I know cyclamen and broad mites can also cause deformed leaves and tight crowns, but yours looks so healthy apart from the tightness I kinda doubt it’s mites, I feel like maybe it takes them awhile to loosen after bright lights
Lucy, thanks ......the are new to me.....but wow, they just want to bloom all the time.......about 6 of the 12 I have are fragrant as well........really a cool plant and super easy to grow, cant wait till they get some size...thanks
I've been growing for years under lights. Two cool whites or one cool white and one warm white in one fixture. They grow in dappled shade at the base of trees in their environment. Do they like a soft light for 10 to 12 hours a day. If going for show plants some go 14 hours. Good luck growing! You have lovely plants and a great setup.
Thanks for sharing. I'm currently having issues with my violets not getting enough light and not blooming very often so I'm looking at different lighting options.
Beautiful collection. Mine get too much light too, like yours, but I'm working on it. What kind of plants were those at the end that you said always bloomed and are easy to grow? I'd like to try and find some, but you didn't say what they were. Thanks.
Thanks Tim........those are Strptocarpus.....same family as Violets, and grow the same way, with care and such........bloom like crazy and some are fragrant.......beautiful plants!
Thanks for the quick reply, I appreciate it. I'll definitely go online and see if I can find some. Thanks again, and keep those videos coming! Love them!
Hi Rick, I enjoy your show very much. Have you used LED tubes with your violets? Last year I had a problem with tight crowns and I didn't know if it was from too much light or the type of light. I used 2 LED tubes (4ft, T8, 18 watt x 2 tubes) per shelf. I also had a problem with thrips and may have caused the problem with spraying too much. I am starting over again. You have very beautiful plants. Thank you for making your videos. Marilyn
Marilyn......no Ive never used LED with my violets.....only fluorescent lights....tight crowns is from intense light.......to intense.....maybe drop one tube and see how they do...Thrips are the worse.........your best bet is to pull all the blooms for a few months and treat during that time....the molecules of most of the pest treatments are to big to be absorbed by flower spikes.....so the thrips survive on them...they eat the pollen for protein....so..pull the blooms and that's their food source as well as a place to live....
They are beautiful. Mine really like natural full indirect sunlight. I'm wondering about the water and tight crowns. Maybe try warm or tepid water on crown to soften and dab up extra water with paper towel a few times.
Beautiful plants! Really like the streps too. I've never had streps but purchased some seed and trying to see if I can get them to germinate. Wanted to ask where you got the shelves. I see lots of shelves like that in other pics and videos and was just wondering where I can look for those. Thanks!
Cheryl.......thank you for watching.....the shelves came from Lowes....4' wide x 6' tall x 18" deep.........can I ask where you find strep seeds?.......Thanks Cheryl.
Tite centers I put a piece of thin paper towel over the top of the plant for a couple of weeks and see what happens with the center if it spreads out then the light is the problem plants being cold is also a problem sometimes that will cause tight centers for me this year has been an issue some people say over fertilizing I'm pretty sure I'm not over fertilizing plus there is no other discoloration of the leaves
…...tight centers.....yes light can cause it, and I agree...….over fertilizing will cause other issues as well, spotting on leaves, white crust on media, and pots, trays, etc...……...Broad mites will also cause the centers to stop growing, bunch leaves up, tiny growths...…..google broad mites and violets...…..see if it looks familiar....
Hi Rick! I'm starting again my second round with violets thanks to you, lol . When I moved to the east coast they dyed and It was very frustrating, I am watering them from the bottom just with a saucer that I refill as they need to but my question is if the watering from the top is true that is not recommended. Thank you Rick in advance.
....what they mean is be cautious about getting water on the leaves....as ,long as the water isnt to cold or to hot its fine......they wont mind....I water the same way......but about every 3-4 watering I water from the top....to flush out excess nutrients.....Im very happy yo hear your growing them again....
How soon after changing lighting did they recover and see a difference? I had two bulbs on my shelves, but noticed many of mine drooping down and tight centers, so just removed one light from both. They are not drooping due to watering, so figured maybe the lighting. Its also warm not cold here
Hi Rick, I was just at the Optimara site looking at their info on growing AVs. They say "the correct luminosity for African Violets is 10,000 to 12,000 lux, or about 900 to 1100 foot-candles". Amazon sells a light meter that's not too expensive. I think I'll get one as it's just a guessing game trying to figure out the correct light on our own. We test the PH so why not the light values? But I"m a beginner, what do you think?
