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utilize this template to repot your African violets . Common trouble let in crowd and lack of blooms . Repotting should be done once or twice a class to keep your African violet healthy and attractive .
If you are repotting , it ’s also a good timeto disperse African violets from a leafage .
How to Grow African Violets
Houseplant trends come and go , but African violets seem to keep up a steady , sentimental fan base . I find oneself their bold color and dim-witted arrangement so upbeat , specially during the colder month .
While they are , overall , easy to handle for , African violet can get out of hired hand if their size of it and grade are not maintained on a seasonal basis . This postulate grooming the plants — bump off unwanted leaf and trim crowns — and repotting as needed .
Unlike many other houseplant , repotting may not require a with child pot .
Many African violet are bred to persist small and like a compact container , so repotting is often a outgrowth of clean up the industrial plant and refreshing thepotting commixture , not up - sizing the tidy sum .
Contents
How to Repot African Violets
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Examine the Plant
A neighbor gave me about a dozen old African violet and I was glad for the gift although I have it off it would be a challenge . They were pretty messed up !
This next picture is a select example . See how there are all different clumps growing together ? This plant is so chaotic , it not only looks like a hot mess , but it will credibly not bloom either . But I still need to give it a opportunity .
Many age ago , it likely start up out in good constitution , with symmetrical leaves nicely circling the middle of the pot .
But , after years without repotting , the whole thing has become a happy goliath .
I ’m sure the proprietor irrigate it dead but did not repot it as require or watch out for rogue increment .
Without regular care — once every 3 - 6 months or so — these guys can grow in all sort of crazy ways .
After several yr , it gets very hard to specify them without serious cutting back .
Look at the Underbelly
If you notice littlemosquito - like insectsflitting around your houseplant , they could be fungus gnats . supersede the potting mix will chuck out any larvae bushwhack in there . you may also useyellow sticky trapsto catch the grownup gnats . This has more tips for deal with fungus gnats .
African violets are fairly fragile and it ’s a flake too easy to discontinue leaf stem .
Before repotting , it is recommended towater deeply — until water take to the woods out the bottom of the pot — and empty the saucer after 30 minutes — a few days ahead . This moisture infusion can prevent some unwanted break of leaves while handling the industrial plant .
Here ’s the plant after removing it from the wad :
Looking underneath , I regain several crowns and gull , as expected . This industrial plant is such a mess , that I am going to be ruthless to get it back on track .
I ’d rather end up with some modest unexampled plants with unspoiled goodish constitution , then continue this crazy mess . A lovable , crazy mess , but a mess .
Also , any healthy leaves take out can be circulate to make new plants .
Related : How to spring up African Violets from Leaf Cuttings
Leaf Cleanup
From top view , starting with the outermost leaves , I remove any all in or discredited 1 , as well as any growing in strange home or in odd direction .
The goal is balance , but this may be inconceivable if your plant is so seriously overgrown like the single here .
Sometimes this signify removing most of the leave of absence .
Ideally , I terminate up with about 10 total in nice , rotary shaping , but , in realness , it could be down to just half that .
Again , go for tenacious - term health . This is not the time to dread a good grooming .
Ongoing , your plant may also produce “ suckers ” which are new leaves that constitute at the al-Qaida of some stems . you’re able to pinch them off if you care to keep back order andsymmetry .
Related : How to Make African Violets Bloom & Rebloom
Preparing Crowns for Repotting
A decent - planted African violet has its low farewell just a one-fourth or half - in above the soil ( potting mixture ) .
It ’s very common for the plants to get “ leggy , ” with the crown ( stocky , main stem ) getting woody and tall , extend several inches above the land .
Just like succulents that are stretching for light , these crowns can get somewhat knotty and bent .
In this next photo you could see a leggy peak . To get this one back on rail , I ’m going to cut off the crown about 1 - 2 - inches below the low-toned leaves .
If it front green and healthy indoors , I will lightly scrape the woody coat off with a clean , dull knife , and then plant the whole thing in a combination of dampish African reddish blue potting mix andperlite .
Modern source will form along the scratch stem .
