African violets are a type of houseplant that is popular for its ease of care and attractive flowers. African violets typically bloom for several weeks before needing a rest period, during which they will not produce flowers. One way to encourage your African violet to bloom again is to feed it a plant food spike.
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the specific plant food spikes product and the African violets in question. Some gardners find that plant food spikes help their African violets to thrive, while others find that the spikes have no noticeable effect. Ultimately, it is up to the individual gardener to experiment with plant food spikes and see if they make a difference for their plants.
Can you use regular plant food for African violets?
Fertilizers for flowering plants typically contain more phosphorus than nitrogen. African violets are sensitive to urea, which can burn their roots, so the African Violet Society of America recommends choosing a fertilizer that does not use urea as the nitrogen source.
A good Violet Food should have approximately equal amounts of the primary nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). This fertilizer is specifically designed to help African violets thrive. By providing the right amount of each nutrient, you can help your plants grow healthy and strong.
How do you perk up an African Violet
If your African violet has burnt or dry leaf tips, it’s likely dehydrated. Try placing your plant on a humidity tray to boost the moisture in the air. If your African violet has drooping leaves, it may be suffering from low temperatures. Keep your indoor environment around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
To ensure your African violets are getting the nutrition they need for more and brighter blooms, feed them Miracle-Gro® Blooming Houseplant Food once a month. Add two pumps of plant food to the water reservoir of a self-watering pot each time you change the water.
Should I mist my African Violet?
It is important to water African violets carefully so as not to cause leaf spotting or crown rot. Use room temperature water and water the plant at the base, being careful not to mist the foliage.
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.
Should African violets be watered from the bottom?
If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.
It is important to keep the soil moist to dry when watering your plant to encourage blooming. Water from the bottom with room temperature water by placing the plastic grower’s pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water for no more than 30 minutes.
How often should African violets be fertilized
If you want your African Violet to stay healthy throughout the year, you need to fertilize it during the spring and summer. You should only fertilize the plant once every 14 days during these months. In the fall and winter, you shouldn’t fertilize the plant at all to prevent over-fertilizing.
Both of these herbicides will selectively kill wild violets without damaging the grass. Be sure to follow the directions on the label and apply them when the violets are actively growing.
Do African violets need bigger pots?
If you’re growing African violets, it’s best to choose a pot that’s on the smaller side. This will help the plant to stay slightly pot-bound, which is ideal for its growth. Keep in mind that if you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
A wicking system is a watering system where the plant is watered from the bottom up. The plant sits on a tray of water and the water is wicked up through the soil to the plant. This system ensures that the plant never sits in water and that the roots have access to moisture at all times.
What does Epsom salt do for African violets
Epsom salts provide plants with essential magnesium and sulfur – two minerals needed to produce beautiful blooms and healthy foliage. 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 clean African Violet leaves, mix a solution of room-temperature or tepid water and liquid soap in a spray bottle. Spray the leaves and rub the top and bottom of each one with your fingers.
Should you fertilize African violets when they are blooming?
Some growers believe that the best time to fertilize African violets is in the spring when the plant is actively growing. Others recommend avoiding feeding the plants during winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom, while others tout the process.
If you’re water is too hot or too cold, your African violet won’t be happy. Make sure the water is at room temperature or tepid before giving it to your plant. It’s best to let the water sit for 24-48 hours, but if you can’t, then at least let it stand for an hour.
Final Words
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the specific plant food product used and the specific needs of the African violets in question. However, some gardeners find that using plant food spikes can help to promote healthier growth in their African violets.
I believe that plant food spikes will help african violets because they will help the plant to absorb nutrients from the soil more efficiently. African violets are known to be very delicate plants, and they need all the help they can get in order to thrive.
