How to care for African violets
Let me tell you about the knowledge of caring for African violets and the precautions for cultivating these plants. Let's take a look together.
African violets are one of my favorite herbaceous flowers. Now I have a fairly thorough understanding of African violets. They are potted plants in my home that can bloom all year round. Keep in mind that the lighting in my home is not very strong. I place them by the south-facing window sill, and I often have flowers to enjoy.
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 afterwards, these varieties 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 slender 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 delicate flowers that look very fragile, but they are actually very tough plants. They can grow well on warm window sills, prefer diffused light, and need 3 to 5 hours of sunlight daily. If the temperature is maintained above 15 degrees, they can bloom frequently.
The flower colors of African violets are also extremely rich, including common purple, blue, pink, red, white, and red varieties. Their flowers are exquisite, with multiple buds on a single plant that can maintain continuous blooming. Removing the withered flowers in time will allow other buds to continue opening.
How to care for African violets
The leaves of African violets are evergreen, with very fine hairs on the leaf surface, and the edges of the leaves are slightly wrinkled. When caring for African violets, be sure 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. Frequent watering can easily lead to leaf spot or leaf rot diseases.
II. Tips to make African violets bloom frequently:
Caring for African violets is very simple, and they can bloom frequently throughout the year if the environment is suitable.
1. Temperature is crucial
Caring for African violets requires a consistently warm environment, but avoid excessive high temperatures. The best growth temperature is between 18 and 25 degrees, with the nighttime temperature slightly lower by 3 to 5 degrees than during the day, meaning the nighttime temperature should be maintained above 15 degrees.
2. Environment for caring African violets
When caring for potted African violets, it's best to place them on east or south-facing balconies, avoiding direct sunlight. During noon and afternoon, they should be shaded appropriately to avoid excessive exposure, as the leaves can easily get sunburned and the flowering period can be shortened.
3. A smaller pot
The pot for planting African violets should not be too large, as they prefer compact spaces, which can promote continuous blooming. Of course, when the plant grows vigorously and the roots have filled the soil, it's time to repot. Each new pot should only be slightly larger than the previous one.
Do not use too deep a pot for potted African violets, and avoid moving them to a very large pot all at once, as this can lead to excessive soil, causing root and stem rot, or even just leaves without flowers.
4. Well-draining and loose potting soil
Potted African violets should use some loose and well-draining soil rich in humus. Usually, peat soil mixed with perlite and an appropriate amount of 3 to 4 parts of compost or leaf mold is used to ensure the soil has the right amount of humus, as well as good drainage and aeration for robust root growth.
When caring for African violets, if you notice any yellowing or withered leaves at the base of the stems, be sure to cut them off immediately and not leave the dead leaves in the potting soil.
5. Post-blooming care and fertilizing