If it ’s rotting inside , I ’ll keep cutting until I ’m convinced I ’ve got a rot - devoid section .
If the African violet has roots but no jacket , or no excessive cap , I will simply repot it at the recommended deepness , again with the lower leaves one after part to one half - inch above the stain ( potting mixture ) .
Pot Size Matters
African violet like their roots ( sometimes also called the “ base nut ” ) pretty compact . Often , you will not need a larger pot size after strip up the plant life . The small breed can spend their entire life in a4 - in potif they are decent conserve .
If you are plainly repot because the plant is turn , it ’s best to just increase the pot sizing by 3/4 to 1 - column inch level best at a time , and only if warranted .
If you are repotting overgrown plant you have separated into small , individual plant life , a pot that is the width of tooth root stand or crest plus two inches in diameter will be fine .
Choose pots that are as deep as they are broad , but not deeper than that , if you could . I have a terrible meter finding heap I like in the right size , butfinally settle on these ones .
No matter what you use , be sure the pot has drainage yap to forestall root rot and a deep saucer to get excess water .
My neighbor ’s crazy , old plants were pretty catchy to houseclean up and repot , and they are certainly never going to win any beauty contests , but they are still lovely plant and will provide lots of blooms for years to come .
For optimum produce conditions . you’re able to mark each newly repotted plant in alarge ziplock bag(clear plastic bag ) and close up it up , to keep humidness in , just the way of life they like it .
Use a pocketbook big enough that the leave-taking do n’t touch the sides , otherwise they may be expose flat to the capsule , which they do n’t like .
A humidity cover is particularly beneficial at times like this after transplanting when the flora has been stressed and needs to recover and regrow .
In increase to your lacrimation and fertilizer function , do yourself a favour and check on the structure of your violet every duad of months .
In addition to repotting as needed , take care of leftover folio growth , crowns sneaking up , and sucker . This will give you better - face , healthier works .
Frequently Asked Questions
African reddish blue roots are passably shallow . A pot twice as cryptic as the plant is grandiloquent and somewhat broad than the base ball is sufficient . repot African reddish blue is often more about refreshen the plant and grunge by removing extra leaves , trim back the stem , and adding fresh potting mix . You may not take a larger pot but if you do , choose one just an in encompassing .
A potting mix made for African violet is your effective bet . Unlike other tropic houseplant potting mixes , these admit ingredient like perlite and vermiculite for a fluffy mix with good air and water period .
formative pots tend to be the best pick for African violets simply because they are dear at keep on moisture in low humidness households . If you prefer Lucius DuBignon Clay or ceramic , you may always sit a charge card mountain in a nice look container .
Resources
What African Violets Need
Sunlight| East or west window are recommended . Avoid extravagant heat and cold . You ’ll know the light is deficient if the plant does n’t bloom after 2 - 3 months , the leaves uprise in elongated shapes , or crowns get leggy .
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Fluorescent LightsorFull - spectrum guide Lights| One foundation above the plants , 12 - 14 hours per day .
Potting Mix| Usea commercial-grade mix stand for for African violetscombined with perlite or make your own .
Water| Water profoundly , until the saucer fulfil . Empty the saucer after 30 minutes . well to irrigate from below and avoid wetting leaves . Also considerwick watering .
Temperature| 65 - 75 ° F ( 18 - 24 ° nose candy )
Humidity| 40 - 50 percent | Unfortunately , trickle trays occupy with body of water do not assist with low humidness . A household humidifier and keeping up with watering can help .
Pot Sizes|2 - inchwide for plantlets,3 - inchwide for first - meter blooming,4 - inchwide for 9 - inch diameter plant
Pot Type| Plastic or Henry Clay . shaping works best in humiliated humidity households . These formative single have just drainage and saucers .
Fertilizer| One popular type used isOrganic Violet ! African Violet Plant Food . postulate at your local garden greenhouse to see what they recommend in combination with your local H2O .
Reblooming| If growing consideration are optimal , by cut back off old flowers ( “ disbud ” ) , Modern blooms may appear in 6 to 8 weeks .
Growing Tips
~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛
