Polk County Master Gardeners
News Articles
African Violets
African Violets are beautiful, but they are just a shade picky about how
they are treated. The trick is to make them feel they are living in the rain
forests where they come from in spite of the fact that they’re surviving in an
Arkansas winter that’s much colder than they like or an Arkansas summer that is
much too hot and dry.
The things they will require are a proper pot, good soil and some fertilizer,
moist atmosphere, and just enough light.
The pot (can be plastic, clay, or ceramic) should be shorter and wider than
ordinary pots. It should have a bigger than usual saucer under it so that you
can use the saucer to keep the violet moist.
You can buy African Violet soil, or prepare your own from 1/3 potting soil,
1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite. Fill the pot about halfway, set the violet
gently in place and add soil to cover the roots - a teaspoon makes a fine shovel
here. You can either use plant spikes and not have to worry about fertilizer for
another six months or use a water-soluble fertilizer for flowering plants or a
specialized fertilizer for African Violets, following the instructions on the
fertilizer container to get the right amount.
The best way to keep the violet moist is to put a layer of pebbles or marbles
in the saucer, set the pot on top of these, and add water to the saucer to at
least half cover the pebbles. But don’t use so much that the pot sits in the
water. When you water your violet, add enough water so that it comes up around
the bottom of the pot and let it sit for an hour to take up as much as it wants.
Then empty the saucer and go back to just a little water in the bottom of the
saucer to keep the plant moist.
The water you use should be at room temperature. Best to fill a pitcher and
let it sit overnight so that chlorine can evaporate and the water come to room
temperature before using it. Remember to water from the bottom - never pour water
over the leaves. You can tell when your violet needs water by putting a finger
into the soil. If it is moist, it does not need water. If the soil is dry and
powdery, it needs a drink.
The final thing you need is light. If your violet does not get enough, it
will not flower. If it gets too much, the leaves will get brown spots or brown
edges. An east window is the best spot; next choice would be a north window. Or
you could put it under a grow light, following the instructions for distance
between plant and light that come with the light.
I think they’re worth the bother.
By Barbara M. Tobias
Back to News Articles
Back to
Polk County Master Gardeners
|
