African Violets

[janet]

I enjoy having African Violets in my house, especially during our long winter months.

Sometimes they can be a challenge to keep blooming.

Here is hint I learned.

When I boil eggs, I save the water and use it to water my african violets, the water has to be COOLED.
The calcium in the water helps with blooms and plant growth.

janet

[barbszy]

My grandmother used to keep African violets in the house. They are so pretty and delicate!

I remember that she would tell us NOT to touch the leaves or it would kill the plant. Is there any truth to that?

[janet]

Barbszy, I never had a problem with killing my leaves if I touched them...but if the leaves lay on the rim of the flower pot..they die...so I am always pinching them back.

When they quit blooming for a time, I change the soil, and fertilize. They also do not like to have their roots crowded...and they do not take direct sun.

janet

[Bilby]

I had african violets, I had trouble killing them LOL
I was told not to water the soil directly but did every time, I was told they need TLC I didn't do anything particularly special, never fertilised, never changed soils and only repotted once it was 5-6 yrs old, a beautiful white one, it even shifted houses with us.
So don't know there I guess you have to get one and just see how you go?

[missibob]

I, too am an African violet lover. My hubby made me a neat two tiered stand with lights on each layer. When they bloom they get to be on the top level, and when they don't I leave them on the bottom LOL. It is fun to see the different colours and shapes of the flowers. I have several pink & mauve and purple flowers right now. Some have white on the edges which I like very much. If anyone would like, I could add a picture to this thread, just let me know. I fertilize with an African violet fertilizer every time I water, which is about every 8 days or so. I don't think there is any truth to touching the leaves or not, but they do die if they hang over the pot.

[missibob]

Janet, I just noticed your baby Boston, how cute. I have two of them.

[Sammi1961]

My mil gave me a beautiful African violet plant years ago after I admired hers. I have since divided it into several other plants and now have about 5 thoughout my house. I love seeing the flowers in the winter. i was told not to get water on the leaves but that they could be watered either from the bottom or right into the soil. I have had these plants for years and have had no problems. The one on my sink grows the best, though.

[janet]

Hi Missibob,

I would love to see photos of your African Violets.. right now I have only one plant and currently not blooming. It seems to love living on my kitchen window sill.

Yes, we love our Boston, he is quite the character, and demands alot of attention..and he likes to go to bed by 9:30pm...and sleeps 12 hrs. As soon as he wakes up..he runs to get a ball..it is always about playtime. lol

Kathy, I water my violet from the top too..and when it quits blooming I repot and feed it.



Janet

[Pag36]

I grew up with African Violets between my beloved G-Mom and Great Aunt. They grew like weeds for both of them. I have 2 right now and water both from the bottom, one is in an African Violet pot the other just in plain cheap plastic one. So far both doing okay. I have one on the coffee table and the other and the other in DR on buffet both have indirect lighting

[danstigerangel]

I have several African Violets. They are all very old. I always water them from the bottom. Pinch of the dead leaves and flowers. I keep them in my big windowsill and one in my little kitchen window. They are almost always blooming.