Are these pick-ups from the grocery or large box store, or are they designated varieties? Additionally, it sounds like these plants have a lot of pots. According to the general guideline, a pot should be 1/3 as wide as the plant, so a 12″ plant needs a 4″ pot. Named cultivars often sell for between $6-7 each, although those without names may only fetch a few dollars. The prices shown above are simply for plants in low-cost plastic azalea pots, so you might choose to charge extra if they are also in attractive ceramic pots.
What price range do African violets sell for?
African violets are a unique product you might want to promote from your farm. African violets are a lively and vibrant flower that offer numerous advantages, even if you have never produced or sold flowers before. They are initially rather simple to grow. Second, they don’t occupy much room in a growing area. Third, once you get going, they are simple to grow and produce free plants. Last but not least, these plants stand out at a farmers’ market, bringing in both your loyal customers and new ones.
Everything sounds fantastic, but are the time and effort required to sell a few flowers going to be worthwhile? A good query. You can reasonably cultivate 1,400 plants a year if you have access to a 4-foot by 10-foot space in a grow room or sunny indoor setting. African violets cost $6 per plant where I live. On my homestead, an extra $8,400 goes a long way!
Starting African violets from seed is something I advise. Although it takes more time, you will get a lot more plants for a lot less money. You can keep growing such plants by taking leaf cuttings and dividing them. Additionally, seeds can be started inside at any time of the year.
Peat moss is the ideal starting material for African violet seedlings. Before planting, thoroughly wet the peat moss. The peat moss needs to be damp but not wet. Spread the small seeds over the peat moss as evenly as you can. Do not add more growth medium on top of the seeds. Spray the seeds with a spray bottle for a fine mist. Place under grow lights or in bright, indirect light after covering with plastic wrap. Monitor the moisture content and mist as necessary to maintain wetness. Another crucial factor is the temperature. When the temperature is continuously between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, these seeds prefer to sprout. In 25 days, your seeds ought to start to grow.
You can transplant after there are at least two sets of genuine leaves. Avoid selecting a large planter since African violets prefer a small area.
Although they are simple to grow, African violets have requirements. Light is the first thing to think about. These plants require direct, bright indoor lighting. Light is necessary for photosynthesis in all plants. We immediately picture green stems and leaves when we think of photosynthesis. However, photosynthesis is required by plants for other reasons as well. Its primary job is producing plant carbohydrates from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (in the form of carbon dioxide and water). The lack of sunlight will starve your plant to death even if it gets everything else it needs.
It goes without saying that you won’t try to cultivate your African violets in total darkness. However, if your plants don’t get enough light, it will hurt them. African violets will stop blossoming and their leaves will start to turn yellow if there is not enough light. They will also grow leaves and stems that are longer.
On the other hand, your African violets do not benefit from excessive light. Your plants will experience necrosis if they receive too much light. Plants will experience what is similar to a sunburn and get brown spots on their leaves as a result. When the leaves on your plant get entirely green, this is another indication that it is getting too much light.
Large amounts of indirect sunlight are ideal for growing African violets. Put them in a bright room with a western or southern exposure where they will receive the majority of the day’s light. You can hang a sheer curtain to block some of the light if necessary. Hold your palm over a plant at the time of day when it receives the brightest light to see if it is receiving the right amount of light. If you can just make out the shadow of your hand passing over the plant, your plant is receiving the proper amount of light.
To make sure your African violets are getting an equal amount of sunlight on all sides, rotate your plant a quarter turn every week.
Under grow lights, African violets also do well, but there are some rules to remember. The lights should first generate both red and blue light. Photosynthesis, which we know is essential for the growth of green leaves and the generation of plant carbohydrates, is carried out by the blue light. Your plants will become hungry if there is no blue light! Red light is required for African violets to blossom.
Install your grow lights 18 to 20 inches above the usual African violet plant’s heads. You can lower the lights to 10–12 inches above the plant tops if you’re cultivating small African violets.
Your plants will require eight hours of darkness per day on average. They produce a hormone called florigen that causes flowering in response to light, however florigen does not cause flowering until it is dark. There shouldn’t be more than 16 hours of light for African violets each day. Invest in a light timer if you anticipate having trouble remembering to turn the lights out each night.
Soil is the next factor to consider. Your soil’s pH level should always be between 6 and 7, but ideally it should be closer to 7. Investing in an electronic pH soil tester and teat throughout the year is a smart move. Watering out of your freshly emptied gallon milk jug a few times a year is a simple approach to keep a high pH level. Simply mix some water with the milk sludge in the empty jug before watering your plants.
