ANYONE can grow beautiful African violets ANYWHERE if they will provide the simple conditions required for healthy growth. When you bring a new plant home, it may suffer at first until it gets acclimated to conditions in your home.
Lights
In our area, violets do best under fluorescent lights for 10 – 12 hours per day. If not available, violets will grow best in natural light in a north or east window. If grown in a south or west window a curtain should be placed between the bright sunlight and the plant. If leaves start to yellow, give the plant less light per day or move it away from the light. Leaves may curl around the pot if too much light and reach up when they need more light. Adequate light is the most important factor needed for African violets to bloom well. When one side of the plant raises, turn the plant towards the light so that side gets more light so the leaves grow flat. Plants with light colored blossoms need less light than those with darker blooms. Plants need a minimum of eight hours of darkness each 24 hours to distribute food produced during the light period. Watering: More African violets die from overwatering than from any other cause. Water which is fit for drinking is used warm to water violets from the top or bottom when the soil at the top is dry (middle of the soil is still moist). Plants do not like to sit in a saucer of water and will rot if kept this way. Let water with chlorine stand overnight before using. Water drops left on leaves in direct sun will cause leaf spots. Plastic pots feel light when water is needed. If a plant is dry and wilting, water sparingly and let stand for several hours before continuing to water.
Air
Fresh circulating air should reach your plants at all times. Avoid cold drafts directly on plants. They dislike a stale atmosphere and it is an invitation to mildew.
Humidity
Humidity is ideal at 40% to 50%. Some simple ways to increase humidity is to elevate plants on pebbles, overturned pots so the plants don’t sit in water are a couple of ways to increase humidity. Humidifiers are another method in a very dry environment. If you mist or fog with water, be sure the plants do not sit in light until the leaves are dry.
Temperature
The ideal temperature is 65° to 70° at night with a 5 to 10 degree rise during the day. Temperatures below 60° for any extended period will slow the growth. If too high, plants will grow sappy and spindly, with too few blooms which drop before gaining a good size. Better a bit cool than too hot. Soil: There are as many formulas as there are violet growers. In general, soil should be light and easily penetrated by the soft roots. The soil should allow for free passage of air and water.
Feeding
There are several recommendations, but any water soluble fertilizer can be used. Recommendations are from 1/16th to 1/8 tsp per gallon for each watering. It is recommended that plain water be used every few weeks. Fertilizer can build up and burn the roots, therefore the plain water can flush out some of built up fertilizer. Always be sure the soil is damp when watering. If the soil is dry, water with plain water.
Grooming
Keep the plants to a single crown (unless a species or trailer). Remove offshoots (new crowns) at the soil line or between leaf stems while small and before the plant shape is spoiled. Remove spent blooms, flower stems ad old bottom leaves. If you drop water on the leaves, remove with a soft cloth. Plants can enjoy a gentle wash with tepid water to keep the leaves lean and pores open. Do not place in or under light until the leaves are dry.
Common Troubles:
- Crown Rot is caused by overwatering
- Leaf Wilt is caused by overwatering, or the plat is too dry
- Brown spots on the leaves is a burn from water on the leaf
- Mildew can be from rapid changes in temperature and lack of air circulation. Can be prevented by war, fresh circulating air
- Mites are the worst pest, they are invisible to the naked eye. Their presence is indicated by hardening and graying of the center foliage and shortening and twisting of the flower stems.
- **Thrips are very tiny, fast moving insects. They can cause streaked leaves and blossoms, blasted buds and premature dropping of blossoms
- Mealy bugs (white, cotton-like), some live in the soil and others on the leaves. They are slow moving and can quickly spread The above pests can be removed by keeping your growing area clean and by using various chemicals. Chemicals change on a regular basis, so if you have a problem it is best to research the internet to find out what the current and acceptable chemical can be used safely in your home.