Making fertilizer for African violets is relatively easy. The best fertilizer for African violets is a balanced, liquid fertilizer with a lower nitrogen concentration. Fertilizers specifically meant for African violets are available in most gardening stores.
If you want to make fertilizer at home, try mixing equal parts of npk (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) fertilizer with water. Start by mixing 1 teaspoon of each (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) in one gallon of water.
Then adjust based on the plant’s growth. If your African violet is doing great, then use the 1 teaspoon mix; if it is looking weak, increase the amount of fertilizer. To begin with, use a minimum of 1/4 teaspoon of fertilizer mix in one gallon of water.
Add that mix to your African violets twice a month and discard whatever is left in the water. You can also use a water-soluble fertilizer to make fertilizer at home. Use 1/2 teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon of water and use it twice a week.
Do not use Miracle Grow fertilizer – it contains an unbalanced ration of nutrients and will damage your African violets. If you want to be more exact about fertilizing, use a liquid fertilizer with a 3-1-2, or 4-1-2, ratio of NPK.
What can I feed my African violet?
African violets are beautiful and easy to care for, but they do require particular feeding for optimal health. A good fertilizer specifically for African violets should have balanced levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
It should also have micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and manganese. Research the fertilizer you are using, or look for one with an NPK ratio of 15-30-15, which is a good formula for African violets.
Some general purpose fertilizers contain too many of certain nutrients which may burn the roots.
In addition to a balanced fertilizer, African violets need extra calcium to help them build strong cell walls as they continue to grow and set flowers. You may want to consider something like Superthrive, an additive that is rich in vitamins, mineral, hormones, and enzymes which can help keep your violets healthy and happy.
Finally, when watering African violets, it is important to use lukewarm water since cold or hot water can shock the root system. You should also avoid using plain water because it lacks the nutrients that African violets need to stay healthy.
It is best to use a diluted fertilizer solution, such as one part fertilizer to five parts water.
Can you put coffee grounds on African violets?
Yes, you can put coffee grounds on African violets. Putting coffee grounds around African violets can have several benefits. The grounds can help reduce the alkalinity of the soil, which is beneficial for African violets since they prefer slightly acidic soils.
Coffee grounds are also a great source of nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for healthy plant growth. Additionally, coffee grounds can act as a natural pesticide and help keep away pests, such as fungus gnats, from the plant.
However, you should take care not to overdo it – too much nitrogen can damage the soil, leading to a lack of other essential nutrients. When using coffee grounds, it is recommended to spread no more than a thin layer of grounds around the base of the African violet.
Does Epsom salt help African violets bloom?
Yes, Epsom salt can be used to help African violets bloom. Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfur, both of which are necessary for plants to produce flowers. Applying Epsom salt to the soil of African violets will promote ample flowering.
It’s best to dissolve one tablespoon of this salt in a gallon of water and spray the plant applying the solution once a month. Be careful not to use more than what’s recommended, though – too much of a good thing can be detrimental to a plant’s health.
Also, make sure you stop adding the salt a month or two before you intend to begin transplanting the African violets.
How do I force my African violet to bloom?
In order to force your African violet to bloom, you will need to ensure that it is getting the right combination of light, temperature, and humidity. African violets prefer bright, indirect light, daytime temperatures of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity levels of around 50%.
To maintain high levels of humidity, you can place a tray of water with rocks beneath the pot, mist it regularly, or place it over a humidifier.
In addition to providing the proper environment for your plant, you should also fertilize it regularly with a balanced mix of both nitrogen and phosphorus. During the flowering period, cut back the nitrogen and increase the phosphorus to encourage blooming.
The frequency of fertilization should be reduced during the winter months and when the flowers fade away.
Finally, make sure the soil of your African violet is constantly slightly moist but not soggy. The best way to water is with lukewarm, either distilled or rain water, and let the excess water drain away.
Water your plant from the bottom, without getting the foliage wet. In this way, you can keep the soil moist but prevent mold from growing.
Is Miracle Grow good for African violets?
Yes, Miracle Grow is a suitable fertilizer for African violets. Miracle Grow has all the essential nutrients that African violets need for healthy growth. It contains a balanced combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other trace minerals.
The slow-release nature of Miracle Grow ensures that the African violets get a steady supply of nutrients over time, which helps them stay healthy and compact. Additionally, Miracle Grow is fortified with micronutrients to help replenish the soil and enhance the overall health of African violets with every application.
It is important to note that when using Miracle Grow, you should dilute it to half the recommended strength, as African violets are particularly sensitive to fertilizers.
Which plants like Epsom salts?
Epsom salts, also known as magnesium sulfate, are highly beneficial to many plants as they help replenish essential minerals in the soil. Many of the common plants grown in gardens will benefit from Epsom salts, including roses, tomatoes, peppers, and begonias.
To give plants an extra boost of magnesium, gardeners often mix a tablespoon of the salts in a gallon of water, and then water the plants with the solution at the beginning of the growing season. Vegetables often contain more magnesium than other plants, and may even benefit from higher concentrations of Epsom salts.
Gardeners can simply sprinkle some of the dry salts directly onto the soil around the base of a tomato or pepper plant. Other plants that like Epsom salts include azaleas, marigolds, chrysanthemums, petunias, clematis, rhododendrons, hibiscus, and geraniums.
In some cases, flowers may need additional fertilizer, such as compost or bone meal, in order to reap the full benefit of the salts. When used properly, Epsom salts can help plants grow stronger, healthier, and bigger.
How long should African violets sit in water?
African violets should sit in water for no more than 15 minutes. Any longer than that and the roots start to become waterlogged, which can lead to root rot. Depending on the size and amount of soil the African violet is in, you may need to adjust the length of time you let it sit in water.
If the African violet is in a larger container of soil, the water will take longer to soak through, so the recommended length of time may need to be increased. After 15 minutes, carefully remove the African violet from the water, allowing any excess to drip off before returning it to its pot.
Can I use orchid potting mix for African violets?
Yes, you can use orchid potting mix for African violets. Orchid potting mix is designed to provide adequate drainage and aeration, which is beneficial for African violets since they require soil that is loose and fast draining to encourage their roots to spread.
To ensure optimal growth and flowering, mix your orchid potting mix with a bit of regular potting soil, perlite and sphagnum peat moss. This will create the right consistency for African violets and allow the soil to hold moisture while still providing adequate drainage.
What makes African violet leaves curl under?
African violet leaves can curl under for a few different reasons, such as environmental or disease-related. Environmental causes include temperatures that are too low, soils that are too dry, or too much direct sunlight.
Under the right conditions, African violets thrive best in temperatures between 65°F and 80°F, and they need a soil that’s kept consistently moist but not soggy. To avoid direct sunlight, they should be placed in a room with bright, indirect light.
Another possible cause of leaf curling could be related to African violet diseases, such as viral infections caused by pathogens like aphids, mealybugs, and thrips. Other diseases can cause the leaves to appear stunted, distorted, yellowed, and curled.
The best way to prevent leaf curling is to practice preventative measures, such as keeping plants in an ideal environment with lush and vibrant foliage. If leaf curling is persistent, consider consulting a plant health expert to diagnose and treat the disease before it spreads.
Do you have to use African violet soil?
No, you don’t necessarily have to use African violet soil for your African violet plants. However, using an African violet-specific soil can be beneficial to the health and long-term growth of your African violet.
African violet soil is specially formulated to provide the optimum balance of drainage, air flow and moisture to create the most ideal environment for growing African violets. African violets need acidic soil with a pH that measures between 5.5 and 6.
0, and this type of soil is designed with that pH range in mind. Plus, African violet soil helps to retain the correct amount of moisture throughout the plant’s life cycle and allows for better aeration than standard houseplant soil.
Ultimately, while you don’t have to use African violet soil, it’s certainly recommended to use it in order to ensure that your African violets are getting the care and nutrition they need.
What is different about African violet potting soil?
African Violet potting soil is specifically designed to provide the right combination of moisture, air, and nutrient levels to help African Violets thrive. It typically contains ingredients such as coir, peat, and perlite which together helps to maintain the perfect balance of moisture and air.
African Violets require a more acidic soil than most house plants, so the combination of coir, peat and perlite helps to produce a soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. This acidic soil helps to decrease the risk of root rot, which is especially important for African Violets as overwatering can quickly kill them.
African Violet potting soil also contains nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium which are essential for promoting healthy growth in African Violets. Additionally, African violet potting soil is low in nitrogen, which is important for preventing foliage from becoming overgrown and leggy.
All of these factors combined make African Violet potting soil an ideal environment for these lovely and delicate plants.
Can I use African violet potting soil for other plants?
No, African violet potting soil should not be used for other plants. African violet potting soil is a very light, coarse, and well-draining soil mix that is designed specifically for African violets.
It usually contains organic material, fertilizer, and other components that are tailored to meet the needs of African violets. Other plants have different soil and nutrient requirements, and the African violet potting soil may not meet their needs.
Additionally, if African violet potting soil is used with other plants it can cause nutrient deficiencies, reduce aeration within the soil, and promote root rot. It is best practice to purchase potting soil specifically tailored for the plants in your garden to ensure that it meets their soil and nutrient needs.