HOW TO START AN AFRICAN VIOLET FROM A LEAF

"What do I do with this leaf when I get it home?"  A frequently asked
question about starting violets from leaves.  

* As with ANY new plant always 'ISOLATE' them from your main plant collection in case of disease or insects.

If any stems are broken off the leaf, go to this page to see how to plant them: 

http://www.reedsgreenhouse.com/broken.htm


1) Recut the stem, diagonally, 1/2" to 1" from the bottom of the leaf    
(front side) with a sharp knife or razor blade.  
Plantlets develop from the cut end of the petiole (stem).

2) If leaf is limp place the entire leaf in tepid water 2+ hours before      
potting, or until the leaf is firmer. (or even soak over night if needed)

3) Label a small 2"-3" diameter pot with the plant name and date.  
Small plastic drinking cups with holes punched in the bottom work well.

4) Fill the pot/cup with your African violet mix to the top.
(Also you do not need to use fertilizer until you see baby leaves coming up through the mix)

5) Insert the stem into the soil so that the mix is almost up to the bottom of the leaf. 
Then keep mix damp, but NOT WET.

6) Place potted leaf in a zip lock bag or seed starting dome to keep 
humidity high. This is very important for smaller leaves like 
Semi-minis and miniatures (My plant room has high humidity 50-60%,)

7) Place under lights or in a window, but don't put in direct sunlight- 
   they will cook! Grow Lux/Cool White (1 of each), lights are my    
   favorite. Or one Warm White and one Cool White.

8) Do not allow the mix to dry out. Keep moist at all times. 
BUT do not over water. (If you do use a plastic dome, you will rarely need to add water.)

9) When several small plantlets emerge (some leaves will produce from 2 
   to 5+ plants), remove the weaker ones and leave 2 or 3 on the 
   "mother" leaf until they have 4 nickel size leaves.  They should 
   then be gently pulled apart and planted in their own 2" pots.

10) Plantlets will start to appear in about 6 weeks, some varieties 
    take longer.

11) If the "mother" leaf continues to grow, cut the top of the leaf off 
    so the leaf energy goes to the plantlets. 


All purchased leaves have a 14-day replacement guarantee.
I just ask for $5.00 for shipping. 

Updated by Steverd@steverd.com 
Web: www.reedsgreenhouse.com
Last edit: 4/14/07