Growing African violets from seeds is a fun project that can be done by people of all ages. African violets are not only beautiful, but they are also easy to care for. With a little patience, anyone can grow African violets from seeds.
The answer is no, you cannot grow African violets from seed.
Is it hard to grow African violet from seed?
African violets are a beautiful and popular plant, and while most are started from cuttings, they can also be grown from seed. Starting an African violet from seed is a little more time consuming than starting cuttings, but you’ll end up with many more plants. The process is relatively simple, but it does take a bit of patience. First, you’ll need to purchase African violet seeds from a reputable source. Then, you’ll need to sow the seeds in a sterile, well-draining potting mix. Once the seeds have germinated, you’ll need to carefully transplant them into individual pots. From there, you’ll need to provide your plants with bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist, but not soggy. With a little care and attention, your African violets will thrive and bloom for years to come.
If you’re looking to grow African violets from seed, you’ll need to start with a damp, peat-based potting mix. Keep the seeds warm and humid, and give them plenty of light from a grow lamp or bright, indirect sunlight. You should see tiny seedlings after 2-3 weeks, and after a month or two they should be tall enough to transplant into individual pots.
Where are the seeds on an African violet
This is the glassine envelope that contains the seeds. You can see in the bottom corner here that there are a few seeds left. I’ll just need to plant these and then I’ll have a new batch of seeds to use.
Collecting seeds from violets is a relatively easy process, but it does require a bit of observation. Within a week or two of the last flowers appearing, check the plants regularly for the small, pale green seedpods. The pods will be pointing downward until the seeds begin to ripen, at which point they will turn tan and papery, and reorient themselves, pointing upwards. Once the seeds are ripe, simply collect them and store them in a cool, dry place.
What can I do with African violet seed pods?
The seed pod should be left on the violet until it has turned brown and is completely dry as well as the stem that supports it. It will require about 3-5 months from date of the cross pollination to the time that the seed pod is mature and can be removed from the plant.
It’s easy to root African violets from leaves. Just take a leaf from your existing plant or from a friend’s plant and put it in water. The quickest and easiest way to root these flowering beauties is in water using a leaf.
How long does it take for African violets to bloom from seed?
African violets are a beautiful and popular plant, and it’s easy to see why! They are relatively easy to care for, and with proper care, they can bloom prolifically. If you are growing African violets from seeds, you can expect to see the first blooms 6 to 9 months after sowing. The time that it takes depends on the environment; African violets with proper amounts of watering, light, and temperature tend to develop sooner.
If you want your plants to thrive and bloom, it’s best to grow them in bright, indirect light. A plant stand 3 feet away from a west- or south-facing window is an ideal location. Although plants will still grow when placed next to north- or east-facing windows, the leaves will be thinner and spindler, and the plants less likely to bloom.
Can you root an African violet in water
To propagate violet leaves the traditional way, place the stem into water until roots begin to grow. Select a healthy leaf and remove it from the plant by toggling it from side to side until is pulls free. Avoid pinching or bruising the leaf as this may lead to rotting.
To propagate African violets and rex begonias from leaf cuttings, use whole or even parts of leaves. Because a detached begonia or African violet leaf wilts quickly, always have your pot of soil ready before you take the cutting.
Are violets self seeding?
If you have violets in your garden, you can collect the seed by placing small mesh bags over the developing seed pods. Sow the fresh seed into pots filled with seed raising mix and keep moist until seedlings emerge.
African violets are popular perennials grown as compact houseplants. They’re members of the family Gesneriaceae and the genus Saintpaulia. The most popular species is Saintpaulia ionantha, which is native to Tanzania and Kenya. African violets are relatively easy to care for and can live for many years with proper care.
How do you start an African violet from a cutting
Established African violets can be propagated by taking leaf cuttings. The ideal African violet leaf for propagation is fresh and healthy, but has been on the plant long enough to be well-rooted. Cut the leaf petiole (the stem) to about ½ to 1 inch in length. Place the cutting in a well-lit spot, and keep the soil moist. In time, plantlets will sprout from the cutting.
This is a guide for starting your seeds indoors. You should start your seeds 8 weeks before planting them outside. Lightly cover your seeds and provide them with total darkness and normal room temperatures. They should germinate in 10-20 days. You may also direct seed your garden in early spring or early autumn.
Do violets spread by seed?
Violets are a popular flower that can be found in many gardens. They are known to spread in a variety of ways, including by underground rhizomes and by seed. Additionally, violets may also form vegetative colonies. It is important to note that violets can also spread via cleistogamous flowers, which are flowers that never really open and self-pollinate. When spreading in this manner, violets shoot seeds out in order to establish a new colony away from the parent plant.
Coffee grounds are a great way to add some extra nutrients to your African violet potting soil. They are slightly acidic and contain nitrogen, which helps plants grow healthy foliage. Just make sure to not overdo it, and only occasionally sprinkle used coffee grounds on top of your soil.
Final Words
No, you can’t grow African violets from seeds.
Yes, African violets can be grown from seed, but it is a difficult and slow process. The seeds are very tiny, and must be sown on top of a moistened medium, such as vermiculite or perlite. The medium must be kept warm and humid, and the seeds will usually germinate within two to four weeks. Once the seedlings have emerged, they must be carefully transplanted into individual pots. African violets are typically slow-growing plants, and it may take several months to a year before they bloom.
