Every five to six months, or about twice a year, African violets should be repotted. When the plant has fully grown, this merely entails repotting it in a pot of the same size with some new soil. Use a pot no bigger than the plant’s root system at all times. This often refers to a pot no bigger than a 2 1/2 for minis and semiminis, and a pot around a 4 for standards. Your violet will eventually have lost (or had removed) its older, lower leaves, creating a “neck. Repotting is required to get rid of this.
With a first step, an African violet “neck. A “The neck is the trunk that resembles a palm tree and develops throughout time as the lower leaf rows are stripped away. The lowest row of leaves on a healthy violet should emerge from the trunk at soil level. The lowest row of leaves is well above the soil line and pot rim when there is a neck. This unattractive neck can be removed by repotting. The best results come from doing this frequently, roughly every 5 to 6 months.
Step 2: Remove the root ball’s bottom. Remove the plant from the pot and cut away the bottom of the root ball in a quantity equal to the length of the neck, for example, if the neck is half as long as the plant, cut away half of the root ball. Repotting is therefore best done on a regular basis, before the neck gets too long. For instance, in the most severe scenario, if a plant had a 2 neck, we would need to take 2 out of the root ball’s bottom. Nearly the entire root system must be cut out if the pot is only 2 1/4 deep! Repotting can be done with little to no root system removal and little to no negative consequences on the plant by doing it when the neck is still small.
Step 3: Replant the plant in the same size container. If the plant is mature, a larger pot is not necessary. The violet can now be put lower into the pot because a section of the root ball’s bottom has been cut away. The plant should be lowered until the bottom row of leaves is level with the pot’s rim (i.e. no neck will be visible).
Step 4: Include new dirt. Now that its lowest row of leaves is level with the pot rim, the violet should be lowered in its pot. Fill the pot with new dirt, filling the neck to the rim. New roots will grow into the extra soil from the neck.
The replanted violet is step five. After repotting is complete, the soil level and bottom leaves should be even with the pot rim and there shouldn’t be any visible necks. Give the plant a light watering and label the pot. This is crucial because the plant will need a little less water until it starts to grow new roots into the additional soil (it has a smaller root system). This is more likely to be the case the more extreme the repotting.
Other advice. The three most frequent reasons for ill violets among novice gardeners are probably improper pot size, bad soil, and too little repotting. Even though a tiny violet was utilized in this example, the same process applies to standard-sized types as well. Repotting doesn’t need entail placing violets in ever-larger pots; most standards (unless grown for show) are perfectly content in a 4 pot! Use only containers that are as big as the root system. The plant only benefits from adding soil if it can grow a root system big enough to use that dirt!
For the majority of growers, a very light, porous, soilless potting mix is strongly advised. When purchasing a commercial mix, consider the soil’s feel rather than the label. “The poorest soil combinations for violets are frequently African violet soils! Vermiculite and/or perlite should make up 1/3 to 1/2 of the mix in mixes with a light, frothy consistency. Do not mix soil that is heavy, black, or thick. A skilled gardener can produce stunning plants in nearly any environment, but a light, soilless mix is much more tolerant to over- or underwatering, infrequent repotting, and neglect.
How should an African violet be transplanted?
Martha suggests gently tapping the pot’s sides against a hard surface to release the plant from the container. Slide a knife around the edges if necessary. Once the root ball has been extracted, cut off the bottom part of it using a knife. Remove the loose soil from the top and sides of the roots with care so as not to harm them. Our creator advises cutting the plant into two or three smaller plants with a sharp knife, paying attention to where these divisions occur naturally and giving each plant as many roots as you can. Carefully divide the plant, being careful not to damage any of its stems or leaves. With the knife, remove any damaged, wilted, or brown leaves.
A clean clay pot should have a small piece of screen or pottery shards over the drainage hole (some growers prefer plastic, which retains more moisture), and half of it should be filled with pre-mixed potting soil sold specifically for African violets—a light, moist soil with sphagnum moss and perlite for aeration. Martha suggests. She then suggests placing the plant in the pot and making an indentation in the soil for it. Without sinking the root system any farther than it was in the previous pot, add more soil to cover it and gently pat it down. To remove the thick bark that occurs when leaves are shed, carefully scrape the naked stem when relocating a plant deeper in a container (as if you were scraping a carrot).
Use fresh potting soil when repotting the plant, and make sure it gets enough of water, but just for around 15-20 minutes at a time, advises McEnaney. “Remove any dead or dying leaves, stems, or flowers before moving the plant into a bigger pot. Finally, deadheading blossoms as they begin to fade is entirely acceptable.” He cautions that while African violets bloom virtually constantly, removing the wilted or dead blossoms will promote new development.
How well do violets transplant?
