Table of Contents
What kind of pot is best for African violets?
For best results, plant African violets in African violet pots, which are small (4- to 5-inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers. Growing plants in these pots will provide the proper amount of continuous moisture to the plants.
Do African violets need deep pots?
A full grown African Violet rarely needs a pot larger than 4 or perhaps 4 1/2″. After having grown in such a pot for 8 – 12 months the main stem of the plant will begin to be visible above the soil level.
How deep should a pot be for African violets?
There is an easy method to determine the appropriate size pot for your African violet. The size of the pot should be about one-third the diameter of the leaves. For example, if the diameter of the leaves is 12 inches, your violet will be happiest in a 4 inch diameter pot that is 3 inches deep.
Can you 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.
Do African violets prefer plastic pots?
Clay Pots – These are not the best looking pots, but they are very porous, which can be good for you African violets to drain the water. Plastic Pots – Most of these pots, but especially the ones that have saucer bottoms, are well-draining pots that your African violets will love.
Are ceramic pots good for African violets?
If you plan to plant your African violet in a plastic pot, choosing one with a saucer on the bottom is essential. The saucer will allow your pot to drain more evenly, ensuring your violets don’t get over-watered. Ceramic pots. The porous construction of ceramic pots make them a great choice for African violets.
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.
When should you repot an African Violet?
African violets should be repotted about twice a year, or every 5-6 months. One mature, this simply means repotting the plant with some fresh soil, into the same size pot.
Why are my African violets so big?
Why Do African Violets Get Leggy? New growth on African violets grows from the plant tip. As new growth grows from the top spending much of the plant’s energy, the old leaves at the bottom of the plant die back. After time, this can leave you with long necked African violet plants.
Can you plant multiple African violets in one pot?
Answer: Yes and no. So long as the violets are otherwise properly cared for, they can be potted together into the same pot. If you still would like to put three violets together into one pot, we would suggest keeping them in their own individual pots, then placing them into the larger container.
Can you use Epsom salt on African violets?
To get your African violets blooming again, apply an Epsom salt drench every two weeks. Epsom salt is not salt as we know it in the kitchen sense, but magnesium sulfate, a form of magnesium and sulfur crystal that is easily dissolved in water and readily used by plants.
What is the difference between African Violet potting soil and regular potting soil?
Commercial African violet mixes are generally more porous and have better drainage than house-plant potting mixes. African violet mixes also are slightly more acid than regular house-plant potting soil. Many growers use soilless mixes. They do not contain natural soil from outdoors.
What is special about African Violet potting mix?
The right potting mix for African violets allows air to reach the roots. Some additives help roots to grow bigger and stronger. Your mix should be well-draining, porous, and fertile. Typical houseplant soil is too heavy and restricts airflow because the decomposed peat it contains encourages too much water retention.
What compost do you need for African Violets?
African violets are easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Choose leaves that are almost full size and remove from the plant with the stalk attached. Fill pots with free draining compost such as seed and cutting compost or mix equal quantities of multipurpose compost and sharp sand or perlite.
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.
Do African Violet pots really work?
Answer: If working properly, a self-watering ‘violet pot’ keeps the soil constantly moist by allowing the water in the outer glazed pot (reservoir) to keep the unglazed inner pot wet and, by osmosis, the soil inside. If the inner pot is clean and unglazed, sometimes you just need to get the process started.
How often do you water African violets?
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.
Can African violets grow in terracotta pots?
Terra Cotta is ideal for African violets because the porous material allows the roots to breath better and prevents the soil from staying too wet. African Violet roots don’t go very deep; they like to go sideways, so don’t use a deep pot. Your pot must have suitable drainage holes so you can water from underneath.
Should I Water African Violet after repotting?
Once you have finished repotting, you many want to bag it. Keep your Violet in the bag for one week. After you have removed the Violet from the bag, it will be safe to resume your normal watering and fertilizer schedule.
Should African violets get direct 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.