Rick, It's me again. I finished the article at Optimara. www.optimara dot com/africanvioletcare1.html#anchor460712 The last paragraph under the section titled "Light Requirements" says that some types of AVs will bleach under artificial lights and the only remedy is to grow them with natural sunlight. Thought I'd bring it to you and let you evaluate it. Take care.
......Gladys, wonderful that your doing the research....more information the better, then you can make decisions based on your grow set up and conditions.........with all the hybrids and variations in bloom and leaf that come with violets......its no surprise that their will be some that have such light issues.........when I had to strong of light on my violets they grew domed over and got tight centers but never had any bleaching out of the foliage.......direct sunlight should never be used with violets.....shaded or filtered sunlight
Thanks, Rick! You're the best! I thought you were the one with the bleaching of the leaves. It must have been someone else's channel I watched. I wonder who it could be. lol My shelves just came in, I'm so excited! Bought them online at home depot with free shipping. so it was a good deal. Now to get my son to set them up for me. But he will do it for me, he usually does, he's a sweetheart. : ) This morning I'm working on an order over at Amazon for things like perlite and vermiculite, the Bayer's insecticide that you recommended, and a few other things oh yeah a timer but have to wait until tomorrow to order it so it can be delivered after the snow/sleet storm we're expecting. I have my African Violet order all set just waiting for the good weather so they can send the order out. Spring just has to get going and finally arrive!! Ha Ha
I read the article on the Optimara site which indicated that the correct luminosity for AV was 10,000-12,000 LUX as well. My LUX meter indicated that my AV were under 10,000 LUX and they burnt, tightened to a knot and I lost several plants. My LUX meter says 6,000 LUX now and the AV are doing so much better. I don’t get it. If anyone can shed some light on this (sorry about the pun). I’d be ever so grateful. Blessings. ~Della
Hi Rick! Perhaps the most cost effective and easiest solution would be to shorten the amount of time you leave the lights on? Is there natural light in this room... that looks like a window with blinds to the right? As long as the violets aren't in complete darkness, they ought to be okay with a shorter period of intense light. Another experiment you might try is to take one of your affected violets away from the lights entirely for a month or so, keep it by a window that gives bright, but not direct sun, and see if it loosens the crown after a month. If nothing changes, then you may have to consider something else like Cyclamen Mites. That's my best shot at the problem! 🌱
...lol..pretty bad when the obvious is right in front of me....that's a great idea Laurie...there are several windows.....not only will I try it, just turned them off and opened the blinds......why did I not see that...lol.....Mites i'm pretty sure no....I have access to a scope and I've checked several as well as a few cyclamen I have.....all clear......Ive dealt with those before on other plants......Thank you again for the smack to the back of my head.....lol
Rick L hi Rick! I'm glad you liked my suggestion... I hope your violets agree! ha Hey I wanted to tell you, I went on ebay to buy a magnifying glass, after your suggestion and was overwhelmed by the choices AND the chicanery. I've got no idea what sort of brick and mortar store would sell a glass, what power is most useful, or a reputable online seller. Any ideas/recommendations? Thank you!
yes Pam....Species as in wild variety.....Im certain these are clones, not collected. I am completely new to the species violets vs the normal domesticated ones you see today........so if they are hybrids, I just not aware yet. The 2 I have S. Tongwensis & S. Ionantha, are really neat, thicker leaves, very fuzzy, and seem to like the lower light levels.....the Tongwensis turns its blooms even.....they are really neat plants.......Thanks Pam
Hi Rick. I just bought 72 in. H x 48 in. W x 18 in. D 6-Shelf Steel Shelving Unit in Zinc from Home Depot. I want to set up the shelf like you have done. What is the best solution for African violets for 6-shelf? Did you use 6500 K single flow bulb? is the distance between the rack for bulb and the rack for plats is about 18 inches? How many bulbs for one 6-shelf? In the previous video, you put one bulb on the top, lower one rack for plant...so totally 3 bulbs. And in this video, you said that set up is too much light. So what is the best solution? Please, help.
