This is a great question! African violets are a type of plant that can be grown from cuttings. Cuttings are pieces of the plant that are cut off and then replanted. To start African violets from cuttings, you will need to take a few steps. First, you will need to find a healthy African violet plant to take your cutting from. Next, you will need to cut a piece of the plant that is about 4-6 inches long. Make sure that the piece you cut has at least 2-3 leaves on it. Once you have your cutting, you will need to plant it in a pot that has well-draining soil. Water the soil and then place the pot in a location that has bright, indirect light. Keep the soil moist but not wet and in about 6-8 weeks you should see new growth!
To start African violets from cuttings, first take a healthy leaf from a mature plant. Cut the leaf in half with a sharp knife, making sure each half has a bit of the leaf stem attached. Next, gently insert the leaf halves into a pot filled with moistened potting mix, just deep enough to cover the leaf stalks. Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a glass jar to create a mini greenhouse, and then place it in a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in a few weeks you should see new growth emerging from the leaf cuttings. Once the new plants are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots and care for them as you would any other African violet.
Can you root an African violet in water?
The traditional way of propagating violet leaves is to place the stem into water until roots begin to grow. Using this method, select a healthy leaf and remove it from the plant by toggling it from side to side until it pulls free. Avoid pinching or bruising the leaf as this may lead to rotting.
To ensure that your leaf cuttings take root and grow into healthy plants, it’s important to use the right rooting medium. A 50:50 mix of vermiculite and coarse sand is ideal, as it provides good drainage while still retaining moisture.
Insert the petiole of each leaf cutting into the rooting medium at a 45 degree angle, and then firm the medium around the petiole. Once all of the cuttings are in, water the medium and allow it to drain for a few minutes.
Can you root an African violet from a stem
African violets are relatively easy to propagate vegetatively by rooting cuttings. A leaf with an intact petiole, or leaf stem, can develop roots if placed properly in a rooting medium like water or soil.
African violet cuttings do not require rooting hormone. They grow roots just fine without further assistance. How long does it take for roots to form on African violet cuttings? Roots will start forming on African violet cuttings within days and will be 1 to 2-inches long within a month or so.
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.
It’s important to be patient when growing African violets from cuttings. It can take 3 to 4 weeks for the cutting to form new roots, and then 2 to 6 months for the plant to be big enough to repot. But the wait is worth it, as you’ll end up with a beautiful, healthy 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 from a friend’s plant and place it in a cup of water. Leave the leaf in the water for a few days, and then check to see if it has rooted. If it has, you can then transplant it into a pot of soil.
If you want to grow healthy African violets, it’s important to start with the right soil. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment. The soil is well-drained and slightly acidic, which is perfect for African violets.
Can you bury the stem of an African violet
Necks on African Violets are normal, but can be unsightly. Most growers prefer to cover them up by repotting the plant a little deeper, or by chopping off the stem and replanting it in fresh soil.
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.
How do you plant a violet cutting?
To ensure your cutting takes root and grows into a healthy plant, follow these steps:
1. Trim the stem down to about 1-15 inches (25-38 cm).
2. Dip the tip of the stem into some rooting hormone.
3. Place the cutting in a one-inch deep (25 cm) hole in potting soil.
4. Press the soil firmly around it and water thoroughly with tepid water.
If you have an African violet that isn’t blooming well, one possible reason is that it’s root-bound. This means that the roots have filled up the pot and need to be transplanted into a larger one. You can often reuse the same pot after cleaning it well and adding fresh potting mix.
Can you use regular Miracle Grow on African violets
This product is great for use on all varieties of African violets and blooming houseplants. It provides the necessary nutrients to keep plants looking their best and promotes healthy growth.
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.
Why do African violets get leggy?
African violets’ bottom leaves will turn yellow and eventually fall off the plant, leaving other stems bare. This is a natural part of plant aging, plants lose the rosette of leaves at the base. This too can give the plant a leggy look.
Epsom salts are an essential part of keeping your plants healthy and beautiful. By providing magnesium and sulfur, two minerals essential for plant growth, Epsom salts help promote strong blooms and foliage. To use, mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt in a quart of tepid water and stir to dissolve. Then water your plants (below the leaves) with the solution once a month.
Warp Up
To start African violets from cuttings, take a 4-6 inch cutting from the mother plant and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut end of the cutting into rooting hormone and then plant in a pot of African violet potting mix. Water well and place in a bright, warm spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and in 4-6 weeks your cutting should have rooted and be ready to transplant.
One way to start African violets from cuttings is to take a leaf cutting from a mature plant. Cut a leaf from the plant using a sharp knife, and then remove the bottom half of the leaf. Next, dip the leaf in rooting hormone and plant it in a pot filled with moistened potting mix. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist. In about four to six weeks, the leaf cutting will produce roots and new leaves.
