Winter Culture

Now that the cold weather is here, your African violets need a change in their care:

• Plants grow less actively in lower temperatures.  This means they need less water and less fertilizer.  Plants do best when kept on the dry side in winter.
• AVs grown on window sills may get cold drafts.  Try to move them further away from the glass.
• Powdery Mildew is often a problem in winter.  Spray plants with Lysol (1/2 tsp to gallon of water).
• Suckers form more readily in winter.  Check for side chutes and remove promptly to maintain symmetry

With a little bit of attention, your plants will reward you with blooms during the grey days ahead.

How To Manage Your Collection

Many new growers can quickly become overwhelmed with the number of plants they are caring for.  If watering your plants is becoming a chore, it may be time to reduce your collection.

Examine your plants one at a time.  If it is not growing well, the center looks funny, you may want to take a leaf and start the plant over.  Then throw out the old plant.  If you are not in love with the variety, give it to someone else or donate it to a nursing home.

When grooming and removing outer leaves, throw these old leaves out.  DO NOT try to propagate them.
If you are propagating leaves, DO NOT pot every baby plant.  Save only the strongest two.

Aim to have only 1 light stand and don't crowd the plants.  AVs need room to grow.  Remember, this hobby is supposed to be fun, not a burden.

African violets benefit from regular grooming to help them look their best. You should trim off dying stems, spent blossoms and tired outer leaves. If left to stay beyond their time, they become ideal hiding places for insects and disease spores. Brush away dust from the leaves by using a soft bristle brush and supporting the leaf with your hand and gently brushing from the inside to outside of the plant.

Time to Repot?

Ideally, African violets should be repotted at least once a year.  Repotting twice or 3 times a year is best.  It may be a matter of just changing the soil and using the same size pot.  To determine the correct size pot, the guideline is that the diameter of the pot should be 1/3 the diameter of the plant.  AVs like to be tight in the pot. 

If going to a larger pot is necessary, only go up one pot size at a time.  Your plant will not bloom until the roots touch the edges of the pot.  So, when in doubt, opt for the smaller size pot.

Welcome to AV Academy to Learn How to Grow African Violets

Since I have been growing African violets for over 30 years, I have learned what makes them happy and what makes them sad.  I will be sharing growing tips with you to help you produce show quality plants.

First of all, AVs like consistent care.  This means a growing environment that is evenly moist, small temperature range, 40% humidity,  10 hours of bright light, constant method of fertilization with 1/4 strength AV fertilizer.  If you are comfortable in your environment, so will African violets be comfortable.