The African violet (Saintpaulia Hybrids)

African violet has a great range of colors and forms. It is very easy to grow and they will flower continuously over a long period and new plants can be grown from leaves. African violet is known botanically as saintpaulia was first discovered in the hills of Tanzania in East Africa. The leaves are hairy and fleshy, with long, brittle stalks. They grow to form a rosette-like mound. The flowers grow in loose clusters from the rosette.

Size and Growth of African violet

The African violet can be 10 to 15 cm high and up to 38 cm or more across. Miniature varieties are about 15 cm in diameter. Although it can bloom at any time of the year, there are generally fewer flowers between November and March.

Color and Varieties

These days there are many African violet hybrids. The flower color ranges from white to all pink, red, blue, mauve, and purple shades. The flowers may be single five petals semi-double or fully double.

Much in demand are plants with two colored petals. Frilly-edged flowers and plants with strongly variegated or crinkle-edged foliage are also very popular. Also, it is available are miniature, semi-miniature and trailing stemmed forms.

Is African violet Toxic to Cats?

Many pet lovers have questions in their minds, “is African violet Safe for Cats?” The good news is that African violet is not toxic. Normally cats like to chew the plant leaves. Maybe a cat’s stomach is not good for digesting plant material for nutritional cravings. So, African violet is not poisonous to cats and dogs.

Display ideas

The African violet enjoys the company of other plants so it is an ideal subject for setting in containers with other house plants.

Making New Plants

The easiest way to start a new plant is to take leaf cutting.

Leaf-cutting: Well, you need to propagate African violets by taking leaf cuttings. This way you know the kind of plant and the flower color that you will have in the end and it will be identical to the parent plant. It will take about 8 to 10 months from taking cutting to a fully blooming adult plant.

• Take the leaf from the parent plant together with its stalk.

• Plant it so that half the stem is covered with a rooting mixture. Keeping the cutting at a temperature of 18 °C to 21°C. For about one month and roots will form.

• Moreover, after 8 to 14 days at this temperature new plantlets will appear. Once they have reached a diameter of about 5 cm then they can be split up and transferred to small pots of their own.

• Also, water with a liquid plant food every fortnight once the plants are well-established. Maintain high humidity by growing plants on pebbles trays.

Plant Doctor

1. Brown spots on scorched leaves can appear if the strong sun has been shining directly on the leaves, or if cold water has been spilled on them. Make sure not to expose the plant to strong sunlight between March and October. Hence you need to give water carefully.

2. Crown rot fungus is a major problem with African violets. Discard the plant and clean the area where it was growing thoroughly.

3. Mildew can appear particularly in winter if the surrounding air is too moist and stagnant. Also, allow humidity trays to dry out

4. Sunken brown spots on the undersides of leaves. This is due to thrips or cyclamen mites. Also, discard plants under severe attack.

Secrets of Success to Grow African violet

General Care: African violets are not demanding plants but will respond to regular and thoughtful attention, rewarding you with flowers all year round. Pick off faded flowers and leaves right to the base to maintain only 3 to 4 layers of leaves on plants.

Potting: This plant grows well in open but rich potting compost. Commercial peat-based potting mixtures are best. Also, re-pot every spring or summer when the roots have filled the pot. Split the plant with multiple crowns when re-potting

Watering: The African violet cannot tolerate cold water on its leaves or crown. It should be watered with tepid water from the bin saucer. Any water that remains in the saucer after half an hour after watering should be poured off. Keep humidity high by placing it on a tray of damp pebbles.

Feeding: Then you need to give it a liquid fertilizer feed every fortnight during the growth period.

Light: Although they love the light, African violets cannot take very hot sunlight, especially from March to October. The brightest possible light without hot direct sun is ideal. During winter you cannot give them too much light.

Temperature: You will get the best growth and the best flowers if you plant have a summer temperature of (15°C to 22 °C). The minimum winter temperature should be 13°C

Lifespan: With the right care of African violet the plant will grow for many years, offering flowering most of the time around the year. Note the yellow pollen sacs in this variety.

Buying Tips

Well, if you don’t want to invest too much time in the above process. Then these African violets are available any time of the year in the nearest nurseries. But make sure that the leaves are healthy and plump. That there are plenty of flower buds showing.How to Care and Grow Perennial Iris Flower / Golden Chains of Laburnum / The Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina)

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