African Violet Growing Guide
African violets (Streptocarpus ionanthus) are native to Tanzania and Kenya, countries in East Africa. It was formerly named Saintpaulia ionantha from Baron Walter von Saint Paul who was a German colonial official in East Africa and a botanist. Names were formerly attributed to the botanist or person who first described a plant. In recent years plants have been reclassified using a descriptive name omitting any reference to a person.
African violets are not related to violets, but have interesting soft furry leaves and colorful flowers ranging from violet, blue to shades of pink. For generations they have been a popular houseplant with many homes having several plants blooming in different locations throughout their home.
Watering and Care
Most potting soils are too heavy. African violets will grow best in a light well-drained, slightly acidic soil such as Espoma African violet soil.
Proper lighting of African violets is very important. It will do best with bright indirect light in a north, northeast or northwest facing window.
They should not be placed in a south facing window receiving direct sun light, which will burn their delicate leaves. In a south facing room they should be at least 3-feet away out of direct sun light with a temperature range between 60° and 80°F.
In some situations, such as the short winter months, placing them under grow lights will help give them the ideal light they need.
Watering is very important. Do not over-water or allow the soil dry out. Letting it stand in water can cause the roots to rot and getting water on the leaves may cause spots and damage. The best way is bottom watering by placing room temperature water in the saucer and letting the water wick up into the soil. Remove any water remaining after a few hours to avoid the possibility of root rot.
Fertilize with an organic African violet plant food such as one from Espoma, following the label instructions. Using the proper fertilizer will provide the necessary nutrients it needs. With proper care they are said to live up to 50-years.
Toss or Keep?
After a few years your African violet will look a bit tired. It may have gotten a bit too root bound and have a long neck as the lower and oldest leaves have died.
Some may toss it, but it can be rejuvenated by removing it from the pot and removing the soil from the roots. As you clean away some of the soil you may see that you have several small plants called pups growing from the main stem. The pups can be cut away from the mother plant leaving some roots attached, to pot up to keep or give to a friend.
Next strip away the lower leaves until you get to a nice-looking crown, which might be about a third or less of the original plant.
Next cut the stem back, leaving about an inch left, checking that there is no rot on the stem. Gently scrape off any bumps or callouses from the stem. This helps to ensure that it makes roots, not side shoots. Fill a smaller pot with African violet soil. Water the soil so that it is damp, but not soggy. Push the plant stem into the center of the pot right up to the lower leaves.
To ensure and speed up the growth of new roots, place the potted plant into a plastic bag. Blow some air into the bag to balloon it out and close it with a twist tie. Place it in indirect light and in about a month it will make some new roots and can be taken out of the bag.
Propagating African Violets
A couple of methods can be used to propagate African violets, both from a single leaf.
The first way is rooting in a small jar of water. Fill the jar almost up to the very top with water. Cover with a small piece of foil forming it around the jar to make a tight lid.
Sometimes a leaf for some reason does not form roots, so you might just as well root several leaves. Select a medium size leaf, then using a sharp knife cut the stem, called a petiole on a 45-degree angle leaving it about 1-1/2-inches long. Next cut away half of the leaf. This will stop the leaf from growing and speed up the production of roots and formation of new plantlets.
Using a sharp pencil poke a small hole for each leaf in the foil just large enough to push the petioles into. Place the jar out of direct sunlight and change the water weekly, making sure that the petioles always remain in the water.
After a few weeks roots should begin to form on the petioles and a month or two later very small African violet leaves will form at the base of the leaf. Give it a bit of more time and you can put some African violet soil into a pot and plant it.
The second method is almost the same as the first one. Fill a small pot with soil and add some water to moisten it. Prepare the leaf as above except cut the petiole leaving about 1-inch attached to the leaf. Next poke a hole in the soil with a pencil and insert the petiole all of the way in up to the leaf. Gently firm the soil and give it a bit of water to settle the soil.
Place the pot out of direct sunlight and keep the soil slightly damp and after a couple of months or so you should see some very small leaves forming at the base of the leaf.
Diseases
African violets are not affected by diseases or fungus very often. It is better to prevent disease and fungus in the first place.
Overwatering can cause crown rot, which starts as black spotting that moves up the stem right up to the flowers. Powdery mildew is a white powdery infection that is seen on the foliage and can be treated with the proper fungicide such as Bonide copper fungicide.
Pests
If your African violet is looking sickly carefully look at the leaf crotches and leaves for mealybugs, which are covered with a white waxy material that makes them look cottony. They cause harm by sucking sap from your plant.
If you only see a few you can dip a cotton swab in 70% rubbing alcohol and apply it to each mealybug. Check every few days and repeat as needed.
Heavy infestations can be controlled by using an organic product that controls insects, diseases, mites and nematodes, such as Captain Jack's Neem Max. Read and follow the instructions on the label.
African violet leaves are delicate so test a small amount on a few leaves and wait a day or two looking for any damage before applying any product to the entire plant.
Tips
The African Violet Society of America has a lot of useful information.
Gardening thought:
A purple African violet so lush and fleshy it looked edible, his fingers as cool and smooth as beach stones. — Wally Lamb
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