African violets, also commonly referred to as Saintpaulia, are beautiful, low-maintenance houseplants. To ensure your African violet stays healthy and blooms, it needs water on a regular basis. Knowing when your African violet needs water is important for keeping it alive and thriving.
One of the easiest ways to tell when your African violet needs water is to examine the soil. If the soil feels dry several inches down, then it’s time to water your African violet. If the top of the soil is dry to the touch, but the soil underneath still feels damp, then you don’t need to water.
Another way to tell if your African violet needs water is to look at its leaves. If the leaves are starting to look wilted, yellow, or drooping, then you know it’s time to water your African violet.
Finally, African violets like to live in humid environments (50-70% humidity). If your indoor humidity levels are low, you may need to increase the frequency with which you water your African Violets.
If the leaves start to look dry or crunchy, this is a sign that your air is too dry and you may need to water your African violet more often.
Should I water African violet from bottom?
It is recommended to water African violets from the bottom. To do this, prepare a container of a few of inches of lukewarm water and place the pot on the container so the water may be absorbed by the roots.
Leave the plant sitting in water for 15 minutes, then carefully remove it from the water and let any excess water drain off before returning the plant to its saucer. Watering African violets from the bottom prevents leaves from remaining too wet and minimizes the chance of fungal or bacterial disease.
It also helps the soil remain moist. The upper soil will evaporate moisture before the moisture can penetrate to the roots and by watering from the bottom, moisture is delivered directly to the roots.
Additionally, water splashing on the leaves can cause spots to form and bottom watering helps maintain the beauty of the African violet. With regular, thorough bottom watering, African violets can remain healthy and bloom!.
Should you mist African violets?
Yes, African violets should be misted periodically to help keep the humidity in their immediate environment up. Since African violets naturally grow in high-humidity environments like rain forests, they will thrive in a humid environment.
The best way to help maintain a suitable humidity level for African violets is to mist them frequently with a spray bottle or use a humidity tray with small stones and water. Additionally, many people will also use a pebble tray which can aid in keeping moisture and humidity levels high in the immediate area which is especially helpful when the room temperature is on the low side.
Where is the place to put an African violet?
The best place to put an African violet is near an east- or west-facing window that receives indirect, filtered sunlight. This allows the plant to receive a good amount of light without getting too hot.
The plant should also be kept away from direct drafts from open windows, air conditioning, or heaters. Furthermore, make sure the room has low humidity and average room temperatures—between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is also beneficial to rotate the plant every so often, so it does not grow lopsided. It is important to also keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy) and to fertilize African violets with specific African violet fertilizer.
How do you water an African violet plant?
Watering African violet plants properly is essential to growing healthy, beautiful plants. Here are the steps to follow when watering your African violet:
1. Use tepid, room-temperature water (not cold from the tap).
2. Water from the bottom by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water for about 15 minutes.
3. Remove the pot from the tray when the soil is saturated and allow the excess water to drain off before returning the pot to its saucer.
4. Water as often as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. Water more often during warmer months and less often in cooler months.
5. Feel the soil to see if the plant needs watering instead of relying on a schedule.
6. Reduce watering if the lower leaves begin to yellow or the plant wilts, though both of these could also be caused by insufficient humidity or air circulation.
7. Fertilize every two to three weeks using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Following these steps should help ensure that you have healthy, beautiful African violets for years to come.
How do you water plants from the bottom?
Watering your plants from the bottom is an easy way to provide your plants with the water they need, and it’s also a great way to help prevent root rot. To do this effectively, you first need to select an appropriate container that can hold enough water for your plant.
Make sure that the container you choose is heavy enough to ensure your plants don’t topple over when filled with water. Once you have selected the container, fill it with tepid water and place your plants into the container.
The trick is to ensure the bottom of the pot is completely submerged in water. If the top of the pot is not covered in water, make sure to add more until it is. The plant can then absorb the water it needs through its roots.
After a few hours, remove the pot from the container and empty any remaining water. This process can be repeated on a regular basis, but you should be careful not to overwater your plants.
Can African violet leaves get wet?
Yes, it is safe for African violet leaves to be exposed to some moisture. For example, light misting of the leaves with water may help to increase humidity. Additionally, it may be beneficial to water from the bottom of the pot, allowing the water to move up to the roots rather than directly splashing the leaves.
If using this method, the water should only travel about halfway up the pot. If the leaves do get wet, it is important to dry them off afterward to avoid any potential leaf problems that could arise from extended exposure to moisture.
It is also important to avoid letting the leaves sit in water, as this can cause them to develop rot or fungus.
Why are the leaves on my African violet drooping?
Drooping leaves on African violets can occur for a variety of different reasons. Too much water, too little water, low humidity, and over-fertilizing can all cause leaves to droop and even fall off the plant.
Additionally, if the plant has outgrown its pot, or it is constantly shifting in its pot, the leaves may be drooping due to stress. To determine the cause and best course of action, it’s important to inspect the plant.
Any leaves that are dry and brittle may indicate too little water. Leaves that feel greasy or slimy may be an indication of too much water. Make sure you are also regularly misting your African violet to keep humidity levels adequate.
If the problem seems to persist, it might be best to re-pot the plant and use a fresh, sterile soil mix. If you think you have been over-fertilizing, wait a few weeks and just water your plant for a period before trying to fertilize again.
Are eggshells good for African violets?
Yes, eggshells are good for African violets. They provide a great source of calcium and other important minerals to help the plants thrive. However, they should be used in moderation and crushed into small pieces before adding them to the soil.
Eggshells can help to reduce the acidity of the soil, and their calcium content can provide a beneficial effect on the growth and flowering of African violets. Additionally, their hard texture helps to break up clayey soils and add extra aeration.
The only downside to using eggshells for African violets is that it can be time-consuming to collect and crush the shells. But if you are able to commit the time, it can be a great organic way to nourish your plants.