I've had African Violets for many years (probably 15 or more years) and I've got 15 plants currently. I try not to have two of the same color and they seem to demand minimal care and still keep blooming and making me smile. But I know there are many things I'd like some ideas/thoughts/shared experiences on, such as when to know it's time to repot, how much light is needed/best, etc. I've been lazy about repotting but my space, as everyone's, is limited so I can't have huge plants...these fit very nicely in my bay window and on one or two rolling laundry carts. I'll send a photo of my little carts since I think they're a great idea! They are mobile and allow me to move them to the sink for watering or to the window.
Let's share ideas on caring for our little beauties at home...thanks!
Julie in the Berkshires of Massachusetts
I've had my standard AV plants for six years now and I've been growing plants from their leaves for about four years. I've had luck with my pink, purple and white ruffle, and dark purple plants but... my white plants always... always keel over and die! Do they require more attention? Why don't they successfully transplant?
I would love to see very in depth info on correct lighting for optimum growth and blooming for African Violets. I'm new to AV's and can't seem to get a good answer, anywhere. I'm worried that I will ruin my plants with too strong a light or stunt them with too weak a light.
Thanks,
Tari
I love that Alchemy Gold! I got to get me one of those!!!!!
Steve I think we could start an area of stored info of how to topics for growing healthy Violets. I propose we gather group experience and wisdom and have a section for newbies easy access. I am currently compiling ideas, The following is just a start of ideas for a stored section on your site for Q & A:
How to
Set leaf cuttings
Pot up new babies
Repot a dying plant with no roots
How to divide an old plant with suckers
Groom a violet plant
Control a plant’s symmetry
Cross pollinate a violet
When and how often to repot
Watering Violets
Storing water to de-chlorinate it
Use of large jar with faucet
When to water
If a light well-drained mix water is used there is less a concern for over watering
Soak a pot occasionally that has become packed
Use of hydroponics with AVs
Soil Mixtures
Recommended mixes formula
Mix for oyama potting
Mix for holding water
Mix for quick drainage to prevent overwatering
Essential elements used to include and their purpose
Pest Strips
Where to Buy
What to use
Where to place
How to avoid pests
How to get rid of pests
Fertilizer Techniques and mixtures
Liquid and constant feed
Various formulas offered
Pre-fertilized soil? Use or not?
Leaching out accumulated fertilizer buildup
Planting & Care of Leaf Cuttings
Use of covered dome top or plastic boxes
Root stimulator products
Dying of cuttings
Browning of cuttings
No fertilizer at first
Refreshing shipped leaves
Water rooting
Rooting in rooting mix what is formula
When to repot cutting
caution re white and pink leaf babies
Pots
Food containers used as pot for small or starter plants
Clay pots vs plastic
Drainage
Size of pots
Pests
Thirps
Mealy Bugs
Light requirements
Window light
No direct sunlight
Use of artificial lights
Distance from top of pot
Center vs sides
Number of hours, duration
Types of bulbs; user recommendations regarding types of lighting pros and cons
Experiments
Hydroponics
Adding dye to water for blossom color enhancement?
Dream list for AVs in the future:
Possible insertion of color genes from generiads or other plants for new colors or shapes
Possible insertion of fragrance genes from other flower species
Possible gene work that would change violet resistance to certain pest or other requirements such as ability to tolerate direct sun.
I am working on such a storage idea for myself here at home. You might want to start this on you site. Tom
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