Water is another thing to think about. In general, African violets thrive in damp soil but dislike waterlogged dirt. If African violets are overwatered, infections including Pythium, root rot, and crown rot can attack them. When watered excessively, African violets can potentially undergo a process known as denitrification. Your plants won’t be able to acquire the nitrogen they need as a result.
Use water that is at room temperature when you are watering. If you water your African violets with cold water, the roots will become chilly and the leaves will curl downward. Make sure you’re not using soft water because that raises the saline content and changes the soil’s pH and conductivity. This makes it harder for your African violets to absorb the nutrients and water they need to grow. You should avoid using highly chlorinated water in addition to soft water. African violets require extremely little chlorine compared to other plants, which do require some for photosynthesis. Leaf burn and less flowering will happen from too much chlorine. Draw up enough water to water your plants if it has been chlorinated, and then let it stand overnight before using.
When the plant is at the blossoming stage, wait one day before watering. Put a fingertip on the ground. Water in the morning if it is starting to dry out. Watering African violets in the morning is crucial; it is the only time of day you should do it. When the flowering ceases, you can wait two to three days before watering the soil. These plants do not appreciate water splashed on their leaves, therefore water at soil level to prevent ring spot. African violet pots with a reservoir underneath that enables the plants to continuously take water from below are also available.
Temperature and humidity are your African violets’ final environmental requirements. The temperature must stay as close to 70 degrees Fahrenheit as possible for African violets. Don’t allow the temperature to go below 60 or climb above 80. These plants are more sensitive to cold than heat. Move your violets as soon as possible to a warm location if they come into contact with cold air. Look for any tissue that has turned black and mushy, and cut out any damaged tissue. Place the damaged plant in a plastic bag and secure the bag with a wire twist to stop watering while maintaining a high humidity level. Within a few days, you should start to notice the plant making an effort to recuperate. After a week, remove your plant from this bag and put it back on its regular watering regimen.
The relative humidity in the plant’s natural environment is from 70 to 80 percent. Fortunately, you don’t have to keep your grow chamber at this level. Aim for a humidity level of at least 50%. High humidity is necessary since low humidity will cause your buds to not open and your leaves to shrivel up.
You may give your African violets a humid microclimate in a number of ways. Your plants can be arranged in groups that are as close as you can get them without the leaves touching. This may increase the humidity directly surrounding your plants by as much as 15%. Another choice is to surround your plants with water-holding containers. A humidifier or wet pebble trays are other options.
It’s critical to keep in mind that areas with high humidity levels require effective air circulation. The best option is a box fan or ceiling fan set at low.
You can begin propagating African violets once you have your first healthy “crop.” You can get African violets for nothing by multiplying from your own plants. African violets can be multiplied through division or leaf cuttings. To take leaf cuttings, just cut a healthy leaf off neatly at the plant’s stem using a sterile blade. Fill a hole in the planting media with the leaf stem, then water. Within 3 to 4 weeks, roots should start to show. After you see the roots, it should take 3–4 weeks for new leaves to emerge.
If you are propagating through division, cut the plant’s crown from it so that each component has a portion of the root system. Place each division in a pot and take routine care of the plant.
African violets are attractive to look at, intriguing to grow, and simple to sell at marketplaces. I’m hoping you’ll try them out!
Are African violets challenging to maintain?
The vibrant African violet blossoms are particularly lovely. They’ll provide colour right away to any space.
Even during the gloomier winter months, they have a reputation for continuing to bloom. Place them around the house so you may enjoy their vibrant hues and plush textures all year long.
Once you establish a routine for caring for African violets, you’ll discover that they expand with ease. But unless all of their fundamental requirements are satisfied, they won’t develop. Give them the proper temperature, light, and nourishment, and you’ll start to bloom right away!
How to Choose and Take Care of African Violets:
1. Start out strong. Select a plant with the desired blossom colour and vivid emerald foliage. Make sure the pot has openings for drainage.
2. The ideal lighting. African violets frequently don’t blossom because they don’t receive enough light. Because direct sunlight can burn the leaves, African violets require indirect light. For optimal results, pick a window that faces north or east. Keep plants away from cold glass, and turn the container once every week to ensure that all the leaves get enough light. African violets can be grown under a grow lamp to extend the day throughout the winter.
