For many excellent reasons, African violets have been the most popular houseplant for generations. They are compact, easy-to-grow, adaptable, grow in average home conditions, come in a wide variety of colors, are long-lived and bloom for months at a time. Unlike most plants, they don't seem to mind that most homes are a little warm and
dry. Throw in the fact that they are easy to propagate and you have a great indoor blooming plant. Botanically called Saintpaulia ionantha, African Violets are native to East Africa. The first plants had small blue blooms that tended to drop quickly after they opened. Through careful selection and breeding, there are now many varieties of African violets in a wide range of colors, habits and sizes. The blooms themselves can be either a
single, delicate row of petals or a more substantial double flower. There are also some wonderful bi-color varieties. African violets are Gesneriads with such illustrious relatives as Gloxinia, Streptocarpus and Achimenes. To select a quality African violet, look for a plant that fills the container - They like to be a little crowded in their pots. Leaves should be thick, strong and fuzzy with very few nicks or tears. If not already in bloom, look in the crown of the plant for developing buds.
Tips for Growing Healthy African Violets What are the light requirements for African violets? They do their best in strong indirect light. In winter, they can even take the direct afternoon sun. African violets grow and bloom very well under artificial lights.
How much water do they need? They like to be kept moist, but can dry out slightly between waterings. Take care when watering to avoid getting the leaves wet; water beneath the leaves or from the bottom of the pot. Try to use room temperature water. African violets need good drainage and shouldn't sit in water more than a half hour.
Do they have any special temperature requirements? Average household temperatures are perfect for African Violets. Try to avoid temperatures below 55º or above 80º.
Do African violets need much humidity? While they will tolerate dry air, they will do much better if they sit on a humidity tray or in a room with a humidifier.
How much fertilizer do they require? Watering with a solution of Bachman's All Purpose Excel Gro or African Violet Food at quarter strength every time you water will promote even growth and abundant bloom. Once every 6-8 weeks, flush the soil with plain water. To do this, water several times until the water runs
freely out the bottom of the pot. This will remove any buildup of salts from fertilizers and treated water.
What type of soil do they prefer? They grow best in light, well-drained peat-based potting soil such as Exceloam. There are also several special mixtures available for African violets, but some of them are too heavy and should be mixed with extra perlite.
When should I repot my African violets? Repot an African violet often. For pot size, the rule is that the pot should be a third the diameter of the foliage. For instance, a 9 inch plant needs a 3 inch pot. When possible, use pots with a rolled rim to protect the leaf petioles (stems). Will they need any grooming? They will need an occasional "dusting" to clean off the leaves. This can be done
with a soft paint brush. Remove spent flowers as they fade and pinch off old or damaged leaves.
How are they propagated? African violets are easily propagated from leaf cuttings. Remove a healthy leaf (with its petiole), taking it off where it connects to the central stem of the plant. Cut the petiole at a slight slant about a half inch from the base of the leaf. Put the petiole into damp starting medium or vermiculite up to the base of the leaf. Keep it damp but not wet, and it will develop roots within weeks, followed by new leaves. As soon as you see the new leaves, pot the new plant into soil. Cuttings can also be rooted in water (as illustrated), but the roots that grow in water are very brittle. Extra care should be taken when potting these rooted cuttings.
Troubleshooting Problems with African Violets Why won't my African violet bloom? In our low-light winters, there really isn't enough light to trigger blooming. They prefer 10-14 hours of light per day. Putting the plant close under a fluorescent light for a few weeks almost always triggers African violets back into a bloom cycle. If the plant looks healthy, is in the right size pot (a little crowded), gets lots of light and still doesn't bloom, try adding a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus.
Sometimes the plants simply rest for a few months, usually in winter, before starting another bloom cycle.
If a plant blooms, but there aren't many flowers and they are small, what is the cause? If the plant has already been blooming for a while, this might be natural. The largest and most abundant flowers are early in each bloom cycle. Keep the plant well fed and in the proper conditions.
When the leaves are pale, what is the problem? This can be from too much direct sun, not enough fertilizer, or a combination of both. pH can also be a problem. Violets prefer slightly acidic soil.
What causes leaves and flowers to rot? Too much water. Be sure to water from beneath the leaves and avoid letting the plant sit in excess water for more than a half hour.
What causes the new leaves to be small? When the plant gets really crowded, new growth will be small. Most often it is due to several poor cultural factors. It can also happen when the violet gets way too much light.
What causes leaves to turn black? Darkened foliage on fuzzy leaf plants is almost always due to sprays of cold water or leafshine. Plants with fuzzy leaves don't like leafshine.
When there are brown edges or blotches on the leaves, what is the cause? Too much water or cold water on the leaves can cause leaf spotting.
Why do leaves curl or look limp? If the plant gets too dry or the air stays too dry, leaves will curl upward and look a little wilted. This will damage the root hairs, inhibiting the violet's ability to use available water.
Sometimes the flowers look soggy. Why? Again, avoid getting water on the foliage or the blooms. Use a humidity tray instead of misting.
Are there any disease or insect problems to watch for? Occasionally, African violets will have a problem with powdery mildew. Fungicides are not very effective in treating this problem. Powdery mildew can be avoided with good air circulation. Insects aren't a common problem, but watch for mealy bugs, thrips and
aphids. If you keep your soil too moist, you may also have a problem with fungus gnats.
For more information about African Violets and their relatives:
African Violet Society of America
2375 North Street
Beaumont, TX 77702
www.avsa.org
American Gloxinia and Gesneriad Society
Twin City Chapter
5655 Audrey Avenue East
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
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