gesneriad

Light . African Violets need a bright, well-lit position, but not direct sunlight. They will grow towards the light and need to be turned regularly to keep a good shape. They are also grown under fluorescent lights. Lack of flowers and long leaves are signs of insufficient light. Pale foliage and tight growth indicates light is too strong.

Watering use room temperature water to water:

From the bottom, by standing the pot in water about half an hour then allowing to drain.
From the top, try not to water the central leaves.
Wick watering is the most popular with club members. A wick of artificial fibre leads from the pot to a reservoir filled with water this allows the plant to take up the water, as it requires. An advantage of wick watering is fertiliser can be added to the reservoir and the plant is constantly fed.

Too much water can lead to wilt and rot and too little also causes the plant to wilt. If your plant has wilted pick it up and use its weight to judge if it is too wet or too dry.

Fertiliser use gives a much healthier plant with more flowers. There are several fertilisers specially formulated for African Violets. Kenrose and wick watering are popular in our club.

Pots African Violets flower best when pot bound, a pot 1/3 the span of the plant is ideal.

Potting Mix should be a light soil-less mix. Kenrose has suitable potting mix for wick watering and an ideal mix is available at HVAVS meetings. Other commercial mixes are too heavy for wick watering and hold too much water.

Temperature African Violets like the same conditions as people.

Humidity 50% humidity is ideal and wick watering helps provide this.

Pests

Powdery Mildew if caught early can be washed off with warm water or use Baycor.
Cyclamen mite is the most damaging pest and causes distorted brittle growth and greying in the centre of the plant. Control with Kelthane.
Insects can be controlled with Confidor, Folimat or Malathion.

Spray propelled from an aerosol can is very cold. To avoid burning the foliage hold the can at least 50cm from the plant. Use sprays and personal protection according to the manufacturers instructions.

Grooming Dust can be brushed off using a natural fibre brush eg pastry brush. Plants are healthier and more vigorous if repotted in fresh potting mix every 12 months. Side shoots distort the symmetry of the plant and should be removed.

See links for web sites on care and propagation.

African Violet - Basic Care