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How to Plant African Violets You can use an actual African violet potting mix or an all-purpose potting soil, as long as it is well-draining. Keep African violets planted in small pots and repot every few years to mix in fresh soil. The soil should be loose and well-drained, and high organic matter content is a plus.
How deep should an African Violet be planted?
(Note: As you prepare your new pot, keep in mind that the final soil level should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch below the rim of the pot.) After you have put soil at the bottom of your new pot, remove your African Violet from its current pot.
Can I use regular potting soil for African violets?
Can You plant African Violets in Regular Potting Mix? A preferred potting mix for African Violets doesn’t contain any soil or dirt in the mixture. It also helps to keep the soil moist and drain extra water from the soil. Regular potting will work but make sure they are well-draining.
Are African violets difficult to grow?
Unlike most houseplants, the flowers are the stars of the show with African violets. Though these fuzzy blooming houseplants have a reputation for being finicky, they’re actually not difficult to grow once you know how to follow some basic rules for their care.
Can you plant African violets outside?
No, not at all. African violets are tropical plants from East Africa. That’s why they make good indoor plants. They would never survive outdoors in most U.S. climates as a normal violet would.
How often should African violets be watered?
An important point to remember when bottom watering African Violet plants is to top water at least once a month. This way you are flushing out any extra fertilizer salt build up and refreshing the soil/roots from the top too.
How long do African violets live?
Repotting these blooms is so important due to their long lifespan. “Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years,” says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
Is Miracle Grow potting soil good for African violets?
African violets grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment. Growing plants in these pots will provide the proper amount of continuous moisture to the plants.
What fertilizer is best for African violets?
About African Violet Fertilizer The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source. In certain conditions, urea can burn the plant’s roots.
How do you start an African violet from a leaf?
African Violets: Propagation by Leaf Step 1: Remove and trim leaf. Step 2: Cut leaf petiole. Step 3: Root the leaf cutting. Step 4: Plantlets at 12 weeks. Step 5: Separate plantlets from leaf cutting. Step 6: Prepare pot for plantlet. Step 7: Pot plantlet. Step 8: You’re done!.
Do African violets need sunlight?
African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
What kind of soil do African violets like?
African violets grow best in soil which is loose, porous, and well-draining. The first consideration in choosing an appropriate potting mix is your home growing conditions—heat, humidity, and light. If your home is lacking in humidity, choose a mix high in organic matter.
Do African violets like to be crowded?
Violets need to feel crowded to bloom, but when a plant gets too big for its pot, divide the plant’s separate-looking leaf heads. When you repot, tease the roots apart and plant in room-temperature potting soil.
Can African violets grow in rocks?
African violets are not deep-rooted plants — think of how they grow on rocks. If you have container-grown plants, choose shallow pots so the potting mix cannot hold more water than the roots can absorb. Typically, a 4-inch pot is the largest you should use to prevent roots from rotting because of waterlogged soil.
Can African violets live outside in the shade?
African violets are not “true violets,” although the resemblance is striking. A true violet grows outside, in full sun or partial shade, putting down deep roots. Here, they’re houseplants, with very shallow roots. They want a good amount of light as long as it is in shade.
How many hours of light do African violets need?
Use a timer set to 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark each day. Tip: African violets must have at least eight hours of darkness daily to produce flowers.
Should you water African violets from the bottom?
Should I water African violets from the top or bottom? Either is fine. It is important not to use cold water; lukewarm or warm is preferred. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.
Should you remove dead flowers from African violets?
If you have success getting your African Violet to bloom, be sure to pinch or deadhead spent blooms. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage.
How do you bring an African violet back to life?
If a majority of the roots are still white or light-colored, prune off the rotted roots, and re-pot the plant in soil for African violets in a container with several drainage holes. You can water from top or bottom with water at room temperature or slightly warmer.
