Should you remove dead flowers from African violets?

Should you remove dead flowers from African violets?

When removing spent blooms, also remove dead or dying foliage. … Doing this keeps the energy feeding the main plant and, once again, maximizes your blooms. Deadhead African violets to encourage more blooms. African violets make useful flowering houseplants since they can bloom for up to nine months per year.

Can you grow violets in pots?

Violets are relatively slow to germinate. Simply fill a planting tray with a good quality potting mix (be sure the container has at least one drainage hole). Sprinkle the seeds lightly over the surface of the soil and cover them with 1/8 inch of potting mix. … Seedlings should be 6 to 8 inches apart.

How often should I water 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.

How long do African violets live?

An African violet (Saintpaulia spp.) can last indefinitely, according to the Bay State African Violet Society. It's not unusual for them to live 50 years or more with proper care. The key is to avoid overwatering, chilling and direct sunlight — three things that can drastically reduce an African violet's lifespan.

How often do I water African violets?

Should I water African violets from the top or bottom? Either is fine. It is important not to use cold water; lukewarm or warm is preferred. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.

Can I plant African violets outside?

African violets are tropical plants from East Africa. That's why they make good indoor plants. They would never survive outdoors in most U.S. climates as a normal violet would. You can buy these plants almost anywhere, including grocery stores and garden centers.

Are African violets poisonous to dogs?

Both the plant and flowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance, blooming plant.

Do African violets like to be root bound?

African violets only bloom when they're root bound. When it is time to repot, be sure to use an organic potting soil made specifically for African violets, such as Espoma's African Violet Mix. They flower best in small pots — choose one that's about a third of the diameter of their leaf spread.

Are African violets toxic to cats?

With their fuzzy green leaves and stunning year-round flowers, African violets bloom in a range of lavenders, blues, pinks, reds, and white—depending on the variety. Both the plant and flowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance, blooming plant.

How long do violets bloom?

Individual blooms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Varieties producing thicker petals and those with green in the bloom tend to last longer. Blooms will last longer under moderate to high humidity with cooler temperatures (say 60-75f degrees).

Are violets blue or purple?

Violets are blue, … And, in the gardening world they use the word blue for any flower that is in the color range of blue and purple. So violets, even though they are purple, are classified as a blue flower.

Why are my African violet leaves growing straight up?

When African Violet plants do not receive enough sunlight there growth slows down. The leaf stems start to become elongated/leggy. The leaves start to grow upright/upwards as if trying to reach for the light.

What do Violets symbolize?

Violet flowers symbolize delicate love, affection, modesty, faith, nobility, intuition and dignity. … Blue violet flowers symbolizes love and faithfulness, white violets represent purity and chastity, and yellow violets symbolize high worth and goodness.

What soil do African violets need?

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. Such a potting soil will be made primarily of block-harvested, sphagnum peat moss.

Can you grow African violets from seeds?

To grow African violets from seeds, you'll need seed starters, a plastic cover or wrap, a spray bottle, growing lights, and a medium suitable for African violets, such as milled coconut and perlite or pasteurized peat moss. Water the medium and allow it to dry out so it's moist.

Are African violets poisonous?

Though African violets are not known to be toxic, it is generally never a good idea to let a child chow down on any houseplant, as individuals may have varying sensitivities to the plant's sap or hairy leaves. … Many fuzz-covered plants are skin irritants, but African violet isn't reported to cause rashes or other harm.

Which violets are edible?

Sweet violets (Viola odorata) can be candied or used in violet tea, violet cake, and violet syrup. While commonly added to salads, you can also use violet flowers to make vinegars, butters, spreads, and jellies. Sweet violet flowers are as beautiful as they are edible.

How do you take care of a violet?

Standard African violet plants when fully mature range from 8-16 inches (20-40cm) in diameter across a single crown. The flowers on these plants can grow to 2 inches (5cm) across the petals and a single leaf blade can grow to 3 inches (7.5cm) in length.

How do you get violets to bloom?

African Violets should not be exposed to direct sunlight. … African Violets grow best at a night temperature of 65 to 70 degrees, but will grow satisfactorily at 60 to 80 degrees. Temperatures in Florida often exceed 80 degrees, and under prolonged high temperatures, growth and flowering are reduced.

What color is violet purple?

Violet is simply a variant of purple (reddish blue). However it has great significance in that we see violet at the short-wavelength (blue) end of the visual spectrum (the rainbow produced by a prism) where there should theoretically not be any red at all, since red is at the long-wavelength end of the spectrum.

How do you force an African violet to bloom?

Indirect sunlight is sunlight that doesn't shine onto a plant at full strength, but is weakened by something coming between it and the plant. … For indoor plants, indirect sunlight is the weak sunlight that reaches a potted plant placed at least 3 feet away from a sunny window.

Does Home Depot sell African violets?

Nearly Natural 10 in. H Assorted African Violet Silk Plants with Vase, Set of 2 6685-S2 – The Home Depot.

How do you care for African violets after they bloom?

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.