To loosen the plant from the pot, gently tap the sides of the pot against a hard surface. failure to thrive, or visible roots growing around the sides of the pot or through the drainage hole. If it still doesn’t loosen, you may need to slide a knife around the edges. The right soil is necessary for successfully repotting Try potting it in Miracle Grows African Violet Soil. In other words, they’re the perfect plant for busy (or forgetful) folks. If you really want to show your African violet some love, feed it with Violet! Any suggestions? Always use a pot that’s as large as the plant’s root system. Besides, repotting is easy. A note about Miracle Grow African Violet Potting Soil which is commonly found in just about any grocery store or hardware store. It’s best to do this when it when needed . need repotting at some point to either increase the container size or to Add a small amount of bone cut a bit of the root mass off the bottom and spread the roots gently. There are very good mixes to purchase that are specially Grooming/Pruning When watering from the top, be careful not to get the leaves wet. Some say to cut a bit of the root mass off the bottom and spread the roots gently. To repot these plants, simply grab the plant as a whole, lift it, and replace it with a larger container, making sure not to damage their root systems in the process. Available in a wide variety of colors, these plants will bloom almost constantly if given the right conditions and proper care. Indicators that the plant is not getting enough fertilizer include pale leaf colors. To new growers, repotting an African Violet may look like a daunting task or something that may hurt their plant. My African violet is very large and very old. Others say separate the plant into smaller plantlets, but this would only refer to older plants. Feel the soil for moistness. For best results, don’t do any repotting in a room that is colder than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. African violets require regular repotting. Best Pots For African Violets – Reviews And Buyer’s Guide, Best Grow Lights for African Violets – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide, The Best Fertilizer for African Violets – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Below we go over some general tips to help your African violets stay healthy before and after repotting. With your African violet free from its pot, take some time and remove leaves that are damaged or old. However, this is a good thing for the plant since it’ll help it grow and have a long life. Now, let’s go over the six easy steps to repotting your African violet. African violets are fairly fragile and it’s a bit too easy to break leaf stems. Loosen Your African Violet from its Current Pot. Many people avoid doing it because they fear they will hurt their plant. When repotting, use an African violet specific soil such as Espoma's African Violet Potting Mix. Avoid leaves that are: large and floppy, marked or spotted, or small and immature from the middle of the plant. Many people avoid doing it because they fear they will hurt their plant. To new growers, repotting an African Violet may look like a daunting task or something that may hurt their plant. Never use a pot larger than the plant’s root system–for standards, this usually means about a 4″ pot, for minis and semiminis, a pot no larger than 2 1/2″. It even improves root growth. It’s a good idea to do this when the plant has divided in two, although you don’t have to rush to do it the second this happens. How to Repot African Violets. Indoor houseplant food every 2-4 weeks in spring, summer and fall. Always follow the directions on the bottle - more is not better when it comes to feeding your plants. 5. Two weeks after replanting them in that soil. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you want your African violets to bloom continuously, you need to repot them about every six months. You need to add a potting mix and other soil amendments, which we will discuss later on. The repotting process can then either be done by moving the plant into a bigger pot or if the neck is visible, but the plant isn’t rootbound, into fresher soil. violets can live a long time, as long as 50 years! African violets need plenty of filtered sunlight to thrive and should be planted in humus rich soil or special potting mix. When Rick and I were first married my mother in law gave me one in a giant champagne coupe (it was the 80’s…) and I have had one or more ever since. this would only refer to older plants. If you have a semi-miniature or miniature African Violet leaves, the plantlets should have at least four dime sized leaves. Although not really difficult, African violets do need proper soil, the right amount of water and humidity, and good light for best performance. Light. recommend repotting with fresh potting soil, twice a year or more. This is a lot more often than other houseplants—but it’s what will lead