Fifth Season Gardening

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  1. Hi,

    I have a beautiful AV but I am beginning to notice a problem. While most of the blooms open up fully, there are a few there don’t open up all the way. What would cause this? It is growing under artificial light and looks very healthy. Thanks

    Aleta

  2. Great question! Sometimes a low humidity environment can result in blooms not opening fully. Heat from the plant’s artificial light and/or HVAC can impact humidity. You can think of your AV’s area as a micro-climate in itself. Assuming that you are watering properly, and you must be because of the plant’s overall health, you can try to add a passive humidity source (bowl of water, wet towel) to the area. Be sure to keep the plant itself dry as usually AV don’t tolerate misting or other moisture on the leaves. Best of luck!

  3. I’ve been growing African Violets for many years. Some of my plants were 40 years old but alas, a neglectful house sitter killed them all! Three years ago I bought a beautiful double pink violet from a botanical garden in Florida. It was small, healthy looking and just getting started.

    With time the plant grew but in a most unusual way. Instead of the new growth layering leaf on leaf, the growth is disorganized, coming straight out of the base in different directions. It hasn’t bloomed, not once. I have taken healthy leaves and started new plants with the same results. I’ve tried everything, changing the light, reducing/increasing fertilization, more water, less water!

    Have you ever seen this and is there anything I can do. The original blossoms were the prettiest I’ve ever seen but nothing in the mature plants. I have pictures but I can’t send them in this format.

    Many thanks.

  4. That’s an unusual one for sure. I have had this same issue on occasion with some spectacular hybrids. I think it may be a result of the way it was propagated, they may be reverting back to their original parent plants. I suggest calling the gardens where it came and ask them if it is something you can do anything about. Best of Luck – Pam

  5. Hello, I have grown AV for decades and sometimes use violet pots. When transplanting a violet that had a long neck that I cut off back into its violet pot, should the plant be covered with the plastic bag? I tried that and the bottom leaves were dying so cut those off. The crown is still doing ok, but as there is not much root base left what do you recommend to keep this AV alive now. Thank you

  6. If it is being rerooted in a violet pot there may be too much moisture to grow it with a bag covering. What I would do is reroot it into a pot that holds less moisture and cover it with a bag or dome, when it looks like it is growing and healthy then transplant it into a violet pot. Good luck! – Pam

  7. If a self watering pot is used for the AV how should it be fertilized? Thank you.

  8. Great question! For self-watering pot, a dry fertilizer could be used as normal. That will slowly release into your potting medium. However, most people use liquid fertilizers for AV. In that case, just dilute the liquid fertilizer to 1/2 or 1/3 recommended strength. As the pot is self-watering, your plant will receive nutrients over a longer period of time. So dilution makes sure that they aren’t over fertilized. Best of luck!

  9. Hello! I have heard conflicting instructions on the self-watering pots. How long do you leave the water in there? Or do you always leave the water and change it every so often?

  10. Great question. We’d recommend changing the water out at least monthly to help keep things fresh. Best of luck!

  11. Can you recommend a specific self-watering pot for African Violets? There are so many and I am looking for one that works well. Also, I will be using these to transplant my baby plants now 3 moths old, so a smaller size.
    Thank you for your help.
    Suzana Williams

  12. Thanks for your question. While there isn’t a specific brand we recommend, your instincts are right to keep a smaller plant in a smaller pot. You can move up in size as the plant grows. Best of luck!

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