African violets are one of the most popular houseplants and are known for their beautiful flowers. Although they are easy to care for, they can sometimes be finicky when it comes to blooming. Here are a few tips on how to make your African violets bloom:
There are a few things you can do to encourage your African violets to bloom:
1. Place them in a sunny spot: African violets need lots of bright, indirect sunlight in order to bloom. Place them near a south- or east-facing window for best results.
2. Keep them warm: African violets prefer a warm environment. If your home is on the cooler side, you may want to consider placing a heater near them or investing in a grow light.
3. fertilize them regularly: African violets need to be fertilized about once a month in order to encourage blooming. Use a fertilizer formulated specifically for African violets or a general all-purpose fertilizer at half strength.
4. water them properly: African violets need to be kept evenly moist, but not soggy. Allow the top of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings and water from the bottom by filling a tray with water and setting the African violets in it for a few minutes.
How do you encourage African violets to bloom?
If you are having trouble getting your African violet to bloom, the most common reason is lack of light. African violets need indirect sunlight, as direct sunlight can burn the leaves. The best place to put them is in a north- or east- facing window. Also, be sure to keep the plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light.
African violets typically bloom every 6 to 8 weeks. With the right growing conditions, a healthy African violet produces flowers—usually several at once—that last several weeks. If you disbud your old flowers (see above), new flowers should bloom 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.
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.
What causes African violets not to bloom?
If you want your African violets to bloom well, make sure they get plenty of light. They prefer bright, indirect sun, so if they’re not getting enough light they may stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers. Too much sun can burn the leaves, so an east-facing window is ideal, especially with a sheer curtain to block the sun’s harshest rays.
A wicking system is a simple way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. You can use a wicking system by setting up a container with a wick in the bottom. The wick will absorb water from the bottom of the container and deliver it to the plant roots.
What month do African violets bloom?
If you want your African violets to bloom year-round, you need to provide the correct conditions. They will need 10-12 months of blooming each year. Each bloom will last for 2-3 weeks.
The best way to control wild violets is to prevent them from growing in the first place. You can do this by keeping your garden and landscape free of weeds and debris. Additionally, you can use a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent wild violets from germinating. If you already have a problem with wild violets, you can try to remove them by hand or use a herbicide. However, be aware that herbicides can also harm your other plants, so use them carefully.
What is the best African violet fertilizer for blooming
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.
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.
Is baking soda good for African violets?
If your African violets are suffering from powdery mildew and the problem isn’t improving, you can try spraying them 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.
It is important to water African violets correctly to avoid leaf spots and crown rot. Do not mist the foliage as this can cause permanent leaf spots. Use room temperature water and water the plant at the base, being careful not to saturate the crown.
Is it OK to touch African violet leaves
It is not recommended to brush the leaves of african violets because it can decrease plant quality and size.
Many growers of African Violets recommend repotting with fresh potting soil, twice a year or more. At the very least, an African Violet should be repotted whenever the plant becomes rootbound, ie, the Violet has outgrown its current pot to the extent that its roots are growing out and around the rootball.
How long do African violets live indoors?
It’s important to repot your African violets every few years to keep them healthy and thriving. Remember that they have a very long lifespan and can last up to 50 years with proper care. When repotting, be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and water them regularly.
African violets need 10+ hours of bright, filtered light to thrive. They will scorch if exposed to direct sun, so it’s important to keep them out of direct sunlight. The soil should be kept moist, but well drained. You want moist, not soggy.
Final Words
If you want your African violets to bloom, you should apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer and make sure they are receiving enough sunlight.
To make your African violets bloom, you’ll need to give them the right amount of sunlight and water. African violets need at least six hours of sunlight every day, so a south-facing window is ideal. Water your African violets when the soil is dry to the touch, and be sure to use room-temperature water. Fertilize your plants monthly with a half-strength African violet fertilizer. With proper care, your African violets should bloom all year long!
