African Violets...

[Cowgirl]

I have owned several African violets, but I never can get them to bloom. I usually just end up giving up on them. I just bought one from Lowe's about a month and a half ago. It was full of blooms when I bought it, but they all died, and it has been WEEKS. The leaves are going crazy and growing really well, but I'd love some flowers. Are there any experts that can give me some help? What is the normal time between blooms? Should I fertilize it? I'm worried if I do, I'll just end up with more leaves. Oh yeah, this plant is at work on my desk. Does that make a difference? TIA!

 

[jazz lady]

I think I am quite the expert and a recovering African Violet addict. At one time, I had about two dozen. I'm down to around 5 now.

Mine bloom almost continuously but they do tend to go dormant over the winter. There are several keys for blooms: the right light, the right soil, the right pot, not overwatering, and fertilizing correctly.

AVs like bright, diffused light so an east or west facing window is best. They will get cooked in a south-facing window. I use the self-watering pots and only water once every two weeks. AVs like to be rootbound so only buy a pot as big as the rootball. It's best to use a weak fertilizer solution made specifically for AVs. I like the liquid from Miracle Gro that you add as a few drops to your watering water. I also use a soil mixture specifically formulated for AVs that I think is put out by Scott's.

Also, it's very important to remove spent blooms as soon as they start to die back. This forces the plant to make more blooms.

 

[cattitude]

I think I am quite the expect and a recovering African Violet addict. At one time, I had about two dozen. I'm down to around 5 now.

Mine bloom almost continuously but they do tend to go dormant over the winter. There are several keys for blooms: the right light, the right soil, the right pot, not overwatering, and fertilizing correctly.

AVs like bright, diffused light so an east or west facing window is best. They will get cooked in a south-facing window. I use the self-watering pots and only water once every two weeks. AVs like to be rootbound so only buy a pot as big as the rootball. It's best to use a weak fertilizer solution made specifically for AVs. I like the liquid from Miracle Gro that you add as a few drops to your watering water. I also use a soil mixture specifically formulated for AVs that I think is put out by Scott's.

Also, it's very important to remove spent blooms as soon as they start to die back. This forces the plant to make more blooms.

sheesh Jazz....

 

[jazz lady]

sheesh Jazz....

You collect boxers...I collect other things.

 

[cattitude]

You collect boxers...I collect other things.

so does that make me a Boxer expect?

 

[jazz lady]

so does that make me a Boxer expect?

Next time, highlight it. I skimmed it three times and never caught it.

 

[Speedy70]

African violets like moist soil and a certain amount of indirect sunlight. I can't get the one I have at work to bloom, but the one at home is covered in beautiful purple blooms right now.

I only have one window at my desk and the sun doesn't shine into the window. I think that's the problem.

 

[UpChuckMan]

African violets like moist soil and a certain amount of indirect sunlight. I can't get the one I have at work to bloom, but the one at home is covered in beautiful purple blooms right now.

I only have one window at my desk and the sun doesn't shine into the window. I think that's the problem.

OK! I'll bite (Since no one else did) . So, your work where the sun does not shine?

 

[jazz lady]

African violets like moist soil and a certain amount of indirect sunlight. I can't get the one I have at work to bloom, but the one at home is covered in beautiful purple blooms right now.

I only have one window at my desk and the sun doesn't shine into the window. I think that's the problem.

They need bright light to grow well, but not direct sunlight else it will burn their leaves. I have three violets in the west-facing glass block window above the jacuzzi in my master bathroom and they absolutely love it there. Great sunlight and humid conditions make for some happy plants. I like the self-watering pots like this. I have other ones that are one piece with a large water well around the bottom but I can't seem to find a picture of them.

One big mistake people make is overwatering them. You basically soak the soil and let the water drain out else the crown will rot. Don't let the soil dry out completely, either.

Good tips on growing African Violets.

 

[Cowgirl]

Jazz! I need help! My stupid violet hasn't bloomed yet! I moved it to my boss's window (he's thrilled). It's a west facing window. My coworker (without my approval) fertilized it with bat guano. I have tried watering it regularly (not overwatering though)....and I've tried withholding water. I read that if you stress them they will bloom. Well, the poor thing is so stressed now it's wilting.


Any ideas?

 

[cattitude]

Well, she is the expect afterall.

 

[jazz lady]

Well, she is the expect afterall.

 

[Cowgirl]

This is no laughing matter! It's a matter of life and death! If this stupid violet doesn't bloom soon, it's going in the trash!!!!

 

[jazz lady]

Jazz! I need help! My stupid violet hasn't bloomed yet! I moved it to my boss's window (he's thrilled). It's a west facing window. My coworker (without my approval) fertilized it with bat guano. I have tried watering it regularly (not overwatering though)....and I've tried withholding water. I read that if you stress them they will bloom. Well, the poor thing is so stressed now it's wilting.


Any ideas?

Buy a new plant? :shrug:

Seriously, I would repot it with fresh soil. The bat guano could have way too much nitrogen for it to handle so I would get rid of it. AV's like to be pot-bound, so make sure the pot isn't too big. After repotting with fresh soil and in a clean pot, place the pot in water and let it soak for 30 minutes, let it drain thoroughly, and don't water or fertilize the plant for a few days.

 

[Cowgirl]

Buy a new plant? :shrug:

Seriously, I would repot it with fresh soil. The bat guano could have way too much nitrogen for it to handle so I would get rid of it. AV's like to be pot-bound, so make sure the pot isn't too big. After repotting with fresh soil and in a clean pot, place the pot in water and let it soak for 30 minutes, let it drain thoroughly, and don't water or fertilize the plant for a few days.

Oh man. Ok....I'll try that. Also, I've been putting the water in the tray that the pot sits in..... should I be watering it from the top?

 

[jazz lady]

Oh man. Ok....I'll try that. Also, I've been putting the water in the tray that the pot sits in..... should I be watering it from the top?

I never water mine from the top. That's a good way of giving them crown rot. I also don't let them sit in water. If they haven't soaked it up in 30 minutes, I drain it off.

 

[Cowgirl]

I never water mine from the top. That's a good way of giving them crown rot. I also don't let them sit in water. If they haven't soaked it up in 30 minutes, I drain it off.

Good deal....that's how I do it. I'll give it another 2 months...then I'll pack it up and send it to you!

 

[jazz lady]

Good deal....that's how I do it. I'll give it another 2 months...then I'll pack it up and send it to you!

I have been known to rescue many an African Violet from certain death.

 

[huntr1]

I have an AV here at the office. Had 2 but one died due to too much water.
The survivor is in one itty bitty pot. 3" diameter. The rim of the pot is the same diameter as some plastic cups we used at an office party a couple months ago. I put the pot in a cup and the base of the pot sits about 1/2 way down the cup. When I water it runs out into the cup and if it comes up high enough to get to the pot, I drain some off. The survivor is growing like gangebusters. Noticed today that a root has grown out a drain hole and is down into the water.
The other plant is still dead.

 

[Larry Gude]

Well...

I have been known to rescue many an African Violet from certain death.

...hot shot. I read no mention of pH. Violets like a lower soil pH, 6.0 being a good target. Tap water is probably pushing 7 and light feeding doesn't buffer that. House plants run from 6.8 on up to the low 7's typically.

I'd suggest looking at liquid AF food and see if the label doesn't mention that it is lower, acidified.

If not, you can do it at home by adding vinegar, maybe a teaspoon to a watering, about 12-16 oz. I've got a rate at the office I'll post tomorrow. Can't remember if it's 1 0z per 1 or 10 gallons water, so, hold on. Too much is bad.