Milk and juice are readily available in the grocery, making them a great option for homemade African violet fertilizer. Worm castings, diluted compost tea or fish emulsion can also serve as African violet food. These can be organic, do-it-yourself options for feeding African violets
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia, commonly known as African violet, is a genus of 6–20 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae, native to Tanzania and adjacent southeastern Kenya in eastern tropical Africa. Typically the African violet is a common household indoor plant but can als…
What is the best fertilizer for African violets?
Types of fertilizers
- Liquid fertilizer. Primarily, liquid or water-soluble fertilizers are recommended for African violets for good growth. ...
- Granular fertilizer. These are the slow-release fertilizers. This type of fertilizer helps in the flexible feeding process.
- Spikes and capsules. The slow-release fertilizers are less messy than any other type and are easy to store. ...
How much should I water my African violet?
How to fix the problem?
- If the leaves are becoming dull and limp, you will need to water your plant immediately.
- Water the plants according to the seasons. ...
- Adding perlite to the soil bed will help retain enough moisture needed for the plant.
- You can increase the water if the drainage system of the soil is working well. ...
Do African violets need fertilizer?
Primarily, liquid or water-soluble fertilizers are recommended for African violets for good growth. One of the main advantages of using this fertilizer is that it can reach the plant’s root system faster. If you have time to fertilize your plant regularly, then you can use liquid fertilizers.
How do you take care of an African violet?
You need to follow these steps to care for African violets during the winters:
- Provide enough bright indirect sunlight or use artificial light to supplement the natural lighting.
- Water less frequently and let the soil slightly dry out between watering.
- Use room temperature water while watering your African violets.
- If you live in a zone where winter is harsh, then lower the dosage of fertilizer or stop fertilizing altogether.
What should I feed my African violets?
These are 5 of the best fertilizers for African Violets that I recommend.Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food. ... Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food. ... EarthPods Premium African Violet Plant Food. ... Bonide Liquid African Violet Plant Food. ... Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food.
How do you make fertilizer for African violets?
Yes, coffee grounds are a great homemade fertilizer for African Violets. Make a mixture of dried coffee grounds and dried egg shells, then work the coffee ground mixture into the top of the soil. Replenish every couple of months.
Is coffee grounds good for African violets?
Are coffee grounds good for African violets? Coffee grounds are slightly acidic and contain nitrogen, which helps plants grow healthy foliage. Occasionally sprinkling used coffee grounds on top of your African violet potting soil can be good for the plant. Don't go overboard, though.
Is Epsom salt good for African violets?
Applied once per month epsom salts will help trigger bloom in your violets and be a good companion to your African violet specialty fertilizer. Dissolve two tablespoons of epsom salts in one gallon of tepid water in a watering can or pitcher.
Is banana peel water good for African violets?
For Flowering Plants Mix 6-8 tablespoons of banana peel powder and one teaspoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and stir well. Use it on annuals, roses, African violets, peace lily, anthurium, clivia, crown of thorns, orchids, flowering succulents, and azaleas for more blooms.
What kind of fertilizer do African violets like?
African violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, plus trace minerals. The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source.
Are egg shells good for African violets?
Egg shell water! Great for African violets and irises!
What is the best homemade fertilizer for indoor plants?
You can make a homemade liquid fertilizer for indoor plants using one or a combination of these natural ingredients.Worm tea. ... Cooking water. ... Coffee grounds. ... Green tea. ... Epsom salt. ... Fish tank water. ... Hair. ... Molasses. The last natural indoor plant fertilizer on this list is molasses .More items...•
Can I pour coffee on my plants?
Absolutely! Coffee that is leftover in the carafe can be poured on indoor and outdoor plants. Leftover coffee is a source of nitrogen and will fertilize them. Do not put coffee that has cream or sugar added on plants though, as it can harm the plant and will also attract ants and other insects.
Is tea good for African violets?
It's best to use green tea to fertilize plants that like acidic soil like amaryllis, african violets, ferns, jade plants and christmas cactus.
How can I make my African violet bloom?
The most common reason African violets don't bloom is because they aren't getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light.
How do I get my African violet to bloom again?
8 Ways to Get Your African Violet to Bloom Again. ... Let There Be Light. ... Turn Up the Humidity. ... Replenish Essential Nutrients. ... Keep it Pleasant. ... Choose the Right Soil. ... Protect From Pests & Disease. ... Constrict the Roots.More items...•
How can I make my African violet bloom?
