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African Violets
African violets are almost perfect indoor plants. For a start, they’re quite small so they can fit into the tiniest apartments. They need minimal care and seem happier if they aren’t given too much water – perfect plants for lazy indoor gardeners.
Position
African violets are happy indoors, but they need to be in a well-lit spot that’s away from direct sunlight. They flourish in quite small pots but it’s important to make sure they’re in a suitable potting mix. Yates Thrive African Violet & Cyclamen Mix has been specially formulated to suit these plants. It’s a lightweight mix with plenty of added flower-promoting fertiliser.
Watering
Correct watering is the key to success with African violets. The leaves blotch easily if they’re splashed with water and, although this doesn’t affect the plant’s performance, it can spoil its good looks. Far better to water from the base by sitting the bottom of the pot in a water-filled container and leaving it there until the moisture moves right through to the surface of the mix. Then let the plants dry out thoroughly until the next watering.
Maintenance
Happy African violets can produce copious amounts of flowers, but they need help to continue to do so. Remember, too, that African violets are more likely to bloom during the warmer months. Feed regularly with Thrive Concentrate Houseplant Food or Thrive Flower & Fruit (look on the back of the pack for instructions for feeding African violets). Remove dead flowers regularly and let the plants dry out thoroughly after each spurt of flowering. Placing them inside a closed paper bag can sometimes encourage recalcitrant violets to flower. Leave them covered for three or four days before exposing them to the light again. Hopefully you’ll find that, after this treatment, the plant will be so grateful to be released that it will almost immediately burst into bloom.
Dust violet leaves regularly by wielding a small brush. Dust can clog up the pores of the leaves and make it difficult for the leaves to function.
Pests & diseases
Common African violet pests are mites, mealy bugs and, to a lesser extent, aphids. Most pests can be controlled with a Yates Rose Gun (take the plant to a sheltered spot outdoors before spraying). Confidor will help with stubborn mealy bugs, and Baycor fungicide takes care of fungal leaf spots.
If this all seems too hard, throw the plant into the garbage and use this as a good excuse to buy a new one!
Comments (10)
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This area is for general comments from the Yates Garden Club community. Questions posted here will not receive a reply from Yates. For specific gardening advice visit Ask an Expert
irene
Yates site member
14:21, 22 September 2009
how to look after dendrobian orchids
Jessica
Yates site member
11:25, 03 November 2009
How can you get rid of soil mealy bug
Vivianne
Yates site member
17:19, 09 January 2010
Soil mealy bug is very hard to get rid of - get all the soil off your plant and wash the roots to get rid of the rest - use warm but not hot water so not to shock the plant. Then dip in a solution of lawn grub killer - roots and plant and all. Drip dry on paper towel without rinsing and then repot into a clean pot and fresh soil. You need to check the pot again in a month or so to make sure no SMB are back. Hope this helps Viv (African Violet Society of Qld)
Vivianne
Yates site member
17:26, 09 January 2010
The person writing this article should have contacted an African Violet Society for information - you never put an AV in a dark spot or bag (!) to make it flower when you take it out!!! You move it to a spot that has better light to make it flower - AVs need good strong light to flower as well as a weak fertiliser at every watering, warmth and repotting every six months. Dont let AVs dry out completely after flowering(!) keep them just damp at all times or you will kill the fine roots they have. AVs will flower all year long if in the right spot and treated the right way. Viv (African Violet Society of Qld)
Carol
Yates site member
21:39, 04 February 2010
Vivianne, The centre leaves of our AVs appear to be growing tightly together and curling outwards. Ultimately the centre of the plant yellows and dies. Could this be mites? Could you advise on a treatment for eradicating mites on AV. We have heard of Kelthane but it appears to be no longer available.
maxene
Yates site member
20:46, 30 March 2010
What is the season for flowering of african violets in queensland..thanks.
Rosslyn
Yates site member
07:01, 19 April 2010
My african violets have been fabulous but are suddenly getting bunchy in the middle. I have been spraying with pyrethium as they keep getting white furry spots under and on the leaves, but they are no better. I have had them for over 12 months and this has only happened in the last month. Help please
carol
Yates site member
13:50, 08 April 2011
what do you mean when you say put in a papper bag do you mean the hole plant
aileen
Yates site member
13:07, 12 April 2011
this is how you get rid of soil mealy bug buy confidor and mix to water 8 drops to 1 littre water, let pot sit in mixture for 2 or 3 days ,then water as you do check water well ,you may have to do plant again .confidor will get rid soil mealy bug , i have about 400 plants and it does work . aileen larosa
aileen
Yates site member
13:08, 12 April 2011
this is how you get rid of soil mealy bug buy confidor and mix to water 8 drops to 1 littre water, let pot sit in mixture for 2 or 3 days ,then water as you do check water well ,you may have to do plant again .confidor will get rid soil mealy bug , i have about 400 plants and it does work . aileen larosa
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