Help I went out plant shopping yesterday as I said I wanted something to keep some greenery around me as I hate winter and being so dank and blah outside. I have some chronic health issues so anything to help my mood is a big plus for me! Anyway I saw this cute African Violet and any other time I would have passed it by as I remember hearing they are hard to take care of but I had my daughters with me and they oohed and aahed over the blooms so I bought it. Now I need your help so I do not kill the poor thing. Please tell me what to do with it! I am a totally dummy with this plant.
I see no one has touched this. I will try my best as to what I do. I have made new plants from the main african violet plant. You've just bought a new plant so be sure to check its roots. Sometimes they'll need replanting into some good potting soil. you'll need to go to a pot thats just a little bigger then the one its in. Then you can use african violet food or fertilizer to help it along. according to preference, I don't use any and have never had a problem. But should you use it-use according to direction. next, watering: These plants do not like over watering. A saucer under the plant will help it along.I let mine dry out slightly before watering. Then water from the bottom, this will help the leaves from getting wet, which can turn them brown. African violet do not need direct sunlight. This will only scorch or burn the plant. Usually an east facing window works nicely. I hope this helps. here's a link that might help also. http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tips ... iolets.asp
African Violet plants are one of the easiest house plants to take care of. They grow best when watered from the bottom, so make sure you plant them in a pot that has a little bit larger base. Just pour the water in the bottom and the roots will just suck it up. If the dirt on top still feels dry, just add a little more water to the bottom. I water mine about once a week. Be careful not to over water. African Violets also like to be a little root bound, so don't plant them in a large pot. A pot just a little bit bigger than the plant will work great. I have 2 that were my Moms. They are about 25 years old, if not older. They have been repotted only 3 times. One is a purple and white double and the other is a purple single. They bloom all year. Once or twice a year I take some of the dirt out and add new potting soil. Twice a year I put a fertilizer stick in each pot. You can get them at Walmart. When the blooms start to turn brown, pinch them off, and if any leaves turn brown or yellow, pinch them off, too. I hope this helped you. Now, just sit back and watch them grow. (This might sound stupid, but I always talk to my plants when I water them. They never answer, but do give me beautiful blooms all year.) Cathy
I used to place 4 pots of Gloxinia indoor (not next to window though) but 2 pots died and the other 2 pots were not growing well. I applied the same method when it comes to watering the plant. Eventually, I removed the 2 pots and place them on a wooden plank above my small water feature garden, away from the sunlight. See photo. It is growing very well I must say. I only water on its side (about 50ml) once a week. I dont know why it is growing so well, but I suspect it is the moving water (caused by air bubbles / air stones / air pump) below the wooden plank. I am just waiting for them to flower. Best of luck on your African Violet!
Since we're on African Violets, i have a question. Way back in high school, i had one. It lived for years, but i never got it to bloom again. Is there something you need to do, to make them want to bloom.
Peppersage, the African Violets in my office flower continuously. Did u add flowering fertilizer? I do that every month.
OK I did something right, I repotted it in a pot just a hair bigger than the one it came in as it looked like it was pretty much root bound. I have it in a green house window in one of my bathrooms but it is north facing so does not get direct sunlight ever. I wondered about watering. I will take it easy on that. Thanks I did feed it with a general plant food. Do I need to get the african violet food?
I use Gaviota 67 (G67) (N:K = 13:27:27) for flowering. Spray weekly. I read that this is used for Orchids but it works well on my Gloxinia. I attached a few photos here to show you its progress. I took this on 23 October and this on 17 November and today 22 November How is your African Violet so far?
Oh, they are lovely! I'm not sure I'd keep one in my bathroom, Public Designs - I find it a bit too humid for the leaves