The most common reason African violets don't bloom is because they aren't getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light.
Are egg shells good for African violets?
Egg shell water! Great for African violets and irises!
Can you use regular plant food for African violets?
You can purchase fertilizers formulated specifically for African violets. You should always use a balanced fertilizer that contains all of the major plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Nitrogen is important for the growth and development of leaves and stems.
Is garlic water good for African violets?
Inside you may not have the room or the desire to plant garlic amongst your prized African violets but you can still bring it to your garden and that is through foliar spraying with a garlic concoction. Garlic is very effective as a fungicide and will do a fine job controlling powdery mildew and downy mildew.
What kind of soil do African violets need?
African Violets do require special soil. You can purchase potting soil that is just for African Violets. If you would like to try making your own potting soil for African Violets, then mix together 1/3 regular potting soil, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 perlite or vermiculite.
What is the pH level of soil for African violets?
To determine the acidity of any soil, you will need an inexpensive soil testing kit. African Violets require soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5. If the pH level of your soil is above 6.5, the acidity level of the soil is too low.
Do African violets like to be watered?
Keep in mind that African Violets don’t like to be watered like other houseplants. They like to be watered from the bottom, not the top. Find out more tips about African Violet care. You will need to re-test your soil every week until the pH level is between 6.0 and 6.5.
Can you make African violet fertilizer?
African Violets, like other houseplants, need a little tender loving care by giving them an occasional dose of fertilizer. You can buy African Violet liquid plant food, or you can also make your own easy DIY homemade African Violet fertilizer from common household items. This fertilizer is now one of my favorite homemade plant foods.
Does hydrogen peroxide kill African violets?
Some people swear that hydrogen peroxide encourages African Violets to bloom more often. Add a capful of hydrogen peroxide to 4 cups of room temperature water and then water as usual. If the plant has any kind of fungus, the peroxide will also kill it.
Getting to Know African Violets
According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, African violets are the most popular houseplant among continuously flowering indoor plants. They were introduced to the U.S. in 1894 by a New York florist. Many African violets nowadays are a hybrid of two species.
Fertilizer for African Violets
The University of Minnesota Extension notes that fertilizers specifically formulated for African violets are available online and at many garden stores. You should always make sure the soil is a bit moist before applying fertilizer for African violets; otherwise, you could cause root burn.
DIY African Violet Food
In addition to commercial fertilizers for African violets, there are some do-it-yourself options for African violet food. Mother Earth News states that the residue from milk and juice containers can be good houseplant fertilizer. Leftover milk has nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and juice usually has potassium.
Why do African Violets Need Fertilizer
The main reasons fertilizer application is essential when it comes to caring for African violet are growth optimization and increasing the quantity and quality of flowers. Since its blooms are its main attraction, many growers prefer to plant them in pots and grow them as a household plant.
What Is The Best African Violet Fertilizer?
For Saintpaulia, the best fertilizer should have three characteristics: quick release, water-soluble, and urea-free product. Each feature mentioned is needed to suit the growing requirements of the plant.
How to Apply African Violet Fertilizer
After knowing the type of fertilizer needed, reading the labels for the recommended rate is the next step. Usually, the recommended rates of general fertilizers are reduced to a half or a third of their original amount for indoor plants. For example, a complete fertilizer (20-20-20 or 14-14-14) should be diluted in water.
When to Apply African Violet Fertilizer
After knowing all the information mentioned above, the next step is to know when to feed Saintpaulia. Apply the fertilizer during the growing seasons. This will help the plant develop more leaves and produce more food which will result in faster growth and better blooms. Some growers fertilize during fall, summer, and the last weeks of spring.
Why do African violets have brown leaves?
Potassium strengthens and fortifies plants, which helps them resist disease and grow strong root systems. African violets low on potassium can have leaves that yellow and turn brown at the tips.
Why are my African violet leaves turning yellow?
If your African violet leaves are stunted or turning a pale yellow color, they may be nitrogen deficient.
Can African violets be fertilized?
Although African violets are easy to please, they can be extremely delicate. When it comes to fertilizer, your biggest risks are burning your plant’s sensitive roots or shocking its system with too much at once. That’s why we recommend always using a gentle, African violet-specific product.
How big do African violets get?
