Training African violet trailers - Part 1: Grooming to Grow a Fuller Plant

Think trailers are difficult or so-so performers?  They can be easy and can end up being spectacular plants. 
Trailers need at least 3 crowns to receive a Blue ribbon in a judged show.  Most will have many more than three crowns.  The first step in growing a good trailer is getting the plant to grow many crowns.  Some varieties will sucker easily and do this on their own.  Most will need a little help.  The 'help' can be in the form of grooming or pinching, or a bit of both.

How can grooming help to grow a fuller plant?  Many young trailers will have several smaller crown growing underneath larger leaves.  These crowns won't get much light due to the larger leaves over them.  Pruning out these leaves will help these smaller crowns to go.

This Rob's Boolaroo needs some grooming to help it grow fuller and better shaped.

Many leaves need to be removed to allow the smaller crowns underneath to grow.

Now those small crowns can grow and make a fuller plant.  The more crowns, the more blooms.