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.
What depth should pots for African violets be?
When a baby (or beginner) violet’s diameter (leaf span) reaches around 9 inches, it should be transplanted to a 3 inch container (or tub).
Are African violets better suited to clay or plastic pots?
You want to plant some African violets in pots around your house because you are cultivating them. There are many various types of plant pots available, but which one is going to work best for your African violets?
I prefer pots with two layers since you can add water to the bottom of the plant without worrying about it becoming waterlogged. You can discard the remaining water until it is time to water the plant again once it has received enough to make the soil at the top of the plant moist. The flower will self-water itself if you leave a tiny bit of water at the base of the pot, which is a terrific tool to use when you have to travel and no one to water your plants.
You can select from a variety of materials, which include the following:
- Clay vases Although these are not the prettiest pots, their high porosity can help your African violets drain their water.
- Pliable pots
- The majority of these pots are well-draining pots that your African violets will adore, but especially the ones with saucer bottoms. Just be careful not to let the plant’s base become wet.
- Ceramic PotsThis kind of pot has two pieces, making watering simple. They are very vibrant, which can really enhance your growing area.
Are African violet pots appropriate?
All of the houseplants that adorn our windowsills and worktops evolved in certain natural habitats. They learned to thrive in the accessible elements over the course of thousands of years by making the most of their circumstances.
Your responsibility as a plant parent is to replicate their natural habitat in your house. Sandy, dry soil is necessary for houseplants that evolved in desert-like environments, such as succulents and cacti. Because they originated in low-light settings, other species, such as orchids and lilies, like a shaded den over a sunroom.
The Tanzanian jungle’s dark, rocky outcrops were a particularly unusual setting for the evolution of African violets. Even while you don’t necessary need a specialty pot, you should pick one that enables you to mimic their ideal environments. This implies:
- Rocky outcrops have relatively little soil for African violets to root into, so they absorb rainfall from below. Instead, these plants adhere to the moss that is growing on top of them and take up the moisture that their hosts hold onto from the environment. African violets suffer in pots with poor drainage because there is too much direct dampness.
- Direct sunlight is shielded from the environment by the thick jungle canopy. Because of this, the African violet has a peculiar weakness: when its leaves are wet and exposed to sunlight, they burn. Most gardeners reduce burn danger by using bottom-watering pots instead of top-watering altogether.
- High humidity is ideal for growing African violets because they enjoy some wetness. However, unlike other houseplants, you cannot mist its leaves because it dislikes being wet. As a result, you must choose a pot that encourages increased humidity in the area around it.
How frequently should African violets be watered from the bottom?
Although they are often simple to care for, African violets need some effort to grow.
How frequently to water African violets is one of the most crucial considerations while caring for plants.
One of the most frequent mistakes made with this kind of plant is overwatering, therefore caution is necessary.
African violets typically require watering once a week, though this can change depending on the environment and potting mix.
In contrast, you might only need to water them every other week if you reside in a cooler environment.
Put your finger in the potting mix to get an idea of how frequently to water your African violets.
How Often To Water African Violets Indoors
The first factor affecting how frequently you need to water the plants is your home’s temperature and humidity.
You might have to water your African violets more frequently if your house is extremely warm or dry.
Second, the kind of potting mix you use can have an impact on how frequently you need water.
African violet potting mixtures are frequently drier, so they might not require as much watering.
On the other hand, potting mixtures created for different kinds of plants could require more frequent watering.
To make sure the plant needs water before watering, like with all plants, it is best to examine the potting mix.
African violets should generally be watered when the potting soil feels dry to the touch.
How Often To Water African Violets Outdoors
There are a few considerations if you are growing African violets outside.
The climate and weather will decide how much water they require.
You might need to water them more frequently if you live in a region with high humidity.
You might need to water them less frequently if you reside in a low-humidity environment.
After giving them a good drink, let the soil totally dry out before giving them another drink.
Checking the soil is the best approach to figure out how frequently to water your African violets.
African violets should be watered in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry before dusk. This will aid in the prevention of fungus illnesses.
The following general instructions are for watering African violets outside:
- If you reside somewhere with a lot of humidity, give your plants a good watering every 5-7 days.
- Water your plants every 3 to 5 days if you reside in a dry area.
- Water your plants every two to three days if you reside in a hot area.
- You should water your plants every 7 to 10 days if you reside in a chilly area.
Depending on the climate where you live, your particular plants can require more or less watering.
How Often Should You Water African Violets From the Bottom
The more conventional approach of watering from the top is fine for African violets.
The benefit of watering from the bottom is that the water may get to the roots directly, promoting strong development.
Additionally, it lessens the risk of fungal illnesses by keeping the leaves dry and preventing waterlogging.
