Pinching back African violets is a way of manipulating the plant to encourage fuller growth. The process is simple: using your thumb and forefinger, snip off the tips of the plant’s leaves. Doing this will cause the plant to produce two new leaves in its place, resulting in a fuller, healthier plant.
To pinch back African violets, wait until the plant has produced at least six leaves. Then, using your fingers or a sharp pair of scissors, carefully snip off the growing tip of the plant. This will encourage the plant to produce new growth and become fuller and bushier.
How do you pinch African violet flowers?
You go to the base of the plant And you simply pinch You can use pruners if you want to but the idea is to just get rid of the excess leaves so that the plant can focus its energy on the flowers.
Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms from a plant. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage. African violets are especially known for their beautiful blooms, so if you’re able to get your plant to bloom, be sure to deadhead the spent blooms to encourage continued growth.
Can African violets have too many leaves
If you want your African Violet to produce more blooms, you should focus on reducing the number of leaves it has. This will give the plant access to more water, sunlight, and nutrients, which will encourage blooming.
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.
How do you encourage African violets to bloom?
African violets are a popular houseplant, but they can be tricky to get to bloom. The most common reason they don’t bloom is because they aren’t getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight, direct sunlight can burn the leaves. 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. With a little care, you should see your African violet blooming in no time!
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.
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom?
It is important to water African violets carefully to avoid leaf spots. lukewarm or warm water is best. If you water from the top, be sure to avoid getting water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun.
To set up a wicking system, you’ll need a container with a hole in the bottom, some sort of wicking material, and a saucer or tray to catch water. Fill the container with African violet potting mix, then insert the wicking material. The wicking material can be anything from a cotton ball to a strip of cloth; the important thing is that it’s absorbent.
Water your African violet as usual, making sure to wet the wicking material. The water will be drawn up through the wicking material and into the soil, keeping the roots moist. The saucer or tray beneath the container will catch any water that isn’t used by the plant.
What do Overwatered African violets look like
If your African Violet plant has been over-watered, the soil will retain too much water. This retention of water will cause the leaves and /or leaf stems to turn soft, limp or mushy.
If you want to keep your african violets healthy and vibrant, it’s best to avoid brushing their leaves. Though it may be tempting to touch or adjust the leaves, repeated brushing can actually decrease plant quality and size over time. So, hands off!
Do African violets like to be misted?
It is important to not over-water your African violet plant as too much water can lead to crown rot. Water the plant at room temperature and mist the foliage, taking care not to wet the crown of the plant.
When potting your African violet, be sure to choose a pot that is on the smaller side. This will help to keep the plant slightly pot-bound, which is ideal for its growth. A professional tip is to use a pot that is 3-4 inches in diameter for standard African violet plants.
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 you have an African Violet that is not blooming, the remedy would be to re-pot the plant in fresh soil. Remove any damaged, dry, leaves and repot in the plant in a new clean pot of the same size with fresh soil.
Why do African violets get long necks?
African violets are known for their lush, beautiful leaves. However, over time, necks can develop on these plants as the lower leaves fall off. This can cause the plant to start to look like a sort of palm tree. But this isn’t always normal development and can be indicative of a problem with the plant. If you notice your African violet starting to develop a neck, be sure to consult with a expert to determine the cause and how to best treat it.
Spray African Violet & Houseplant Insecticide when you see insects or when plants show signs of damage. Protect your plants from harmful insects with this easy-to-use, effective spray.
Warp Up
To pinch back African violets, cut off the tips of the leaves with a sharp knife or scissors.
Pinching back African violets is a simple process that can be done by hand or with a small set of gardening shears. After the plant has flowered, the spent flower stalk should be cut back to the level of the leaves. New growth will emerge from the leaf axils, and the plant will continue to flower throughout the season.
