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“How often to water African violets?” is perhaps the most pondered African violet dilemma. The best guide is to feel the top of the soil: if it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant.
How do I know when my African violets need water?
Knowing when to water your African Violet is pretty straightforward. Take your finger and lightly push down into the soil. If the mix feels bone dry, it’s time to water. If the mix feels moist, let your African Violet sit and check back in a few days.
How much water do African violets need?
It’s healthiest for the plant if you allow the potting mix to dry slightly between watering, but it should never be bone dry. One easy way to water an African violet is to place the pot in a container with no more than an inch (2.5 cm.) of water.
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.
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.
How often should you water African violets from the bottom?
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.
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.
Why do you water African violets from the bottom?
Top Watering (Specialty African violet watering cans are available online.) This gives you more control over the stream of water: poke the nozzle beneath the leaves to wet your soil while keeping your plant dry. Grow Tip: Bottom watering can allow fertilizer salts to build up in your plant’s soil.
How do you fix Overwatered African violets?
If you have soft, limp or mushy leaves due to overwatering, first of all stop watering the plant. Then gently remove the soft, limp or mushy leaves and gently remove plant from pot. Gently remove the old soil, not too much soil, as the African Violet plant likes to be root bound.
How do you save an overwatered African violet?
To save an overwatered African Violet, carefully remove the plant from its pot and put it on several layers of paper towels or newspaper. Dry the roots and remove any decaying roots and leaves. Clean the roots of any soil carefully as the roots of African violets tend to break easily.
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.
Why are 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.
Do African violets prefer morning or afternoon sun?
Violets require 2 to 4 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight. If they don’t receive enough light, they will not bloom. They will look like a healthy plant with dark green leaves but no flowers. Too much direct sun will give the appearance of reddish yellow leaves and spindly flowers.
Can you touch African violet leaves?
It may be tempting to touch this plant’s alluringly textured foliage, but African Violets do not like to be touched – at all. So don’t do it! Touching the leaves of an african violet can cause damage, stunted growth, and other adverse effects.
Why do African violet leaves turn yellow?
Water issues – One of the most common explanations when African violet leaves are yellow is incorrect watering practices. The leaves don’t tolerate water directly on them, and the foliage will respond by developing yellow or bleached, necrotic spots or ring spot.
Do African violets need drainage?
8. Soil: Again, drainage is very important in keeping your African violet healthy, so choose a commercial mix of sterile potting soil and perlite, If you need to re-pot, make sure to use sterile potting mix.
Can I water African violets with tap water?
In most locations, tap water will be fine, but the quality of tap water can vary. Chlorine levels may fluctuate, depending on the season. In some areas, tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All these things may adversely affect your African violets.
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.
