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can you start african violets in water

by Miss Bernice Anderson V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The good news is that it's easy to root these flowering beauties. The quickest and easiest way I've found to root African violets is in water using a leaf. You can take the leaf from your existing African violets, or even from a friend's plant.Mar 1, 2019

Full Answer

How long does it take for African violets to root in water?

about 14-18 daysRooting Process Duration Rooting an African violet takes about 14-18 days depending on the time of year.

Can you grow African violets in just water?

Never let growing African violets stand in water or completely dry out. Wick watering, from the bottom, is sometimes appropriate but may not be the best practice for those new to growing African violet plants.

How do you propagate violets in water?

The traditional way of propagating violet leaves is to place the stem into water until roots begin to grow. Using this method, select a healthy leaf and remove it from the plant by toggling it from side to side until is pulls free.

How do you start a new African violet?

African Violets: Propagation by LeafStep 1: Remove and trim leaf. ... Step 2: Cut leaf petiole. ... Step 3: Root the leaf cutting. ... Step 4: Plantlets at 12 weeks. ... Step 5: Separate plantlets from leaf cutting. ... Step 6: Prepare pot for plantlet. ... Step 7: Pot plantlet. ... Step 8: You're done!

Can you start a new African violet from a leaf?

African violets are easily propagated by leaf cuttings. Select a firm, healthy leaf and cut it off with a sharp knife. Leave 1 to 1½ inches of the leaf stem (petiole) attached to the leaf blade. Fill a pot with a moistened 50:50 mix of vermiculite and coarse sand.

Should you mist African violets?

African violets tolerate average indoor HUMIDITY; 40-60% is best. If your house is very dry, mist your violets lightly with room temperature water on a daily basis, but never late in the day or at night.

How long does it take to root an African violet leaf?

about 3-4 weeksAt about 3-4 weeks, roots should begin forming on the petiole. In another 3-4 weeks, your new leaves will start to sprout. When the sprouts get 2-3 leaves on them, which is around the 2-6 month mark, you will need to repot.

How fast do African violets grow?

Young violet plants will appear in 8 to 10 weeks and be ready for transplanting in three months. When potting newly rooted cuttings, it is wise not to add fertilizer.

Do African violets grow pups?

African Violet Sucker Propagation Exactly what are African violet pups? Pups, also known as suckers, are miniature plants that grow from the base of the mother plant. A pup grows from the plant's main stem– not from a leaf or the crown. A mature African violet might have one pup or it may have several.

How long do African violets live?

50 years"Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years," says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.

What kind of soil do African violets like?

African violets grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment.

How often do African violets bloom?

With the right growing conditions, a healthy African violet produces flowers—usually several at one—that last several weeks. If you disbud your old flowers (see above), new flowers should bloom within 6 to 8 weeks. Some growers say their plants are in bloom up to 10 months a year, blooming nearly “continuously”.

Can violets grow in water?

The good news is that it's easy to root these flowering beauties. The quickest and easiest way I've found to root African violets is in water using a leaf.

How do you take care of an African violet indoors?

African violets prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight and keep them at least a few feet away from bright south- or west-facing windows. An east- or north-facing window gives them the best lighting without the risk of burning their sensitive foliage. Artificial lighting works well, too.

Can you water African violets with ice cubes?

Can I use ice cubes to water African violets? No, only use room temperature water to avoid damaging your plants. While ice cubes slowly melt and add moisture to the soil, the cold water makes your violets more susceptible to discoloration.

How long do African violets live?

50 years"Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years," says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.

What is the best water for African violets?

Distilled Water – Baby plants prefer the Ph neutrality and it makes a big difference when propagating African violets from leaf cuttings

How to propagate African violets?

Methods of Propagating African Violets 1 Seeds – This is most commonly used by hybridizers where a plant is polinated with pollen from another plant. 2 Crown Propagation – This is done by chopping off the main stem of the plant with a sharp knife to start a new chimera plant or to restart a plant suffering from root rot. 3 Suckers – A sucker is a side-shoot taken from an adult plant. 4 Bloom stalks – Bloom stalk propagation is done by rooting the flower stalks in water or soil to reproduce genetically identical plants like chimeras 5 Leaf Propagation – The easiest and most common method of propagating African violets!

Why root African violets in water?