I use a single 6500k bulb about 18" above the violets......one bulb for each shelf......I had 3 bulbs but it caused issues........they do best with one bulb...
I notice you are using regular pots that are deeper than wide . I thought root growth was side ways . Please help me to understand proper potting and why. Thank you. Your plants are breathtaking.
Hi Rick. Great AV collection. I have a question: the leaves on my AV all seem to be growing upwards, as if the whole plant is closing up. At first I thought not enough light. Then I was told maybe too much light. Any ideas or thoughts as to why my AV is growing like this? I should mention I've had it for two years and it's never done this before.
low light levels will make a violets stand leaves up, they also will get elongated leaf stems and thin out some......to much light and they get a domed look to them, very tight in the center and no room for blooms....
Mine are in an east facing window , not on the windowsill, but back a little on the coffee table. They are very fleshy and green. They haven't bloomed in a year or more . Now I have two in one container, I guess it had a baby. They used to bloom in my north facing window but since I moved them they stopped blooming. Please help if you can. Thank you so much.
Hi Rick, I am new to African Violets. I just watered my African Violets today. I know they say do not fertilize them when the roots are dry cuz they could get burned. I'm not sure when to fertilize. Also, if I don't use all my fertilizer can I keep it or do I have to throw it away. Thanks.
G, I mix up a gallon and it gets used over a week and no issues...your fine.....just water as usual from the top or bottom...no worries with the roots.....I water when they start to get dry....I don't let them wilt..I fertilize every 3rd watering.....
Hey Rick! Great channel. How long are your lights on? Like Laurie Paris mentioned in an earlier post, reducing the amount of light is the easiest solution. Most people start at 8 hours and adjust up or down from there. Mites also cause these tight centers, and they could be a possibility considering your Denver Doll developed tight centers in low light. Look for Forbid miticide on Ebay.
Almax....thank you for visiting my channel........been a fan of yours....those Clackamas violets you have are fantastic.......I have scoped for mites......I think everyone is correct......need to drop my light times and intensity big time.........again Thank you
I truly thank you for this video, I realize when looking over my pants I found 5 violets with the same problem. I was trying to get maximum light and over did it thanks again very helpful!!
Wow, Rick your violets look fine to me.....but I'm no expert.......tell me Rick where did all those steps come from? I thought you only had one........haha got the bug have you lol
Debra.....I had ordered a dozen about 2 weeks before you showed yours, mine were but babies and still are.......but I was thrilled to see you had gotten some......when mine get bigger i will show them more.........they are new to me......but the blooms, wow.....and yeah...bitten bad...haaa
I know cyclamen and broad mites can also cause deformed leaves and tight crowns, but yours looks so healthy apart from the tightness I kinda doubt it’s mites, I feel like maybe it takes them awhile to loosen after bright lights
you were correct......they opened up on next set of new growth
Hi Rick, Im a college student who is now obsessed with African Violets, your videos are so helpful and your violets are just stunning!
Wow! You have a lovely collection of African violets.
What a great collection. I just love the streps too.
Lucy, thanks ......the are new to me.....but wow, they just want to bloom all the time.......about 6 of the 12 I have are fragrant as well........really a cool plant and super easy to grow, cant wait till they get some size...thanks
Streps are beautiful! I've never her own them. I might try them! Thank you for sharing.
Gorgeous all of them. I'm having some excess light issues. Thanks for some of your insight.
…..anytime Deborah...….
@@rickl.orchids I'm sorry, I clicked the thumbs down by accident!
Loving the streps! So much easier than violets and always in bloom!
I've been growing for years under lights. Two cool whites or one cool white and one warm white in one fixture. They grow in dappled shade at the base of trees in their environment. Do they like a soft light for 10 to 12 hours a day. If going for show plants some go 14 hours. Good luck growing! You have lovely plants and a great setup.
wonderful information...…...thank you
Thanks for sharing. I'm currently having issues with my violets not getting enough light and not blooming very often so I'm looking at different lighting options.
Also, the miniature violets are my favorites. I love the dainty little whimsical plants.
......Thanks Jennifer......well do not follow my lead...lol....I think they will open up more, but it has been a eye opener....
what kind of lights should I use, any brand recommendations, or what if I just used my lamp light.
