African violets are one of the most popular houseplants, and they can be started from seed. Starting African violets from seed is not difficult, but it does take some time and patience. The first step is to obtain a high-quality African violet seed. Once you have your seed, you will need to plant it in a sterile growing medium. After the seed has been planted, you will need to provide it with the proper temperature, humidity, and light conditions in order to encourage germination and growth. With a little patience and care, you can successfully start African violets from seed and enjoy these beautiful plants in your home.
You can start African violets from seed, but it is a slow and challenging process. It can take several months for the seeds to germinate, and even then, the results are often unpredictable. You may end up with plants that look nothing like the parent plant, or that are weak and vulnerable to disease. For these reasons, most growers prefer to propagate African violets by taking leaf cuttings, which are more reliable and produce plants that are identical to the parent.
Is it hard to grow African violet from seed?
If you’re patient and willing to put in a little extra work upfront, starting your African violets from seed is a great way to get a lot of plants for a relatively low cost. The process is a bit more time-consuming than starting with cuttings, but it’s not difficult and the results are well worth the effort. Here’s what you need to know to get started:
1. African violets typically take about 6-8 weeks to germinate from seed, so be patient and don’t give up if you don’t see any results right away.
2. Start by planting the seeds in a sterile, well-draining potting mix. You can find pre-mixed African violet potting mixes at most garden centers, or you can make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
3. Sow the seeds on the surface of the potting mix and then lightly mist with water. Place the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight and keep the soil moist, but not wet.
4. Once the seeds have germinated and the seedlings are a few inches tall, you can begin transplanting them
African violets are a popular houseplant because they are relatively easy to care for and can bloom year-round with proper care. To start your own african violet plant from seed, you will need to purchase a packet of seeds and a potting mix specifically designed for african violets.
Sprinkle your african violet seeds on top of the damp potting mix and then cover the pot with a clear lid or plastic wrap to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a warm location out of direct sunlight and wait for the seeds to germinate. This can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks.
Once the seedlings have emerged, remove the lid or plastic wrap and place the pot in a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Allow the seedlings to grow for a month or two before transplanting them into individual pots. With proper care, your african violets should bloom within 6-8 weeks of transplanting.
What can I do with African violet seed pods
The seed pod of the violet should be left on the plant until it has turned brown and is completely dry. The stem that supports the seed pod should also be left on the plant until it is dry. It will require about 3-5 months from the date of cross pollination for the seed pod to be mature and ready to be removed from the plant.
It’s easy to root African violets from a leaf in water. I’ve found the quickest and easiest way to do this is to take a leaf from your existing African violets, or even from a friend’s plant. Simply place the leaf in a glass of water and wait for it to root. Once it has rooted, you can then transplant it into soil and it will grow into a new plant.
How long do African violet seeds take to germinate?
The seeds are like dust particles, so I sprinkled them on the moistened soil surface and covered them with plastic. I gave them a little water each day so that they wouldn’t dry out. The germination can take up to 14 days, so one needs to be patient.
To get the best color and blooms from your plants, grow them in bright, indirect light. A plant stand three feet away from a west- or south-facing window is an ideal location. Plants will still grow when situated right beside north- or east-facing windows, but leaves will be thin and spindly, and plants less likely to bloom.
Can you root an African violet from a leaf?
African violets can be easily propagated by leaf cuttings. Select a firm, healthy leaf and cut it off with a sharp knife. Leave 1 to 1½ inches of the leaf stem (petiole) attached to the leaf blade. Fill a pot with a moistened 50:50 mix of vermiculite and coarse sand. Insert the leaf cutting, petiole side down, into the potting mix. Water the potting mix lightly and place the pot in a warm, bright location but out of direct sunlight. New plants will form at the base of the leaf cutting within 4 to 6 weeks. Once the new plants have formed roots and are growing well, they can be transplanted into individual pots.
If you want to collect seeds from violets, you’ll need to pay close attention to the plants. 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’ll turn tan and papery, and reorient themselves so they’re pointing upwards.
Can you put African violet in water to grow roots
To propagate a violet leaf, start by selecting a healthy leaf and removing it from the plant by toggling it from side to side until it pulls free. Next, place the stem into water and wait until roots begin to grow. Once the roots are established, you can plant the violet in a pot or in the ground.
Coffee grounds are slightly acidic and contain nitrogen, which helps plants grow healthy foliage. Occasionally sprinkling used coffee grounds on top of your African violet potting soil can be good for the plant.
Does Epsom salt help African violets bloom?
Epsom saline is a great way to provide your plants with the essential magnesium and sulfate that they need in order to produce healthy blooms and foliage. All you need to do is mix one and a half teaspoons of Epsom salt in a quart of tepid water and swirl it around to dissolve. Once a month, water your African violets with this solution and you’ll see a difference in no time!
To ensure that your African violet is getting the proper nutrients, you should use a potting soil that has a slightly acidic pH. Peat moss is often used to lower the pH in African violet potting soil, which will allow the plant to more efficiently absorb nutrients.
Can you use regular Miracle Grow on African violets
This product is designed to help African violets and other blooming houseplants grow and bloom more vibrantly. Simply mist the leaves and soil lightly every other day or as needed, and you should see a noticeable difference in your plants within a few weeks.
African violets are susceptible to crown rot, so it is important that the crown (the section of the plant at soil level) is not saturated with water. Water on the foliage may cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature and DO NOT mist the foliage.
Do African violets need deep pots?
African Violet roots are shallow and like to go sideways. Use a pot with suitable drainage holes and a water reservoir.
One way to make sure your seeds germinate quickly is to presoak them for 24 hours in a shallow container with hot water. The hot water will penetrate the seed coat and make the embryos inside the seed plump up. Just make sure not to soak them for longer than 24 hours because they could rot. Plant the seeds immediately after soaking them in moist soil.
Final Words
No, African violets cannot be started from seed.
One can start African violets from seed, but it is a slow process. The seed must be germinated in sterile soil, and then the seedlings must be transplanted to individual pots. African violets are not typically propagated by seed, but rather by division of the root system or by taking leaf cuttings.