One of the major advantages to rooting African violets in water is that this method keeps the stems from rotting. I realize that it seems like they would be much more likely to rot but I’ve seen this method work time and time again!

Why do African violets grow better from cuttings?

When you buy a mature plant from a seller or home improvement store, that plant was grown with different soil, humidity, ph, and lighting than your own surroundings. That’s stressful on a plant. That’s why plants started from a leaf grow better because they are grown in a consistent culture.

How to make a spray bottle of bleach?

Spray Bottle of Water and Bleach – Mix the water and bleach at a 10:1 ratio.

Where do African violet leaves start?

You’ll have the best chance of getting lots of tiny plants if the mother plant has healthy leaves. African violet leaves start from the center of the plant and keep moving outward as the plant grows. The newest leaves are in the center and the old ones are on the outside. Eventually, the last row of old leaves will shrivel up as it’s just a natural part of how the plant grows.

Do African violets die after sprouting?

If you have tried your hand at African violet propagation, you know the results can be more than a little disapointing – leaves that rot soon after you put them in soil, babies that die not long after sprouting or separating baby plants too soon from the mother leaf.

How to propagate African violets?

Propagation of African violets by a leaf is the simplest and therefore very common method of rooting African violet leaves in water . In addition, later on, a violet grown from a leaf will certainly be able to give children.

What do you need to put a leaf in water?

Before placing the leaf in water, you need to pick up a container – it should be small and clean, best of all, sterilized in advance. Water must be taken clean, filtered, or settled, with a temperature slightly cooler than room temperature.

What is the best way to prevent spots of rot on a leaf?

To avoid this, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the water and use an activated carbon tablet to disinfect it;

Can you use stimulants on violets?

Violets are very sensitive to chemicals, so be careful with concentration. But in general, it is best to limit yourself to harmless but effective activated carbon.

How to fix a violet plant that won't soak up water?

The plant may not soak up the water. To resolve, pour water through the top of the pot to try to get the capillary action going. If the pot is broad and shallow (such as for trailing violets,) two or three wicks may be needed. The plant may become too wet.

How to repot violets?

Insert a wet wick when repotting by stringing it through the drainage hole in the pot and up to the top rim, then adding potting mix and the violet. Alternatively, you may put the wick in after potting by using a hook such as stiff wire, a crochet hook or a long darning needle. Push the straight end of the tool into a hole on the bottom of the pot, catch the wicking material in the hook, and pull on the tool at the top of the pot to bring it on through. Be careful not to puncture any leaves.

How to water a plant from the bottom?

To water from the top, pour the water through the soil, taking care to keep water off the leaves. To water from the bottom, add the water directly to the saucer. When watering from the bottom, it may take a couple hours for the plant to absorb the water up to the top of the pot.

Can African violets be overwatered?

Seasoned growers will tell you that proper watering is one of the most important skills you will learn in growing African violets. In fact, overwatering may be the number one cause of violet demise. The good news is there are many good ways to water African violets, and this is an easy skill to learn.

Is rain water good for growers?

Many growers use rainwater, with good results. While rainwater is generally free from some of the common contaminants in tap water, like chlorine and chloramines, it can acquire contaminants during collection. For example, roof runoff may contain pollen, roofing chemicals and bird droppings. Be sure the water you collect is clean and free from particulates and other contaminants.

Can African violets drink tap water?

In some areas, tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All these things may adversely affect your African violets. Your water supply company can give you information on water quality, or you may have your water independently tested. In general, it is a good idea to fill a jug with water and let it sit overnight to let any chlorine dissipate. You may also use bottled water, filtered water, or reverse osmosis water. Water from a water softener may contain dissolved salts, and this will be a problem for your African violets.

Can you use bottled water for African violets?

In general, it is a good idea to fill a jug with water and let it sit overnight to let any chlorine dissipate. You may also use bottled water, filtered water, or reverse osmosis water. Water from a water softener may contain dissolved salts, and this will be a problem for your African violets.

When to Water African Violets

There are obvious signs your African violets need watering. They will tell you when they need water or feeding. Avoid overwatering them as this could cause rotting to the roots or crown.

Water African Violets From the Top

Contrary to popular belief, African violets can be watered from the top. Here are a few helpful leads for you to consider when watering your African violets from the top.

