A specific ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements must be present in the fertilizer for African violets. For African Violets, the suggested ratio for these components is 14-12-14.
Many commercial formulas created specifically for African Violets are available.
Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food
African violets are the focus of Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food, although it can also be used on bromeliads and orchids.
This fertilizer is a water-soluble organic diet that rapidly feeds the plant.
All of the essential plant nutrients are present in Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food, along with millions of helpful bacteria that improve the health of the plant and prolong its blooming period.
It is comprised of bone meal, hydrolyzed fish and soy protein, hydrolyzed poultry manure, and potassium sulfate.
Every 2 to 4 weeks, combine this fertilizer with water, add it straight to the soil, keeping leaves out of the way, or pour it into the saucer.
It is simple to prepare because the bottle has a measuring lid. Before using the fertilizer, always shake the bottle.
Turn the bottle upside down with the cap on to dispense the medication. The pre-measured dose will be in the cap when you turn the device back upright and open the lid. After that, add the mixture to 1/4 cup of water.
Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food
Another liquid fertilizer that is ideal for flowering houseplants is Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food.
This mixture was created specifically to aid plants in producing more blossoms and maintaining healthy foliage. It has a higher concentration of phosphorus and the necessary nutrients.
It is also incredibly simple to use. You can either add the solution to the water or the soil or saucer of the plant.
2 pumps should be used for small pots, while 5 pumps can be used for pots larger than 6 inches/15 cm.
You should periodically clean the pump to prevent clogging so you can accurately estimate the dosage.
EarthPods Premium African Violet Plant Food
Do you detest the fertilizers’ smell? Do you detest the mess that comes with mixing the ingredients and are unsure on how to measure them?
The best fertilizer for you is EarthPod Premium African Violet Plant Food. It is an organic fertilizer that is safe for both people and animals.
Simply bury the prescribed number of slow-release capsules in your plant’s soil and continue to water as usual. This will eventually cause the roots to grow rapidly.
Organic plant root fungus, bacteria, and humic acids are found in the capsules. Additionally, the 70+ micro- and macronutrients and minerals found in EartPods guarantee the vibrantly colored foliage and flowers’ healthy growth.
Bonide Liquid African Violet Plant Food
Another water-soluble fertilizer that may be applied each time you water your plants and encourages lovely blooms is Bonie Liquid African Violet Plant Food.
This has a low level of urea because it was created specifically for African violets. This indicates that the soil’s naturally occurring helpful bacteria are not killed by the nitrogen level, which is ideal for African violets.
The ideal dosage for your African Violets each week is 1/8 teaspoon of formula diluted with 1 quart of water.
Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food
It’s quite simple to use Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food. Its special droplet applicator makes it easy to measure the formula.
You water your African Violets as usual after adding 7 drops to a quart of water. This fertilizer can be used for each singer watering due to its 8-14-9 composition.
The African Violets’ roots receive the ideal amount of this fertilizer’s nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, which supports the plant’s growth and strength. Additionally, it increases floral production.
Which fertilizer works best for African violets?
African violets’ preferred fertilizer
- African Violet Plus Plant Food by Schultz 8-14-9.
- African violet plant food from Earthpods.
- Organic Violet Plant Food Espoma 1-3-1.
- Miracle-Gro 0.5–1 Blooming Houseplant Food
- African violet plant food Bonide 7-10-7 liquid.
- African violet fertilizer Jacks Classic Special 12-36-14.
What does African violet fertilizer consist of naturally?
There are various do-it-yourself solutions for African violet feeding in addition to commercial fertilizers. According to Mother Earth News, the leftovers from milk and juice bottles make fantastic fertilizer for indoor plants. Juice typically contains potassium, and leftover milk contains nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. These nutrients are beneficial to African violets. As easily available supermarket items, milk and juice make excellent homemade fertilizers for African violets.
African violet food alternatives include fish emulsion, diluted compost tea, and worm castings. These African violet feeding choices for the house can be natural and do-it-yourself. If you’re using commercial African violet fertilizer, homemade African violet food, or both, you need make sure that the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are balanced properly. Before adding city water, which may include chlorine, to African violets in general or in conjunction with fertilizer, it’s a good idea to let it sit for at least one night.
Are African violets omnivorous?
African violet-specific fertilizers are available for purchase. Always use a balanced fertilizer that has nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), the three main plant nutrients (K). The growth and development of leaves and stems depend on nitrogen.
Can African violets use Miracle Grow?
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.
The best way to get my African violet to bloom?
The vibrant African violet blossoms are particularly lovely. They’ll bring 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.
Are African violets a suitable fit for epsom salt?
Since most plants don’t perform well with salt water, it may seem illogical to fertilize your African violets with epsom salts. In reality, epsom salts only contain tiny amounts of the trace minerals sulfur and magnesium, which promote flowering in plants. Epsom salts, when used once a month, can help your violets flourish and work well with your specific fertilizer for African violets.
In a watering can or pitcher, combine two tablespoons of epsom salts with one gallon of warm water. To dissolve the salts and blend them, swish or swirl the water.
Pour the mixture under the leaves of the African violet plant while holding the pot over the sink to wet the soil but leave the leaves dry. Before putting the pot back in its tray or ornamental container, let all of the extra epsom solution drain away.
- Since most plants don’t perform well with salt water, it may seem illogical to fertilize your African violets with epsom salts.
- Epsom salts, when used once a month, can help your violets flourish and work well with your specific fertilizer for African violets.
How does coffee affect African violets?
If the pH of the African violet soil is too high, some people advise adding vinegar to decrease it. Instead of adding vinegar to the soil, it is preferable to start with soil that has the right pH for your African violet plants.
