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African Violet Leaf Propagation
by
Nancy Blanton,
Owner, Violets4sale
'Mindi Brooke' by Nancy Blanton
MINDI
BROOKE (7064) 02/06/89 (G. Boone) Double pink wavy. Variegated dark green, cream
and pink, plain/red back. Large
Propagating African Violet Leaves
I would like to say right away, that the biggest reason for failure, in rooting leaves, or African Violet plants in general, is over-watering. Just keep them a little damp.
The following is only one way to propagate AV leaves. There are several ways. The suggestions here are just mine. You will hear of many different ways, ingredients, methods, etc.
Choose a healthy young leaf. Second row from the bottom of the plant is usually OK. If the leaf is too old, it will take a very long time to root.
Once the leaf has been removed from the
main plant, cut the bottom of the stem at a 45 degree angle,
leaving an inch to an inch and a half of stem extending from the leaf.
African Violets have very fine, delicate roots. It is
very important for them to have a light and airy mixture to do well. This is
what I use. It's called a "soil-less" mix.
-
1/3 part Vermiculite
-
1/3 part Perlite
-
1/3 part Peat
Mix these together. Your container
for rooting should be small. For example, a condiment cup from a restaurant,
medicine dispenser cup or something of that nature. You do not want it very
deep. Puncture a hole, in the bottom of the container (I use a glue gun for
this) for good drainage. Place your mix into the container, and wet it
thoroughly. Use a pencil, to form a hole in the mix, for your AV
stem. Place the stem in the hole, and gently bring the mix around it. Do
not "bury" the stem!:) The deeper the stem is in the mix, the longer
it takes to produce babies. I would say about half way up the stem.
If you are rooting a large leaf, and it will not stand alone, put a popsicle stick or Q-tip (or two) behind the leaf to give it some security. Once it has formed roots, it will stand alone. If the leaf is huge, just cut off the top half of the leaf. It will not hurt it at all.
AV leaves do not require as much light as a grown AV does. They need light of course. You can put them somewhere where there is no direct sun light, but diffused light.
Start fertilizing your leaf after about four weeks. (Be easy with this.) Approximately 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of tepid water will do fine.:) Fertilize every time you water. It would be best not to wet the leaf right now.
In four to eight weeks, you should see
tiny leaves
emerging from the mix.:) When they are large enough for you to easily handle,
you can separate them into individual pots. You should get about two to six
plants, from one leaf!
You've done it!:)
Please note: Nancy had passed away quite some time
ago, but I left her page on the website, as I felt she would want to continue to
share her knowledge and love of African violets.
Violets4Sale
had been Nancy's business.