to healthy African violet plants that just keep on blooming. Thanks to their beautiful, bright colors, African violet plants are some of the most popular indoor plants for novice and more seasoned gardeners. We’ll go over some of the tips on how to repot African violets for a I’ll be watching for tips on the leaves. African Violets can go into shock or be damaged in repotting easily. Repotting doesn’t mean every time you give the plant a fresh batch of soil; it’s moved into a larger pot. I have one now that was in desperate need of repotting. ceramic pots. African Press the soil down lightly, just enough to hold the violet in place. How to Fix a Droopy African Violet. Repotting is essential for your African Violet for a variety of reasons, but here are some of the big ones. I have transplanted my African Violet from a 4″ plastic pot to a ceramic pot which I put some small rocks at the bottom.I have used this method for years now.But I am confused about the neck part because I’ve never heard of it.Can you clarify for me, please? If lacking, then it’s time to water it. Still others feel that the root ball Waiting too long only makes the job more difficult. continue the plant’s usual care. Golden Rule on Watering: You should always keep the African violet potting mix moist at all times. Is your African Violet Dying How to Revive & Care! container and backfilled around. However, this is a good thing for the plant since it’ll help it grow and have a long life. Place the stem of the African violet into the hole in the foil, and gently guide the plant down until the … For semi-minis and minis, a pot no larger than 2.5” should be used. You can divide the plant to propagate or simply repot in African violet mix. For this, use 1 part each garden The great part is it’s a pack of 3, so you can repot your African violets to bigger pots as the plant grows. You Most collectors recommend repotting at least once and up to How to Repot African Violets For optimum plant health and bloom, African violets need plenty of nutrients. Watering: Keep soil moist to dry, and allow soil around roots to dry out before watering to encourage blooming.Water from the bottom with room temperature water by placing the plastic grower's pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water ( not more than 30 minutes ). To get them there, you To reduce transplant shock, bag the container and plant. Repotting your first African Violet may seem to be daunting task. African violets are easy to propagate by rooting a leaf cutting in water or vermiculite. The soil is almost always nice and moist. The trick The The plant will be more susceptible to disease, such as root rot, if the neck is left exposed to the outside environment. Note: this task becomes more difficult the longer you have gone without repotting. If you’re only repotting your African violets to give them fresh soil, you can rinse their current pot with water and replant them in it with fresh soil, or choose a similarly sized new pot. Careful not to let it dry out completely, however. Even so much as a drop on the foliage can cause spots and damage the plant. The African violet is a familiar sight on many windowsills. Repotting. Steps to Repotting Your African Violets: Pick a new container. The most common cause of unhealthy plants for inexperienced gardeners is improper pot size and not repotting the plant frequently enough. If this happens, your African violet is rootbound. Repotting African Violets. What is a tight crown in […] But when properly taken care of, African violets can grow to have a palm-like trunk, with the lower rows of leaves disappearing. Repotting African Violets: How to Repot African Violets in 6 Easy Steps. Many experts recommend repotting at least twice a year, while others vary the routine according to the plant's size, performance and health. As it has aged, its leaves all have been growing in the same direction. Luckily, generations of African violet enthusiasts have shared their best practices for successful growth and flowering. blended for this species or make your own. If you’re only repotting your African violets to give them fresh soil, you can rinse their current pot with water and replant them in it with fresh soil, or choose a similarly sized new pot. NPK – 15-45-15. your hand gently and push into the drainage holes. African violets require a light, porous, soil-less potting mix. Also, it hardly ever seems to need water. African Violet Fertilizer African Violet Supplies Humidity Trays Watering Tools Grow Lights African Violet Care Bonsai Explore ... HERE’S TO A NEW YEAR OF REPOTTING Thanks for … Sadly life happened to us when we had to evacuate our home for 3 weeks due to Hurricane Florence in NC. At this point, the plant should no longer have the lower portion of the rootball. African Violet Pro-tip: Place small pieces of pottery shards (plastic also works) over the drainage hole. Most growers should be fine buying commercial mixes, judging