Starting An African Violet - Growing African Violet Plants With Seeds

A popular growing medium for starting African violet seeds is peat moss. Fully dampen the peat moss before you start planting the African violet seeds. It should be moist but not wet. The next step in starting an African violet from seed is to carefully and evenly spread the seeds over the growing medium.

1. How long does it take for African violets to root?
2. Can you root an African violet leaf in water?
3. What is the best potting mix for African violets?
4. Is coffee grounds good for African violets?
5. Do African violets need to be watered from the bottom?
6. Can you start an African violet from a leaf cutting?
7. What is the best way to propagate African violets?
8. Do you deadhead African violets?
9. Do African violets like to be crowded?
10. Do African violets like to be root bound?
11. What is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?
12. Can I pour coffee on my plants?
13. How do I get my African violet to flower?
14. Why does my African violet has limp leaves?
15. How much sunlight does an African violet need?
16. How often should I feed my African violet?
17. Can you split an African violet?

How long does it take for African violets to root?

Roots will usually form in 3 to 4 weeks. The leaves of new little plants usually appear in 6 to 8 weeks. You should see several plants form at the base the cutting. Separate the small new plants by carefully pulling or cutting them apart.

Can you root an African violet leaf in water?

If you're wondering, “Can I propagate an African violet in water?”—the answer is YES! In fact, it's quite simple. Fill a wide-mouthed container with lukewarm water.

What is the best potting mix for African violets?

African violets grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment.

Is coffee grounds good for African violets?

Is Coffee Grounds Good for African Violets? Yes, coffee grounds are a great homemade fertilizer for African Violets. Make a mixture of dried coffee grounds and dried egg shells, then work the coffee ground mixture into the top of the soil. Replenish every couple of months.

Do African violets need to be watered from the bottom?

Should I water African violets from the top or bottom? Either is fine. It is important not to use cold water; lukewarm or warm is preferred. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.

Can you start an African violet from a leaf cutting?

Growing African violets from leaves or cuttings is a simple propagation method for new plants. You have probably seen this done in water but you can also root them directly in potting mix.

What is the best way to propagate African violets?

African Violets: Propagation by Leaf

1. Step 1: Remove and trim leaf. Remove a fresh leaf from the plant that you wish to propagate. ...
2. Step 2: Cut leaf petiole. ...
3. Step 3: Root the leaf cutting. ...
4. Step 4: Plantlets at 12 weeks. ...
5. Step 5: Separate plantlets from leaf cutting. ...
6. Step 6: Prepare pot for plantlet. ...
7. Step 7: Pot plantlet. ...
8. Step 8: You're done!

Do you deadhead African violets?

Deadhead African violets to encourage more blooms. African violets make useful flowering houseplants since they can bloom for up to nine months per year. They do need the other three months off as a rest period.

Do African violets like to be crowded?

Violets need to feel crowded to bloom, but when a plant gets too big for its pot, divide the plant's separate-looking leaf heads. ... Place in potting soil after the roots and leaves become well formed.

Do African violets like to be root bound?

Contrary to what you might have heard, African violets do not like to be root bound. They do, however, like to grow in the right shape and size pot. ... If you plant your violet in a pot that is as deep as it is wide, the roots will fill the diameter but will not get down to the lower part of the potting soil.

What is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?

Commercial African violet mixes are generally more porous and have better drainage than house-plant potting mixes. African violet mixes also are slightly more acid than regular house-plant potting soil. Many growers use soilless mixes. They do not contain natural soil from outdoors.

Can I pour coffee on my plants?

To use coffee as a plant fertilizer, you'll need to dilute it. ... You can use coffee fertilizer on your potted plants, houseplants, or in your vegetable garden. Coffee and coffee grounds can be acidic, but since we're diluting it so much, that's not really a problem unless you're watering the same plant with it every day.

How do I get my African violet to flower?

African violets need light to grow and produce flowers. The key is to get bright light in the morning or afternoon without excessive heat or intense sun. Signs of inadequate light include stretched leaf stems and small adult leaves. Too much light can cause the foliage to appear dull or bleached.

Why does my African violet has limp leaves?

If your African Violet plant has been over-watered, the soil will retain too much water. This retention of water will cause the leaves and /or leaf stems to turn soft, limp or mushy. ... The roots absorb so much water, that they can no longer hold onto so much water and eventually rot.

How much sunlight does an African violet need?

African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.

How often should I feed my African violet?

These little plants need feeding every 4 to 6 weeks during their growing period. Prior to feeding, moisten the soil well. Use a liquid or soluble powder formula that will provide instant delivery.

Can you split an African violet?

The plants often develop multiple crowns, which can be split apart and used to propagate new plants. Division propagation creates mature African violet plants faster than other methods. However, they are susceptible to damage and must be handled with care to ensure success.