Jeanne Grunert Heart of Virginia Master Gardener

What do you know about African violets…?

What we’ll talk about today

How to Grow Encourage Blooms Propagation Problems & Solutions Coaxing Them to Bloom

Growing African Violets: LIGHT BRIGHT indirect light is best East or West window Sunny South or West window

in winter 6 to 8 hours a day of light Fluorescent lights encourage

even growth (trick used by professionals)

Growing African Violets: TEMPERATURE

Ideal is a night time temperature of 65 to 70 F

Day temperature of 70 to 90 F Common household

temperatures are usually fine but humidity is often too low indoors OR plants too close to heat source/windows with drafts.

Growing African Violets: SOIL and FERTILIZER SOIL

Well-drained, sterile potting soil

Choose brands with vermiculite or perlite added

Commercial African violet mix is good but not required

FERTILIZER Liquid, water soluble best 20-20-20 every month or a

light 10-10-10 weekly/every 2 weeks

Growing African Violets: WATER Water when soil is dry Let the water run through

(use dishes underneath – see my picture at right)

Add pebbles to dishes to increase humidity

Cold water (55 degrees F) splashed on leaves causes spots

Growing African Violets: PROBLEMS INSECTS! – check with the

Cooperative Extension office Spider mites Aphids Mealy bugs

ROT! – too much water, poor air circulation Crown rot Root rot Botrytis blight

Coaxing Them to Bloom

I need more light!

I freeze in winter and boil in summer!

I sooo hate the way this pot

looks on me…

Pinch me!

When was the last time she

fed me?

Propagation Water Method Soil & Rooting Hormone

Virginia Cooperative Extension - http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/HORT/HORT-2/HORT-2.html Growing African Violets – University of Georgia http://www.caes.uga.edu/applications/publications/files/pdf/C%20660_2.PDF Why Won’t My African Violets Bloom? By Pat Addison, Alaska Cooperative Extension http://www.alaskabg.org/Education-Learn/HowTo/africanviolets.pdf Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners http://hovmg.org/

My gardening website and blog –

homegardenjoy.com