Let me tell you about how to care for African violets and the cultivation methods and precautions related to flower knowledge as follows:
African violets are one of my favorite herbaceous flowers. Now, my understanding of African violets is quite thorough. They are a potted plant that can bloom all year round in my home. You should know that the lighting in my home is not very strong. I keep it by the south-facing window sill, and I often get to enjoy the flowers.
I. History of African Violets:
African violets originally grew in the region of Tanzania. In the 19th century, Western colonists and amateur botanists discovered this plant in East African countries. These botanists sent these African violets back to Germany, and thereafter, the varieties of African violets began to gain popularity in Europe.
Of course, African violets have now become a popular ornamental flower worldwide.
The original varieties of African violets had relatively monotonous flower colors and very weak plants. After continuous hybridization and cultivation, the varieties of African violets we see today are increasingly diverse and have stronger ornamental value.
African violets have exquisite flowers that look very fragile, but they are actually very tough plants. African violets can grow well on warm window sills, prefer diffused light, and require 3 to 5 hours of sunlight per day. Maintaining a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius or higher, they can bloom frequently.
The color range of African violets is also extremely rich, including common colors like purple, blue, pink, red, white, and red varieties. Their flowers are delicate, with a single plant capable of producing multiple buds and maintaining continuous blooming. Removing faded flowers in time will allow other buds to continue opening.
How to care for African violets
The leaves of African violets are evergreen, with some very fine fuzz on the leaf surface, and the edges of the leaves are slightly wrinkled. When caring for African violets, it is important to avoid frequent watering on the leaves. If there is dust or sand on the leaf surface, it can be cleaned with a soft brush or a paintbrush. Often getting the leaves wet can lead to leaf spot or leaf rot diseases.
II. Tips for making African violets bloom frequently:
Caring for African violets is also very simple. If the environment is suitable, they can bloom all year round.
1. Temperature is crucial
Caring for African violets requires a consistently warm environment, but avoid excessive high temperatures. The optimal growth temperature is between 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. The nighttime temperature can be 3 to 5 degrees lower than during the day, meaning that the nighttime temperature should remain above 15 degrees Celsius.
2. The environment for caring for African violets
When caring for African violet potted plants, it is best to place them on east or south-facing balconies, avoiding direct sunlight. During noon and afternoon, they should be appropriately shaded to prevent excessive exposure to the sun, as this can easily burn the leaves and shorten the blooming period.
3. A smaller pot
The pot for planting African violets should not be too large. They prefer compact spaces, which can promote continuous blooming. Of course, when the plant grows vigorously and the roots have filled the soil, it is time to repot. Each new pot should only be slightly larger than the previous one.
Do not use a pot that is too deep for African violet potted plants, and avoid moving them to a very large pot all at once, as this can lead to excessive soil and cause root rot or even result in leafy growth without blooming.
4. Well-draining, loose potting soil
Potted African violets should use some loose and well-draining soil rich in humus. Usually, a mixture of peat soil and perlite is used, with 3 to 4 parts of compost or leaf mold soil mixed in to ensure the soil has the right amount of humus. The soil's drainage and aeration must be good to ensure the healthy growth of the roots.
When caring for African violets, if you notice that the bottom of the stems and leaves are turning yellow and withering, be sure to cut them off immediately and not leave the dead leaves in the potting soil.
5. Post-blooming care and fertilization