How to grow African Violet

Saintpaulia

For best blooming, African Violets need from 10 to 12 hours of indirect sunlight or florescent light. Strong direct sunlight for any length of time may cause the leaves to burn. In their native surroundings (South Africa), these plants live in the shade of larger trees and plants.1


Many growers fertilize their African Violets at every watering and will usually compensate by using a weaker formula, frequently half to quarter strength of what is recommended by the manufacturer.


African Violets prefer consistently damp, moist potting medium. Watering methods vary by preference, but may include: wick watering, mat watering, use of a two part pot where the plant is in the top part which fits inside a bottom well that holds the water. These methods depend on capillary action where the water is drawn into the potting medium by contact. Plants can also be top or bottom watered.


Although African Violets prefer damp potting medium, many commercial potting mixes can be too heavy, and not allow adequate drainage of water. This can cause crown rot and the plant will die. The most frequently recommended basic potting medium is a combination of peat, perlite and vermiculite in equal measures. Growers usually will adjust the ratio these ingredients to fit their own conditions and preference.For cool dry regions, soil medium high in organic matter is recommended for water retention in soil.this will ensure turgidity of plant leaves even in cool dry conditions.While in cool moist, fine river sand mixed with fine organic matters is recommended potting medium.The loose particles of fine sand provide well drainage system and cooling effects on plant roots.the moist conditions encourage growth of fungi(common disease of african violet)but in sandy soils water escapes easily providing conditions that inhibit any fungi growth around the plant base.

Growing African Violet from seed

It takes about 4 months after pollination for seeds to be ready to harvest. Most African Violets are propagated from cuttings.6 Leaf cuttings are the most popular, but bloom stalk cuttings will also provide relatively easy propagation. Many African Violet plants will grow suckers, or additional crowns. These should be removed from the main plant, and can be easily rooted as well.

Try to ensure a gap of at least 5.94 inches (15.24 cm) when sowing to prevent overcrowding your seedlings. Soil temperature should be kept higher than 15°C / 59°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting African Violet

The African Violet Society of America, Inc. reccomends repotting african violets regularly.2 In most cases this means every 3 to 6 months. African violets are succulent plant that require partial shade conditions or well lighted side of house but not direct sunlight.The usual planting material is leaf with stalk that is usually inserted (45 degrees,in fine sand soil with mixture of loam .Once leaves appear in leaf stalk,it is ready to transplant in hanging pot or container with light texture soil type(mostly fine river sand with loam).make sure that the pots will be positioned in indirect sunlight with ideal temperature 18C.Fine river sand act as air humidifier if kept moist and it won’t clog or stick together for it is a loose type of medium with very fine particles.decayed organic matters when applied in the surface of this potting medium will gradually precipitate or penetrate the loose particles that act as slow release fertilizer.The application of fertilizers will be efficiently absorbed by plants.

As African Violet is tender, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out (around 16°C / 61°F as a guideline) - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Harvesting African Violet

N/A

Seed Saving African Violet

African Violets can be grown from seed. Seed pods will develop from pollinated flowers, and should be left on the plant to dry completely before attempting to sow. The structure of African Violets is such that the stamen and pistol are separated to prevent random self-pollination. However, the flowers are easily hand-pollinated.

How long does African Violet take to grow?

These estimates for how long African Violet takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take African Violet to germinate?
100 days

Average 100 days | Min 10 days | Max 268 days (123)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out African Violet?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until African Violet is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 63 days

Average 63 days | Min 63 days | Max 63 days (1)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow African Violet?
= days

African Violet Etymology

The plant was discovered by Europeans in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul, for whom the genus was named.1

The common name African Violet was given to the plant because of where it was discovered along with the fact that the bloom looked very much like a violet. However, it has no botanical relationship to the real violet

African Violet Folklore & Trivia

Original studies identified 20-30 species in the genus Saintpaulia. More modern DNA studies have found that not all of these were unique species and many have been combined. At present, there are 9 recognized species under the genus Saintpaulia, with some species having numerous subspecies.5African Violets need protection in freezing climate.In warm areas, it needs shades and moist soil while in dormant stage(30-35C temp.)

Other names for African Violet

Saintpaulia, daplisan (means indirect)

Saintpaulia Wendl, Saintpaulia ionantha

Misspellings: st paulia

Footnotes

1 African Violet history and links

2 Repotting African Violets

3 Diagnosis of African Violet problems

4 Photos of problems

5 History FAQ

6 Propagation

7 Classifications of species in genus Saintpaulia

8 Old Name vs new Name


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