My grandmother never taught me how to grow African violets, but she always had a knack for it. I have to put in effort to succeed. But what struck me most was how she lost hers from time to time. My plants always perish from common causes like overwatering or underwatering.
The most incredible catastrophe Granny’s violets ever experienced occurred when, one year, she went for vacation and unintentionally left the cat inside. He devoured all of her numerous cherished plants before she returned because he had no other way to eat and used the potting soil for even more fundamental requirements!
Anyone may grow lovely African violets if they use common judgment and are always aware of where the cat is. These magnificent plants repay us fairly handsomely when the growing circumstances are ideal, while being highly dependent on routine care and plainly grumpy in cold or dry weather.
African violets will blossom well in east or west facing windows and will flourish best in bright light. Additionally, they bloom incredibly well when lit by fluorescent bulbs, and I’ve even had success growing them with regular incandescent bulbs. Under a lamp that I switch on first thing in the morning and turn off last thing at night, my violets have gathered in a cluster. They remain in almost constant bloom thanks to this treatment.
In order to protect delicate tissues, never let the leaves of your African violets touch the glass when they are in a window, especially in colder weather. Clean window panes to increase the amount of light that can enter.
A relatively small temperature range is preferred by African violets. The ideal daytime temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and the minimum acceptable nighttime temperature is 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep them away from heater or air conditioner vents as well as drafts from exterior doors.
Watering is the essential key to caring for African violets. These plants cannot withstand damp soil or high humidity because they are particularly sensitive to dryness. Every day, check the soil moisture, and water when the soil seems dry but before it hardens.
Woe to the gardener who watered African violets with chilly water! The leaves may develop irregularly shaped, white colored patches as a result of exposure to cold water. To make sure there is always a supply of room temperature water available, use lukewarm water or refill the watering can after each use and let it sit.
You can water African violets from the top or the bottom. When watering from the top, keep the water away from the foliage and use just enough water to let some of the extra water flow down the drainage hole. Drain away any extra water.
As soon as the soil on the surface seems moist while watering from the bottom, remove the pot from the watering dish. If you typically water from the bottom, try watering from the top once in a while to prevent the buildup of crusty, white salts on the soil’s surface. If these salts come into contact with leaf stems, they could decay.
Wicks that self-water can be used to provide a steady flow of water. You can buy wick systems or create your own from a variety of commercial options. Purchase an asbestos/glass water wick or build one by braiding together thin pieces of old nylon hose; place one end of the wick into the pot’s drainage hole and the other end into the water reservoir that the pot is set upon.
Two holes can be cut into the lid of a clean margarine container to create the water reservoir’s simple construction. In order to thread the wick into the water below, a small hole is cut. A larger hole is then used to refill the reservoir.
The majority of African violets grow well when liquid fertilizer in a 1-2-1 N-P-K mix is administered every few weeks. The use of any liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to one-quarter strength, and applied at each watering, is advised by many growers. I’ve grown enough gorgeous blooms using this technique to tempt any cat.
How should African violets be cared for while on vacation?
This summer, I want to take a two-month trip, and I’m wondering what would keep my violets alive for so long. They won’t receive any attention while I’m gone.
There might be a better solution, but this is what we would do. We’ve done it in the past with some of our collection out of need ” (before it became a business and we paid for “babysitters). Your violets should first be replanted, with the exception of the center and perhaps the first row of leaves. Eliminate all flowers and buds. Since you won’t be around to perform any grooming, the goal is to avoid leaving any plant parts (such as leaves or blooms) that will need to be clipped or removed while you’re away.
Additionally, while you’re away, you need to prevent the soil from drying out. Wick-watering the plants is one option; just make sure there is enough water in the reservoir to last until you return. Another choice is to put the plants in a clear, covered container, like a plastic bottle “garment box. The plants should remain moist for a considerable amount of time because this avoids evaporation. Make sure the container has adequate space inside it for the plants to flourish. With miniatures or very young plants, this works fantastically. To prevent anything from rotting, make sure plants are well-kept and debudded.
