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African violets need indirect sunlight, direct 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. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
How do you care for an African violet indoors?
African Violet Care Light. Bright, but not direct sunlight. Soil. A well-drained potting mix is essential. Water. Keep soil moist with warm water and strive for high humidity. Temperature and Humidity. Do not allow to fall below about 60ºF. Fertilizer. Feed with an African violet fertilizer every other week.
How often do you water an African violet?
An important point to remember when bottom watering African Violet plants is to top water at least once a month. This way you are flushing out any extra fertilizer salt build up and refreshing the soil/roots from the top too.
Where is the best place to put an African violet?
Grow plants in bright, indirect light for the best color and blooms. A plant stand three feet away from a west- or south-facing window is an ideal location. Plants will still grow when situated right beside north- or east-facing windows, but leaves will be thin and spindly, and plants less likely to bloom.
Do African violets like to be misted?
African Violets do not enjoy misting, but if you really think you need to mist your African Violets, it’s best to do it rarely and when the humidity is below 30%. Misting frequently or for an extended time can cause leaf damage to the plant, which then has a direct effect on the overall health of the plant.
Are coffee grounds good for African violets?
Is Coffee Grounds Good for African Violets? Yes, coffee grounds are a great homemade fertilizer for African Violets. Make a mixture of dried coffee grounds and dried egg shells, then work the coffee ground mixture into the top of the soil. Replenish every couple of months.
Do African violets need direct sunlight?
African violets need indirect sunlight, direct 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. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
Should you deadhead African violets?
Deadheading. If you have success getting your African Violet to bloom, be sure to pinch or deadhead spent blooms. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage.
Should African violets be watered from the top or 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.
Should you water African violets from the bottom?
Should I water African violets from the top or bottom? Either is fine. It is important not to use cold water; lukewarm or warm is preferred. 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.
When should I repot my African violet?
Many successful growers of African Violets recommend repotting with fresh potting soil, twice a year or more. At the very least, an African Violet should be repotted whenever the plant becomes rootbound, i.e., the Violet has outgrown its current pot to the extent that its roots are growing out and around the rootball.
How long do African violets live?
Repotting these blooms is so important due to their long lifespan. “Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years,” says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
Can African violets grow under LED lights?
A full spectrum LED light strip can also work for African Violet plants, especially those with a higher ratio of red/blue wavelengths mixed in with green and yellow wavelengths. These strips can provide a balanced mixture of lights.
What causes brown spots on African violet leaves?
The leaves of your African violet may start to turn brown if the soil is too moist or too dry. You may water plants from the top or bottom to keep the soil consistently moist. Excess water on the leaves can lead to brown spots and disease.
Why are my leaves dying on my African violet?
It could be that the plant is too dry and needs water. On the other hand, wilting African violet leaves may also be a sign of overwatering. This can occur when the plant is watered too much, especially if the plant is in a plastic pot.
Why is my African violet leaves curling?
African violet leaf curl may be caused by too much sun. African violets prefer bright but indirect light. Too much direct, hot sunlight can cause leaves to brown and curl under. Move plants out of direct light to see if that stops the curling.
Can I pour coffee on my plants?
Coffee works great on many types of flowering indoor plants but can be used outside as well. Diluted coffee adds just enough organic fertilizer to encourage bushier, healthier plants.
Is Epsom salt good for African violets?
Applied once per month epsom salts will help trigger bloom in your violets and be a good companion to your African violet specialty fertilizer. Dissolve two tablespoons of epsom salts in one gallon of tepid water in a watering can or pitcher. Swish or swirl the salts in the water to dissolve them and combine the two.
Is vinegar good for African violets?
Vinegar’s pH is around 2.5. Soil that is too acidic can prevent African violets from getting the nutrients that they need. You can dilute vinegar (one or two teaspoons of vinegar per gallon of water) and use that to water your African violets to slowly lower the pH level of the potting mix.
