Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
Posted April 1997
African violets are more dependent on regular care than most other house plants. They "sulk" quite obviously when they are dry or cold. The plants flower best in bright light, but not in extreme heat and humidity. They bloom well in east or west windows or under fluorescent lights. The preferred daytime temperature is 72 degrees F. Night temperatures should not fall below 62 degrees F.
African violets are extremely sensitive to dryness, so it is wise to check the soil moisture daily. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, but before it becomes hard. Never apply cold water to African violets. It can cause irregular-shaped, white-colored spots to form on the foliage. Use lukewarm water or fill your watering can after each watering and let it sit, so you will have room-temperature water on hand.
You may water African violets from either the top or the bottom. When watering from the top, keep water off the leaves and make sure the plant is watered deeply. A small amount of excess water should flow out of the drainage hole. Pour off the excess water. When watering from the bottom, remove pots from the water dish as soon as the soil surface shows moisture. Leaving the pot standing in water will cause the soil to become saturated, eliminating the air spaces that are essential for healthy root growth.
If you normally water from the bottom, occasionally switch to top watering to prevent the accumulation of crusty, white salts on the soil surface and edge of the pots. Leaf stems (petioles) can become soft or discolored when they contact soluble salts on the pot rim. This problem occurs most often when the plant is in a porous clay pot. A soil mix that promotes good drainage helps. A good mix contains 2 parts peat moss to 1 part perlite.
You may put your African violet on a self-watering system to ensure a constant, optimum level of moisture. The wick method of watering uses capillary action to draw water into the soil. Several companies sell water-wicking systems, or you may construct your own.
An easy self-watering system can be constructed by inserting an asbestos-glass water wick into one of the drainage holes of a pot. Or old nylon stockings can be braided and used instead. Set the pot on a water reservoir made from heavy plastic, such as a large-sized, whipped margarine container. Prepare the container lid by making two holes -- one for the wick to reach the water and a larger one for supplying fresh water. This is a highly efficient system for carefree watering. However, the plants should be periodically watered from the top to flush accumulated minerals from the soil.
African violets need a regular supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, and zinc. A liquid, African violet fertilizer (1-2-1 ratio) is easy to use and specially packaged. It's best to apply this fertilizer every two to four weeks according to the manufacturer's direction.
(Prepared by Virginia Nathan, Extension Technician, Consumer Horticulture, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0327.)
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