Growing and Flowering African Violets
African violets are not even related to garden violets but come from tropical Africa. To grow them successfully attempt to provide conditions similar to those of their origins.
Watering: Don’t drown the plants but don’t let them go thirsty. Water when the top of the soil feels dry, using enough lukewarm water to run freely out through the drain holes. Then don’t water again until the soil feels dry once more. Water the plant any way you like but never let it remain standing in water.
One of the best ways of watering African violets is by wick. Use a synthetic cord passing from inside the pot (in good contact with the potting mix) through the drain hole and into a reservoir of water, or a weak fertilizer solution. If the potting mix and the wick are already moist, water passes up the wick to keep the plant watered adequately over a period of days or weeks. Note that the pot must be out of the water but the wick in water.
Potting Medium: This should be open, light, fluffy and well-drained yet reasonably moisture retentive. A soil-less potting mix, typically consisting of peat moss, vermiculite, 50 percent perlite and charcoal is recommended by most growers.
Food: Since soil-less mixes with very little nutrient are generally used, fertilize regularly. Use a fertilizer specifically designed for flowering plants, and use it at a fairly weak concentration.
Pots should not be too big because African violets flower best if slightly root bound. A squat pot about one third of the leaf span is best. As the plant grows re-pot into pots only one size larger at a time. Plastic pots are convenient and satisfactory.
Light is important for flowering African violets. They need a bright position within 40-50 cms of a window in filtered light. Turn plants regularly for even growth. Artificial lighting can also be used to grow African violets.
Warmth: A temperature range of 15-26°C is the most suitable to grow these tropical plants.
In hot weather the flowers do not last as long. In cooler temperatures flowers may not appear, leaves will curl down, growth will slow, so watering and fertilizing should be reduced. If violets are grown on a window-sill, protect them from cold on winter nights.
Fresh air or circulation of air is important but avoid excessively cold or hot air-streams, and sudden changes in the temperature.
Humidity: 60% minimum is recommended, not usually a problem in say the Sydney or Brisbane area except in heated rooms in winter.
Cleanliness and Grooming: Keep the hairy leaves of African violets clean by dusting with a soft brush or with a lukewarm wash under a slowly running tap.
Remove dead flower stalks, yellow leaves, and all superfluous growths to promote better health and flowering. African violets look better and flower better if single crowned.
Trailing varieties can be encouraged to grow as many extra crowns as possible.
liquid fertilizer available from most Garden shops or you can purchase from our Product page..
Alex
Please visit my Studios at 1 Windabout Road Beechmont, Scenic Rim Qld.
Look for the signs; STUDIO OPEN. OR CALL 0416 o555 74
Or contact me at:
[email protected]
African violets are not even related to garden violets but come from tropical Africa. To grow them successfully attempt to provide conditions similar to those of their origins.
Watering: Don’t drown the plants but don’t let them go thirsty. Water when the top of the soil feels dry, using enough lukewarm water to run freely out through the drain holes. Then don’t water again until the soil feels dry once more. Water the plant any way you like but never let it remain standing in water.
One of the best ways of watering African violets is by wick. Use a synthetic cord passing from inside the pot (in good contact with the potting mix) through the drain hole and into a reservoir of water, or a weak fertilizer solution. If the potting mix and the wick are already moist, water passes up the wick to keep the plant watered adequately over a period of days or weeks. Note that the pot must be out of the water but the wick in water.
Potting Medium: This should be open, light, fluffy and well-drained yet reasonably moisture retentive. A soil-less potting mix, typically consisting of peat moss, vermiculite, 50 percent perlite and charcoal is recommended by most growers.
Food: Since soil-less mixes with very little nutrient are generally used, fertilize regularly. Use a fertilizer specifically designed for flowering plants, and use it at a fairly weak concentration.
Pots should not be too big because African violets flower best if slightly root bound. A squat pot about one third of the leaf span is best. As the plant grows re-pot into pots only one size larger at a time. Plastic pots are convenient and satisfactory.
Light is important for flowering African violets. They need a bright position within 40-50 cms of a window in filtered light. Turn plants regularly for even growth. Artificial lighting can also be used to grow African violets.
Warmth: A temperature range of 15-26°C is the most suitable to grow these tropical plants.
In hot weather the flowers do not last as long. In cooler temperatures flowers may not appear, leaves will curl down, growth will slow, so watering and fertilizing should be reduced. If violets are grown on a window-sill, protect them from cold on winter nights.
Fresh air or circulation of air is important but avoid excessively cold or hot air-streams, and sudden changes in the temperature.
Humidity: 60% minimum is recommended, not usually a problem in say the Sydney or Brisbane area except in heated rooms in winter.
Cleanliness and Grooming: Keep the hairy leaves of African violets clean by dusting with a soft brush or with a lukewarm wash under a slowly running tap.
Remove dead flower stalks, yellow leaves, and all superfluous growths to promote better health and flowering. African violets look better and flower better if single crowned.
Trailing varieties can be encouraged to grow as many extra crowns as possible.
liquid fertilizer available from most Garden shops or you can purchase from our Product page..
Alex
Please visit my Studios at 1 Windabout Road Beechmont, Scenic Rim Qld.
Look for the signs; STUDIO OPEN. OR CALL 0416 o555 74
Or contact me at:
[email protected]