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Iconography

Saintpaulia ionantha

The African Violet

Un-named 'Fantasy Teacup' from seed

ZONE: N/A

TYPE: Indoor or Greenhouse Plant

SOIL: Fertile, Well Drained

LIGHT: Bright Indirect Light

GROWTH: Medium

I have been growing African Violets as houseplants for years, and then realized I had been doing some things “wrong”. This shows the versatility of this plant, that it does not have to be pampered to bloom and add cheery color to our lives. Two things that are recommended that I was not doing are:

1. Preventing the plant from forming multiple crowns as shown in the photo on the right. This , in most plants, is considered a sign of good health and vigor, and a way to propagate the plant by division. It is this for African violets also, but it reduces the amount of blooms, and in some varieties, may make the special hybrid bloom revert back to a solid color (as it did in mine).

2. I was using pots that are

So, what came from my mistakes? Solid purple blooms as opposed to the striped lilac and purple blooms the plant originally had, and less blooms at a time. My watering schedule did not seem to have the pots retain excess water. I still had pretty blooming plants, flowers year round, in fact, and my plant and I were happy. However, following the specific guidelines for culture can make for “happier” plants and people and it’s the way to go for show quality African Violets. Soil must be light and well draining. Light is to be bright, indirect, and not full sun. Fertilizing can be done once every two weeks with a normal African Violet fertilizer, or a diluted solution can be added the regular watering schedule. I have learned a lesson with my plants – pretty and healthy is good, prettier and healthier is better. A source of information is highly recommended: African Violet Society of America. The plants that I care for myself and sell will have the bonus of extra knowledge I have learned.

Please be sure to check the Guest Speaker Pages for excellent information on African violets.

African Violet Information Pages

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