Chimeras are organisms that have a mixture of two or more genotypes of cells. The name comes from the ancient mythical beast that was made of parts of many different types of animals. In African violet is usually two different colors for the flowers and in some rare cases leaves.

These plants have flowers have pinwheel arrangement of color. Search for chimera african violets. Each petal has a center stripe and a stripe on each side. They are usually very attractive and different looking. These plants usually demand high prices when compared to regular African violets. Why do they cost so much? It is simple the demand is higher than the supply. You cannot just put down a leaf and get an identical plant like the parent.

These plants are not hybridized but occur in a freak accident when propagating african violet. The more unstable varieties will produce "sports." Sports are plants that look different from the parents most of the interesting variation of african can from plants mutating into new color and shapes from the orginal plants. Plants with fantasy flower are the most likely to produce chimera but it can happen in any variety or sometimes the species. Fantasy flowers have two colors. The primary is the main color with a secondary color  that like spotted or splashed on the flower. Sometimes it can look like someone took a paint brush and splattered the flower.  I will post pictures in the future but if you want to see an example do a search  for African violet fantasy. search for fantasy flowered African violets You should see many examples.

Chimera African violets are grown just like any other violet. The only difference in propagating them. You must use suckers instead of leaves. If you put down leaves you will probably get a plant with flowers that are solid colored. The way to tell the difference between a sucker and a flower bud. Flower buds will only have two leaflets. A sucker will have at least four leaves and can be removed to root. You can use a sharp knife or small scissors to remove the sucker. Let dry a few minutes. Place it on your regular potting soil. Make sure that the cutting is touching the soil. If you using a flourescent light, they can be placed in a clear plastic container or bag. The higher humidity will allow the sucker to root without drying out. Usually it will root in a couple weeks. When removing from a closed container opening it slightly and allow the plant to harden to the lower humidity. In a few days, you will be able to remove it from the container.