No, you don’t need to deadhead African violets.
Deadheading is not necessary for African violets, as they will typically self-deadhead.
How do I deadhead an African violet?
Deadheading is the process of removing dead and dying flowers from a plant in order to free up energy for more useful functions. If you see African violet flowers dying, simply pinch them off with your thumb and forefingers. Grower Beware: When pruning leaves and blossoms, pinch or cut, don’t rip or tear.
Houseplants need bright, indirect sun in order to thrive. Too little sunlight will cause 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. They also need eight hours of darkness every night.
How do you pinch back African violets
Pruning African Violet leaves is a great way to encourage new growth and keep your plant healthy. Remove older leaves by pinching the stem between your fingers where it connects with the plant base. You may also use sterilized scissors, taking care to remove the stem as close as possible to the plant base without cutting into the parent plant.
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. By only watering once a week and allowing the plant to completely dry between waterings, you can be sure that your plants will stay healthy and happy.
How long does it take for an African violet to rebloom?
African violets typically bloom every 6-8 weeks with the right growing conditions. If you disbud the old flowers, new ones should bloom within that time frame.
If you want your African violets to continue blooming throughout the winter, you’ll need to make sure they have enough light. Supplement with artificial light if necessary to give them the daylight hours they need.
Should African violets be misted?
Do not mist the foliage of your African violet plant as this may cause permanent leaf spotting. Instead, water the plant at the soil level, using water that is room temperature. Be careful not to overwater the plant, as this can lead to crown rot.
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 use Miracle Grow on African violets
If you want to bring more color into your home without a trip to the paint store, try adding more flowers to your favorite plants. African violets are especially good for this, as they will bloom more when fed with Miracle-Gro® Blooming Houseplant Food.
When potting your African violet, be sure to choose a pot that is on the smaller side. African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound, so a smaller pot will help to keep your plant healthy and thriving.
Is it best to water African violets from the bottom?
Watering your plant is important to keeping it healthy and encouraging blooming. Keep the soil moist to dry, and allow the soil around the roots to dry out before watering. Water from the bottom with room temperature water by placing the plastic grower’s pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water (not more than 30 minutes).
If you are watering your African violet from the top, be sure to avoid getting water on the leaves when the plant is in direct sunlight. This can cause leaf spots. Watering from the bottom is also fine, just be sure to use lukewarm or warm water, as cold water can shock the plant.
Can you use tap water for African violets
It’s important to be aware of the quality of your tap water when growing African violets. Chlorine levels can fluctuate depending on the season, and in some areas tap water may have high levels of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All of these things can adversely affect your plants. If you’re not sure about the quality of your tap water, it’s best to err on the side of caution and use purified or distilled water instead.
African violets need indirect sunlight. They will do best in a north- or east- facing window. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
How long do African violets live?
It’s important to repot your African violets every 2-3 years to keep them healthy and happy. Remember that these blooms have a very long lifespan, so it’s worth taking the time to care for them properly!
It is important to water African violets only when the soil is almost dry. This is because African violets are sensitive to overwatering and too much water can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the flowers to fall off. When watering African violets, it is best to bottom water them. This means adding water to the saucer or tray that the pot is sitting in, so that the water can be absorbed from the bottom up.
Warp Up
No, you do not need to deadhead African violets.
Yes, you need to deadhead African violets to keep them looking their best. Deadheading is simply removing the faded or dead flowers from the plant. This encourages the African violet to produce new flowers and keeps the plant tidy.
