Trimming African Violets How To Prune An African Violet Plant

1. How do you prune an African violet?
2. What do I do when my African Violet gets leggy?
3. Should I deadhead my African violet?
4. How do you rejuvenate African violets?
5. Do African violets like to be crowded?
6. Do African violets like to be root bound?
7. Why are my African violets leggy?
8. How often should African violets be watered?
9. Why are my African violet leaves growing straight up?
10. How long do African violets live?
11. Why are the bottom leaves of my African violet drooping?
12. Can African violets be divided?
13. Is coffee grounds good for African violets?
14. Can you touch African violet leaves?
15. What does an overwatered African Violet look like?
16. How big can African violets get?
17. What kind of pots do African violets like?
18. Will African violets root in water?
19. How do you transplant overgrown African violets?
20. How often should I fertilize African violets?

How do you prune an African violet?

Using your forefinger and thumb to pinch off the leaf or flower is one way of pruning African violets. You can also use sterilized scissors. Remove plant material as close to the base as possible without cutting into the main stem.

What do I do when my African Violet gets leggy?

If the African violet stem is bare and leggy more than an inch, the best method of saving it is cutting the plant off at the soil level and re-rooting it. Fill a pot with a well-draining soil mix, and cut the African violet stems at the soil level. Remove any dead or sickly foliage.

Should I deadhead my African violet?

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. As with any plant, proper care is essential to maximize both the plant's health and blooms.

How do you rejuvenate African violets?

If a majority of the roots are still white or light-colored, prune off the rotted roots, and re-pot the plant in soil for African violets in a container with several drainage holes. You can water from top or bottom with water at room temperature or slightly warmer. Make sure the plant to drain well.

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.

Why are my African violets leggy?

Depriving your plant from light will cause longer stems as they reach for light to grow. Leaves of African violets don't like to be wet. ... If leaves stay wet, they are more susceptible to mold, rot, and fungus growth. The flowers will try to get away from the mold or fungus and become leggy.

How often should African violets be watered?

“How often to water African violets?” is perhaps the most pondered African violet dilemma. The best guide is to feel the top of the soil: if it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant.

Why are my African violet leaves growing straight up?

Why Do African Violet Leaves Curl or Reach Upwards? African Violet leaves curl or reach upwards when the light they receive is too low. The stems start growing longer in size and growing upwards as if they are reaching for the light. The leaves no longer grow flat as they usually should, but grow upwards too.

How long do African violets live?

African violets can live a long time, as long as 50 years! To get them there, you need to provide good care which includes repotting African violets. The trick is knowing when to repot an African violet and what soil and container size to use.

Why are the bottom leaves of my African violet drooping?

There may be a couple of reasons why your plant is wilting. It could be that the plant is too dry and needs water. On the other hand, wilting African violet leaves may also be a sign of overwatering. This can occur when the plant is watered too much, especially if the plant is in a plastic pot.

Can African violets be divided?

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.

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.

Can you touch African violet leaves?

There's no doubt that African violet plants are beautiful. In looking at and caring for them, it's tempting to touch the fuzzy leaves and colorful flowers. While most plants can take this attention with no adverse results, African violets seem to be sensitive to the touch.

What does an overwatered African Violet look like?

Shriveled Appearance and Mushy Stems

If your African Violet's stems are mushy, or the plant has shriveled you are overwatering. A healthy plant will look strong and vivacious, with firm stems. If the stem has any give when you squeeze them there is an issue.

How big can African violets get?

Standard African violet plants when fully mature range from 8-16 inches (20-40cm) in diameter across a single crown. The flowers on these plants can grow to 2 inches (5cm) across the petals and a single leaf blade can grow to 3 inches (7.5cm) in length.

What kind of pots do African violets like?

For best results, plant African violets in African violet pots, which are small (4- to 5-inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers. Growing plants in these pots will provide the proper amount of continuous moisture to the plants.

Will African violets root in water?

African violets (Saintpaulia spp.), prized for their attractive flowers and multiple forms, can grow and bloom under bright artificial or indirect light -- traits that make them ideal houseplants. ... African violet leaf cuttings can successfully produce roots in water or soil.

How do you transplant overgrown African violets?

Repotting is necessary to eliminate this.

1. Step 1: African violet with a “neck”. A “neck” is the palm-tree like trunk that appears over time as the lower rows of leaves are removed. ...
2. Step 2: Cut-away bottom of root ball. ...
3. Step 3: Push plant back into same size pot. ...
4. Step 4: Add fresh soil. ...
5. Step 5: The repotted violet.

How often should I fertilize African violets?

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.