Few houseplants are as popular or as easy to grow as the African violet. One reason for the violet’s popularity is that it is relatively easy to propagate, or create new plants from existing ones. You can propagate African violets by rooting leaf cuttings or by dividing the plant’s roots.
The best way to transplant African violets is to first choose a new pot that is only slightly larger than the current one. Water the plant the day before transplanting so the roots are moist. Gently remove the plant from the pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Place the plant in the new pot and fill in around it with fresh potting soil. Water the plant well and place it in a spot with bright, indirect light.
When should African violets be transplanted?
When your African violet has doubled or tripled in size, it’s time to repot it into a larger pot. This will prevent the plant from becoming root-bound.
When you want to split an African violet, water the plant thoroughly first. Then, prepare new potting medium and sterilize the cutting tools. Remove the plant from the pot and locate the separate crowns. Slice between the crowns and plant in a clean pot. Finally, water the divisions.
Do violets transplant well
If you’re potting violets in a hot, dry climate, look for a mix that has extra peat moss to help retain moisture. In cooler, damper climates, choose a mix with more perlite to ensure good drainage.
Tip #2 Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes Violets won’t tolerate sitting in water, so it’s important to use a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
Tip #3 Repot in the spring or fall When temperatures are cooler and the plant is actively growing, repotting will be less stressful for the violet.
Tip #4 Gently remove the plant from its pot Carefully loosen the soil around the root ball before gently removing the plant from its pot.
Tip #5 Trim the roots and replant in a new pot Once you’ve removed the plant from its pot, trim any roots that are longer than 3 inches. Then, replant the violet in a new pot with fresh potting mix.
Following these tips will help you successfully repot violets and keep them thriving. With a little practice, you’ll be a pro in no time!
It’s easy to root African violets in water using a leaf. You can take the leaf from your existing African violets, or even from a friend’s plant. The quickest and easiest way I’ve found to root African violets is in water using a leaf.
Do African violets need bigger pots?
African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound, so choose a pot that’s on the smaller side. Professional Tip: If you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
African violets are delicate plants that need a special type of soil to thrive. Conventional potting mix is too dense for these sensitive plants and can crush or choke their delicate root systems. A lightweight, soilless planting medium is best for African violets, as it provides support without being too heavy.
What kind of potting soil for African violets?
Soilless mixes for African violets typically contain ingredients like peat moss, coconut coir, perlite, and vermiculite. These mixes provide good drainage and aeration while still holding moisture well. To create a slightly acidic mix, you can add Sphagnum peat moss to lower the pH.
The right soil mix is key for successfully repotting African violets. There are some great pre-mixed options available that are tailored for this plant specifically, or you can make your own. For a DIY mix, use 1 part each garden loam, sand, and peat moss. You can also add a small amount of bone meal if you want.
Do African violets like sun
African violets need indirect sunlight, which means they should be kept away from direct sunlight. This is because direct sunlight can burn the leaves of the plant. The best place to keep African violets is in a north- or east- facing window, as this will give them the best results. Additionally, it is important to keep plants away from cold glass, and to rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Finally, during winter months you can extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light.
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. Simply water the plant once a week and allow the plant to completely dry between waterings.
Can I plant African violets in Miracle Grow potting soil?
Indoor African violets need a well-drained, slightly acidic potting mix for best growth. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide the right conditions for indoor plants like African violets. This mix will help your violets grow healthy and strong.
Coffee grounds can be beneficial for African violets when used in moderation. The coffee grounds are slightly acidic and contain nitrogen, two elements that can help promote healthy growth in plants. Used coffee grounds can be sprinkled on top of African violet potting soil every so often to help give the plant a boost.
Do African violets like to be watered from the bottom
The roots of the African Violet need aeration, so keeping them moderately moist but never soggy is the key. Watering from the bottom so they can soak the water up, over an hour or so, will help to keep water out of the crown of the plant. African Violets like warmer water, around 70 degrees.
Terra cotta is an ideal material for pots African violets because it is porous, allowing the roots to breath better, and prevents the soil from staying too wet. African Violet roots don’t go very deep; they like to go sideways, so don’t use a deep pot. Your pot must have suitable drainage holes so you can water from underneath.
Do African violets like being root bound?
African violets typically prefer to be root-bound in order to bloom well. As such, it is generally good practice to periodically repot houseplants in order to refresh the soil. In most cases, you can simply repot the plant into the same pot after cleaning it well and using fresh potting mix.
If you’re thinking of planting an African violet, it’s important to know that they like to be a bit crowded. Above ground, they prefer to be close to other plants, but below ground they can start to struggle if it gets too tight. In fact, an African violet with too many leaves might even withhold its beautiful blooms—or stop growing altogether!
Conclusion
To transplant African violets, first gently remove the plant from its current pot. loosen the roots and replant in a new pot that is slightly larger than the old one. Be sure to use fresh potting mix and water well. Place the plant in a bright, indirect light location and fertilize every 2-3 weeks.
After transplanting African violets, it is important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water the plants thoroughly, then allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season. With proper care, your transplanted African violets should flourish.
