African violets are a type of houseplant that is relatively easy to care for. They are known for their pretty, purple flowers. While African violets can bloom year-round, sometimes they need a little extra help to encourage them to flower. Here are a few tips on how to get African violets to flower:
To get African violets to flower, you need to provide them with bright light, high humidity, and well-drained soil. African violets also need to be fertilized regularly.
How can I encourage my African violet to bloom?
African violets are a type of plant that need indirect sunlight in order to bloom. The most common reason that 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.
African violets typically bloom several times a year with the right growing conditions. If you remove the old flowers, new flowers should appear within 6 to 8 weeks.
Does Epsom salt help African violets bloom
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.
If you want your plants to have the best color and blooms, grow them in bright, indirect light. An ideal location for a plant stand is three feet away from a west- or south-facing window. 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.
What causes African violets not to bloom?
African violets prefer bright, indirect sunlight in order 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.
While wild violets may be pretty, they can be quite a nuisance. They have an aggressive growth habit and can be very difficult to control. If you don’t want them in your garden or landscape, it’s best to remove them as soon as you see them.
How often should a African violet be watered?
If you’re looking for a way to make sure your African violets are never over watered, one ingenious way is to set up a wicking system. This involves placing a water-absorbent material, like a cotton ball, at the bottom of the pot. The pot is then placed on top of a saucer filled with water. As the material at the bottom of the pot absorbs water, it will wick it up to the African violet, keeping it perfectly hydrated.
It is important to water African violets carefully, as they are susceptible to crown rot. Do not mist the foliage, as this can cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature, and water the plants so that the crown is not saturated.
How long do potted African violets live
It’s important to repot African violets every one to two years to keep them healthy and vigorous. “If you wait too long, the plant will start to showing signs of being pot-bound, such as cessation of flowering, smaller leaves, and overall thinner growth,” McEnaney says.
It is important to water African violets properly in order to avoid leaf spots. Either watering from the top or bottom is fine, as long as you use lukewarm or warm water. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun.
What is the best African violet fertilizer for blooming?
Many growers have reported success in fertilizing African violets once a week with a mild fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer such as a 20-20-20 or one that is slightly higher in phosphorus, like a 15-20-15, is typically recommended for most growing situations.
If you have powdery mildew on your African violets and it’s not improving, try spraying the plants lightly with a mixture of 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda in 1 quart (1 L) of water. You can also spray the air around the plant with Lysol or another household disinfectant, but be careful not to get too much spray on the leaves.
Do African violets need bigger pots
If you’re growing an African violet, it’s best to choose a pot that’s on the smaller side. This will help to keep the plant slightly pot-bound, which is what it prefers. A good rule of thumb is to choose a pot that’s 3-4 inches in diameter for a standard African violet plant.
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.
Should you touch African violet leaves?
While it may be tempting to reach out and brush the leaves of your african violet, it is actually not recommended. Repeated brushing can actually decrease the quality and size of the plant. So, next time you are tempted, just remember that it is best to keep your hands off!
African violets require at least 10 hours of bright, filtered light daily in order to prosper. They will scorch if exposed to direct sunlight, so it’s important to keep them out of direct sun. The soil should be kept moist but well drained; you want moist, not soggy.
Warp Up
African violets typically bloom in cycles, with each bloom lasting up to two months. To encourage your plant to flower, keep the following tips in mind:
-Place your African violet in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight.
-Water regularly, letting the soil dry out slightly between watering.
-Fertilize every two weeks with a African violet fertilizer.
-Remove spent blooms to encourage new ones to form.
African violets need a lot of light to produce flowers, so make sure to place them near a bright window. They also need to be kept moist, but not too wet, so water them when the soil feels dry to the touch. Lastly, feeding African violets with a fertilizer made specifically for them will give them the nutrients they need to produce beautiful flowers.
