Anyone can grow beautiful African Violets anywhere if they provide the simple conditions required for healthy growth. 

Light: 

·         African Violets need strong light and never direct hot sunlight.  

·         Winter and morning sun is the ideal light.  

·         Plants should be grown within 30 cm (12”) of windows.  

·         Blooming may be hindered due to minimized light sources produced by porches, awnings, trees, blinds, and heavy curtains. 

·         Plants with a poor flowering history and with leaves that reach up on long stems indicate inadequate lighting.  

·         Yellow foliage and tight floral centres may indicate too much light.  

·         Fluorescent light stands are excellent. Two cool white tubes 25-30 cm (10”–12”) above the plants, 12 to 14 hours a day produce wonderful results and they are inexpensive to operate. 

Water: 

·         When the soil feels dry to the touch, water with warm (not hot and not cold) water from the top or bottom.  

·         Never allow plants to stand in water after the soil has soaked up what it can hold. “They don’t like their feet wet.” 

·         Do not expose to sunlight or drafts while foliage is wet.  

·         DO NOT over-water!  

Air: 

·         Violets like a temperature of 15 to 22°C (59 to 72°F).  

·         Humidity of at least 40 to 70% is ideal.  

·         The air should be gently circulating at all times. 

·         Leaves that have been chilled may develop transparent-like spots. 

·         Plants sitting in bay windows in the wintertime may require to be placed on top of a folded bath towel to reduce cold chill. 

·         In the wintertime, keep curtains open on windows where plants are sitting to reduce the risk of a chill to the plants during nighttime. 

Soil: 

·         Use coarse, loose soil, rich in humus, to hold moisture and allow the roots to penetrate. 

·         A soil mixture that has been prepared for African Violets is best.  

Feeding: 

·         Plant food for African Violets consists of 3 basic ingredients: N-nitrogen, P-phosphorus and K-potassium. Nitrogen promotes leaf growth (forms proteins and chlorophyll).  Phosphorus promotes root and flower development.  Potassium aids in the growth of roots and plant stems. It is essential in the process of the plant’s photosynthesis.

·         Over-fertilizing can cause problems; e.g., leaves become brittle and crack. The plant’s inability of absorbing beneficial elements may show leaf tip burning, and a decrease in bloom. 

·         An early detection of over-fertilization shows as a form of scale on the interior of the flowerpot rim and a white dusty coating on the soil. Flush fresh water through the soil to wash the extra salts away. 

·         Use a good quality plant food recommended for violet plants. Fertilize weekly using quarter strength of the recommended amount. 

·         A good rule of thumb is it is better to under fertilize than over fertilize. 

·         Leaves that have turned yellowish in colour may be lacking in nitrogen. Switch your fertilizer to one that has a higher first number; e.g., orchid plant food. Use this strength of fertilizer until the problem is corrected (approximately 3 to 4 weeks). 

Preparing Leaves for Potting: 

·         Violets may be started from a leaf planted in coarse vermiculite or potting soil, which is kept moist at all times. 

·         Cut leaf stem at a 45° angle for potting down. 

·         Stems should be no more than 3.81cm (1½”) in length. 

·         Start leaves in small containers; e.g., smaller individual yogurt cups,  puncture drainage holes in the bottom before filling with soil and add warm water to moisten before putting the leaf down. 

·         Once the African Violet leaves are planted in the moistened medium for rooting, place this container in a larger clear plastic container; e.g., Danish bun container. Pierce a couple of air vents into the container. Close the lid. This will create a mini greenhouse effect until the plant shows signs of growth. Watering will not be as frequent here compared to normal conditions. Once the plantlet is established, remove the smaller container from the larger container. 

·         If a leaf is taking forever to produce babies, shock the leaf by cutting the top third off the leaf. Some growers then take and plant that top third with the cut edge down (veins are now exposed into the soil) – babies will grow up from this planting as well. 

·         African Violets that have been started by putting a leaf in a small container of water produces “water roots” first and once they are put into soil the plant has to develop “soil roots” in order to grow. 

Potting: 

·         Pot the established plantlets into 6.35 cm (2 ½ inch) pots and change to a 7.62 cm (3 inch) pot when the radius of the plant is three times that of the pot that it is already in. 

·         Repot once a year, breaking off old leaves, cutting off some of the roots, scraping the bare neck of the plant with a sharp knife and fill the pot with fresh soil up around the neck of the plant. Moisten soil. 

·         Avoid watering the plant prior to repotting as the plant becomes crisp when cells are replenished with moisture. The leaves and stems tend to break easier than if the plant is slightly dehydrated.  

Daily Care: 

·         Violets look best when neatly groomed.  

·         Old blossoms and damaged leaves should be removed.  

·         Dirty leaves can be brushed clean with a soft brush of animal hair (e.g., a make-up brush).  

·         Isolate all new plants from your established plants for four to six weeks, until you are certain they are free of insects.  

Transporting African Violets: 

Plants being transported in the cold weather should be protected; e.g., confined in a box with a light layer of fabric to help insulate the plant. 

Enclose all sick African Violet plants in a clear plastic bag when bringing them to an African Violet meeting and leave the bag sealed. This will eliminate any chance of a disease transferring to other well plants.   

Come to our meetings and learn more tips on growing African Violets.