Put your African violet plants in a saucer or tray with water and water them from the bottom.
Once every week, or whenever the top inch of soil is dry, the bottom should be watered.
The more conventional approach, watering from the top, is fine for African violets.
The biggest benefit of watering plants from the top is that it is simpler to determine whether they are receiving enough water.
Start by watering your African violet plant once a week and increase as necessary if you’re unclear of how much water it requires.
Use a watering can or cup to pour water onto the soil until it is uniformly wet to water from the top.
Feel free to experiment and find which works best for you and your African violets as each watering technique has benefits.
The most crucial thing is to monitor the soil’s moisture and make adjustments as necessary.
Once a week, or when the top inch of soil feels dry, water your African violets.
Can African violets be grown in terra cotta pots?
You’ve probably heard or even experienced stories of frustration if you’ve ever tried to raise African Violets or if you have friends who have. A reputation for being picky and delicate exists for African violets.
You might be turning your attention back to taking care of your indoor plants as the summer here in Iowa comes to an end. Even though the African violet blossoms in our garden center are currently looking especially magnificent, some people are hesitant to buy them because of their reputation. Many of us have purchased a plant that had lovely blossoms just to bring it home and have it stop blooming altogether. Actually, this is just a sign that you’re not aware with the peculiarities and preferences of that plant. Although African violets are unique, taking care of one is not very difficult.
However, they might not be the best houseplant for you if you prefer houseplants that thrive in a little neglect. Although they need a bit more care than other plants, we believe their stunning blossoms are worth the extra work.
If you’re up for the task, we’ve created a guide to assist you in maintaining the blooming of your prized African violets. If you follow these suggestions, yours should repay you with a lot of blossoms as we’ve documented their characteristics.
1. Watering them from the bottom is ideal African violet leaves will burn if water gets on them. Watering them from underneath is simpler than attempting to use caution when using a watering can. You can put water that is at room temperature in the saucer you keep underneath your pot. After an hour, remove the pot from the water and discard any extra liquid. Alternately, place the pot in a baking dish with approximately an inch of room temperature water, the bottom of your sink, or both. Do not shock them with cold water. Feel the soil before you water because African violets prefer to dry up between hydration sessions. Within half an inch of the soil surface, it should be dry to the touch.
2. The roots need oxygen around them. African violets require light, airy soil that allows them proper breathing. Sphagnum peat moss, which is distinct from conventional peat moss, which is often decayed down and would retain too much water, should be present in large quantities in the soil, along with perlite, to aid with drainage. Get a specific soil mixture for African violets; don’t muck around with it.
3. They prefer airy, small containers. African violets thrive on terra cotta because the porous material’s pores improve root ventilation and keep the soil from getting too damp. Avoid using a deep pot since African Violet roots prefer to grow diagonally and are not particularly deep. For you to water from underneath, your pot needs to have adequate drainage holes. African violet-specific pots with a terra cotta sleeve you plant in and a water reservoir are also available. Just keep in mind not to leave them submerged for longer than an hour.
4. They enjoy being somewhat rooted. African violets bloom best when plants are slightly but not excessively rootbound. The diameter of your container should ideally be roughly one-third the width of your violet’s leaf spread. Therefore, you’ll need roughly a 4 pot if your violet is 12 across. Only once a year or less, depending on how much they have grown, should they be repotted.
5. They prefer direct, bright light In the summer, an African violet does best in a north or east-facing window; in the winter, they might need to be placed closer to a south window. Make sure the plant’s leaves don’t touch the glass since this could cause the plant to absorb the cold from the environment. It is advisable to place a plant stand a few feet away from a window. To make sure your violet receives enough light during the winter, you might wish to utilize a grow light. If you use a grow lamp, place it between 12 and 15 inches above the plant and leave it on for roughly 14 hours each day. To continue blooming, they do require a minimum of 8 hours of darkness each day.
6. They should rotate. Turning your African violet once a week will ensure that all the leaves receive an equal amount of sunshine.
7. They require food. To remain flowering, African violets require regular feedings with fertilizer made specifically for them. In the spring and summer, every two weeks; in the fall and winter, every three weeks to once each month.
8. They prefer to be moderately warm They should be content if you maintain a temperature of 65 F at night and 70 F during the day.
African violets are unique, but getting them to grow well isn’t too difficult. Their lovely purple, pink, or white flowers and soft fuzzy leaves make the work worthwhile. You may create notifications on your mobile phone calendar for tasks like watering, fertilizing, and rotating to remind you when to do those things.
Did you aware that African violets may be multiplied from their leaves? Once your collection of African violets is flourishing, you can share your knowledge by giving them as gifts to friends.