Maintain the plants in their typical, well-lit growth location. Put your lights on timers so that they will come on and go off at regular intervals. Since natural light cannot be controlled while you are away, avoid leaving them in windows. Your violets ought to thrive if everything goes as planned. You might even return home to a dazzling display of color after your plants were repotted and debudded!
An African violet can survive without water for how long?
How long can African violets last without water? may be a concern if you’re leaving town or otherwise away from home.
The good news is that these plants may survive several weeks without water because they are comparatively drought-tolerant.
Try a few alternative strategies to see if they can help your plant go this long without water.
One approach is to give the plant plenty of water just before you leave, and then put it somewhere cold and dry with direct sunlight. To assist the soil retain moisture, cover it with a layer of mulch.
These containers contain a water reservoir that gradually provides moisture to the soil as required.
In either case, make sure your African violet is still alive and well when you get back.
How frequently do African violets need to be watered?
Consider fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lighting is the solution if you lack bright window light. I make use of four-foot lights that each have two cool white bulbs. I’ve successfully used one warm white and one cool white bulb in a fixture. unique plant bulbs, known as “A beautiful plant is also produced under grow lights. 8 to 12 inches is the ideal distance between the pot and the light.
How frequently should African violets be watered? “The most frequently asked question regarding African violets is how frequently they should be watered. The greatest indicator is to touch the surface of the soil; if it feels dry, it’s time to water. For best results, African violets should be given time to completely dry out in between waterings. An overwatered plant can die. A soggy, moist soil mass prevents air from penetrating the fine roots of an African violet, which they need. Half of your work is finished once you have learned the art of watering African violets.
Do African violets need to be watered from the top or bottom? Both are acceptable. It’s crucial to avoid using cold water; lukewarm or warm water is recommended. To prevent leaf spots, if you water from the top, take cautious not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun. If you water from the bottom, you should dump any extra water once the plant has absorbed all that it requires. An African violet shouldn’t be left submerged in water for too long.
How should I care for my indoor plants for two weeks?
It would be excellent if you have a plant-savvy friend who could visit you once or twice a week while you are away in exchange for you doing the same for them. If you do a little advance planning, even a cautious, non-plant-savvy person will function in an emergency. Keep track of the amount and frequency of watering each plant for a few weeks prior to departure, and then give detailed instructions: Every weekend, give this plant half a cup of water.
Assist your friend by placing plants that require similar amounts of water together on a water-resistant surface away from the sun. In the summer, keep in mind that your home may warm up while you are gone, so modify the care instructions to take faster water use into consideration.
What kinds of temperatures do African violets withstand?
The vibrant African violet blossoms are particularly lovely. They’ll provide color 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 color 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 cozy. 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 fertilize! 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 are indoor plants cared for while traveling?
We’re giving our best advice for keeping your houseplants happy and healthy while you’re away, whether it’s a long weekend at the beach or a month abroad.
Preparing your plants just takes a short amount of time, freeing you up to concentrate on other important things like a nice book and an effective sunscreen.
Tips to Keep Plants Alive While You’re Away
1. Modify the lighting and climate
Your plant will eventually become more thirsty the more sunlight it receives. This is due to a number of factors, but the main one is that plants use the most water when they transpire, a process whose rate depends on and rises with the quantity of sunshine the plant receives.
Therefore, your plant will require more water the more natural light it receives. You can move your plants a little bit further away from their source of natural light to prevent them from wilting while you’re away due to a lack of water. Place them in the center of the room to prevent them from drying out as quickly as normal from the heat and light from the windows. You can relocate your plants back to their original location when you get home. Draw a sheer drape over the window as an alternative if you don’t want to move the plants.
You can choose to leave your plants in their current location if they weren’t getting enough light to begin with because of blocked windows or the time of year. Asking yourself how frequently you need to water a plant can help you decide whether to move it if you’ll be gone for an extended amount of time. If you need to water it once a week, for example. However, if it happens every other week, there might be no need to move them.
