Asked by: Judson Fitten
home and garden landscaping

How do you make potting mix for African violets?

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Below are three common African Violet Potting Mix recipes:
  1. Two cups Peat Moss +one cup Vermiculite + one cup Perlite (50:25:25 ratio)
  2. One cup Peat moss + one cup Vermiculite or Perlite (50: 50 ratio)
  3. One cup AV potting mix + one cup peat moss + one cup vermiculite /perlite.


Correspondingly, can I use regular potting soil for African violets?

A good potting soil for African Violets actually contains no soil (or dirt) at all. A good potting soil will be very light and porous, a quality which enhances aeration, while keeping the soil moist, but not soggy. For African Violets, the pH should be between 5.8 and 6.2.

Beside above, how do you repot an African violet? Repotting is necessary to eliminate this.
  1. Step 1: African violet with a “neck”. A “neck” is the palm-tree like trunk that appears over time as the lower rows of leaves are removed.
  2. Step 2: Cut-away bottom of root ball.
  3. Step 3: Push plant back into same size pot.
  4. Step 4: Add fresh soil.
  5. Step 5: The repotted violet.

Furthermore, what is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?

Commercial African violet mixes are generally more porous and have better drainage than house-plant potting mixes. African violet mixes also are slightly more acid than regular house-plant potting soil. Many growers use soilless mixes. They do not contain natural soil from outdoors.

Can I use succulent soil for African violets?

For the best potting soil for succulents, start with a basic cactus and succulent soil mix, or even an African violet mix, available at most garden centers. Peat moss, the main ingredient in most potting soils, is hard to wet and then dries out quickly.

Related Question Answers

Madge Hansmann

Professional

Can I use Miracle Grow on African violets?

Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment. For best results, plant African violets in African violet pots, which are small (4- to 5-inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers.

Maricarmen Chahbi

Professional

Is Epsom salt good for African violets?

Applied once per month epsom salts will help trigger bloom in your violets and be a good companion to your African violet specialty fertilizer. Dissolve two tablespoons of epsom salts in one gallon of tepid water in a watering can or pitcher. Swish or swirl the salts in the water to dissolve them and combine the two.

Grygoriy Deodato

Professional

How often do African violets need to be watered?

Examine the soil with your fingertip, if it feels dry, be ready to water the plant. They require more or less water depending on what type of potting soil you use. However, flush the soil thoroughly with water every month or 6 weeks.

Eladio Scharffenberg

Explainer

How long do African violets live?

50 years

Chau Katzenellenbogen

Explainer

Can I use orchid potting mix for African violets?

Potting Requirements
The potting “soil” specifically for African violets is not actually soil, but usually a mixture of sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite which makes for a light, porous mix that also has good water retaining capabilities.

Ilhame Badaoui

Explainer

Can you split an African violet?

African violets often develop multiple crowns, which can be split apart and used to propagate new plants through a process called division. Division propagation creates mature African violet plants faster than other methods. However, they are susceptible to damage and must be handled with care to ensure success.

Gevorg Fermosell

Pundit

Where do you put African violets?

While African Violets will tolerate direct sunlight very early or very late in the day, they should, in all other cases, be shielded from direct sunlight. For best results, place your Violets in a window where they will receive light most of the day, i.e., a window with western or southern exposure.

Fiaz Juanhuix

Pundit

What is the best fertilizer for African violets?

African violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus trace minerals. The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source.

Gumercindo Buetas

Pundit

How big do African violets get?

Large African violet plants when fully mature range from 16 inches (40cm) or larger in diameter across a single crown. The flowers on these plants can grow to 3 inches (7.5cm) across the petals and a single leaf blade can grow to 6 inches (15cm) in length.

Francheska Gerdener

Pundit

Is African Violet a succulent?

The same goes for a totally unrelated plant: the African violet. Violets do best with crowded roots and need good drainage, just like succulents. Don't take a violet (or succulent) in a 3-inch pot up to 10 inches in one repotting. I love these shallow clay pots, but many plant roots need more depth.

Huber Idoi

Pundit

Why do African violets get leggy?

Depriving your plant from light will cause longer stems as they reach for light to grow. Leaves of African violets don't like to be wet. If leaves stay wet, they are more susceptible to mold, rot, and fungus growth. The flowers will try to get away from the mold or fungus and become leggy.

Felix Sabarich

Teacher

Why are African violets called?

It received its common name of African violet as a result of the location in which it naturally grows, but also because the flower itself bears a striking resemblance to the true violet.

Layla Herrendorfer

Teacher

Can you root an African violet in water?

One of the easiest method to propagate African Violet and its relatives is using the old water method. Get a few African Violet leaf cuttings and put them into water until they grow roots and the first leaves appear. - Wait for the roots and the tiny leaves to appear then plant it into soil.

Suzann Miragaya

Teacher

How do African violets multiply?

The easiest way to make one old African violet into two or more new ones is merely to divide the stems and roots. Tip a plant out of its pot and slice right through the plant and soil with a sharp knife taking some stem with each part. Now you have two plants. Do it again if the stem has enough branches.

Montesion Schlossman

Teacher

Can I use orchid fertilizer on African violets?

The Better GRO Orchid Plus includes the essential minor elements to help fight plant deficiencies. Easy to use: This fertilizer is perfect for orchids, but you can use it for your African Violets as well. Just mix the fertilizer with water according to how frequent you water your plants.

Daniel Bronikowsk

Reviewer

What window is best for African violets?

African violets need bright, indirect light such as from a south- or east-facing window, although direct sunlight can burn the leaves. They will do best at 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C), and although they can survive temperatures up to about 90°F (32°C), they will die if exposed to below 50°F (10°C).

Italiano Pedrotti

Reviewer

Can I use regular potting soil for succulents?

Fill a bowl of your choice with potting mix. You can use a special soil mix for succulents or create your own by mixing potting soil with sand to make it more porous (remember, succulents don't like wet roots).

Ayesha Kowalewsky

Reviewer

How do you get African violets to bloom?

How to Get African Violets to Flower
  1. Keep your African violet in the four inch pot it came in.
  2. Check the soil.
  3. Water your violet from the bottom.
  4. Add plant food specifically formulated for African violets to the water.
  5. Place the plant where it will get filtered, not direct, sunlight.
  6. Prune suckers as soon as they appear.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

15

20th January, 2020

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