Indoor plants such as African violets provide a splash of color and a bit of nature inside the home. These popular houseplants are available in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They are relatively easy to care for, although they do require some attention. One of the most important things to remember when caring for African violets is not to over-water them. This can be a common problem, as people tend to overwater their plants.
Yes, you can cut back African violets. If the plant is not flowering or if the flowers are small, you can cut the plant back to about 6 inches (15 cm) above the soil line. This will encourage the plant to produce new growth and flowers.
What do I do when my African violet gets leggy?
If you have an African violet that is starting to get leggy, the best way to combat that is to repot the plant and fertilize it with Espoma’s Violet! liquid plant food. This will help keep your plant growing new leaves, which will keep it from becoming leggy. It will also enhance the colors of your flowers.
African violets are beautiful plants that are mostly grown for their blooms. However, if there are too many leaves on the plant, it will produce very few blossoms. This is because the plant only has access to a finite amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients at any given time.
How do you rejuvenate African violets
If your African violet has burnt or dry leaf tips, it’s likely dehydrated. Try placing your plant on a humidity tray to boost the moisture in the air. If your African violet has drooping leaves, it may be suffering from low temperatures. Keep your indoor environment around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
If you want your African Violet to keep blooming, be sure to pinch or deadhead spent blooms. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage.
How long can an African violet live?
African violets need to be repotted every one to two years to keep them healthy and blooming. When you notice the leaves of your African violet starting to crowd the pot, it’s time to repot. Be sure to use a pot that is only slightly larger than the current pot and has drainage holes. African violets also like to be kept on the dry side, so be sure to use a well-draining potting mix.
If you notice your African violet’s leaves becoming thin and stretched out, it’s a sign that it’s not getting enough light. African violets need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. Move your plant to a brighter spot in your home and see if that does the trick.
Is it OK to touch African violet leaves?
Brushing leaves of african violets is not recommended because repeated brushing can decrease plant quality and size
When pruning your African violet, take care to cut the stem as close to the stalk as possible, without digging into your plant. Alternatively, you can pinch the leaves off with your fingers. African violets grow from the crown out, meaning the leaves closest to the soil are the oldest.
Do African violets need bigger pots
As a general rule, African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound. This means that you should choose a pot that’s on the smaller side, since being gettign slightly crowded will help encourage the plant to bloom. However, if you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
Epsom salt is a great way to provide your plants with essential magnesium and sulfur. Mixing one and a half teaspoons of salt in a quart of tepid water, and then watering your African violets with the solution once a month, can produce beautiful blooms and healthy foliage.
What does an overwatered African violet look like?
If you notice that your African Violet plant’s leaves are looking limp or mushy, it is likely that the plant has been over-watered. When this happens, the soil retains too much water which can cause the leaves and/or leaf stems to turn soft. If you believe your plant is over-watered, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. Basically, you just need to water the plant once a week, and allow the plant to completely dry between waterings. This way, the roots will never be sitting in water, and they will be able to uptake moisture as needed.
How do you keep African violets blooming all year
African violets need indirect sunlight to bloom. The most common reason they don’t bloom is because they aren’t getting enough light. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light.
If your African violet is not blooming, try one (or all) of these eight tips:
1. Let There Be Light: African violets need bright, indirect light to bloom. If your plant is not in a bright spot, move it to a location that gets at least four hours of light per day.
2. Turn Up the Humidity: African violets love humid conditions. If your home is on the dry side, try placing your plant on a humidity tray or pebble mat.
3. Replenish Essential Nutrients: African violets need to be fertilized every two to four weeks to bloom their best. Use a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for blooming plants.
4. Keep it Pleasant: African violets prefer a consistent temperature between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity between 50-60%.
5. Choose the Right Soil: African violets need a well-draining, yet moist soil. A good quality African violet potting mix will do the trick.
6. Protect From Pests & Disease: Inspect your plant regularly for pests and diseases. Treat any problems promptly to prevent them from spreading to other plants.
7
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom?
It is important not to use cold water when watering African violets; lukewarm or warm water is preferred. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.
Assuming you are asking how often African violets bloom in general:
African violets can bloom nearly year-round. If you are able to provide the correct conditions, expect your African violets to bloom 10-12 months each year. Each bloom lasts for about 2-3 weeks.
Warp Up
Yes, you can cut back African violets. Trim back any leggy stems, and cut the flowers off when they start to fade.
If you are looking to cut back on your African violet plants, there are a few things you can do. First, you can reduce the amount of water you give them. Second, you can reduce the amount of fertilizer you use. Finally, you can reduce the amount of light they get. By doing these things, you should be able to successfully cut back on your African violet plants.
