If you’re an African violet enthusiast, you know that African violets need a special kind of potting soil to thrive. Luckily, it’s not difficult to mix your own potting soil for African violets at home. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little bit of know-how. In this article, we’ll show you how to mix potting soil for African violets step-by-step, so you can get started growing healthy, beautiful plants.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the ideal potting mix for African violets will vary depending on the specific plant’s needs. However, in general, a good potting mix for African violets should be light and porous, with a slightly acidic pH. Additionally, the mix should be well-draining to prevent the plant from sitting in too much moisture, which can lead to fungal diseases.
What potting mix do you use for African violets?
African violets grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment. This mix contains a blend of peat moss, composted bark, and perlite to help improve drainage and aeration while still holding onto moisture. It also has a slightly acidic pH that will help African violets thrive.
African violets prefer slightly acidic conditions, between 58 to 65 pH. In conventional soil, your plant won’t be able to efficiently absorb nutrients. Generally, peat moss is used to lower the pH in African violet potting soil.
Is African violet potting mix well-draining
African violets need a potting mix that is evenly moist but well-draining, slightly acidic, and with a loose crumbly texture. This will help them to grow in crevices and loose substrate on rocky cliffs or porous rocks.
The ideal potting mix for African violets contains both draining and moisture-retentive ingredients. Examples of materials you may find in a commercial pre-mixed bag of African violet soil includes sphagnum peat moss, coarse sand, perlite, vermiculite, pumice.
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. A professional tip is to choose a pot that is about 3-4 inches in diameter for a standard African violet plant.
This is an all-purpose fertilizer that can be used on all varieties of African violets and blooming houseplants. It is a complete fertilizer that contains all the essential nutrients needed for plant growth.
Should I water my African violet after repotting?
After you have finished repotting your Violet, you may want to keep it in a bag for one week. This will help the Violet to adjust to its new environment. After you have removed the Violet from the bag, it will be safe to resume your normal watering and fertilizer schedule.
African Violet roots don’t go very deep, they like to go sideways, so use a shallow pot. Your pot must have suitable drainage holes so you can water from underneath. You can also get African Violet specific pots that have a terra cotta sleeve you plant in, and a water reservoir.
How often should you change the soil in African violets
African Violet plants need to be re-potted every 6 months to ensure they have fresh soil. They should be kept in the same size pot to prevent them from becoming pot-bound.
African violets are one of the easiest flowers to root. The quickest and easiest way to root them is in water using a leaf. You can take the leaf from your existing African violets, or even from a friend’s plant.
Why is my African violet wilting after repotting?
If you’re African violet is wilting after repotting, it’s likely because you’ve either overwatered or underwater it. African violets need to be kept evenly moist, but not wet. If you’re plant is in distress, it’s likely because you’re not watering it enough or you’re watering it too much.
One way to make sure your African violets are never over watered is by setting up a wicking system. This system allows the plant to dry out completely between waterings, preventing the roots from sitting in water and becoming waterlogged.
How do I make my own African violet mix
African violets need a light, well-drained soil mix. A good mix is 1 part peat moss, humus, or leaf mold, 1 part garden soil, and 1 part perlite, vermiculite, or sand.
African violets need indirect sunlight to thrive. They can be placed in a north- or east- facing window for best results. It’s important to keep the plants away from cold glass and to rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. During winter months, extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light.
Is it OK to touch African violet leaves?
While it may be tempting to reach out and touch the soft leaves of your African violet, it is actually not good for the plant.Repeated brushing of the leaves can actually decrease the quality and size of the plant over time.So, the next time you are tempted to give your plant a little love, just resist and enjoy its beauty from a distance.
It’s important to keep an eye on your African violet houseplant and make sure that it doesn’t dry out. Water it every two to three weeks, or as needed, and refill the bottom pot as your plant depletes the water. This will help prevent over-watering and keep your plant healthy.
Conclusion
To mix potting soil for African violets, use a soil mix that is high in organic matter, such as a mixture of peat moss, compost, and perlite.
To make your own African violet potting soil, mix two parts peat moss, one part perlite, and one part vermiculite. Add a little bit of lime to adjust the acidity.