African violets require soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.2, despite the fact that vinegar is an acid and they prefer acidic soil. The pH of vinegar is about 2.5. African violets may be unable to access essential nutrients from too-acidic soil.
To gradually lower the pH level of the potting mix, you can water your African violets with diluted vinegar (one or two teaspoons of vinegar per gallon of water). But since it takes so long, you might as well start with the right soil as you have to repot every six months with new soil.
Nitrogen and a small acidity in coffee grounds aid in the growth of healthy foliage in plants. It may be beneficial for the plant if you occasionally sprinkle used coffee grounds on top of the potting soil for your African violet. But don’t go overboard. It only needs a quick dusting every few months. Coffee grounds generally won’t make much of a difference if you already use a balanced fertilizer on a regular basis.
Instead of applying used coffee grounds on African violets, I would suggest adding them to your compost pile for outdoor plants. Whenever I try to dust used coffee grounds on interior plants, it always ends up being filthy.
Use potting soil specifically designed for African violets. Because regular houseplant potting soil is excessively dense, your African violets will experience root rot problems. Additionally, it’s possible that the soil won’t be acidic enough for African violets.
You may either purchase commercial African violet potting soil or make your own homemade version.
African violet potting mix can be used for various indoor plants that require light, acidic soil. That sort of mixture would work nicely for some cactus and succulents. Although some other common houseplants may thrive with African violet potting soil, most people don’t give it a try because it is usually more expensive than standard potting soil.
Can African violets benefit from banana peel water?
Banana peels aid the plant’s development, height, and number of leaves, claims a paper from the University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta in Indonesia.
For Greener Leaves
Take 7-8 banana peels and use scissors to chop them into small pieces. Once finished, boil them for three to five minutes in one liter of water. Strain the solution after allowing it to cool.
Alternatively, you can also store the banana peels in a jar full of water for 3-4 weeks.
To make indoor plants like pothos, hosta, caladium, bromeliads, ficus species, dumb canes, crotons, and philodendrons greener, more vibrant, and more flowery, dilute one part of this solution with two parts of water. Additionally, you may use it as a foliar spray!
For Flowering Plants
7-8 banana peels should be left in the sun to dry for 3–4 days. To create a fine powder, blend them in a blender. One teaspoon of Epsom salt and six to eight teaspoons of powdered banana peel are added to one gallon of water and thoroughly mixed.
For extra flowers, apply it to azaleas, African violets, roses, anthuriums, clivia, crown of thorns, orchids, and flowering succulents.
When ought my African violet to be fertilized?
When the rate of growth slows down and the foliage turns a lighter shade of green, fertilize your African violets. Applications of fertilizer every four to six weeks are sufficient for the majority of African violets. African violets can use any water-soluble fertilizer that is approved for use on houseplants.
What keeps African violets from wilting?
African violets are diminutive indoor plants that have fuzzy leaves and clusters of white, blue, or purple flowers. African violet care instructions are provided here!
About African Violets
African violets, as their name suggests, are indigenous to East Africa and come from the subtropical rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya. German colonial commander Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire recognized these plants in 1892 and returned to Germany with seeds. Saintpaulia became the name of the genus, although Streptocarpus, a new genus, has lately been assigned to the plants. They are not a species of violet, despite their common name, but they do have bright violet blossoms. Here is more information on these delicate plants.
In bright, indirect light, African violets flourish and produce the greatest blooms. Despite being typically easy to care for, they occasionally have fussy periods. Be not disheartened!
How to Plant African Violets
- If the soil is well-draining, you can use an authentic African violet potting mix or an all-purpose potting soil. How to make your own blend is shown here.
- African violets should always be grown in small pots, and every few years they should be repotted with new soil. African violets blossom more when they are somewhat constrained by their pots, so don’t be hasty to give them more room.
- The soil should have a high organic matter content and be loose and well-drained. discover organic soil amendments.
- African violets should not be replanted deeper than they were previously and the plant’s crown should not be buried. If kept overly damp, the stems of African violets are prone to rotting.
Watering
- Maintain a light moisture in the soil, but watch out for overwatering because African violets’ fragile stems are highly prone to rot.
- Use room temperature water instead of chilly water because the leaves may become marked.
- African violets should only be watered from the bottom to prevent getting too much water on the leaves, which can rot and develop fungal patches if kept in an environment with excessive humidity.
Lighting
- Bright, indirect light is preferred by African violets. Keep them at least a few feet away from bright south or west-facing windows and stay out of direct sunshine. The greatest illumination for them comes from a window that faces east or north without endangering the delicate leaves.
- Artificial illumination also functions nicely. Use LED or fluorescent lamps in addition to natural lighting.
- Leggy stems and thin, dark green leaves suggest that the plant is receiving insufficient light, while light green or bleached leaves show that it is receiving too light.
Fertilizing
- Use a high phosphorus plant food to fertilize every two weeks during the active growing season (spring and summer). Only begin fertilizing when it looks that the plant requires an extra push (slow, thin growth; pale or yellowing leaves).
- Since most soil mixtures already contain an abundance of nutrients, overfertilizing is an issue that occurs more frequently than underfertilizing.
General Care
- Some kinds are more tolerant of cooler circumstances, but many prefer warm environments (65F/18C or warmer). In any event, avoid having them near drafty windows during the winter.
- As they get bigger, plants should be moved to bigger containers, although keeping African violets slightly root-bound might help them blossom. Wilted leaves are one indication that your violet needs to be replanted.
- The squishy leaves have a propensity to gather dirt and dust. Use a little paintbrush with sensitive bristles to gently scrub them away.