What are the common problems with African violets?
Crown rot is a common fungal problem of African violets that are overwatered or recently repotted. Crown rot causes the main stem and lower leaves to appear water-soaked, shrivel, and die. Crown rot usually leads to plant death. Allowing the top of the soil to dry completely between watering will prevent crown rot. Not Enough Light – African Violets need bright, indirect light to bloom. Place your plants near a North or east-facing window, but avoid harsh direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.Water on the foliage may cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature. African violets are susceptible to crown rot, so it is important that the crown (the section of the plant at soil level) is not saturated with water. Generally, watering the plant from above is not recommended.Watering an African Violet is different than watering your average houseplant, in that, it wants to be watered from the bottom. While this may sound odd to those unfamiliar with these types of plants, don’t worry. It’s actually quite easy to water a plant from the bottom.Fertilizing: – Feeding Schedule: Fertilize with a balanced, water- soluble fertilizer formulated for African violets every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce feeding in fall and winter. Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Excessive fertilizer can cause leaf burn and reduced blooming.The traditional way of propagating violet leaves is to place the stem into water until roots begin to grow. Using this method, select a healthy leaf and remove it from the plant by toggling it from side to side until is pulls free. Avoid pinching or bruising the leaf as this may lead to rotting.
How often should you water African violets?
The more humid you keep their area, the less often you need to water. Air flow also comes into play. Higher air flow increases watering frequency. Although you can’t water on a schedule because conditions change, I tend to bottom water my African Violets about once every one to two weeks. Do not use softened or chlorinated water for African violets. Use room-temperature distilled water, rainwater, or reverse-osmosis water. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy, and never let your plant sit in water. Root rot from over watering is one of the most common reasons African violets die.Unlike many other houseplants, repotting may not require a larger pot. Many African violets are bred to remain small and like a compact container, so repotting is often a process of cleaning up the plant and refreshing the potting mix, not up-sizing the pot.African violets should be watered from below, using a self-watering or ceramic African violet pot. Feed regularly with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food. Split the parent plant into smaller plants when your African violet becomes large and crowded.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 best to feed African violets?
Starving violets lack the energy to bloom. Many growers have the best success fertilizing once a week with a mild fertilizer designed for African violets. A balanced formula such as a 20-20-20 or one that has slightly more phosphorus, like a 15-20-15 will do well in most growing situations. It is native to East Africa, coming from the rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya. It is a compact, low-growing, flowering plant with velvety leaves. African violet is available in many different flower colors, petal shapes, and sizes. If given the correct conditions, it will bloom all year long.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.Starving violets lack the energy to bloom. Many growers have the best success fertilizing once a week with a mild fertilizer designed for African violets. A balanced formula such as a 20-20-20 or one that has slightly more phosphorus, like a 15-20-15 will do well in most growing situations.
How do I revive my African violet?
I’ve had better results with watering once every 3 weeks and on my kitchen table in indirect sunlight. I have revived some that way. My Mom had beautiful African violets for years and swore that placing a rusty nail in the soil was the secret to her beautiful violets. I don’t know why but it always worked for her. It is the calcium from the egg shell that leaches into the water and puts African Violets in a blooming good mood.
What do coffee grounds do for African violets?
African Violets Before you plant these violets in a container, work a small amount of coffee grounds into the potting soil to improve drainage and soil texture. With a range of sizes from micro-miniature to large and dozens of colors, you’re sure to find an African violet you love. Answer: Place African violets in a location that receives bright, indirect light. A site near an east or north window is often a good location. Do not place African violets in direct sun.Use the Correct Soil Mix African violets require a well-draining potting mix. A blend of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite is ideal. This mix retains enough moisture while providing the necessary aeration for the roots. Avoid using garden soil as it can compact and hinder root growth.
Is it best to water African violets from the top or the bottom?
Watering an African Violet is different than watering your average houseplant, in that, it wants to be watered from the bottom. While this may sound odd to those unfamiliar with these types of plants, don’t worry. It’s actually quite easy to water a plant from the bottom. If you notice your plant has started to droop and the soil is very dry, just give it a normal drink of water. It’s best to water African Violets from the bottom, using room-temperature or slightly tepid water. Just be careful not to overcompensate by giving your plant too much water to make up for it being dry.Do not use softened or chlorinated water for African violets. Use room-temperature distilled water, rainwater, or reverse-osmosis water. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy, and never let your plant sit in water. Root rot from over watering is one of the most common reasons African violets die.For rooting, African violet leaf cuttings can be placed in water or directly into soil, each requiring specific care to encourage root development. To maintain healthy cuttings, it’s important to provide consistent moisture while avoiding oversaturation or dryness.It is best to repot the violet into the same size pot as it had been in since African Violets like to be root bound. Occasionally give a moist violet ¼ cup of day-old tea. Place a rusty nail in the soil.