3. Remain cosy. The most comfortable temperatures for most people are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
4. Subsurface water. Water should be at normal temperature to fill the saucer. Pour off any extra water after letting it settle for about an hour. Between waterings, let the plant dry out completely.
5. Use the new liquid Violet from Espoma to fertilise! Every two to four weeks in the spring, summer, and fall, indoor houseplant food.
6. Be thoughtful before replanting. Only when a plant is root-bound will an African violet bloom. Use organic potting soil designed exclusively for African violets, such as Espoma’s African Violet Mix, when it comes time to repot your plants. Choose a pot that is about a third the diameter of their leaf spread in diameter because they flower best in compact pots.
How old are African violets on average?
Because of their lengthy lives, repotting these flowers is crucial. Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries, advises consumers to keep in mind that African violets can live for up to 50 years. To avoid becoming overly root-bound, plants can be repotted into larger pots as they mature. It’s probably time to relocate your African violet when it has doubled or quadrupled the size of your container and the leaves are beginning to wilt, according to McEnaney.
However, you don’t have to repot your plants right away. If your African violet appears to have outgrown its container, don’t rush to relocate it, advises Brian Parker, senior merchant for Live Goods at Home Depot. “African violets are best when their roots are in a little bound condition,” he adds. “They will produce and perform for years and years with just a simple routine of the right light and food,” the speaker said.
Do African violets enjoy being handled?
The velvety, fuzzy leaves and delicate, colourful blossoms of African violets are loved, but many people also want to touch the leaves and petals. Researchers in Oklahoma wanted to see how this attention affected the plants. Throughout the trial, plants underwent five brushing treatments. The findings “indicate that repetitive brushing diminishes plant size and quality of African violets, especially when done with a bare palm that has been lotioned.”
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African violets have a tumultuous history. They are a favourite among home gardeners and growers due to their beautiful, vibrant flowers and hairy, silky leaves. The striking plants, however, are frequently thought of as temperamental since they require a specific combination of sunshine, moisture, warm temperatures, high humidity, and fertiliser in order to flourish.
Scientists Julia C. Brotton and Janet C. Cole from Oklahoma State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture recently published a study that could offer lovers of african violets crucial care advice for the temperamental flower.
People are drawn to african violets and frequently desire to touch the leaves and blossoms due to its brilliantly coloured flowers and hairy leaves. But how are the plants affected by all this attention? The goal of the study was to find out how “brushing” african violet leaves affected the quality and growth of the plants. Cole said, “Many farmers of (african violets) utilise body lotions to relax and moisturise their dry skin because they work in environments that can lead to the development of dry, irritated skin. These goods are used by plenty of users. In particular, we looked into whether handling or “brushing” african violet leaves after applying body lotion or other skin care items to the hands could harm the plants.”
This was the first published study of the effects of plant response to tactile mechanical stress, or “thigmomorphogenesis,” on african violets. Previous studies have examined the effect of various methods of mechanical conditioning, including brushing, on the growth and quality of vegetable and bedding plants.
During the study, plants of the Saint Paulia ionantha (Saintpaulia ionantha) cultivars “Michigan” and “Gisela” were subjected to five brushing treatments: no brushing, brushing for 30 seconds with a latex-gloved hand, brushing for 90 seconds with a latex-gloved hand, brushing for 30 seconds after applying lotion to a nongloved hand, and brushing for 90
Plants were gathered after five weeks. Plants were graded on a scale of 1 to 5 (no damage—death/near dead) at harvest. Compared to plants that were brushed by a non-gloved hand that had been applied lotion, plants that were brushed by a gloved hand had lower damage ratings, larger leaf areas, and more leaves. The cultivars responded differently, with “Michigan” showing greater brush damage than “Gisela.”
Cole summarised the findings and said “According to the study, repeated brushing of african violet plants decreases their size and quality, especially when done with bare hands that have lotion on them. African violet leaves shouldn’t be brushed because persistent brushing can reduce plant quality and size.”
Keep your hands off the gorgeous african violet in your kitchen window the next time you’re tempted to do so for the sake of the plant’s health.
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The American Society for Horticultural Science provided the materials. There may be length and style edits to the content.
Journal citation
- African violet plants lose quality and size when brushed with a hand covered in body lotion or while wearing a latex glove, according to research by Julia C. Brotton and Janet C. Cole. 613-616. HortTechnology, 2009. [abstract]