Water African Violets From the Bottom

African violets have a robust root system that allows the plant to soak up water from the bottom to the top. There are two ways to water African violets from the bottom, adding water into the base saucer and adding water to a gravel tray. These are further discussed below.

Types of Water for African Violets

African violets are picky about the type of water given to them. Here are a few guidelines regarding the type of water good for your African violet.

Soil Type Best Suited for Watering African Violets

Specific soil mixes such as the rePotme African Violet Imperial Potting Soil Mix (available on Amazon.com) are best suited to maximize the watering of the African violet. Listed below are three soil mix types that are ideal for African violets.

Overwatered African Violets: Recovery Plan

When your plant is overwatered, you can identify a few visible signs. You will immediately notice the leaves will start to droop. They will also fall away very quickly from the plant when touched. You may notice the stems start to blacken at the base of the plant.

Conclusion

Watering your African violets is arguably the most essential task to take on when caring for your plants. Follow a regular watering pattern, don’t overwater, and water from the bottom. Shower with your tender African violet with care and attention; in turn, you will be blessed with a healthy, flourishing plant year-round.

How to get rid of white spots on African violets?

African violets tend to be sensitive to cold water, which may create white rings (ring spot) on the leaves. To get around this, let tap water sit overnight before watering. This will also allow chlorine to evaporate. A light, porous potting mix is best for African violets.

What is the best potting mix for African violets?

A light, porous potting mix is best for African violets. A commercial mix for African violets works well, but it will be even better if you add a handful of perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. You can also use a regular commercial potting mix mixed with half perlite or vermiculite.

Can you water a potted plant in water?

Never let the pot stand in water, which is a surefire way to invite rot. You can also water at the top of the plant, but be careful not to wet the leaves. Actually, it’s a good thing to water thoroughly from the top once in a while to leach out salts that can build up in potting soil. Water well and let the pot drain.

Can you water African violets?

Watering African violets ( Saintpaulia) isn’t as complicated as you may think. Actually, these charming, old-fashioned plants are surprisingly adaptable and easy to get along with. Wondering how to water an African violet? Read on to learn more about African violet water needs.

How to propagate violet leaves?

The traditional way of propagating violet leaves is to place the stem into water until roots begin to grow. Using this method , select a healthy leaf and remove it from the plant by toggling it from side to side until is pulls free. Avoid pinching or bruising the leaf as this may lead to rotting.

What temperature does a violet plant reproduce?

Leaves root and reproduce fastest at 72° to 80° F. Finally, diligently keep the name of the parent plant with the leaf. Violet hobbyists value the name of their plants and will always pay more for a variety which is correctly named.

What is the mistake of pulling a plantlet apart?

This is a fatal error. The other mistake is to fail to separate the plantlets adequately, allowing two or more to be potted together as a single plant. This mistake can be corrected later, when it becomes apparent that there are two crowns competing for space.

Why do violets need to be propagated?

Once you master propagation, you will find that you are no longer just enjoying the pretty flowers but becoming a capable grower who understands violets better. Some even believe that the plants they get from propagation are stronger than plants they buy – and more adapted to their own growing conditions. Leaf propagation also allows growers to produce one or more “insurance” plants to have if something should happen to the original.

How do plants grow?

Usually, only one plant will grow from a cell when traditional methods of propagating are used. The injury to the cell triggers nature’s “survival of the species” reaction. When plant tissue is threatened, the plant uses any method available to guarantee that it does not die. This effort to survive is evident during many phases of the plant’s growth, but is especially evident when a leaf is cut away from the parent plant for propagation. Violet babies can occur naturally in some less predictable places. Occasionally, growers will find a tiny plant forming on a crack in a leaf, or at the very edge of a leaf which had a slight injury.

When were violets first discovered?

African violets have gained tremendous popularity since they were first discovered in 1892. Much of that acceptance is due to the ease of propagation. Starting a violet leaf is easy, fast, and inexpensive. Exchanging leaves with friends is a great way to build a collection.

Is a violet hybrid copyrighted?

It is important to bloom-test (see these clones in bloom) before sharing them with others using the hybrid name. Some violet hybrids are legally protected by copyright laws. These violets will usually be sold with a plastic stake which identifies the copyright restrictions on that hybrid.

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