I have heard the “expert” African Violet growers say that these plants want to be somewhat pot bound. Well, I didn’t hear that until after I had repotted my new African Violet! I had planted it in a larger size self watering African Violet pot. Not the wicking kind but the ones that sit in an upper pot and have a second pot with water in it that sits underneath. The wicks work well but I have my flowering plants for their beauty. I just do not like the look of most wicking pots. People that do not like watering plants seem to like them a lot. I like the kind that I am using because the water keeps the soil exactly how the plants seem to like it and they still look nice. Apparently the plant also did not hear about needing to be in a small pot and it did beautifully in the larger one. Some will also tell you that when you transplant an AV you have to cut all the flowers off because that will cause the plant to concentrate on growing new roots and on growth. Well, mine did very well as I said and I did not cut off the blooms! Why would I cut off flowers when that is why I bought the plant in the first place! I do not have plants for show except for my and my family’s viewing. My violet never stopped flowering and growing. If cutting off flowers is what you have to do to be a professional grower then I would never make it! You did an excellent job of transplanting your violets. My grandmother loved African Violets. I remember helping her water her plants when I was very young and hearing her talk about how to care for them. Nothing fancy. Just the right amount of light and she was very much an advocate of bottom watering. Of course, watering from above can work if done without disturbing the leaves. They really do not like being messed with. My grandmother used ceramic pots with saucers either under or connected to the pot. The experts would not go for that but grandma’s violets flourished. She had them in a sunny window with a sheer curtain that helped protect the plants from burning. Grandma loved flowers and gardening. She had far more flowers in her formal gardens outside. I guess I was not as fond of those plants since it meant having to help weed the gardens several time a summer. 😂
the experts will tell us a method, but generally, the plants are more resilient than that. Our grandparents and great grandparents had success without all the fuss, so we can too, right? :-)
I grow mine in shallow wide pots so bottom watering is a breeze and no root rot. Works much better for me than deeper pots. Enjoy your beautiful plants. I love violets. Good luck.
Hi Jenny! Meet you at Gerten's in the twin cities. I have also tried the paper towel in bottom of pot and found it holds to much moister and they rot. Try real fine fabric netting. Haven't had trouble since. I also bottom water all mine.
Fyi I have been using ECOS dish liquid which is plant based to my seed mix soil!! This kills gnats!!! No problem here so far! Hope this helps you are anyone!!!!!
Since you put the plant in huge pots fertilize from the top. And really be careful how often you water. Technically those pots are much too big for violets. They prefer to be more on the root bound side. In those pots you truly need to top water. Your soil mix is great. In the tallest pot you could fill the bottom with styrofoam. But just be careful that your pot is dry. Use a wood pencil and put towards bottom to see if the soil is still moist before you water. And water on leaves is not bad as long as it’s room temp.
The containers came from Bachman's garden center in Minnesota, and the soil was old potting soil that I mixed with a lot of perlite and vermiculite to improve drainage.
I have heard the “expert” African Violet growers say that these plants want to be somewhat pot bound. Well, I didn’t hear that until after I had repotted my new African Violet! I had planted it in a larger size self watering African Violet pot. Not the wicking kind but the ones that sit in an upper pot and have a second pot with water in it that sits underneath. The wicks work well but I have my flowering plants for their beauty. I just do not like the look of most wicking pots. People that do not like watering plants seem to like them a lot. I like the kind that I am using because the water keeps the soil exactly how the plants seem to like it and they still look nice.
Apparently the plant also did not hear about needing to be in a small pot and it did beautifully in the larger one. Some will also tell you that when you transplant an AV you have to cut all the flowers off because that will cause the plant to concentrate on growing new roots and on growth. Well, mine did very well as I said and I did not cut off the blooms! Why would I cut off flowers when that is why I bought the plant in the first place! I do not have plants for show except for my and my family’s viewing. My violet never stopped flowering and growing. If cutting off flowers is what you have to do to be a professional grower then I would never make it!
You did an excellent job of transplanting your violets. My grandmother loved African Violets. I remember helping her water her plants when I was very young and hearing her talk about how to care for them. Nothing fancy. Just the right amount of light and she was very much an advocate of bottom watering. Of course, watering from above can work if done without disturbing the leaves. They really do not like being messed with.
My grandmother used ceramic pots with saucers either under or connected to the pot. The experts would not go for that but grandma’s violets flourished. She had them in a sunny window with a sheer curtain that helped protect the plants from burning.
Grandma loved flowers and gardening. She had far more flowers in her formal gardens outside. I guess I was not as fond of those plants since it meant having to help weed the gardens several time a summer. 😂
the experts will tell us a method, but generally, the plants are more resilient than that. Our grandparents and great grandparents had success without all the fuss, so we can too, right? :-)
I really like that method of using a pot to create perfect size hole. I'm going to try it myself next time I repot. Thanks!
You're welcome! Not sure where I learned it, but it's definitely not my idea. :-)
I grow mine in shallow wide pots so bottom watering is a breeze and no root rot. Works much better for me than deeper pots. Enjoy your beautiful plants. I love violets. Good luck.
Good tip, thanks!
Thank you Jenny. I grow my African violets in the self wicking African violet pots, they seem to enjoy it and I don’t have to worry about them.❄️💚🙃
Good tip, thanks!
Hi Jenny! Meet you at Gerten's in the twin cities. I have also tried the paper towel in bottom of pot and found it holds to much moister and they rot. Try real fine fabric netting. Haven't had trouble since. I also bottom water all mine.
Oh, good point about the paper towels, thanks! (hello again! :-)
Fyi I have been using ECOS dish liquid which is plant based to my seed mix soil!! This kills gnats!!! No problem here so far! Hope this helps you are anyone!!!!!
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
The pots are lovely and so are the flowers.
Thank you!
Since you put the plant in huge pots fertilize from the top. And really be careful how often you water. Technically those pots are much too big for violets. They prefer to be more on the root bound side. In those pots you truly need to top water. Your soil mix is great. In the tallest pot you could fill the bottom with styrofoam. But just be careful that your pot is dry. Use a wood pencil and put towards bottom to see if the soil is still moist before you water. And water on leaves is not bad as long as it’s room temp.
Inspired to try some African violets!!! Thank you for another lovely video.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Love them🌸. My Grandma had a whole table of them… beautiful
This for the helpful tips
Thanks! Hoping I can keep these happy. :-)
I’ve never had any luck with African Violets, but might have another try after seeing your video cheers 🇦🇺 Bronwyn
Good luck!
They look lovely Jenny :-)
Thanks!
Cute!
Thanks!
I've killed more than I care to admit . Like your way of watering . What or where did you get your containers and what potting mix do you use ?
The containers came from Bachman's garden center in Minnesota, and the soil was old potting soil that I mixed with a lot of perlite and vermiculite to improve drainage.
Excellent demonstration. Does the perlite always stay the same way it is when you add it to the soil or does it break down and you have to redo it.
No, the perlite will stay the same size/shape.
Can I just ask why the mixture of perlite and vermiculite? Why didn't you just use all perlite? 🤔
Well, I guess because I read an article that suggested it. I think only perlite could work too.
The pot you have chosen is too large for the plant
It's actually doing just fine, plants are resilient.
nope they do NOT like being touched
Mine has not been fussy in that regard...