African Violets have won people’s hearts in a way that probably no other house plant ever has.
The foliage is compact and lovely, and the plant does not grow out of bounds. Blossoms are produced freely and abundantly, or are they?
Two Important Growing Requirements
If the African Violets have properly cared, for they should bloom freely, but time and again, we hear the complaint, “My plants just won’t bloom!”
Perhaps the two most important requirements for their best growth are plenty of strong light and warm water for watering.
Lighting
Place them where they will not be in direct sunlight for any length of time, but at the same time, give them the maximum amount of strong light possible.
Filtered sunshine is all right, and a little early morning or late evening sun makes them happy, but they cannot endure hours of it.
Watering
Always water with warm water. It is important not to overwater and just as important not to underwater.
The amount depends on surrounding conditions, whether the air is very dry or quite humid, and in the kind of container they are planted in a clay pot will need watering much more often than one in a tin can.
Soil Testing
Test the soil with your finger. If the surface feels dry to the touch, the plant needs watering.
Less watering for african violets is needed during dark, cloudy, cold weather than when it is very hot, and the air is dry.
I am fortunate to have almost unlimited quantities of good, rich, black loam and virgin wood soil.
This, mixed with sand, vermiculite, bone meal, and soil from the cattle lot, makes an ideal potting soil. At least my plants thrive and bloom and bloom.
Feeding and Humidity
If you do not have good potting soil, you will have to feed your plants, but do it carefully and follow the directions on the fertilizer package.
If it is possible, provide extra humidity, especially during the time of artificial heating when the air may be dry.
Perhaps the easiest way is to have trays with about a ½” inch of damp sand to set the pots.
Then use hot water to keep the sand just nicely moist. If the leaves appear dusty, a bath now and then makes the violets very happy.
Be sure to use water at room temperature or a little warmer, and do not permit the sun to shine on the foliage while it is wet.
Sensitivity Of African Violets
“Buggy” plants cannot thrive and bloom. So keep your plants free of all insects.
If the unwelcome guests are many, it may be wiser to discard the old plant and start with a clean new one. Perhaps a leaf or two is not infected and can be rooted.
African Violets are not as sensitive to the size of the pot as geraniums, but I have discovered that if new little plants are first placed in 2-inch pots, they will come into bloom more quickly than if placed at once in a larger container.
The tiny baby food cans are just the right size if you do not have small pots.
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