To the african violets are one of the most popular little plants in the world and for good reason. These compact, low-growing flowers bloom several times a year and are available in a multitude of leaf shapes and colors.
Don’t be put off by their reputation for being difficult: as long as you follow a few simple rules, African violets should thrive in the home. With a little experience, you can keep them in bloom almost year round and grow them to the size of dinner plates.
African Violet Care
African violets will thrive in conditions of plenty of light, hot and humid. Keep water from touching your leaves or it will leave brown spots. Remove dead flowers and leaves as soon as you see them to encourage a healthier plant.
Regularly check the soil and the plant to ensure that there is no accumulation of dead leaves. This will encourage rot.
Growing these houseplants is really about balance; you have to make sure that the different factors that go into your cultivation are all weighed against each other.
They should be kept in conditions that are humid enough not to dry out, but still exposed to a cool breeze to prevent them from getting too hot and exposed to sunlight without damaging the leaf tips.
Don’t be discouraged if your African violets suffer any damage – it’s all part of the process.
Lighting
bright, but no direct sunlight. They are commonly grown under fluorescent lights placed 12 to 15 inches above the leaves.
Ground
A potting mix well drained it’s essential. Poor drainage can cause root rot, where the plant becomes waterlogged and its leaves begin to drop, so make sure the plant is never exposed to standing water for an extended period.
Water
Keep the soil moist with warm water and aim for high humidity. Do not allow water to come into contact with the leaves to avoid damage. Water from below or push the water spout into the soil when watering. Do not allow the plant to stand in water.
Temperature and Humidity
Do not allow to drop below about 15º W. They thrive at 20°C
Fertilizer
feed with a fertilizer of African violet every two weeks.
propagation of african violets
African violets can be propagated from leaf cuttings or from offsets. Adult plants occasionally produce small seedlings or side shoots. Remove them and pack independently. Removing them also encourages better blooms on the mother plant.
Potting and replanting African violets
African violets do best when lightly potted. Replant only as needed in a larger pot.
To replant these plants, simply pick up the plant, lift it up and replace it with a larger container, making sure not to damage its root systems in the process.
Common signs that a plant is stressed and needs to be repotted include falling leaves and overcrowding, as well as roots that protrude from the surface of the soil. Keep an eye out and replant if you think it might help.
*Via The Spruce