When it comes to African violets, one of the most important things you can do is to remove suckers. Suckers are small, off-shooting growths that appear at the base of the plant. If left unchecked, they will eventually take over the entire plant, crowding out the leaves and flowers.
Fortunately, removing suckers is relatively easy. Simply use a sharp knife or scissors to cut them off at the base. Be sure to sterilize your cutting tool first, to avoid spreading disease.
If you keep up with regular sucker removal, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful, healthy African violets for many years to come.
To prune suckers from African violets, use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the stem just below the point where it joins the main plant. Be sure to disinfect your tools before and after pruning to avoid spreading disease.
What to do with African violet pups?
To split African violets, or pups, from the plant, just cut them off from the main stem of the plant and pot them in their own soil. They will grow their own roots soon and turn into a new plant.
Trailing African violets are best kept in a pot no more than 2 to 3 inches deep. This will allow the plant to spread as far as it or the grower likes, but still keep the roots at the soil surface.
How do you separate baby African violets
If you gently tug the mother leaf away from the baby plantlet clusters, they should separate easily. You should be left with the mother leaf with a large root system and the cluster of baby African Violet plantlets with their shallow root system.
If the African violet stem is bare and leggy more than an inch (25 cm), the best method of saving it is cutting the plant off at the soil level and re-rooting it. Fill a pot with a well-draining soil mix and cut the African violet stems at the soil level. Remove any dead or sickly foliage. Put the African violet stem in the pot and cover it with soil. Water the African violet stem and keep it in a warm, sunny spot. In a few weeks, the African violet stem will sprout new leaves and roots.
What is the lifespan of an African violet?
It is so important to repot African violets every few years because they can live up to 50 years! By regularly replanting them, you are ensuring that they have the best chance to thrive and reach their full potential lifespan.
If you have success getting your African Violet to bloom, be sure to pinch or deadhead spent blooms. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage.
How often should you change the soil in African violets?
African violets are very delicate plants and need to be taken care of in a certain way in order for them to thrive. One of the key things to do for them is to re-pot them in fresh soil every six months. It is best to keep them in the same size pot so that they don’t become root-bound.
As with most plants, African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound. This means that you should choose a pot that is on the smaller side in order to promote growth. Professional Tip: If you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
How many times a year do African violets bloom
African violets can bloom nearly year-round if you are able to provide the correct conditions. Each bloom lasts for about 2-3 weeks.
There is no definitive answer to this question; it depends on what works best for your particular African violet. Some people find that watering from the bottom (by placing the plant in a dish of water and letting it soak up the water from the roots) is the best way to water African violets, as it prevents the leaves from getting wet and avoids leaf spots. Others find that watering from the top is just as effective and is more convenient. Ultimately, it is up to you to experiment and see what works best for your plant.
Is it better to root African violets in water or soil?
To root African violets in water, simply take a leaf from your existing plant or a friend’s plant and place it in a glass of water. Leave it there until you see roots growing, which usually takes a few days. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can transplant the leaf into soil.
An African violet should be planted in a pot that is four inches in diameter if you want the leaves to be about three times the diameter of the pot. Always make sure that your pot has adequate drainage.
Why is my African violet getting tall
If your African violet plant starts to grow tall and thin leaves, it is not receiving enough sunlight. The solution is to move your plant to a brighter area of your home.
If your African violet isn’t blooming, the most common reason is that it isn’t getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight; direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for the best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light.
How do I know if my African violet needs to be repotted?
If your African Violet’s leaves are more than triple the width of the pot, it’s time to repot. A larger container will allow the plant to continue growing and will help prevent the leaves from becoming damaged.
Water your African Violet when the soil is dry to the touch. Use room-temperature water and be careful not to mist the foliage, as this can cause permanent leaf spotting. 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.
Warp Up
Assuming you would like tips on how to prune African Violet suckers:
The best time to prune African Violet suckers is when they are young. This will minimize the risk of damaging the plant. use a clean, sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut the sucker off at the base, as close to the main stem as possible.
African violets can be pruned by pinching off the suckers with your fingers or using a sharp knife. Be sure to sterilize your knife before each cut. Pinching or cutting off the suckers will not hurt the plant.
