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AFRICAN VIOLETS |
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| One of the most popular
flowering houseplants, the African violet
"Saintpaulia ionatha " is available in many
varieties and a wide range of beautiful colors. The
species- blooms grow with single, double, multicolored,
or bi-colored flowers, the most popular colors being
violet-blue, pink and white. If looked after properly,
African violet blooms can quickly mass to cover the
entire plant. African violets are known for their
velvety, fuzzy leaves - and, like all plants with similar
textured leaves, care when watering is very important. Site Selection African violets require medium light conditions and average to warm temperatures. A minimum temperature of approximately 55oF is required. West or east exposure is preferred to ensure that some direct light reaches the plant. If placing the plant in a southern position, ensure that the light is filtered. A west or east windowsill is ideal. The more light the plant receives the denser the flowers and foliage will be. Cold drafts and low humidity should be avoided. Care And Maintenance African violets prefer to be potted in well-drained soil and will grow to fill the size of the pot. Use a larger pot if the size of the African violet is to be increased. To ensure the plant keeps a dense and bushy appearance, it is important not to use a pot that is too large - a five-inch pot suits most cultivators. When watering, always use tepid water. It is important to lift the leaves gently before pouring the water onto the potting mix. If the water touches the leaves it may cause markings or spots. Powdery mildew may appear if water has been standing on leaves, also. Keep the soil moist and fertilize every time the plant is watered. Diluted fertilizer such as Peters African Violet Food is recommended. Pinch wilted and dead flowers to encourage new blooms. Once pinching has occurred, keep the soil fairly dry for a period of four to six weeks until new flower buds appear, then return to normal watering. This will help the plant produce several flowerings in a single season. Plants can be pruned after flowering, although, in most cases, this is not necessary. How To Raise New Plants Leaf cuttings are the most popular and easiest method of propagating African violets. To raise new plants, remove the leaves from the parent plant with the leaf stalk attached. Cleanly cut the end of the stem with a thin, straight-edged blade and insert it into the rooting medium. The leaf blade should lie at an angle of about 45o with the surface. Pasquesi Home & Gardens recommends using Optimara African Violet Soil as the rooting medium. Use a dibble to make a hole in the rooting medium. An eraser-tipped pencil makes a good dibble for cuttings from African violets, too. The dibble can be also used for firming the medium around the cuttings. It is important to protect cuttings from drafts and to ensure that a humid atmosphere is maintained around them. Gardeners often use a greenhouse or covered terrarium or aquarium to help propagate plants. A young plantlet will grow from the base of the cut stalk after the roots have formed. Once the roots have established themselves, transfer the African violet cutting to a more nourishing, well-drained potting medium. |
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| Pasquesi
Home & Gardens is Chicagoland's premier resource for
gardeners wanting to create a perfect atmosphere. We have
a vast selection of plants, many of them rare and
unusual. Our qualified, professional staff are
ever-willing to share their knowledge with customers
needing advice. Also, Pasquesi Home & Gardens is a complete resource for gardening, home and pet supplies. There are hundreds of beautiful accents for the home and out-of-doors, and Pasquesi Home & Gardens has an unrivaled collection of containers for indoors and outdoors in many different styles, materials and shapes. Both stores carry a wide range of quality garden tools and outdoor furniture. |
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