The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

African Violets


African Violets

Beginning a new bloom cycle - just in time for holiday festivities!



Comments on this photo

 

Mine are still flowering, thanks to follow your advice :)

8 Dec, 2015

 

Homebired: Sorry about your violets. They prefer to be crammed into pots that are seemingly too small. I hope you give them another try. So many new and interesting cultivars on the market these days.

That's great Julia. They are so rewarding when they bloom. .

8 Dec, 2015

 

Bathgate:

It looks very happy!

I've been waiting to put several in a pot under my shade structure in the front yard. I don't think I could grow this plant indoors without a million bugs attacking it.

16 Dec, 2015

 

Really? wow! I was at the garden center the other day and saw those sticky fly traps. It was a bright yellow cardboard square on a stick. You just stick it into the pot and it catches all the flies. Maybe that will work for you. I love having this plant on my kitchen counter top while preparing food & such.

16 Dec, 2015

 

I used to have several indoors when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. The plants needed to be washed every few weeks. I mean the whole plant. You need to use very warm to almost hot water to do this process or the leaves will turn black. It's amazing how warm to hot water this plant will tolerate without having issues.

16 Dec, 2015

 

hmm? I have never thought of even doing that. I thought they hated water on their leaves. They must act as an air filter.

16 Dec, 2015

 

Not heard of that either Delonix.

17 Dec, 2015

 

I will keep that in mind when it needs a good cleaning. Thanks

17 Dec, 2015

 

Yes, the secret is the water must be very warm to hot. It sounds strange but they love bath-temperature water. Cold water is lethal to them. The leaves will turn black and fall off. Remember: this is a very tropical plant...the rain in the tropics is warm.

I cleaned mine with warm to hot water for many years. They loved it! I actually read this African Violet cleaning technique in a book.

17 Dec, 2015

 

Did you bathe it while in flower? Mine is just beginning a bloom cycle now.

17 Dec, 2015

 

Good point Paul, never thought about that.

18 Dec, 2015

 

Bathgate:

I can't remember. I think I did. It's probably best to wait after it flowers, though.

19 Dec, 2015

 

Thanks for the tip. I just got a 2nd one (same style but cranberry red) They both could use a bath. Merry Christmas all!

19 Dec, 2015

 

If I remember the article correctly the temp of the water must be at least 85ºF.

Have a terrific Christmas! :>)

20 Dec, 2015



Comment on this photo


Pictures by bathgate
3030 of 6467

What else?

Members who like this photo

  • Gardening with friends since
    13 May, 2014

  • Gardening with friends since
    31 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Nov, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 Mar, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Jan, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 Sep, 2008