African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are beloved houseplants, known for their ease of care and prolific blooms. Native to the rainforests of East Africa, these plants have adapted well to indoor environments, offering a touch of natural beauty to any home. This guide provides comprehensive information on how to grow large, healthy African violet plants, covering essential aspects such as lighting, watering, humidity, potting, fertilizing, and pest control.
Light Requirements
African violets thrive in bright, indirect light. Insufficient light is a common reason for failure to flower. Here’s what to consider:
- Natural Light: Place your violet to the side of a South or West-facing window, or directly in front of an East-facing window. North-facing windows may not provide enough light.
- Artificial Light: African violets can be easily grown using artificial light. An intensity of approximately 600 foot-candles for 14 to 16 hours per day is recommended. Fluorescent lights are most frequently used. The tubes should be 12 to 15 inches above the tops of the plants.
- Signs of Incorrect Lighting: Violets exposed to too much sunlight will have pale yellow-green leaves. Not enough light will prevent your plant from flowering.
An intensity of approximately 600 foot-candles for 14 to 16 hours per day is recommended. The tubes should be 12 to 15 inches above the tops of the plants. A shelf containing two or more 20- to 40-watt tubes will grow numerous plants.
Watering Techniques
Proper watering is critical for the health of African violets. Plants can die from too much or too little water. Here are some guidelines:
- Watering Frequency: Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy. Never let your plant sit in water.
- Water Quality: Do not use softened or chlorinated water. Use room-temperature distilled water, rainwater, or reverse-osmosis water. Cold water splashed on the leaves causes light green, discolored areas called ring spot.
- Watering Methods:
- Top Watering: Use a baster, syringe, or bottle with a narrow spout. Carefully water just the potting mix.
- Bottom Watering: Place the pot in a saucer filled with water for 15 to 30 minutes. Water will be absorbed into the soil through the pot’s drain hole.
- Wick Watering: Thread a length of wet string or yarn (nylon or polyester) through a bottom hole in your empty pot. Allow about 6 inches to hang out the bottom of the pot. Fill the pot to the top with potting mix. Make a hole in the mix and insert your African violet plant. Gently push the potting mix up to the plant crown.
Plants in high light and low humidity require more frequent watering than those in low light and high humidity.
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Humidity and Temperature
Maintaining the right humidity and temperature levels is essential for African violets to thrive:
- Optimal Temperature: The most attractive violets are grown at a nighttime temperature of 65° to 70°F and a daytime temperature of 70° to 90°F. Plants grown at temperatures below 60°F will be deformed.
- Humidity Levels: Humidity at 40-60% will help African violets thrive. Group plants together to conserve humidity or set plants on trays of pebbles and water.
- Increasing Humidity: Where a few plants are concerned, humidity may be increased by setting the pots in watertight metal or plastic trays filled with water and gravel or pebbles. Maintain a shallow level of water in the tray.
It is important to avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations, including sudden drafts.
Potting and Repotting
Choosing the right potting mix and container is crucial for healthy growth:
- Potting Mix: African violets have fine roots and require well-drained, soilless potting mixes with a pH of about 6.2 - 6.5. Pre-mixed commercial blends high in peat are available at most retail garden centers.
- Containers: Planting containers should have one or more holes in the bottom that allow excess water to drain. African violets prefer to be slightly rootbound. The diameter of the container should measure no more than one-third the width of the plant’s leaf span.
- Repotting: It is recommended to re-pot African violets once a year to help deliver new nutrients to the plants and remove salt buildup. Older plants usually have more than one crown. After you have gently removed the plant from the pot, divide the crowns by cutting through the root ball with a sharp knife.
Clay pots may accumulate fertilizer salts. When the African violet’s leaves and stems come into contact with these salts, they can burn and eventually rot.
Fertilizing
Regular fertilization is key to promoting healthy growth and abundant blooms:
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- Fertilizer Type: Fertilizers formulated for African violets can be purchased at many garden centers or online. African violets require a mild fertilizer each time they are watered.
- Application: If a plant is dry, always moisten the potting mix with plain water to prevent possible root burn before fertilizing. Many indoor gardeners get the best results using one-third to one-half the recommended amount of fertilizer.
- Frequency: Most violet hobbyists prefer to use liquid or water-soluble fertilizers such as 20-20-20 every four to six weeks.
African violets are very sensitive to a build-up of soluble salt which can damage plant roots.
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Common Problems and Solutions
Here are some common issues that African violet growers may encounter, along with solutions:
Pests and Diseases
- Aphids: Insect, usually green or black, 1/8″ long, called plant lice.
- Cyclamen Mites: Extremely small insects, not visible with magnification. Insects feed on growing tip of plants.
- Spider Mites: Injure by puncturing and sucking sap. In large numbers, develop a web over leaves, flowers, etc. Plants appear stunted.
- Mealybugs: White cottony mass of eggs and insects in crown of plant. As population increases, insects distribute themselves on stem and underside of leaves. Insects feed by piercing and sucking sap.
- Botrytis Blight: A disease infecting flowers, leaves, petioles. Causes decay, flowers develop water-soaked appearance. Improve air movement, reduce humidity.
- Root and Crown Rot: Attacks stems, leaves and petioles in contact with soil. May cause complete wilting of plant if entire stem is attacked. Use sterilized well-drained soil. Use clean plants. Discard badly diseased plants.
Other Issues
- Lack of Blooms: Ensure adequate light, proper fertilization, and a small pot size.
- Bud Drop: Low humidity or dry potting mix can cause buds to collapse.
- Stunted Growth: May be caused by diseases, pests, or cultural conditions.
- Powdery Mildew: A fungal disease that looks like white powder. Improve air movement and reduce humidity.
- Ring Spot: Caused by cold water splashing on leaves.
Radical Repotting for Long Stems
Over time, African violets may develop a long stem, or "neck," as lower leaves are removed. Radical repotting can help rejuvenate the plant:
Steps for Radical Repotting:
- Remove the leaves up to the top healthy center of the plant.
- Cut the stem to about an inch, trim the stem stubs.
- Plant it in fresh, damp African Violet potting mix in a 4-inch shallow pot.
- Put the plant in a plastic bag, blow air into it, close it with a twist-tie, and place it near a window for one month.
Propagation
African violets can be easily propagated by division or leaf-petiole cuttings:
- Division: Older plants with multiple crowns can be divided by cutting through the root ball with a sharp knife and potting each crown separately.
- Leaf-Petiole Cuttings: Cut leaves from the original plant, leaving 1 inch of leaf stalk (petiole) attached to the leaf. Bury the stalk and up to ¼ inch of the leaf in a wet sand/vermiculite mixture. Cover lightly with plastic and keep the media moist.
| Aspect | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light. 600 foot-candles for 14-16 hours per day if using artificial lights. |
| Water | Keep potting mix moist, not soggy. Use room-temperature distilled, rainwater, or reverse-osmosis water. |
| Humidity | 40-60%. Use pebble trays or group plants to increase humidity. |
| Temperature | Night: 65-70°F, Day: 70-90°F. Avoid temperatures below 60°F. |
| Potting Mix | Well-drained, soilless mix with pH 6.2-6.5. Pre-mixed African violet potting mix. |
| Fertilizer | Mild fertilizer formulated for African violets each time you water, diluted to one-third to one-half the recommended amount. |
| Repotting | Annually. Use containers one-third the width of the plant’s leaf span. |
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