Violets can be notoriously difficult to get to bloom, especially if they have been in the same pot for a few months or years. The key to getting your violets to bloom is to create the ideal environment for them to thrive.
First, give your violet lots of indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can be too intense, so try to find a mostly shaded location near a window that receives some sunlight during the day. Violets also like humidity; set your pot on a tray of gravel with a little bit of water in it to help keep the humidity up.
Next, make sure to water your violets with either distilled or filtered water, as tap water can contain too much chlorine or minerals. Let the soil dry out in between waterings and fertilize your plant once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer.
With these tips, your violets should start to bloom in no time!.
How long does it take an African violet to bloom?
It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for an African violet to bloom after planting. In addition to this, the period in which the African violet will bloom can vary depending on the type of the African violet, the temperature and lighting conditions, and the quality of the soil and fertilizer used for the plant.
If you follow the proper care instructions for your African violet and maintain your plant in its ideal growing environment, you can expect to see flowers within 4 to 6 weeks of planting.
Can you root violets in water?
Yes, you can root violets in water. All you need to do is snip off a few inches of healthy, mature stem from the mother plant, making sure to include at least one leaf. Strip off the lower leaves, leaving as many as possible.
Then, place the violets in water and place the jar in a very warm room, making sure that there is a lot of indirect sunlight coming in. Change the water every 3-5 days and when you see new roots developed, pot the violets in a good quality soil and leave it be.
After a month or so of proper care, you can expect to see your violets blooming!.
Can African violets live in just water?
No, African violets cannot live solely in water. African violets are indoor plants that prefer more humid environments with bright indirect sunlight and consistent soil moisture —planting them in water alone will cause them to die.
To water African violets, it’s best to water from the bottom of the pot or set the pot in a container of water and allow the water to be absorbed into the soil. African violets should not be left sitting in water for too long, as it can that can cause root and stem rot.
Additionally, since African violets prefer to grow in potting soil, the soil acts as a filter for the water, which helps absorb extra fertilizer and other potential impurities that may harm the plant.
Can you grow African violets from cuttings?
Yes, you can grow African violets from cuttings. When taking cuttings from an African violet plant, it is important to make sure that you are using a sterile blade to cut the leaves. Before you take the cutting, remove any blossoms and any of the lower leaves near the base.
After making the cut, dip the bottom of the cutting into a rooting hormone and then place the cutting inside a pot filled with moistened African violet potting soil. Afterward, place the pot in a warm, humid location that has indirect sunlight and be sure to mist it daily to keep the soil moist.
With adequate care, the African violet cutting will develop roots and soon be ready to be transplanted elsewhere.
How long should African violets sit in water?
When it comes to African violets, there is no exact time limit for how long the plant should sit in water. It is important to note, however, that African violets should never sit in water for extended periods of time.
If the plant does sit in water for too long, it can cause root rot and other fungal diseases.
Because African violets do not like to sit in water for a long time, it is important to make sure that their soil is only damp and not overly wet. The best way to do this is to always check the soil before you water the plant and make sure that the soil is dry to the touch.
When you do water the plant, you should only add enough water to make the soil damp, not wet or soggy. This will help prevent the plant from sitting in too much water for too long.
Finally, make sure to always use tepid water when watering the plant; cold water can shock the root system, causing over saturation and even root rot. If you are unsure if your African violet is getting the right amount of water, it is best to err on the side of caution and underwater the plant slightly.
It is better to underwater the plant than to overwater it and damage the root system of the plant.
Is Miracle Grow good for African violets?
Yes, Miracle Grow can be used to fertilize African violets. Just dilute it to half strength and fertilize your plants once a month during the growing season (spring through fall). Since African violets are light feeders, a lighter dose of fertilizer is best.
Miracle Grow’s balanced formula is great for providing all the essential macro and micro-nutrients that African violets need to thrive. In addition, Miracle Grow includes bacillus subtilis, also referred to as beneficial bacteria, to promote healthy root growth.
The added benefit is that it can help fight off infections and diseases. It is also important to remember that when using Miracle Grow, be sure to water your violet plant from the bottom and only water when the top of the soil is dry.
