African violets (Saintpaulia) are well-known for their colorful blooms and are often found in borders, rock gardens, or as houseplants. With over 16,000 different named African violets and their descriptions, there are numerous cultivars in an array of colors including violet, blue, red, white, pink, cream, soft yellow, and bi- or multicolored flowers.
Among these, "Chimera" African violets are particularly popular due to their striped appearance, while "Fantasy" varieties are filled with flecks of color, making them beautiful accents in arrangements. This guide provides detailed information on how to care for Chimera African violets to ensure they thrive and bloom beautifully.
Chimera African Violet 'Versailles'
Light Requirements
African violets require at least 12 hours of bright filtered light per day to flower long-term. For darker winter months, position African violets in places that receive the largest amount of light. However, avoid the intense heat of the direct sun during the summer.
If windows aren’t available, fluorescent light or LED lights may be used to supplement. Depending on the lighting product, violets should be positioned 10-30 inches away from the light unit, and the light should be turned on for 6-12 hours a day. Violets receiving adequate light grow with a flat horizontal wheel of leaves. African violets prefer to be within 12 inches of a bright window.
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Temperature Sensitivity
African violets are also very sensitive to heat and cold. The difficulty in regulating the temperature of greenhouses leaves many too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter for the delicate flowering African violet. Violets grow better when the temperatures are maintained rather rigidly between 65 and 80°F. This is very difficult to do in a greenhouse setting. When the temperatures vary more than that, the violets will get a rougher look. Care should also be taken to avoid excessive light and heat as too much heat may cause the soil surrounding the plant to dry.
Watering and Humidity
African violets are found in nature on riverbanks, streamsides, or among rocks. African violets can tolerate humidity as low as 10%, but that is so dry that tiny buds rarely survive to open as flowers. To encourage flower development, it is best to aim for 30-60%. Low humidity can be a factor. African violets thrive on 40-60% humidity, and when the air around the African violet is dryer than that, the buds can fail.
Similarly buds may collapse if the African violet potting mix gets too dry. If you have been allowing the self-watering pots to go dry, this could be the problem. Once potting mix goes dry, it can be difficult to get it moist again because peat moss tends to shed water. In self-watering pots, especially the kind that have no drainage, it can be especially hard to restore the balance in the soil moisture.
Fertilizing
African violet plants need a high phosphate and high potash fertilizer for the best blooming. Apply a high phosphate, high potash liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. It must be fertilized regularly with a balanced mix for African violets. There are many good brands.
Almost all fertilizers offer the basic three “macro-nutrients” of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which are needed in ample supply for healthy plant growth. A few also include the “macros” of calcium and magnesium. Since these two latter “macros” are found in many city water supplies, most growers will get enough calcium and magnesium from their water. If you use rain, distilled or reverse osmosis water, be aware that you need a fertilizer that contains both, or you will need a supplement (commonly called Cal/Mag) to supply them.
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Choosing a fertilizer according to the source of the nutrients is also wise. Fertilizers listing their source as urea nitrogen are often the cheapest and also the least desirable. If your growing area is frequently colder than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, a fertilizer made from urea is more likely to result in ammonium toxicity. It is often wise to ask others in your area which fertilizer works best for them.
Fertilizers currently (2020) being mentioned by many growers in social media (especially to use with rain, distilled or reverse osmosis water) include either DynaGro Grow 7-9-5 or Feed Me MSU fertilizer for African violets (from repotme.com). Also recommended is Better Gro Orchid Plus 20-14-13 without urea, which is also preferred by many growers of other Gesneriads. Jack’s Classic formulations generally lack sulphur and may be useful for growers with acid growing conditions.
If you have no choice except for the fertilizer-charged potting mix, then you do not want to fertilize for about three months. If the fertilizer recommends this rate for once-a-month fertilizing and you are going to use it weekly, you should dilute it to no more than an 1/8 tsp per gallon. If this is their recommendation for weekly watering, I would still dilute to 1/4 tsp and then watch. If you see fading vigor, then a bit more might be good.
Potting and Repotting
African violets bloom best when in small pots, ideally only one-third the diameter of their leaf span. African violets bloom best when the roots are well-developed. The best roots form in very porous potting mix which is kept evenly moist at all times-never saturated and never bone dry.
