African violets, which are small and beautiful flowering plants that belong to the Saintpaulia genus, can grow quite rapidly, though their specific rate of growth will ultimately depend on the environmental conditions they are kept in.
In ideal conditions (i. e. good temperature and light levels, a quality African violet fertilizer, and appropriate levels of water and humidity) they can grow up to 3-5 inches per year. They grow in a slow upright manner, and spread their leaves outwards in a circular shape.
They generally grow by 4-7 leaves at a time, and can flower anywhere from 1-3 times per month. It’s important to note that African violets will not get any bigger than their pot size, so if you want to make sure your plant won’t grow too large, make sure you are re-potting it into a larger size every year or two.
What do you do when African violets get too big?
When African violets get too big, a process known as re-potting should be done. This involves gently removing the plant from its current pot and placing it into a slightly bigger one, filled with new soil.
To avoid damaging the roots and stem, it can be helpful to use clean kitchen gloves and cut away the pot it’s currently living in. Once the plant is in its new pot, make sure to lightly spread the leaves to check for pests and/or damage.
If any areas look diseased, pluck them away with sterilized scissors and dispose of them properly. Once the plant is securely in its new pot and free of pests and disease, water the soil lightly and make sure the pot has good drainage.
In general, it’s a good idea to re-pot African Violets every 12-18 months, as the soil can become compacted over time and limit the amount of nutrients and oxygen the plant can access.
Why is my African violet so tall?
One likely culprit might be a lack of adequate nutrients and/or water. If you’re not providing enough moisture and nutrients, the plant may compensate by sending up long, gangly stems in an attempt to reach more resources.
Another possible cause is that you may be overcrowding your African violet, causing it to struggle for resources. If you’ve recently transplanted the plant, its roots could be competing for limited room, resulting in a lanky, overgrown appearance.
Make sure your plant is in an appropriately sized pot, and that it isn’t in too much competition with other plants, to encourage healthy and manageable growth.
Light conditions can also influence the height of your African violet. African violets need consistent, filtered light but too much direct ray can cause stretching as the plant reaches for more light.
Keep your plant in a location with indirect light and make sure the soil isn’t too dark or too cool, as this can also cause heigh problems.
Finally, it’s possible that your African violet is simply growing to its natural height. Different varieties of violets reach heights of anywhere from 8 to 20 inches, so the height of the plant may simply be determined by its genetics.
How do you prune an overgrown African violet?
Pruning an overgrown African violet can be a bit of a daunting task, but it is important in order to ensure that the plant remains healthy and vibrant. The first step is to trim off any dead or dying leaves and stems.
Once these have been removed, use a pair of sterile scissors to cut away any weak or leggy stems. You will want to leave longer, thicker stems intact so that the African violet can continue to thrive and flower.
If the stem is thick and healthy, then you can leave it be.
Next, identify any stems that have become overly long and prune them back. Try to cut the stem so that there is still two sets of leaves attached at the base of the stem. If there are no leaves attached, the stem has gone too far and the plant may not regenerate.
Make sure to cut at a 45-degree angle to make sure that the new growth will be strong and healthy.
Finally, pinch off any flowers or buds that have begun to die in order to stimulate new blooms. You may also gently tidy up the foliage if any of the leaves have become too long or unwieldy. By following these steps, your African violet should have new growth and start blooming again in a few weeks.
Do African violets multiply?
Yes, African violets can multiply quite easily. These plants are able to produce a series of offsets, which will branch off and start developing their own root systems. The original mother plant will reach a certain point where its roots will become crowded and the leaves will start to wilt a bit.
When this happens, it’s time to divide the plant so that it can keep growing and multiplying. African violets are generally easy to propagate, and the best way to do this is to remove the offsets and replant them into their own pot.
Give the offsets enough space and good drainage, and with proper care, they will begin to thrive.
Are African violets invasive?
No, African violets are not invasive. African violets are popular houseplants and are known for their attractive, violet-like foliage and small, abundant blooms. Unlike other houseplants, they require minimal care and are easily grown in a pot or on a windowsill.
The flowers can last for up to two weeks when properly cared for. They are not considered invasive because they are not able to spread or reproduce on their own; any new plants must be propagated from existing ones or purchased from a nursery.
African violets should be kept in a room temperature location and given bright, indirect sunlight for best growth. While certainly attractive, these houseplants should be kept out of any environment of other vulnerable plants as they can attract various insects and diseases.
How do violets spread?
