How to care for saintpaulia ionantha?
Keeping African violets blooming all year requires a harmonious balance of the right conditions. Firstly, provide bright, indirect light, ideally using a grow light for 12-14 hours daily. Consistently maintain temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer every 2 weeks to encourage blossoms. African violets are low-maintenance and easy to grow. They bloom several times a year when cared for properly. Root rot from over watering is one of the most common reasons African violets die.The number one reason an African Violet refuses to flower is light, or rather, not enough light. Shift your plant to a brighter spot or if you don’t have somewhere suitable, consider a grow light, but it’s best to avoid direct sun, as that can burn the leaves.African violets prefer to receive 6-8 hours of indirect sunlight per day. They don’t like sun (particularly hot afternoon sun) directly hitting their leaves, so choose a spot with filtered morning sun only or a lot of in-direct bright light.African violets prefer to stay evenly moist – ideally, the soil feels like a well-wrung-out sponge. They do not like to dry out completely in between waterings, but they do not like to be sopping wet all the time. Too much water can lead to root rot, while roots start to die in soil that is too dry much of the time.WATER QUALITY In most locations, tap water will be fine, but the quality of tap water can vary. Chlorine levels may fluctuate, depending on the season. In some areas, tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All these things may adversely affect your African violets.
What is the habitat of the Saintpaulia Ionantha?
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are not even closely related to violets, but they are from Africa. African violets are members of the gesneriad family and hail from the tropical rainforest region of east Africa near the border of Tanzania and Kenya. Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food is perfect for African violets and other blooming plants. In nature, African violets obtain their food from a nutrient-rich environment that is continuously being replenished by nature. However, African violets grown indoors depend on you to provide these nutrients.African violets prefer bright, indirect light such as an East or North facing window. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves. And they are notorious for not re-blooming without the correct lighting situation. Rotate once a week to keep their uniform, rounded shape.It’s not much of a secret that an African violet will bloom best in good light. Light is one of the primary factors plants need to produce the energy necessary for the production of blossoms. Violets that do not receive enough light will often reach their leaves upward or grow toward the light source.To support all their beautiful blooms, African violets benefit from regular feeding with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food.
Is Saintpaulia an indoor plant?
Saintpaulia Light Blue | Houseplant Incredibly popular flowering houseplants, the modern African violets are relatively easy to keep if kept out of direct sunlight and not overwatered (they are a ‘succulent-type’ plant). Applied once per month epsom salts will help trigger bloom in your violets and be a good companion to your African violet specialty fertilizer.If you want your African violet to bloom almost continuously – then Epsom salts are the answer. Mix one and a half teaspoons of Epsom salts in a quart of tepid water and swirl to dissolve. Water your African violets (below the leaves) with this solution once a month. Your plants will thank you with beautiful blooms.Adding Epsom salt is a simple way to increase the health of their blooms, and is something that you can include easily as a part of a normal routine. For potted plants, simply dissolve two tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water, and substitute this solution for normal watering once a month.LIGHT: African violets need 11-14 hours of bright, indirect sunlight to flower. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight which can burn their leaves. TEMPERATURE: They like temperatures between 65-75°F during the day and slightly cooler temperatures at night.
Is saintpaulia an indoor plant?
Saintpaulia Light Blue | Houseplant Incredibly popular flowering houseplants, the modern African violets are relatively easy to keep if kept out of direct sunlight and not overwatered (they are a ‘succulent-type’ plant). Violet Care Watering: Violets prefer consistently moist soil. Water the plants regularly, especially during hot, dry periods. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. Use your finger to check the soil moisture about 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) below the surface; if it feels dry, it’s time to water.On top of their ability to flower continually, unlike many flowering houseplants that live only a few years, the African Violet can live up to 50 years! Giving the delicate plants the attention they require is a small price to pay for a 50-year long-living flower display.Optimal room temperature for growing african violets is between 60 and 80 f and ideally 70 f. humidity at 40-60% will help african violets thrive. Group plants together to conserve humidity or set plants on trays of pebbles and water. Make sure the plant does not sit in the water but just above it.If humidity is moderate (20-50%,) expect to water once a week, or when the pot feels very light when lifting it. Growers in more humid climates may need to water less often. Those who live in dry arid climates may need to water more often. The easiest way to kill your violet is to overwater it.