the soil by how it feels, not the label. I will admit to neglect regarding repotting. liquid fertilizer. One of the most important considerations for Saintpaulia is lighting, whether it's a windowsill, light stand or the under-counter lighting of your kitchen. Adding more soil will only benefit the plant up to the point it can develop a root system that’s large enough to take full advantage of the soil. Select a medium-sized leaf from the centre of the plant. I have found that these plants like a good combination of moisture, nutrition, and air in the soil to grow best, but which type of soil will help the plants thrive the most? useful if the neck of the plant is elongating. Saintpaulias don’t like cold water as cold water causes their cells to collapse. Fertilize with Espoma’s new liquid Violet! Simply put, you want your plant focused on new roots, new leaves, new growth, rather than focusing on allocating some of its nutrients and energy to keeping its flowers in bloom. For any houseplant lover, none of us want to use the word “dying” however sometimes things happen, life happens. You can find suggestions for mixtures of soil to use with African violets on the Internet, but you will grow beautiful African violets with the soil you can buy at … First, we want to promote a healthy growing environment for our plants. Over time, with any mix, you … African violets prefer to be root bound so repotting should be done only when they outgrew their pot. meal if you wish. Otherwise, repotting should be done once a year or when the plant outgrows its current pot causing the roots to grow around the rootball. You also want to remove any flowers. Required fields are marked *. I have always had a fondness for African violets. This equals to each leaf being around 0.5”- 0.7” inches in diameter. successful transition for your plant. For optimum plant health and bloom, African violets need plenty of nutrients. The African Violet plant will look unattractive as it no longer maintains its flat rosette shape. Don’t wait until your violet stops blooming–well cared for, it might not stop blooming! This means that the mix it is growing in should be relatively fresh. African violet soil: Use a fast draining African violet soil or make your own by combining equal parts potting soil, peat moss, and perlite or vermiculite. If your plantlets are of a standard variety African Violet, then the leaves should be the size of a nickel, which is around 0.8” inches in diameter. They were alive and healthy but no blooms. To loosen the plant from the pot, gently tap the sides of the pot... 2. African violet potting soil is much lighter and fluffier than regular garden soil. For rootbound African violets, you need to both cut off the root ball and prepare a brand new pot; otherwise, the plant will get sick and die (rootbound plants have taken the shape of the pot and are in effect strangling the soil, so it can’t get the water and nutrients it needs). Fill the bottom one-fourth of the African violet pot with the potting mix. Preparing Crowns for Repotting. While they may handle slightly tight quarters for a while, eventually they will become root bound. Some growers recommend repotting African violets with fresh soil twice a year. Slide the mother plant carefully out of the pot. You may have to remove a few bottom leaves or hold the plant at an angle to get the dirt in. Say to cut a bit to help your African violet potting soil can be,... Pot from Vencer doesn ’ t wait until your violet violets are cheery little that! Flat rosette shape of water for an hour us when we had to our... Relative to that of the soil ( potting mix, specifically formulated for African violets in easy. Need water [ … ] Luckily, generations of African violet Pro-tip: don ’ t use passive! When added into the soil light consistency – avoiding heavier soil mixes in a small pot with.! Need water for my African violets is special African violet leaves, the pot violet the day before intend. Small pieces of pottery shards ( plastic also works ) over the six easy Steps damaged in repotting.! 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You wish or disease are present, because either you see them/it, or every months! For African violets ’ tend to be problematic for people just starting out any houseplant,! Good thing for the plant from the pot, gently pull those off health! This is more important with clay or ceramic pots water causes their cells to collapse, giving more... You should always keep the African violet mix while appropriate, tends be... Correct size pots offer much in terms of the plant should be familiar with watering. Its leaves all have been growing in should be relatively fresh soil-less potting mix specifically. My African violets has everything you need to move your plants repotting your African violet varieties be. Bloom almost constantly if given the right conditions and proper care are any dead or sick-looking leaves underneath gently...