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African Violets

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Two questions.. I grow african violets; some produce great blooms for me while others refuse to do so.. How can I make them flower? Also, I have one plant where the bottom leaves died off and the stem is now approximatly 5 inches tall with no leaves on the bottom only on top. The stem looks like it has “thorns” where the leaves dropped off from. What could cause this ??
African violet

First, let’s talk about blooming. Hard to say why one blooms and not the other. Violets tend to bloom when slightly pot bound. They need bright indirect light (East window) throughout the year and temperatures ranging from 60-80 degrees. In order to bloom, violets should receive no more than 16 hrs of light/day. Saintpaulias will grow with as little as 3 hrs of light per day. Conversely, they need at least 8 hrs of darkness to trigger blooming. The soiless mix that they are planted in have little nutrients and need to be supplemented, therefore feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer (20-20-20) at 1/4 strength every time you water. Avoid fertilizer with urea which can cause root burn, pale leaves and reduce blooming. Another old suggestion is to sprinkle epson salts (magnesium sulfate) on top of the soil and water it in. Apply it once and it may take a month to see results.

When the lower leaves die back, they produce a “bare neck” look; to remedy this take the dull end of a knife and scape off the dead tissue along the stem, then repot so that the leaves line up with the edge of the pot and fill with soil.

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8 Comments on African Violets»

  1. Hello, I have a question for you. Im currently having a problem with little bug in the soil of my plants. can you tell me how to get rid of them out of the soil ? Also how to make African violets bloom…

    A common bug in household plants is the fungus gnat. It occurs in moist soil and likes to feed on peat moss, leaf mold and small roots which usually doesn’t affect adult plants. Let the soil dry out between waterings to reduce populations. In addition you can use yellow stick cards which trap the adults and/or BT israelensis that goes under several product names Knock-Out Gnats and Gnatrol. Mix according to label directions and use as a soil drench. Water the solution until it drain from the bottom. Lack of flowers on African Violets usually are the result of either not enough fertilizer or light. Feed your plant with a low dose of fertilizer every time you water. Use 1/4 tsp of fertilizer to 1 gal of water, try Peters African Violet (12-36-14) formulated for blooming or a balanced fertilizer (20-20-20). Give it bright filtered light.

    Comment by BethAnn Smith — 8/11/2006 @ 9:28 pm

  2. Hello, now I would like to know if it is time to cut back my mandevilla plant. it already has some vines with leaves on it.. what should I do to start it to grow for the season ?? also, i have african violets the when the bottom leaves die and I trim them leaves a long ugly stem then the leafs are green on top ? should I transplant, cut the stem up to the leaves or what.. please help thanks again

    You can cut it back up to 1/2 . It blooms on old wood and should bloom this summer. Even when cut almost to the ground, it will bloom the same year from the new shoots. It responds to warm temperatures above 65 degrees. Once you see a new flush of growth feed with a 10-20-10 fertilizer to encourage blooming. The bare neck syndrome says its time to replant your violet. Do not cut the stem. Scrape off the dried tissue on the bare stalk and replant so the lower leaves rest at the top of the pot and fill in with soil.

    Comment by Nancy Newell — 8/11/2006 @ 9:34 pm

  3. I never can keep my violets flowering. no matter where I put it or water or just care for it. I have never had any luck with them and i want to know why..and what can I do to have them flower

    Hi
    African violets generally will not bloom all the time but there are some things you can do to encourage them to bloom. See the above article on blooming.

    Comment by jackie — 10/12/2006 @ 11:18 pm

  4. 2 questions.. I have african violets some will produce great blooms for me and others refuse to do so… how can i make them flower?? Also. I have one plant that the bottom leaves fall off but the stem is now approximatly 5 inchs tall with no leaves on the bottom only on top… the stem looks like it has “thorn” on the stem where the leafs dropped from… what could cause this ??? The violet will produce flowers and bloom… thanks for the help
    Nancy, Harvey’s Lake, Pa

    Hi Nancy,
    First, let’s talk about blooming. Hard to say why one blooms and not the other. Violets tend to bloom when slightly root bound. They need bright indirect light (East window) throughout the year and temperatures ranging 60-80 degrees. In order to bloom they should receive no more than 16 hrs of light/day. Saintpaulias will grow with as little as 3 hrs of light per day. They do need at least 8 hrs of darkness to bloom. Also feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer(20-20-20 or African Violet food) at 1/4 strength every time you water. The soiless mix that they are planted in have little nutrients and need to be supplemented. Another old suggestion is to sprinkle epson salts (magnesium sulfate) on top of the soil and water it in. Apply it once and it may take a month to see results. When the lower leaves die back, they produce a “bare neck” look; to remedy this take the dull end of a knife and scape off the dead tissue along the stem, then repot so that the leaves line up with the edge of the pot and fill with soil.

    Comment by Nancy Newell — 1/22/2007 @ 4:50 pm

  5. The center of my African Violet of 5 yrs. has a center that is curled and dry and it came on quite suddenly is that crown rot?

    It sounds more like cyclamen mites. These tiny arachnids like the growing center of the plant causing leaves to curl up on edge and dry, distort, twist and stunt. If you take a magnifying glass and look in the crown or creases of the leaves you may see small eight legged creatures. One suggestion an old -fashioned treatment is to plunge the plant in a pot of 115 degree water bath for 15 minutes-should kill the mites not the plant. Another is to spray with Neem (check label directions before spraying)

    Comment by Sue K. — 7/21/2007 @ 8:11 pm

  6. I have started new African Violets from leaf cuttings. The plants appear to be health but they have never bloomed. All my other violets bloom very well, just not the ones started from leaves. What do they need?

    Sometimes it takes a year from leaf cutting to bloom for an African Violet. If all other variables are the same; amount of light (bright not hot, east window,) fertilizer (12-36-14) and soil type(well drained), then it must be a matter of time.

    Comment by Dawn — 8/17/2007 @ 12:27 pm

  7. When the flowers die on my African violet, do I cut them off or let them rot off?

    Remove dead flowers immediately, it will encourage more blooms and minimize the spread of pathogens. If flowers are left to rot they can under the right conditions spread the pathogen to other parts of the plant. When grooming your plant also remove any damaged or dying leaves and check for insects.

    Comment by Peg Sullivan — 12/10/2007 @ 2:50 pm

  8. Our violets, over the summer, were blooming constantly and very sturdy. Suddenly, the leaves are turning brown and wilted looking. What can be causing this and what do we do to correct the situation? Thank you.

    You may want to check on the watering technique. African violets don’t like soggy soil which can lead to root and crown rot. They need less water in the winter. Be sure not to overwater. http://www.ppath.cas.psu.edu/EXTENSION/PLANT_DISEASE/afviotet.html

    Comment by Brenda — 12/31/2007 @ 5:33 am

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