Viola flowers can be used to make syrups, sweets, and jellies that are sweet. Those who enjoy adding the greens to fresh salads deem the leaves to be delectable. The plants have been utilized medicinally for generations by traditional healers.
Be kind to your neighbors and the environment, please. Keep your violations to your personal property.
The most prevalent wild violet, or Viola odorata, is a perennial clumping plant that grows 2 to 5 inches tall and is also known as Johnny jump ups or wild pansies. They are frequently regarded as aggressive, invasive pests due to their high herbicide resistance. Wild violets are resilient, tenacious, and anxious to survive. To find and compete for the moisture that is present in the soil, they develop deep, dense, fibrous root systems. Plants spread quickly by means of robust runners that trail from the crowns and establish new plants from their own roots. In the absence of pollination insects, they can even self-pollinate. Those that dislike viola refer to it as an invasive weed, attempt to eradicate it, and often fail. Even a novice can successfully transplant wild violets because they are renowned for being difficult to destroy.
- The most prevalent wild violet, or Viola odorata, is a perennial clumping plant that grows 2 to 5 inches tall and is also known as Johnny jump ups or wild pansies.
Your wild violets need a new setting, so get it ready. Select a spot that drains well and has some or all of the shade provided by a tree or shrub. Work some organic compost into the top 2 inches of the soil, such as peat moss, grass clippings, dead leaves, or well-rotted manure. The happier wild violets will be, the richer the soil must be. While they can withstand poor soil, they thrive and proliferate quickly in better media.
In the spring or summer, carefully inspect the crowns of flourishing wild violet plants. For the largest and most developed root systems, seek out clusters of many leaf stems. Dig up clumps one at a time using a hand trowel or garden spade, bringing a sizable shovelful of the roots with you. These plants won’t suffer if their runners or roots are severed.
- Your wild violets need a new setting, so get it ready.
- Dig up clumps one at a time using a hand trowel or garden spade, bringing a sizable shovelful of the roots with you.
As soon as possible, establish wild violet clumps in their new position at the same soil depth they previously inhabited.
Water the newly transplanted plants just enough to evenly hydrate their soil, but not enough to make it drenched or waterlogged. Wet feet bother them.
After allowing the violets three to four weeks to adjust to their new homes, harvest the blooms and leaves as desired. Till the first frost, keep the soil equally moist; after that, stop watering the plants for the season.
When African violets are in bloom, can you repot them?
It’s time for a haircut after you’ve given your roots some tender loving care. By removing any damaged or dying leaves, you can give your plant more energy so it can reroot. Trimming uneven leaves and satellite suckers now is an excellent idea because African violets typically develop irregularly.
The More, the Merrier: Healthy leaves and suckers don’t necessarily have to go extinct as a result of this. Try your hand at African violet propagation—simple! it’s
Can you repot an African violet when it’s blooming?
The stress of moving is enough! Before you repot, we advise waiting for a blossoming lull. That being said, it’s acceptable to repot your plant when it is in bloom if it has tightly tied roots or is in danger of topple. To allow your plant more energy to heal, some experts advise cutting off any existing blossoms (don’t worry, it’ll recover!).
Repot Your African Violet
The root ball should be placed on top of a thin layer of dirt in the pot. Just enough should be covered and patted down to stabilize the area up to the base of the leaves. (Stay loose!) Put your plant in a saucer of water and let it soak up as much as it wants.
What is the best soil for an African violet?
African violets want light, somewhat acidic soil; a typical mix won’t work for them. To understand everything there is to know about the ideal mixture, read our guide to African violet potting mix.
How do I repot an African violet with a neck?
African violets produce new leaves all the way out from the crown. Older leaves at the bottom eventually wither and drop off, perhaps leaving a neck that resembles a tree trunk. Though it’s a simple remedy, this can make your plant more prone to tipping over. As usual, repot your plant, but switch to a deeper container. The bare neck is completely covered in soil, down to the base of the leaves.
Optional Aftercare
After repotting, think about putting your African violet in a transparent plastic bag for a week. This increases humidity, providing your plant a little more fuel. Just watch out that the leaves don’t get crushed or damaged by the bag or container. To ensure that you don’t forget when you last repotted a plant, we also advise writing the date on a paper plant tag.
Is special soil required for African violets?
The best soil for growing African violets is well-drained and somewhat acidic. Specially formulated Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix offers indoor plants like African violets the ideal growing conditions. African violet pots, which are tiny (4 to 5 inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers, are the finest option for growing African violets. These pots will give plants the right quantity of constant hydration they need to grow.
African violets grow best in what type of soil?
Actually, there is no soil (or dirt) at all in a decent potting soil for African violets. A good potting soil will be very light and porous, enhancing aeration and maintaining the soil’s moisture level without becoming wet. Such potting soil will be mostly composed of sphagnum peat moss that has been harvested in blocks.