Repot African Violets at least once a year but only slightly increase the size of the pot. Take care not to overpot. To accurately select a pot, measure the diameter of your plant. Some African violets become vegetative, meaning they are so comfortable that they only grow leaves. To convert them to being reproductive, you must give them a little scare. Repotting is one method. It also works to tap the pot firmly on a hard surface or squeeze the pot to create a minor earthquake. Some varieties are shy bloomers.
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Pest and Pathogen Problems
When caring for African violets pay attention to possible pest and pathogen problems. Aphids, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites are common pest problems for African violets.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease and looks like white powder. It can appear on many parts of the plant. If it should happen to grow on bud stems, it could cause the buds to fail. Powdery mildew thrives in humid conditions, especially where daytime and nighttime temperatures vary by more than 15 degrees. Plants which are too close together may block air movement and increase problems with humid pockets of air. Many growers find it helps to run a fan on low 24 hours a day.
Cyclamen mites are a pest that feeds on the newest growth of the plant, which includes bud stems. Growers have reported a number of other diseases, but in most cases accurate diagnosis requires a plant pathologist who can prescribe a specific treatment.
Stunt is actually just a symptom of a disease, pest, or cultural condition which has stopped the growth of the crown at its center. The most common disease causing stunt is INSV. The most common pest causing stunt is cyclamen mite.
Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus is inoculated into plants by a vector-most commonly Western Flower Thrips. When they are carrying the disease, they transmit the disease by scraping the plant surface with their mouth part. Individual cells in small areas of the plant are infected first and then spread. The classic symptom is a target shaped mark with one or more yellow circles on a leaf. Growers have also reported odd growth or puckers, stunted centers, and a general lack of vitality.
Propagating Chimera African Violets
The most popular method for propagating African violets is through root leaf cuttings or to root suckers of cultivars. The popular striped “Chimera” cultivars will not establish themselves from leaf cuttings but will come true from suckers.
Sow seed at 66-75oF as soon as ripe.
Grooming and Pruning
Pruning in African violets is not done in the same way, generally, as it is for other plants. It is more common that violet growers groom plants by removing any individual flowers as they fade and entire blossom stems when the last flower is fading. Grooming also includes removing leaves which are damaged and any that are fading on the lower rows. Pruning techniques would include removing secondary crowns (suckers) either to propagate or to discard. If a secondary crown has been allowed to grow to a mature size, then the plant needs to be divided by cutting between the two crowns and potting each into its own pot. Pruning also occurs when shaping trailers to achieve a beautiful form.
Trim off the individual flowers as they fade, and when the entire cluster is gone, remove the flower stem by rocking it from side to side until it comes loose from the main stem.
Cleaning African Violet Leaves
If it is only a tiny bit of debris, it may be removed by blowing. For more general cleaning, many growers brush debris away with soft brushes such as those used for makeup or painting. Violets may also be washed at the faucet using a gentle flow of mildly warm (tepid) water.
If residue is stubborn, some growers spray mist the leaves with a solution of 1-2 drops of water in a quart bottle of warm water. After all leaves have been rinsed, you should blot excess water off the leaves (especially any in the center) with a soft sponge, paper towel or cloth. Persistent cat hair or drywall dust may be more difficult to remove. Several growers in social media have reported using lint-remover rollers with replaceable sticky paper. They gently roll across the leaf from stem toward the tip.
Here is a table summarizing the key care aspects for Chimera African Violets:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright filtered light, 12+ hours per day. Avoid direct sunlight. |
| Temperature | Maintain between 65-80°F (18-27°C). |
| Watering | Keep potting mix evenly moist, not saturated or bone dry. |
| Humidity | Aim for 30-60% to encourage flower development. |
| Fertilizing | High phosphate and potash liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. |
| Potting | Small pots, ideally one-third the diameter of the leaf span. |
| Repotting | Repot annually, slightly increasing pot size. |
| Pests & Diseases | Watch for aphids, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and powdery mildew. |
| Propagation | Propagate Chimera varieties from suckers. |
| Grooming | Remove faded flowers and damaged leaves regularly. |
