Plant Problems
There are many plebeian misunderstanding that indoor houseplant owners make when growing African Violets . To corroborate their beautiful blooms , it ’s important to avoid coarse misunderstanding that hassle many houseplant owners . In this artticle , gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton examines the most vulgar African Violet mistakes , as well as how to ensure you do n’t make them !
Contents
African Violetshave a reputation for beingdifficult flora . keep them live without any emergence problems is an achievement in itself , let alonegetting them to blossom unendingly . But , with a bit of noesis and awareness , they do n’t have to be as difficult as they seem .
These plant are not regular houseplant . They have particular needs and queerness that gear up them apart . This also means there are several sphere where raw African Violet owner can make mistakes without knowing what they did incorrectly .
Keep an optic out for thesecommon African Violet mistakesand the keys to quash them to ensure your plant thrive for age to come .
Using Cold Water
Many mistakes commence with the one care labor we need to do most often – watering .
There are anumber of way of life to get watering wrongand many people generally focalize onoverwatering or underwatering . While these definitely are some of the most drastic mistakes , most know how to avoid these already . Instead , let ’s focus on a few you may not have considered .
The first is using cold water during lachrymation . As theirroots are quite raw , using insensate urine can actually result in unintended jolt , pick out a while for the plant to recover .
Instead , useroom temperature water or even lukewarm water . This is most like the conditions they find outdoors , helping to goad growth and unfolding .
Using Tap Water
Along similar melody , using rap piss can also do some price , bet on the quality of water where you know .
African Violets areespecially sensitive to the chemicals in water faucet water , particularlychlorine . While this may not result in inst legal injury , over time it can lead off to construct up in the grunge . This build - up will not only prevent flowering , but can also stunt outgrowth .
If you’re able to , usefiltered or distilled waterduring watering . As that ’s not always potential , you may also opt for the recollective route and simply leave the piss out on the rejoinder for a day or two to let the chlorine to fool away .
Scientists disagree on how long this takes , and theeffectiveness will count on the makeup of your water faucet urine , but it is certainly worth a try . This also mean it will be close to board temperature when add together to the land , not meth - frigid , covering point one at the same time .
Watering The Leaves
When it issue forth to African Violets , how you water is just as important as what you water with . The fluffy leaves halt onto drop-off of water implausibly well and do n’t tend to permit them go without a engagement . Sitting on the leaves for long periods , even one small free fall of moth-eaten urine can conduce tounsightly Mark .
Many gardener remark these position and immediately consider of a pest or disease problem . But something as simple-minded as how you water your plants may actually be the fix . Always irrigate the soil , avoiding stir the leavesas much as you may .
The best way to avoid this altogether is towater from the bottom . Place your plant in a sink or bucket fill up with water around midway up the grass . leave behind them to sit for around 15 - 30 second to sop up as much water as they need , travel them back to their original family by and by on . Once per month , water above the soil to completely sluice it and repeat the process .
Misting
African violet flourish in as high a humidness as potential , as nigh to 80 % as you’re able to get it . That is tricky to reach in most areas , so many owner recur to other methods of raising humidness around their plant life . One of those is misting .
Unfortunately , mist as often as you would need to to raise humidness levels only contribute to thesame problems as the premature mistake . Rather than remain in the air , the water droplet sit on the leaves and cause those unsightly spots we like to forefend .
Rather than cloud to enhance humidity , place your flora on a pebble tray fill up with water . The water line should be below the base of the pot to keep waste . The water will lento evaporate around the plant , raising humidity slightly .
Humidifiersare also a good option . you’re able to alsoplace them in a more humid room . Humidifiers can greatly improve conditions to give your African reddish blue the air they are accustomed to in their native habitats . Point the humidifier away from the verbatim route of the plant life to cease any water from compile .
Placing Them In Direct Sunlight
African Violets areshade lover , opt the protection from Tree overhead to the sunlight ’s acute direct rays . This is one of the reasons why they make such great houseplants . But , as they are flowering plants , some may take up they ask a full day of lineal sun to get blooms .
alas , thisends up having the opposite event . African Violets in direct Dominicus for long periods willexperience sunburn or leafage singe , leaving unsightly brownish patches on the leafage . Once these leaf have changed colouring material , they wo n’t return to their previous profuse super C , so this mistake is certainly one to avoid from the offset .
Their idealistic position is in bright indirect sun for the entire day . They makeperfect bedchamber houseplants , away from the harsh ray of the sunshine . This will ensure they get enough sun to develop and flower without damaging any of the leaves .
Not Rotating Pots
stand by with sunshine misapprehension , you may have noticed your African Violetgrowing slightly lopsidedand losing its adorable round shape .
This fall out whenone side of the plant mystify more light exposure than the other side , go to better growth in that area . If the light is too harsh , the side exposed to the light source may become damaged or start to curl as a result , leave the other side looking completely different .
