are sold near orchids in quite a few stores I visit.

Is there some conspiracy here? I just don't see the appeal in these plain little flowers.

Am I missing something special?

[Leafmite]

I did collect AV's long ago and I thought they were quite beautiful. I probably would still have them if my toddler had not decided to 'care' for them.
There are many different options for houseplants out there and each of them have their very own appeal. I think I would be bored to death if the only plants I had were orchids.

[Skycat]

They're super cheap and usually bloom for a long time, the leaves are cute and fuzzy and different-looking for different cultivars, and a lot of people do think the flowers are pretty (I like the frilly white flowers with blue/purple markings, personally).

I've never gotten mine to bloom, though. Maybe because I haven't bothered to fertilize them. Heck, I almost never water them because I keep forgetting about them. Actually I'm pretty sure one of them is dead now, but the other one still seems perfectly alive despite being neglected even more than my cacti. Maybe African violets aren't really for me, but I'm at least keeping this one because I love plants with such an amazing will to live.

[camille1585]

I like them because they're cute and fuzzy, have nice little flowers, are easy to care for and are easy to propagate (break off a leaf and stick it in the soil), and unless you overwater for an extended time, they're nearly unkillable.

Different people like different plants. And with such a huge diversity of houseplants available, everyone finds something they like. I also like Calathea a lot, though many of them rarely flower!

[Mandy2705]

I like them because their flowers last a long time and they only take a short break between blooming. They AV pots they sell at the store are really cute too

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by astrid

This will sound a little judgmental (sorry little violets), but I just can't understand why it seems there are so many people into orchids who also love African Violets.

AVs are like the homely little sister of orchids–*their flowers seem pretty boring, and they're just little weird shrubs. Yet in several people's youtube channels on orchids, I see AVs in the mix.

AVs are sold near orchids in quite a few stores I visit.

Is there some conspiracy here? I just don't see the appeal in these plain little flowers.

Am I missing something special?

Check out violetbarn.com-you might be surprised!

[Orchid Whisperer]

IMO it totally makes sense that people that like one plant that blooms might also like another plant that blooms. I used to have a few AVs, but not at the moment; I'd probably grow orchids, AVs and bromeliads if I had enough room. Comparing AVs and orchids:

Orchids typically bloom less frequently, but many have blooms that are open for weeks or months, vs AVs which have shorter-lived individual blooms, but seem to perpetually produce new blooms.

Color/patterns: both come in a wide variety of colors and color patterns, orchids have more variety. But I wouldn't consider AVs ugly ducklings at all.

Both can be relatively easy to grow if you know what the plants need (and difficult if you don't know what they need).

AVs, IMO, are somewhat easier to care for if you are a "typical" house plant grower.

I think both types of plants have their place.

[The Mutant]

I didn't even know that many orchid lovers like African Violets, too... My mom like the little buggers, but personally I prefer Chinese Hibiscus if I want an easy to grow and flower ordinary houseplant (and my cats love 'em too... to eat that is...).

Before my orhids, I was very into Calathea and Maranta, due to their very decorative leaves. I could definitely see myself pick up growing them again.

Edit:
Forgot to add Ctenanthe to the Marantaceae bunch.

[Leafmite]

I guess this is like asking why orchid people don't grow other tropical plants...like Theobroma cacao, Musa, Cinnamomum verum, and Piper Nigrum. To me, it makes quite a bit of sense as they grow fast enough to keep your mind off of the slow growth rate of the orchids. However, not everyone likes these sorts of plants.

[Ferns Daddy]

I grow AV's along with orchids and other tropicals, I feel if my AV's will bloom in the lighting they get my orchids and plumeria's will boom also. AV's that I grow you can't find in the big box stores, it gives me blooms when the orchids aren't blooming, but AV's are not for every one.