How do you revive African violets?

Remove the plant from the pot and check the roots for rot (brown – black soft roots). It is possible for plants to grow new roots. If a majority of the roots are still white or light-colored, prune off the rotted roots, and re-pot the plant in soil for African violets in a container with several drainage holes.

Can an African violet get too much sun?

The plants thrive on a happy medium in terms of sunlight. You can tell if your violet has proper sunlight by checking the leaves. In too much sunlight, the leaves turn yellow and the edges burn. In too little sunlight, the leaves will appear to be a healthy green, but there will be no blooms.

Can African violets handle direct sunlight?

African violets need bright light to bloom, but cannot tolerate hot, direct sun because their leaves are easily scorched by intense light. Violets bloom best at temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees.

Should I remove damaged leaves African violet?

When you cut back an African violet, the goal is simply to remove dead or damaged leaves and spent flowers. It is strictly a beauty regimen that also allows new growth to access more light and air. You can cut back an African violet at any time of the year, unlike the pruning rules on many other types of plants.

What is the lifespan of an African violet?

African violets can live a long time, as long as 50 years! To get them there, you need to provide good care which includes repotting African violets. The trick is knowing when to repot an African violet and what soil and container size to use. This article will help with that.

Where is the best place to put an African violet?

African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.

Can African violets grow in low light?

Insufficient light is probably the most common reason for failure of African violets to flower. If violets are growing in too little light, the leaves become darker green and thin, petioles or leaf stems are very long and weak, and the plants flower very little if at all.

Should I repot my African violet?

Many successful growers of African Violets recommend repotting with fresh potting soil, twice a year or more. At the very least, an African Violet should be repotted whenever the plant becomes rootbound, i.e., the Violet has outgrown its current pot to the extent that its roots are growing out and around the rootball.

What’s the best way to light an African violet?

For best results, mount your light about a foot above Miniature African violets and about a foot and a half above standard African violets. Place your hand above the top of your plant between it and the light source. If the heat is uncomfortable on your hand, the light is too close to your plants and could burn them.

How often should I water my African violets?

Too much sunlight can also cause the leaves to curl down and may turn variegated leaves entirely green. During the winter months, you may need to allow your African Violets to get more sunlight than they would ordinarily receive. Rotate your African Violet one-quarter turn, about once a week or each time you water.

Why are the leaves on my African Violet turning brown?

While insufficient sunlight can be harmful, too much sunlight can also cause problems. Too much sunlight will produce brown spots on the leaves and flowers – essentially giving the African Violet a sunburn. Too much sunlight can also cause the leaves to curl down and may turn variegated leaves entirely green.

Do you need to repot an African violet plant?

Yes! You absolutely should repot your African Violet to ensure it lives a long, happy life. It’s not healthy to keep your plant in the same mix it has been in for years. Mold, decay, and bugs can start to destroy the once healthy living environment your African Violet thrived in.

What should I do if my African violet is dying?

Give your African violet a good drink, make sure it’s not sitting in direct sunlight, and start a fertilizer routine to nourish your plant. Professional Tip: Encourage big, strong blooms by using African Violet Plant Food, a gentle fertilizer formulated to stimulate growth and keep your plant hearty year-round. Crown and stem rot is easy to notice.

What kind of light does an African violet need to bloom?

African violets need about 8 hours of darkness for florigen, their flowering hormone, to trigger blooming. If you’re using a grow light to give your plant light, make sure that you turn it off for 8 hours each day. Too much sunlight and direct sunlight can both cause your African violet’s leaves to burn and keep your plant from blooming.

What to do with neck of African violets?

  Keeping the neck would mean starting over with a (very) old root-system.   Discard the neck and the old soil. Using a clean pot and fresh, premoistened soil, make a hole just large enough to accommodate the base of the crown. Firm the base of the plant into the moist soil.

Why are the leaves on my African violets turning brown?

You know that low humidity is a problem when buds fail to flower, plant growth is slow and leaves appear brown and dry (they just look and feel unhealthy). If this becomes a problem for you, you may want to invest in a humidifier for your plants.