Where is the place to put an African violet?
African violets prefer indirect, bright light and need to be placed in a spot that receives a few hours of light each day. Avoid any direct sun as this can burn the leaves. The ideal location for an African violet is an east or west facing window, as this will provide light without direct sun.
If you don’t have an east or west facing window, consider putting your African Violet a few feet away from a bright south-facing window. This will allow the flower to bask in the indirect light coming through the window and still protect it from strong light.
Still, be sure to watch out for any signs of sunburn due to too much sunlight. Place the African Violet in a spot that is out of the way of any cold drafts or air conditioning sources, as this can cause the leaves to dry out and the flower to wilt.
Temperature should be kept around 21-25°C (70-80°F). African Violets also need to be watered regularly, so find a spot in the home where it can easily be taken care of. Be sure to water African Violet in the sink or a container, as they do not like to sit in an excess amount of water.
Ultimately, find a spot that provides indirect bright light and is away from any cold drafts, and your African Violet will thrive!.
Should you deadhead violets?
Yes, you should deadhead violets! Deadheading is the process of removing faded and dead flowers from plants. This helps violets look their best and also helps to promote new growth and blooms. Deadheading is beneficial for violets in two ways: it keeps the plant looking attractive and growing strong and healthy, and it also helps to prevent reseeding, meaning the plant will not spread beyond where it is meant to be and will not be a nuisance.
Deadheading violets can be done by pinching off the dead flowers at the stem using your fingers or using sharp scissors or pruning snips.
Do African violets bloom year-round?
No, African violets are temperamental flowering plants and tend to bloom primarily during the spring and summer months. They require a specific environment with high moisture and humidity and adequate warmth for their blooms to appear and last.
Therefore, outside of the spring and summer months, African violets are likely to go through a period of dormancy with minimal or non-existent blooming. During this period, they typically require less water to ensure that the roots and stems remain healthy until the next growing season.
However, with proper care, African violets can remain everblooming during the winter months, producing flowers year-round. To achieve this, they will need to be properly pruned, repotted as necessary, and placed in indirect light with a consistently warm temperature and high levels of humidity.
Strict routine sunlight and water requirements should also be observed.
Do African violets like to be misted?
Yes, African violets like to be misted. This is because they originate from tropical rain forests and so they appreciate the cool, humid atmosphere that misting creates. Misting is a perfect way to provide your African violets with the right amount of humidity.
It is important to note that misting should not be done too frequently as it can lead to root rot and leave your African violet vulnerable to disease. When misting make sure that you do so gently and from the leaves, not from the roots, to ensure the best results.
In addition, make sure the leaves are dry before misting and use distilled water to prevent any potential buildup of harmful minerals. With the appropriate amount of misting, your African violets will thrive and bloom.
Should you fertilize African violets while blooming?
Yes, it is important to fertilize African violets while they are blooming. African violets need nutrients that are not always present in the soil they are planted in, so a water-soluble fertilizer can help provide the plant with the nutrition it needs to stay healthy and vigorous.
When fertilizing African violets, always use a formula that has a balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio. During the blooming season when the African violets are actively growing, it is best to fertilize them every two to three weeks with a diluted solution, ensuring that the instructions on the fertilizer label are closely followed for best results.
It is also important to water your African violets regularly in order to provide the necessary environment for the plant to grow and thrive.
Should African violets be deadheaded?
Yes, African violets should be deadheaded. This is important for keeping the plant healthy and promoting new blooms. Deadheading involves removing the faded flowers and faded foliage to encourage new growth.
Deadheading also helps African violets keep their neat, compact shape, as well as remove any spent or dead foliage for aesthetic purposes. It’s important to use sharp, sterile scissors or pruners when deadheading, as it prevents any type of infection from spreading.
Deadheading needs to be done before the flower has gone to seed, usually when the petals begin to fade or curl. It’s also important to remove any wilted or discolored leaves. African violets that have been correctly deadheaded will continue to bloom throughout the year.