Violets spread primarily through asexual means such as stolons (above ground lateral stems) and rhizomes (underground lateral stems). Stolons are strengthened above ground stems that originate from the base of the mother plant.
As they grow, they produce new shoots and roots, enabling the plant to propagate itself. Rhizomes are stems located underground that also produce new shoots and roots. As they grow, they help the plant to spread and colonize a space.
Additionally, the plant can produce seeds, which will also help it to spread and colonize a space. Finally, violets can be spread through vegetative division, which involves manually separating the parental plant into multiple sections and replanting them.
Do violets like to be crowded?
No, violets generally do not like to be crowded. They prefer to have plenty of space around them, so they can get enough air, light and water to grow and thrive. Violets will quickly become stressed and fail to flower when there isn’t enough space for proper air circulation and circulation of nutrients.
Crowding them also increases the risk of disease and rot due to poor air circulation and lack of light. It’s best to allow proper spacing between individual plants, or make sure to use a container of adequate size to ensure your violets have plenty of room.
Do violets choke out other plants?
Yes, violets can choke out other plants in certain conditions. Violets are known for their rapidly spreading habit and ability to colonize quickly. In ideal growing climates, violets can overrun and shade out other plants, especially in moist and shady areas.
Violets are particularly invasive in woodland gardens and shaded rock gardens, where they are well adapted to thrive. They can quickly out-compete other plants in these areas and spread beyond the boundaries of a garden to the detriment of native species and natural vegetation.
To avoid this, it is important to keep violets in check and consider using non-invasive varieties in the garden.
How long do violets live for?
Violets are perennial plants which means they can live for many years if properly cared for. Violets typically live from 3-10 years if their soil is kept moist and fertilized with an organic fertilizer.
Additionally, if the soil is kept weed-free and temperatures are consistent, violets can live for 15 years or longer. This is especially true for species native to temperate climates. Violets in a greenhouse or indoors last the longest since they are exposed to the most consistent and ideal conditions.
How do you keep wild violets from spreading?
The most effective is to dig them out from the area where they have taken root and discard them in a garbage bag to prevent any seeds from being dropped and dispersed. Applying a glyphosate-based weedkiller such as Round Up is also effective for killing the violets and preventing further spread.
Mulch can be used as a physical barrier; utilizing a thick layer of mulch prevents sunlight from reaching the ground which starves the violets of energy and sunlight. Re-applying the mulch in the spring months can help to keep any new wild violets in check.
Finally, planting other plants and flowers in the area can help to compete with the wild violets. These plants should be well taken care of and regularly tended to ensure they are well established and that the wild violets do not overtake the area.
Why are there so many violets in my yard?
Several factors could be at play for why there are so many violets in your yard. Violets can spread from existing plants through underground stems, as well as from bird droppings, until your yard eventually becomes the perfect environment for them.
This is especially likely if the soil is moist and dark, or if the conditions are shady and the soil remains acidic. Additionally, violets are tough to uproot, as the roots can form new plants when disturbed, so control may be hard to achieve.
If there are nearby violets in your neighborhood, it is also possible that they have spread to your yard as well. If these are wild violets, they prefer to grow in locations with a decent amount of sun and sun-drenched soil, so these conditions in your yard may be contributing to their proliferation.
It’s also important to consider the time of year, as violets often bloom in the warm months between May-August. If the conditions are right, they’ll spread even more use attractive flowers to draw in pollinators.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to try and control the number of violets in your yard. For example, you can use an herbicide to kill off the weeds, or you can try mowing down the violets regularly, as this will also help keep them from spreading.
Where is the place to put African violets?
African violets prefer a spot where they will get bright, indirect sunlight. Try to place them near an east or west-facing window. If your African violet is getting too much sunlight you may notice the foliage turning yellow or even white.
It’s also important to keep the temperature in the range of 65-80°F. The humidity should also be rather high, between 40-60%. You can increase the humidity by misting the leaves every few days, deploying a pebble tray, or running a humidifier nearby.
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom?
When watering African violets, the general rule is to water from the bottom. This is because African violets have sensitive root systems and the foliage can easily become damaged from direct contact with water.
Place the pot of an African violet in a bowl of room-temperature water, letting the plant soak up the water through the drainage holes until the entire soil surface is wet. Once the soil is wet, discard the remaining water in the bowl, and allow the African violet to drain thoroughly before returning the pot to its saucer.
African violets are prone to disease and root rot when exposed to moisture for prolonged periods of time, so it’s important to let the pot drain fully and empty the saucer of any standing water. Watering from the top can cause fungal infection and rot, so it’s generally not recommended.