I would love to know the answer to this question also.
Beautiful collection. Mine get too much light too, like yours, but I'm working on it. What kind of plants were those at the end that you said always bloomed and are easy to grow? I'd like to try and find some, but you didn't say what they were. Thanks.
Thanks Tim........those are Strptocarpus.....same family as Violets, and grow the same way, with care and such........bloom like crazy and some are fragrant.......beautiful plants!
Thanks for the quick reply, I appreciate it. I'll definitely go online and see if I can find some. Thanks again, and keep those videos coming! Love them!
Hi Rick, I enjoy your show very much. Have you used LED tubes with your violets? Last year I had a problem with tight crowns and I didn't know if it was from too much light or the type of light. I used 2 LED tubes (4ft, T8, 18 watt x 2 tubes) per shelf. I also had a problem with thrips and may have caused the problem with spraying too much. I am starting over again. You have very beautiful plants. Thank you for making your videos. Marilyn
Marilyn......no Ive never used LED with my violets.....only fluorescent lights....tight crowns is from intense light.......to intense.....maybe drop one tube and see how they do...Thrips are the worse.........your best bet is to pull all the blooms for a few months and treat during that time....the molecules of most of the pest treatments are to big to be absorbed by flower spikes.....so the thrips survive on them...they eat the pollen for protein....so..pull the blooms and that's their food source as well as a place to live....
They are beautiful. Mine really like natural full indirect sunlight. I'm wondering about the water and tight crowns. Maybe try warm or tepid water on crown to soften and dab up extra water with paper towel a few times.
Beautiful plants! Really like the streps too. I've never had streps but purchased some seed and trying to see if I can get them to germinate. Wanted to ask where you got the shelves. I see lots of shelves like that in other pics and videos and was just wondering where I can look for those. Thanks!
Cheryl.......thank you for watching.....the shelves came from Lowes....4' wide x 6' tall x 18" deep.........can I ask where you find strep seeds?.......Thanks Cheryl.
Rick L I bought the strep seeds off EBay and they came from Canada. Fingers crossed that they germinate. Thanks for the info on the shelves.
Costco and Target also sell those shelves; I have one from Target (on sale is an excellent price), powder coated black, and I love it.
good info.......thanks Korina
On your shop light fixtures, how do you have them mounted above your violet shelves? Thanks, Sharon in Texas
I think it is just the genetics. Your plants look great to me.
Tite centers I put a piece of thin paper towel over the top of the plant for a couple of weeks and see what happens with the center if it spreads out then the light is the problem plants being cold is also a problem sometimes that will cause tight centers for me this year has been an issue some people say over fertilizing I'm pretty sure I'm not over fertilizing plus there is no other discoloration of the leaves
…...tight centers.....yes light can cause it, and I agree...….over fertilizing will cause other issues as well, spotting on leaves, white crust on media, and pots, trays, etc...……...Broad mites will also cause the centers to stop growing, bunch leaves up, tiny growths...…..google broad mites and violets...…..see if it looks familiar....
Hi Rick! I'm starting again my second round with violets thanks to you, lol . When I moved to the east coast they dyed and It was very frustrating, I am watering them from the bottom just with a saucer that I refill as they need to but my question is if the watering from the top is true that is not recommended. Thank you Rick in advance.
....what they mean is be cautious about getting water on the leaves....as ,long as the water isnt to cold or to hot its fine......they wont mind....I water the same way......but about every 3-4 watering I water from the top....to flush out excess nutrients.....Im very happy yo hear your growing them again....
Thank you Rick...
How soon after changing lighting did they recover and see a difference? I had two bulbs on my shelves, but noticed many of mine drooping down and tight centers, so just removed one light from both. They are not drooping due to watering, so figured maybe the lighting. Its also warm not cold here
Love your perfect utube voice
Rick were do you buy your African violets they are so lovely
Karen.....most are from Violet Barn.com........thank you very much.
Hi Rick, I was just at the Optimara site looking at their info on growing AVs. They say "the correct luminosity for African Violets is 10,000 to 12,000 lux, or about 900 to 1100 foot-candles". Amazon sells a light meter that's not too expensive. I think I'll get one as it's just a guessing game trying to figure out the correct light on our own. We test the PH so why not the light values? But I"m a beginner, what do you think?
