African violet are one of the easiest and most adaptable flowering houseplants to grow , as they do well in the stipulation feel in most homes . There are seven independent cultural factors you should be aware of to see their success .
African violets that you grease one’s palms are almost certainly hybrids , generally of one main mintage ( Saintpaulia ionantha ) . The native habitat of this mintage , in the Tanga region of Tanzania in Africa , gives hint to its culture . The original species , introduced in 1893 , was found growing there on moss-grown rock and moist rock scissure in varying amounts of shadiness . This area is near the equator , and near sea level . What this means is that the temperatures motley some ( basically 65 to 85 degrees ) over the yr , and the day length pretty much last out the same . This area gets much rainwater , but it vary with season .
So how does this aboriginal home ground interpret into the best civilization for these plants in your menage ? First to observe is the light , which should n’t be direct , or if so not for long . East windows often work well . South windowpane may provide too much twinkle , north windows not enough . Not enough light and staunch will stretch , forming an unsightly base or “ neck ” .
Violets expect heavy in window , but also can be grown well underfluorescent lighttubes . Place so that tops of plant are about 12 in below tubes , and leave lights on for 12 to 16 minute a day . steady nerveless blanched pipe work fine and are the least expensive , or coalesce with fond blanched . supercede tubes when they begin to historic period , the destruction turning black .
The second factor is piddle and comparative humidity . Taking a clue from their home ground , they like lots of water and humidity . But at the same time they grow in very airy spaces , not in heavy soil , so they do n’t like overwatering . If anything , underwater . Overwatering is the most vulgar rationality African violets die . you may get water on the leave-taking , and in fact , this is a safe elbow room to rinse dirt off the haired leaves . Just do n’t put cold or hot water on the leaf , and do n’t get it on the gist ( crown ) . Make certain when watering that it is not icy cold , specially in wintertime , to nullify appal the roots .
humidness often is less than worthy , specially in northerly climates , and in homes in winter . This can be raised by using a humidifier nearby or placing plants on pebble which are kept moist .
The next significant factor is temperature , which should be in the chain of their native habitat – 65 to 85 grade . Cooler and they wo n’t grow or flower well , higher and farewell may burn and change by reversal mushy . forfend drafts near door and heat vents which either can ensue in extremes , or in dry out leaves .
4th to consider is fertilizer and filth sourness , or pH. Most houseplant fertilizers will work , and there are some formulated just for reddish blue . Use at the charge per unit and timing according to label centering . Another key is to taste and be reproducible and not forget to fertilize , in rules of order to get the best blooms .
Soil sourness should n’t be an result , unless you have very acerbic or alkaline piss , or are making your ownpotting mixing . With 7.0 being inert , thepotting mixshould be a slimly acid 6.5 to 7.0 .
grunge texture is an important factor , as these plant life naturally grow with much melody reaching the roots . Generally keep off bagged mixes sold for houseplants , as these often have heavy blackened peat ( decomposed peat moss ) which holds too much water and too minuscule strain . A oecumenical baggedpotting mixwith peat moss , and vermiculite or perlite ( adequate parts of each ) is ideal .
6th , look at pot sizing . Violets naturally produce on surfaces , so have shallow roots . This have in mind they should have shallow pots , no deep in the main than four inches . They only grow to a certain size , vary with each reddish blue . In worldwide though , roots only produce about one - third the diam of the leaves , so for a 9 - inch wide plant , a maximal pot size should be three to four inches across . expend too great tidy sum , and the roots wo n’t utilise all the pee held there , and so may rot .
Finally , keep a lookout man for pests and disease . If violets are in a tight space , with little tune movement , you may see powdery mold get on leaf – a white talcum - appear emergence . Lowering humidness , and increasing air flow , may be all that is want for ascendency . This also will help control gray mold , a fuzzy gray growth on choke leaf and efflorescence . Avoid overwatering , and you should be able to quash root word bunkum diseases .
The main pest to watch for are thrips and mealybug . Thrips are very small , the size of a printed panache , and feed on pollen . tout on flowers and you may see them scurry . Mealybugs are modest too but usually see as the white mealy masses cover egg . An periodic blue rinsing with tepid and balmy soapy water may avail with these . Mealybugs may be dabbed with inebriant on a cotton fiber swab . If you ca n’t see pests , it is good just to discard the plant life .
Dr. Leonard Perry , Horticulture Professor EmeritusUniversity of Vermont
