African Violet Care Methods
Main content introduction: Relevant information about the herbaceous flower African Violet, its care methods. Next, the site editor will introduce to the netizens.
African Violet, also known as African Purple, (Scientific name: Saintpaulia ionantha), is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Gesneriaceae family and African Gesneria genus. It is stemless with the whole plant covered in hair. The leaves are ovate with thick and fleshy petioles. The flowers are light purple and can be solitary or in clusters. There are many cultivated varieties, including large flowers, single-petal, semi-double, double-petal, and variegated leaves, with flower colors ranging from purple-red, white, blue, pink, to bicolor.
African Violets prefer warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments, and are afraid of strong light and high temperatures in the summer. The growth temperature is between 16-24°C, with 18-24°C from April to October and 12-16°C from October to the following April. The daytime temperature should not exceed 30°C, as high temperatures are not beneficial for the growth of African Violets. The blooming period is from spring to autumn, and they can also bloom in winter if there is sufficient light.
The nighttime temperature in winter should not be below 10°C, otherwise, it is prone to frost damage. The relative humidity should be between 40%-70%, as excessive moisture in the pot can cause root rot. Dry air can lead to lack of luster in the leaves.
In the summer, African Violets need shade to maintain a lush green color; in winter, they require sufficient sunlight to bloom continuously; additional lighting during rainy or snowy days is very beneficial for their growth and blooming.
During cultivation, it is necessary to maintain a higher air humidity, water appropriately, and avoid excessive moisture to prevent stem and leaf rot. The difference between water temperature and air temperature should be less than 5°C, otherwise, the leaf surface will produce a large number of yellow spots. Insufficient light will result in fewer and lighter-colored flowers, or even no flowers at all; excessive light will cause the leaves to turn yellow and burn, so they should be placed in a bright area without direct sunlight, with a suitable growth temperature of 16°C to 24°C.
In the summer, they should be kept in a ventilated and cool place, avoiding stuffy and humid environments and direct sunlight. Watering should not be excessive, and it should be done only when the potting soil is slightly dry, as accumulated water in the pot is often the main cause of plant rot.
In winter, the temperature should not be below 10°C, and during cultivation, sudden temperature fluctuations should be avoided, as they can easily cause plant death.
During the growing period, apply a thin solution of decomposed liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer every 7 to 10 days. The nitrogen content in the fertilizer should not be too high, otherwise, the leaves will grow very lush with few flowers.
The above is the complete content of the care methods for African Violets. Have green plant enthusiasts understood?