Rick, It's me again. I finished the article at Optimara. www.optimara dot com/africanvioletcare1.html#anchor460712 The last paragraph under the section titled "Light Requirements" says that some types of AVs will bleach under artificial lights and the only remedy is to grow them with natural sunlight. Thought I'd bring it to you and let you evaluate it. Take care.
......Gladys, wonderful that your doing the research....more information the better, then you can make decisions based on your grow set up and conditions.........with all the hybrids and variations in bloom and leaf that come with violets......its no surprise that their will be some that have such light issues.........when I had to strong of light on my violets they grew domed over and got tight centers but never had any bleaching out of the foliage.......direct sunlight should never be used with violets.....shaded or filtered sunlight
Thanks, Rick! You're the best! I thought you were the one with the bleaching of the leaves. It must have been someone else's channel I watched. I wonder who it could be. lol My shelves just came in, I'm so excited! Bought them online at home depot with free shipping. so it was a good deal. Now to get my son to set them up for me. But he will do it for me, he usually does, he's a sweetheart. : ) This morning I'm working on an order over at Amazon for things like perlite and vermiculite, the Bayer's insecticide that you recommended, and a few other things oh yeah a timer but have to wait until tomorrow to order it so it can be delivered after the snow/sleet storm we're expecting. I have my African Violet order all set just waiting for the good weather so they can send the order out. Spring just has to get going and finally arrive!! Ha Ha
I read the article on the Optimara site which indicated that the correct luminosity for AV was 10,000-12,000 LUX as well. My LUX meter indicated that my AV were under 10,000 LUX and they burnt, tightened to a knot and I lost several plants. My LUX meter says 6,000 LUX now and the AV are doing so much better. I don’t get it. If anyone can shed some light on this (sorry about the pun). I’d be ever so grateful. Blessings. ~Della
Hi Rick! Perhaps the most cost effective and easiest solution would be to shorten the amount of time you leave the lights on? Is there natural light in this room... that looks like a window with blinds to the right? As long as the violets aren't in complete darkness, they ought to be okay with a shorter period of intense light.
Another experiment you might try is to take one of your affected violets away from the lights entirely for a month or so, keep it by a window that gives bright, but not direct sun, and see if it loosens the crown after a month. If nothing changes, then you may have to consider something else like Cyclamen Mites. That's my best shot at the problem! 🌱
...lol..pretty bad when the obvious is right in front of me....that's a great idea Laurie...there are several windows.....not only will I try it, just turned them off and opened the blinds......why did I not see that...lol.....Mites i'm pretty sure no....I have access to a scope and I've checked several as well as a few cyclamen I have.....all clear......Ive dealt with those before on other plants......Thank you again for the smack to the back of my head.....lol
Rick L hi Rick! I'm glad you liked my suggestion... I hope your violets agree! ha Hey I wanted to tell you, I went on ebay to buy a magnifying glass, after your suggestion and was overwhelmed by the choices AND the chicanery. I've got no idea what sort of brick and mortar store would sell a glass, what power is most useful, or a reputable online seller. Any ideas/recommendations? Thank you!
great question........10x would be fine for most things....being able to tell dirt specks from mites is great......
Minute 1:50 that minny... I have to divide and repot one of those I was thinking to make a video of that just for fun, I have big hands too hahaha
......Corina, please do......show me some tricks ....I could use them......20 yrs ago...I dont remember seeing them that small....
Onde encontro essas violetas no Brasil
Rick, when you talk about a species plant does that mean it is not hybridized? Please explain the term. Thanks
yes Pam....Species as in wild variety.....Im certain these are clones, not collected. I am completely new to the species violets vs the normal domesticated ones you see today........so if they are hybrids, I just not aware yet. The 2 I have S. Tongwensis & S. Ionantha, are really neat, thicker leaves, very fuzzy, and seem to like the lower light levels.....the Tongwensis turns its blooms even.....they are really neat plants.......Thanks Pam
Hi Rick. I just bought 72 in. H x 48 in. W x 18 in. D 6-Shelf Steel Shelving Unit in Zinc from Home Depot. I want to set up the shelf like you have done. What is the best solution for African violets for 6-shelf? Did you use 6500 K single flow bulb? is the distance between the rack for bulb and the rack for plats is about 18 inches? How many bulbs for one 6-shelf? In the previous video, you put one bulb on the top, lower one rack for plant...so totally 3 bulbs. And in this video, you said that set up is too much light. So what is the best solution? Please, help.
