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If you thought it was difficult to grow African Violets,
we spoke with an expert grower and she told us the secrets to having
one blooming period after another.
If you thought you could never get as much satisfaction with indoor gardening as outdoors,
African Violets can change your mind.
Already have a plant that's not blooming.
Try these suggestions.
Let's do it together.
Proven success tips:
provided by Sharon V.
Conditions:
The ideal temperatures for successful growing of African Violets are between
70 and 75 degrees. However, they can tolerate between 60 and 85 degrees.
They need between 10 and 14 hours of bright light each day and no direct sunlight.
Variegated varieties require brighter light than others.
Keep leaves clean by lightly dusting
them with a soft paint brush. Remove any dead leaves and those leaves that are sticking
way out by themselves. You will typically have to remove 3 to 5 leaves per month. The result should
be a rounded look.
Remember, with this plant, size isn't what you're going for.
Make sure not to remove any leaves from the crown of the plant. This is where the flowers
will come from.
Soil:
African Violet roots are very fine and fragile; therefore they need a light soil.
Don't attempt to use regular potting soil.
As with other plants, waterings wash nutrients out of the soil.
Twice per year, take a spoon and carefully remove about 1/4 of the soil and replace it
with fresh soil.
Watering:
The ideal choice is bottled water, but don't use soft water.
Never allow the plant to dry out; it should be constantly moist, but not soggy.
Water once per week, but never from the top. (unless you're doing Epsom salt wash, below)
Always place the pot in a pan with water that goes about half way up the side of the pot.
Important tip:
An Epsom salt wash after every blooming time stimulates growth.
After blooming period is over, dissolve 1 heaping teaspoon of Epsom salts in a quart of water.
(Use this amount for each plant)
For these treatments you can water at the top soil, avoiding the
leaves. Let water drain through and continue using the entire quart.
Now is the time to clean the plant up….you're getting it ready for its next blooming.
Fertilize:
You can fertilize after your weekly watering with a weak solution.
Tips:
Never transplant until the roots completely fill the pot that they're in.
They like to be a little snug.
When removing the dead flower head, make sure to remove the entire stem.
If leaves are reaching upward rather than laying flat like a dish, they probably aren't getting
enough light.
Take it a step further:
Look into different types of African Violets.
There are mini varieties, some with variegated leaves and some with variegated flowers!
Not one for convention? Try the trailing African Violet.
The best part:
If all conditions are correct, you should have three blooming periods
per year, which can last 30 days each!
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