A Detailed Guide to the Latest Propagation Methods for African Violets
The African violet is a flowering plant we love very much, and it is also a popular flower for decorating and beautifying the environment. The plant is small, the flowers are bright and lovely, the ornamental effect is good, and growing it is relatively simple. Below, let us take a look at the propagation methods for African violets!
Leaf Cutting Propagation Method
African violets commonly use cutting propagation, mainly leaf cuttings. After flowering, choose healthy, plump leaves, cut them off leaving a 2 cm long petiole, let them dry slightly, and insert them into a sand bed. Keep the air humidity relatively high, with a room temperature of 18-24°C. Roots form 3 weeks after insertion, and young plantlets will be produced in 2-3 months, then moved into 6 cm pots. During the cutting process, treating with vitamin B is beneficial to the growth of young plantlets after the African violet roots. Treating the petiole with 25 mg/L kinetin for 24 hours is favorable for the formation of adventitious buds. From cutting to flowering takes 4-6 months.
Stem Cutting Propagation Method
Stem cutting propagation is also a propagation method chosen for African violets. It is mainly done in spring after the flowers fade, in combination with repotting and changing the soil, by dividing the underground tubers and planting them. The plants form quickly, but the plant shape is not attractive enough. At the same time, because the plant has not been renewed, the growth is not vigorous enough.
Tissue Culture Propagation Method
At present, the more popular propagation method for African violets is tissue culture propagation, using leaves, petioles, and epidermal tissue as explants. Use MS medium plus 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and 1 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid. Adventitious buds grow out 4 weeks after inoculation, and after 3 months the rooted plantlets can be planted. The plantlets are transplanted into a substrate of half leaf mold soil and half peat moss soil, with a survival rate of 100%. At present, the United States, the Netherlands, Israel and other countries all have African violet test-tube plantlet production. However, this method produces relatively many plantlets and is not very suitable for home growing.
Seed Propagation Method
African violet seed propagation can be carried out in spring and autumn. For greenhouse cultivation, autumn sowing in September-October is preferable, with a high germination rate, and the seedlings grow robustly. The following spring they bloom with large plants and many flowers. Sowing in February means flowering in August, but the growth vigor is somewhat poorer and there are fewer flowers. African violet seeds are tiny, so the sowing soil should be fine. After sowing, do not cover with soil; just press flat. The suitable germination temperature is 18-24°C. They germinate 15-20 days after sowing, and the seedlings are moved in 2-3 months. During the seedling stage, note that the potting soil should not be too wet. Generally, from sowing to flowering takes 6-8 months.