I use a single 6500k bulb about 18" above the violets......one bulb for each shelf......I had 3 bulbs but it caused issues........they do best with one bulb...
I notice you are using regular pots that are deeper than wide . I thought root growth was side ways .
Please help me to understand proper potting and why. Thank you. Your plants are breathtaking.
Hi Rick. Great AV collection. I have a question: the leaves on my AV all seem to be growing upwards, as if the whole plant is closing up.
At first I thought not enough light. Then I was told maybe too much light. Any ideas or thoughts as to why my AV is growing like this? I should mention I've had it for two years and it's never done this before.
low light levels will make a violets stand leaves up, they also will get elongated leaf stems and thin out some......to much light and they get a domed look to them, very tight in the center and no room for blooms....
Oh and how long are your lighting on for? Mine are at 12hrs currently
Mine are in an east facing window , not on the windowsill, but back a little on the coffee table. They are very fleshy and green. They haven't bloomed in a year or more . Now I have two in one container, I guess it had a baby. They used to bloom in my north facing window but since I moved them they stopped blooming. Please help if you can. Thank you so much.
Teri.......you just diagnosed it yourself...........they stopped blooming when you moved them......they need light probably......
Yep, more light.
What do you do to get rid of fungus nats?
Teri.....I keep a fan running, and another good suggestion was to let the pots dry some.....will also help kill off gnats
Hi Rick,
I am new to African Violets. I just watered my African Violets today. I know they say do not fertilize them when the roots are dry cuz they could get burned. I'm not sure when to fertilize. Also, if I don't use all my fertilizer can I keep it or do I have to throw it away. Thanks.
G, I mix up a gallon and it gets used over a week and no issues...your fine.....just water as usual from the top or bottom...no worries with the roots.....I water when they start to get dry....I don't let them wilt..I fertilize every 3rd watering.....
Hey Rick! Great channel. How long are your lights on? Like Laurie Paris mentioned in an earlier post, reducing the amount of light is the easiest solution. Most people start at 8 hours and adjust up or down from there. Mites also cause these tight centers, and they could be a possibility considering your Denver Doll developed tight centers in low light. Look for Forbid miticide on Ebay.
Almax....thank you for visiting my channel........been a fan of yours....those Clackamas violets you have are fantastic.......I have scoped for mites......I think everyone is correct......need to drop my light times and intensity big time.........again Thank you
Rick L , I'm glad I was of some help. Thank YOU for your interest in my videos too. All the best, Al
did u ever solve this issue?
.....oh yes........I removed all but one flo bulb from the fixtures........they started growing normal after that.........thank you
Rick L and Violets♥ you really love them don't you? Weldone.They are amazing
......blooms are blooms.......I only wish I had been growing them for the last 35 yrs.......we could maybe have fragrant ones by now......lol
What lighting on streps?
6500k single flo bulb........
I have the opposite problem. mine are reaching up so I keep bringing the light back down..new light on the way so I hope it'll help
......I wish mine were like that.....Thanks for the comment Heather....
I truly thank you for this video, I realize when looking over my pants I found 5 violets with the same problem. I was trying to get maximum light and over did it thanks again very helpful!!
Your AV look great to me!
Thank You Sherry
Wow, Rick your violets look fine to me.....but I'm no expert.......tell me Rick where did all those steps come from? I thought you only had one........haha got the bug have you lol
Debra.....I had ordered a dozen about 2 weeks before you showed yours, mine were but babies and still are.......but I was thrilled to see you had gotten some......when mine get bigger i will show them more.........they are new to me......but the blooms, wow.....and yeah...bitten bad...haaa
Hey Rick, it may not be the light if the others are ok, it may be in the in the breeding of that particular plant
.....your reading my mind, was thinking that as well.....but I didI dropped the light level a little......we will see......Thanks
And so, it begins. Muahahahahahahahaaaa!
My violets look like pure trash compared to yours :(