Generally, African Violets will grow anywhere from 2” to 6” tall and 2” to 12” wide. However, there are some giant African Violets out there, with diameters well over a foot. African Violet leaves have tiny hairs and a lush green appearance.
Why are African violets dying?
The reason African Violets decline is usually due to grower error, not because of the plant itself . To ensure that your African Violet lives a long and healthy life, it is important to learn the necessary care information for these wonderful plants.
Why are my African violet leaves turning yellow?
If you’re seeing yellow leaves at the top of your African Violet, chances are it’s just because the leaf is about to die off to create space for new foliage to grow. If the leaves lower on your African Violet are turning yellow, often the plant either isn’t being watered correctly or hasn’t been getting enough fertilizer.
Can African violets survive in direct sunlight?
We want a lot of indirect sunlight for our African Violets to thrive. Often when placed outdoors, it’s incredibly hard to moderate how much light your African Violet receives. We want to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible , and this can become a daunting task outdoors.
Can you repot an African violet?
Yes! You absolutely should repot your African Violet to ensure it lives a long, happy life. It's not healthy to keep your plant in the same mix it has been in for years. Mold, decay, and bugs can start to destroy the once healthy living environment your African Violet thrived in.
Can African violets grow outdoors?
We wouldn't recommend growing African Violets outdoors for a few reasons . First, most climates don’t support outdoor growing for African Violets year round. Either the environment is too cold or not humid enough for their liking. Also, lighting can be an issue.
How to make African violet soil?
How to Make DIY African Violet Potting Soil. Making DIY African violet potting soil isn’t as simple as mixing the ingredients above in a pot. First, you’ll need to pasteurize them to eliminate any bacteria, plant diseases, insects, or weed seeds hiding in your ingredients.
What keeps African violets blooming longer?
2. Vermiculite. Vermiculite is a flaky mineral often sold in pellet form. It is nontoxic and doesn’t rot or mold, preventing irritating pests from finding safe harbor in your plant’s container. Vermiculite also helps keep potting mix sterile, which keeps your African violet’s blooms fresher longer.
How is peat moss harvested?
Peat moss is harvested from decaying plant matter in mossy peat bogs. It helps boost acidity in the soil and maintains soil structure over time. Like perlite and vermiculite, it can hold several times its weight in moisture, slowly releasing it to the plant.
What is the best soil for African violets?
African violets prefer slightly acidic conditions, between 5.8 to 6.5 pH. In conventional soil, your plant won’t be able to efficiently absorb nutrients. Generally, peat moss is used to lower the pH in African violet potting soil. Coco coir has also shown to provide sufficient pH when used with traditional fertilizer.
What is the best peat moss alternative?
Coconut coir: Widely considered the best peat moss alternative, coco coir is made from dried-out fibers harvested from coconut husks. This material is significantly more sustainable, and retains water just as well as peat moss, if not better.
What are the ingredients in African violet soil?
While you’ll find dozens of African violet soil recipes online, nearly all contain three key ingredients: perlite; vermiculite; and peat moss. Each has a specific job to perform, and together they create the perfect conditions that your plant needs to thrive. 1.
Is peat moss good for potting soil?
Peat moss is one of the most common ingredients in potting soil of all types. Unfortunately, it’s not the greatest for the planet. Peat is slow-growing, and harvesting peat moss depletes centuries-old bogs much faster than they can be replenished.
Why do African violets need fertilizer?
Because African violets are primarily indoor plants, it’s important to add fertilizer during their growing season to give them the nutritional boost they need to bloom and maintain their flowers. Phosphorus helps your African violets bloom and is important for maintaining healthy roots. [11]
How much light do African violets need?
African violets need about 8 hours of darkness for florigen, their flowering hormone, to trigger blooming. [3]
How long do African violets need to bloom?
1. Give your African violets bright, indirect sunlight for 16 hours per day. To get your African violets to bloom and stay in bloom, place them in a location indoors where they’ll get about 16 hours of bright, ...
Why are my African violet leaves turning green?
If your African violet’s leaves start to look thin and unusually dark, it’s likely not getting enough light. If the leaves start to turn light green or appear bleached, it’s probably getting too much direct sunlight. Both of these conditions can prevent your plant from flowering. ...
How to remove wilted flowers from a flower?
If there are a few buds that refuse to bloom, or if one of the flowers appears to be wilting while the others seem healthy and strong, pinch the stem just below the flower head and just above the highest healthy leaf. Pull the flower head away from the stem to remove it.
