African violets are a beautiful and popular plant, but many people are unsure of whether or not they need to fertilize them to get blooms. The answer is actually quite simple: African violets need very little fertilizer, and in fact, too much fertilizer can actually harm them. A small amount of fertilizer every few months is all that is needed to keep African violets healthy and blooming.
The answer is no, you don’t need to fertilize African violets to get blooms.
How do you encourage African violets to bloom?
If your African violet isn’t blooming, it’s likely because it’s not getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight, direct sunlight can burn the leaves. 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.
Many growers have the best success fertilizing once a week with a mild fertilizer designed for African violets. A balanced formula such as a 20-20-20 or one that has slightly more phosphorus, like a 15-20-15 will do well in most growing situations.
Should you fertilize African violets while blooming
The best time to fertilize African violets is in spring when the plant is actively growing. Avoid feeding African violets in winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom, while others tout the process.
African violets are beautiful flowers that thrive indoors with the proper care. They grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide them with just the right growing environment. With a little TLC, your African violets will bloom and prosper for years to come.
Why is my African violet not blooming?
African violets need bright, indirect sun to bloom well. Too little sunlight causes them to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers; too much sun can burn the leaves. An east-facing window is ideal, especially with a sheer curtain to block the sun’s harshest rays.
Epsom salts are a great way to provide plants with essential magnesium and sulfur. These two minerals are needed to produce beautiful blooms and healthy foliage. To use, mix one and a half teaspoons of Epsom salts in a quart of tepid water and swirl to dissolve. Water your African violets (below the leaves) with this solution once a month.
What month do African violets bloom?
African violets are a type of plant that 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.
African violets typically bloom several times a year, with each blooming period lasting several weeks. If you remove the old flowers (known as disbudding), new flowers will typically bloom within 6 to 8 weeks. The key to getting African violets to bloom often is to provide them with the right growing conditions, including plenty of light and humidity.
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom
African violets are delicate plants and should be watered with care. It is generally recommended to water them from the bottom, using lukewarm or warm water, to avoid leaf spots. However, watering from the top is also fine, as long as you take care not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun.
It’s important to not mist the foliage of African violets, as water on the leaves can cause permanent spotting. Use room-temperature water instead, and be careful not to saturate the crown of the plant, as this can lead to crown rot.
How often should African violets be watered?
A wicking system is a way of watering your African violets without having to water them yourself. Basically, you just need to fill a container with water and place it next to the plants. The water will then slowly seep into the soil, giving the plants the moisture they need.
Feed your African violets regularly to keep them healthy and blooming. In spring and summer, fertilize every two weeks; in fall and winter, cut back to once a month or not at all to prevent over-fertilizing.
What is the secret to growing African violets
African violets need at least 10 hours of bright, filtered light to do well. They shouldn’t be given direct sun because it will scorch them. Keep the soil moist but well drained. You want moist, not soggy.
If you’re noticing powdery mildew on your African violets and it doesn’t seem to be improving, you can try spraying the plants lightly with a baking soda and water mixture. You can also spray the air around the plant with a household disinfectant like Lysol, but be careful not to get too much spray on the leaves.
How often should you change the soil in African violets?
African violets are delicate plants that need to be taken care of properly in order to bloom. One important aspect of their care is re-potting them in fresh soil every 6 months. This helps to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need and also prevents them from becoming rootbound. African violets should also be kept in the same size pot; if they are in a pot that is too large, they will not bloom as well.
If you think you have overwatered your African Violet, feel the soil. If it is soggy or mushy, it is probably too wet. The best way to fix this is to let the plant dry out completely, then start over with proper watering.
Warp Up
No, african violets do not need to be fertilized in order to bloom.
No, you do not need to fertilize African violets to get blooms.
