African violets are a favorite houseplant in millions of home. The African violet is not a violet at all, but it does come from Africa. Its popularity hinges on its free blooming habit during the year. Single and double flowering varieties are available are available in blue, violet, purple, lavender, red violet, blue violet, pink, lavender pink, and white. Petals may be crimped, ruffled, or frilled. Foliage may be green or variegated, with plain or wavy edged leaves.
African violets will not bloom in a room having low light intensity. If you don't get a distinct shadow cast on white paper where the plant is located, it is not getting enough light. Light from outside windows must be unhindered by trees or any outside structure. An east sun is preferred. During summer with its strong sun, a north window offers a good exposure. Reduce the intensity of direct sunlight with sheer curtains.
Bring African violets into early bloom under fluorescent grow lights. An electric timer can be set to switch on the lights and turn them off automatically after 12 to 14 hours exposure. Allow only about four inches between the light source and top of plants. When flower buds start to open, move the plants to living areas for decoration and enjoyment.
Water as soon as the soil surface feels dry. Always use lukewarm water, never colder than room temperature. To prevent soil from clogging up the drainage hole, cover it when potting with pieces of small rocks. If your pots don't have drainage holes to allow surplus water to drain away, be on guard against over watering. African violet roots must never stand in water; the methane gas which forms from such a condition is very toxic to roots.
African violets do well in a temperature range of 60 to 70 degrees. Avoid subjecting them to sudden changes of any kind. If temperature is too low, foliage turns pale and curls.
For regular flowering throughout the year, use one of the fertilizers specially designed for African violets. Follow the instructions on the label carefully.
The African violet is easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. Leave 1 ½ inch stems attached to medium size leaf cuttings. Stick the stem in moist medium - sand or vermiculite - with the leaf just above the surface. Cover the cuttings by pulling a clear plastic bag down over a couple of bamboo stakes. This helps maintain proper humidity. Root in good light, but allow no sun to strike cuttings. Keep the rooting medium moist. In six weeks, cuttings will have rooted and can be potted up in individual 2 ¼ inch pots. Barely cover the roots. Often, several young plants will sprout from the base of a leaf; they should be separated and potted after three good sized leaves have formed on each plantlet.
African violets must have a porous soil. Use a commercial potting mixture specially designed for African violets, or make your own consisting of equal parts by volume of coarse sand or perlite, rich loam soil, and peat moss or leaf mold.
If foliage looks burned, plants have received too much intense sun or too cold air. Place a sheet of aluminum foil between plant and window on very cold nights to reflect room heat back onto the plant to protect the foliage.
Leaves that touch the rim of the pot often rot at the point of contact and fall off. This is caused by the action of soluble salts that accumulate on the rim. Avoid this by dipping the rim of the pot in hot paraffin before planting, or crimp a narrow strip of foil over the edge of the pot. If white cottony mealy bugs attack, kill by touching each pest with a alcohol soaked cotton swab.
Then sit back and enjoy your beautiful potted African violets.
