African Violet Potting Mix

December 26, 2023 Post a Comment

African violet potting mix

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 do you make African violet potting mix?

African Violet Soil Mix

1 part peat moss, humus, or leaf mold.
1 part garden soil.
1 part perlite, vermiculite, or sand.

What is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?

African Violet Soil PH Conventional potting soil is usually quite close to neutral (7.0) acidity, or pH. African violets prefer slightly acidic conditions, between 5.8 to 6.5 pH. In conventional soil, your plant won't be able to efficiently absorb nutrients.

Can I use orchid potting mix for African violets?

Even though African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) and phalaenopsis orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.) both require well-drained potting mixes, their growing conditions are too dissimilar for them to do well in the same kind of planting medium.

Can you use Miracle Gro All Purpose plant Food on African violets?

Promote more blooms (versus unfed plants) on your houseplants with Miracle-Gro® Blooming Houseplant Food. The formula instantly feeds all blooming houseplants, including African violets.

Do African violets like bigger pots?

African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound, so choose a pot that's on the smaller side. Professional Tip: If you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.

Is it better to root African violets in water or soil?

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.

Do African violets need deep pots?

They like breathable, shallow pots African Violet roots don't go very deep; they like to go sideways, so don't use a deep pot. Your pot must have suitable drainage holes so you can water from underneath.

What is the secret to growing African violets?

African violets do best with 10+ hours of bright, filtered light. Never give them direct sun; they'll scorch. Keep soil moist but well drained. You want moist, not soggy.

How often should you change the soil in African violets?

Do We Need To Re-pot African Violet Plants? Yes, African Violets should be re-potted in fresh soil every 6 months and kept in the same size pot. Do not re-pot to a larger pot. African Violets like to be slightly root bound which promotes flowering.

Can succulent potting mix be used for African violets?

Basic Succulent Soil If you can't find soil prepared just for cactus, a potting soil recommended for African violets is a good substitute. Many experts recommend adding to this mixture one of the following to ensure good drainage: Pumice. Perlite.

Can I reuse African violet soil?

Repot the African violet in new soil every 6 months to keep it healthy. The old soil runs out of nutrients over time, so mix a fresh batch.

Should I water my African violet after repotting?

Adding water after repotting will compact the soil to some degree, but this is unavoidable. As needed, you may add a little more potting mix to the top of the pot to stabilize the plant. Tip #4 Keep the pot small and shallow. African violet roots generally do not grow deep or wide.

Do you have to use special soil for African violets?

You want a potting mix that approximates these conditions: evenly moist but well-draining, slightly acidic, and with a loose crumbly texture. Potting mixes suitable for African violets contain no actual soil' that is why they are called soilless mixes.

What does Epsom salt do for African violets?

Epsom salts provide plants with essential magnesium and sulfur – two minerals needed to produce beautiful blooms and healthy foliage. What is this? Mix one and a half teaspoons of Epsom salts in a quart of tepid water and swirl to dissolve. Water your African violets (below the leaves) with this solution once a month.

How often should African violets be fed?

Your African Violet needs fertilizer to stay healthy throughout the year. During the spring and summer, you should fertilize your African Violets once every 14 days. In the fall and winter, you shouldn't fertilize the plant at all to prevent over-fertilizing.

How often should you water African violets?

Only water once a week and allow the plant to completely dry between waterings. One ingenious way of making sure your African violets are never over watered is by setting up a wicking system.

Should African violets dry out between watering?

The best guide is to feel the top of the soil: if it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant. The fine roots of an African violet need air, which cannot penetrate a soggy wet soil mass.

Do African violets like being root bound?

It's important to know that African violets prefer to be root bound and usually won't flower until they are, so don't just do the typical move into a larger pot. If your plant is starting to look like a fuzzy version of a palm tree with a bare stem and all the leaves at the top, it's time to do some surgery.

What is the lifespan of African violet?

Repotting these blooms is so important due to their long lifespan. "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.