African violets are a type of plant that thrive in warm and humid environments. They are native to the tropical regions of Africa and require a lot of light to grow. However, they can also be propagated in cooler climates if they are given the right amount of light.
There are a few things to consider when determining how much light to give your African violets for propagating. The first is the intensity of the light. African violets need bright, indirect light in order to thrive. If you are using artificial light, you will need to provide a light source that is at least as bright as natural sunlight. The second thing to consider is the duration of the light. African violets need 14-16 hours of light per day in order to bloom. If you are using artificial light, you will need to provide a light source that can emit light for at least 14 hours per day.
Do violets need light to germinate?
You will need to provide about 10 hours of light each day to your seeds in order for them to germinate. You can do this by placing them in a window that gets indirect light, or by using artificial lights.
African violets are 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. Place the leaf, cut side down, in the potting mix. Cover the pot with plastic and set it in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight. After a few weeks, roots will form and new leaves will appear. Once the new plant is well-established, you can transplant it to its own pot.
How long does it take for African violet cuttings to root
At about 3-4 weeks, roots should begin forming on the petiole. In another 3-4 weeks, your new leaves will start to sprout. When the sprouts get 2-3 leaves on them, which is around the 2-6 month mark, you will need to repot.
African violets need indirect sunlight, so a north- or east- facing window is best. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light.
Can African violets get too much light?
African violets need plenty of sunlight, but only indirect sunlight. If they get more than this, they will begin to show signs of scorching on the leaves and flowers. In some cases, too much sunlight will turn variegated leaf varieties entirely green.
African violet leaf propagation in water takes longer to start roots, but if you compare a 6-month old baby started in water to a 6-month old baby started in soil, you will see that the one started in water is a larger, healthier plant.
When should I plant my African violet propagation?
It’s best to take your leaf cuttings from African violets that are already in good shape. Choose healthy leaves that are free from any sign of disease. Using a sterile knife or scissors, remove a leaf along with its stem from the base of the plant. Trim the stem down to about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm).
Place the leaf cutting in a pot or container filled with moistened potting mix or soil. You can also use perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Be sure to keep the potting mix moist but not soggy. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot out of direct sunlight.
Within a few weeks, you should see new growth emerging from the center of the leaf. Once the new plant is a few inches tall, you can transplant it into its own pot.
It is relatively easy to propagate African violets vegetatively by rooting cuttings; a leaf with an intact petiole, or leaf stem, can develop roots if properly placed in a rooting medium. African violet leaf cuttings can successfully produce roots in water or soil.
Do African violets like to be root bound
It is good practice to periodicially repot houseplants because the soil should be refreshed periodically. African violets prefer to be root-bound to bloom well, so you can often repot the plant into the same pot after cleaning it well, using fresh potting mix.
Generally, it will take 3-4 weeks for the roots to grow, but some plants may take longer. Once the roots are 1-2 inches long or longer, the cutting is ready to be potted up.
How long does it take Purple Heart cuttings to root?
It’s important to keep your cuttings moist for the first week or so, after which you can dial back the watering somewhat. In just a short few weeks, your cuttings should have a small root system established and will be able to tolerate normal watering schedules.
After you have finished repotting your Violet, you may want to place it in a bag for one week. This will help the Violet to recover from the repotting process and allow it to settle into its new pot. After one week, you can remove the Violet from the bag and resume your normal watering and fertilizer schedule.
Do African violets like bigger pots
African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound, so choose a pot that’s on the smaller side. If you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
African violets require bright light for best growth and flowering. Excessive light causes leaves to be pale or greenish-yellow. Some leaves may show dark green areas where they have been shaded by upper leaves. Growth slows when light is too high and plants become very compact.
Do African violets like to be misted?
When watering your African violet, be sure not to mist the foliage as this can cause permanent leaf spotting. Use room temperature water and water the plant at the base, taking care not to saturate the crown as this can cause crown rot.
If you are growing plants under grow lights, it is important to set the bulbs at the correct height. For most plants, the bulbs should be 12″ to 15″ above the plant. However, if you are growing African violets, they need at least eight hours of darkness each day, so the timer should be set accordingly.
Warp Up
There is no definitive answer to this question as the amount of light required for successful African violet propagation will vary depending on the specific plant and growing conditions. However, as a general rule of thumb, it is generally recommended that African violets be propagated in an area that receives indirect or filtered sunlight.
After doing some research, it seems that african violets require 12-14 hours of artificial light per day, with a light intensity of 30-50 foot candles. They also need to be protected from drafts and sudden temperature changes.
