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Optimara Fertilizer
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Optimara is Earth's
largest
grower of African Violets
With the widest
selection of full-blooming varieties, Optimara continues to advance
the industry with new plant varieties and innovative
growing techniques, constantly refined over years of research and development.
We create new, exciting plants and care products which are
trend-setting and truly functional. Our effort is to continue offering customers
a unique selection of flowers in a beautiful product line.
Our company was founded in 1904, by Martin Dorrenbach in Isselburg, in the lower
Rhein Valley of Germany. By the 1930's, the son-in-law and horticulturist,
Hermann Holtkamp, Sr. bred his first Saintpaulias on only one
square meter (10.76 square feet) of greenhouse space.
At the
time, Mr. Holtkamp said that the African Violet would be the potted plant
of the future.
Our company grew many different crops, later to be replaced,
one by one, by the African Violet. In the 1960s we introduced the first non-dropping varieties capable of shipping while in bloom. In the 70s we expanded the color range and disease-resistance of violets, and in the 80s we partnered with NASA to send African violet seeds to space!
Optimara products are backed by a uniquely energetic marketing and distribution program
that makes our plants as easy to sell as they are to grow. In the design
of all Optimara packaging and store display materials we focus on easy
set-up and low maintenance. For example, our new Qwick Covers can extend the store-life of our plants by 2 to 4 weeks.
At Optimara we know that our responsibility for our products does not stop
after the sale. We maintain extensive online resources to provide consumers
with valuable plant care information.
From the most popular African Violet in the world, to contemporary exotics and a complete line of
consumer plant care products, Optimara has what it takes to make your plant sales grow.
Seeking Violet Care Tips & Local Delivery Alerts? Visit myViolet.com |
Buying Violets or Houseplants Online?
Visit SelectiveGardener.com
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•Fresh Violet Alerts, •Retail Store Locator(USA),
•All Optimara Variety Names in Searchable Database, •Free Guide to African Violet Types (PDF), •Easy-Care Tips, •Tips on Artificial Light, •User Photo Gallery(submit your photos) •Info on Future Varieties
African Violet Easy-Care Tips |
•150 Violets by Leaf, •Violet of the Month Club, •Space Violets available by Leaf or Plug, •Ferns, Pilea, Peperomia, Foliage, Episcia, Fittonia, Begonia, etc. •Specials with Vintage, Rare or New Varieties •Optimara Soil and Fertilizer, •Ceramics & Containers
Recent Specials on SelectiveGardener |
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All About Violets
Care Instructions
Doctor Optimara
Diagnosis
Pests and Pathogens
Glossary of Terms
Additional Info
Best of Show
Botanical
Gardens Listed By State
Reading List
Links to Others
Virtual Tour
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Optimara's History of Innovation
One of the most exciting
breakthroughs in the research and development of the African Violet was in
the early 1960's, with the introduction of the first non-dropping variety
called Elfriede. Today all of Optimara Varieties and most all other competitive
varieties available on the market have this essential genetic characteristic.
In 1961, the name of the company was changed from Dorrenbach-Holtkamp Greenhouses
to Hermann Holtkamp, KG. In 1977, Holtkamp Greenhouses was founded in
Nashville, Tennessee, and the Optimara brand name was introduced to the American
consumer.
In 1981, we started with Optiflora, a plant care product line also under the Optimara brand name. In 1992, the company in the USA
began growing miniature Poinsettias.
Over the years, the company
has added Elatior Begonias, Rex Begonias, many varieties of ferns and exotic foliage
plants to our product line. In the future, we hope to add even more items
which will give the company new and exciting opportunities in delivering
a
diverse product line to the consumer into the 21st century.
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