African Violets

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

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. .

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.

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.

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.

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

Not heard of that either Delonix.

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

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.

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

Good point Paul, never thought about that.

Bathgate:

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

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

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

Have a terrific Christmas! :>)