There is a simple way to avoid this common fault – go around your pots . Around once a hebdomad , switch the spot of your plant so all side of meat get adequate lightsome exposure throughout the year . This will keep your plant , compact and even .
Growing In Little To No Light
The final lighting mistake is another common one that causes a wide range of problems , from scrubby growth toyellowing leavesand more . While these plants do love shade , they take at leastmoderate to bright indirect lightindoors to not only produce , but also to flower .
When placed in areas with short to no sunlight , yourAfrican Violet will stop putting out bloom . The foliage may become limp and white-livered and you may comment an overall lack of increase .
They may survive for a few weeks in those conditions , but certainly wo n’t prosper and wo n’t last long beyond that . This is specially lawful fornewly propagated works .
Keep themnear a bright east , south or Occident - confront window but out of the way of the unmediated sun . Ensure they are not obstructed by any object that could limit the amount of sun they are getting . This will keep your flora happy and healthy all time of year long .
Ignoring Temperature Changes
If there is one thing houseplant value , it’sconsistency . Most add up from tropical environments where atmospheric condition remain the same throughout the twelvemonth , only fluctuating somewhat between seasons . With this in mind , it ’s not punishing to see why sudden or even prolonged alteration in temperature can cause major problem
These beautiful plantslove lovingness , favour temperatures above 65F systematically throughout the year . Sudden dips in temperature , peculiarly when they are placed tight to windows in wintertime , can guide to blossom and leaf drop along with a boniface of other issues .
commit your African Violet in thewarmest room in the houseand check that the temperatures remain as stable as potential throughout the year . Never move them outdoors , especially in winter , to keep off doing any permanent damage .
Placing Them In The Path Of Drafts
African Violet ’s hatred of changes in condition extend to another matter plant parents forget about , drafts . uninterrupted and firm airflow around your works will not only cause the grime to dry out incredibly quickly , but it will alsodamage the leaves and may make the flower to throw off off .
In winter , when draft are cold , the constant change in temperature around the plant can have drastic effect on their wellness , make them to go intoshock . The same can be say for red-hot strain that number from radiators .
While these plant appreciate airflow , too much can be a bad affair . debar placing them in front of undetermined windows , air conditioner or radiators to forestall this mistake from doing any damage .
Feeding To Often
We all know how importantfertilizingis in our houseplant routine . As they produce and use up nutrients to expand and flower , they will postulate a top - up finally to continue thriving .
But fertiliser is not a cure - all for job like stunted increase or want of flowers as some think . It is a lively part of forethought – certainly – but can not be used to resolve any development problem or make them grow big and faster .
Applying fertiliser when it is not needed can actually have theopposite effect on growth , burn off the sensitive leaves and potentially make part of the plant to perish back .
pick out a fertilizer designed for African Violet emergence and inflorescence and only employ as direct on the promotion . Always employ less rather than more to avoid do irreversible damage .
Using The Wrong Soil Mix
In case you could n’t already recount , African reddish blue are quite picky about their atmospheric condition . This also extends to the soil they grow in . These plants value anacidic and well - draining pot mixthat delivers plenty of oxygen to the ascendent and holds onto enough moisture without extend to rot .
When repotting , standard potting mixture wo n’t be enough to fulfil these plants . Regular garden filth would likely lead to even unsound results . Instead , see out forspecialized plant - specific pot mixonline or at your local baby’s room . These mixes have the perfect balance of materials with an idealistic pH for growth and flowering .
Repotting Into A Much Larger Pot
Although you do n’t need torepot African Violetsoften , they will require a soil refresh at some period . This summons may also make out with the need to find a new mickle to accommodate the ever - growing beginning system . At this point , it ’s full of life to void themistake of buy a pot that is too large .
African Violetslike to be confined to a spate . The lack of space and cramped nature of the roots is what encourages the plants to grow above the soil and bring about new flush . When planting in a pot that is too large , the roots will develop at the expense of the rest of the plant . The excess soil may also hold onto too much moisture , resulting in solution rot .
These plants remain compact throughout their life andwon’t ever call for a massive tidy sum to grow well . Only choose a pot one size up , or rinse and repot into the same container if the plant is still growing happily .
Ignoring Signs Of Pests And Diseases
A spot here or a drop leaf there are unremarkably no causes for worry . However , if you observe several berth , small bugs or widespreaddiscoloration and wilt , you likely have a pest or disease problem on your hands .
Many gardener , especially those with in use docket , may ignore these signs or wait to decide them until later . Unfortunately , during this time , the problem will only get bad . Not only does this make them harder to solve , but it also frame the life of your plant at risk in the meantime .
If you acknowledge anysigns of pests and diseases , tackle them right away to preserve your African Violets and any other houseplants nearby .
Final Thoughts
African Violets can be tricky plantsto understand and handle for . Both novice and experienced gardeners can diminish dupe to mistakes that occur when growing thesecommon indoor plants . But , with an cognizance of these fault and how to avoid them , you’re able to enjoy their wonderful peak without any hassle throughout the season .