Additionally, never leave a heating or cooling system on or close to a houseplant, whether you’re at home or away. A/Cs and heaters, while a luxury for people, tend to deprive your interior environment of the humidity that most tropical plants require.
2. Preserve moisture
Watering your plants properly before leaving is sufficient if you’re only going to be gone for a week or less. Make sure you only water plants in potting soil that is dry or nearly dry. In order to keep the potting soil moist without letting your plants sit in a saucer of water, which could attract bugs or cause root rot, let any excess water drain from your potted plant before you leave the house.
Keep in mind that only plants that require weekly or more of watering require this. Succulents and cacti are examples of indoor plants that may survive without water for a week or two. Additionally, since plant development slows and some plants fall dormant in the winter, you can completely forgo watering them.
There are a few strategies to prepare your plants if you expect to be gone for longer than a week. Depending on the length of your trip, the type of plant, and the season, try one or more of the suggestions listed below.
Keep in mind: How frequently do I typically water this plant at this time of year? You don’t want to overwater your plants before you leave because you won’t be home to watch over them!
1. To assist hold moisture before or after giving dry soil a good soak, sprinkle lava rocks, mulch, or wood chips on top of the soil surrounding your plant. Newspaper that is damp will also work. Longer soil moisture retention will result from this.
2. To create a temporary greenhouse, thoroughly water your plant, and then cover with a clear plastic bag that hangs just below the lip of the planter. To ensure that there is enough airflow because plants also require oxygen, make sure to cut a few gaps in the plastic. Hold the bag up and away from the vegetation using sticks (or old chopsticks). Make sure that the bag is not in contact with any vegetation.
3. Place small rocks down the bottom of a shallow tray and add water to the tray, just below the top of the rocks. Placing your planter atop the rocks The planter’s base should be directly above the idle water rather than touching or resting directly in it. The levels of humidity and moisture will rise as a result, but neither overwatering nor root rot should result.
4. Move your humidity-loving plants, such as ferns and air plants, to your bathroom or another small room and arrange them in a group there (assuming you have a window that gets some natural light). Your plants will have an easier time maintaining humidity and moisture in a smaller space.
5. Construct a self-watering system yourself using empty bottles or capillary wicks:
Choose the size of the water container based on how long you’ll be away before placing one end of the capillary wick in a basin of water and the other end in the potting soil of your plant. While you’re away, your plant will get the water it requires through the wick. (Our staff prefers this approach for prolonged absences from our plants.)
By adding water and puncturing the bottle top, you can recycle used plastic or glass bottles. Ensure that the hole is small enough to permit a gradual release of water over time. Turn the filled bottle upside down and insert the perforated bottle top all the way into the potting soil of your plant.
6. Speak with a friend. If a friend is willing to water your houseplants for you while you’re away for a long time (more than a month), please accept their offer! Give your friend written directions that are simple to follow, or guide them through your daily care routine a week or two in advance. If you want them to send you photo updates while you’re away, we won’t pass judgment. Just be sure to bring them something as a memento (or send them a new plant as a thank you when you return.)
3. Omit using fertilizer
If you fertilize your indoor plants sometimes, wait to fertilize them after your trip until you get back. In the weeks leading up to your trip, avoid fertilizing your plants. While you’re away, you want your plants to grow as slowly as possible to help them preserve water and energy.
4. Execute some little trimming
You can also cut off any buds or flowers since they typically need more frequent waterings to keep healthy in addition to any dead, decaying, or unappealing foliage.
Pro tip: Tropical plants are the main beneficiaries of the aforementioned tips, especially the techniques for “watering” while away. Drought-tolerant plants, such as some succulent kinds, ZZ plants, or snake plants, can survive for almost a month without water, especially if they are placed out of direct sunlight. Succulent plants are the perfect houseplant for frequent travelers.
Give yourself a big pat on the back when you come home to happy and healthy houseplants, no matter what precautions you take. They also missed you.