Introduction to African Violets and How to Grow Them

African violet, also known as "mi jin", originated in Africa. It was discovered in 1892. In just ninety years, it became widely grown around the world, with the number of varieties increasing to more than two thousand. In Tanganyika there was a province called Usambara. The local district commissioner was Waluton. Baron Saint Paul, who had been influenced by his father since childhood and was very interested in plants, once discovered in the woods near the city of Tanga a low-growing herbaceous plant growing in humus soil in limestone crevices. This plant bore single blue flowers with a beautiful flower shape, and this was the African violet as first discovered. Now let us look at some knowledge about African violets.

Cultivation Techniques for African Violets

1. Watering

In cultivating African violets, watering is very important. In early spring, when temperatures are low, watering should not be excessive, otherwise the stems and leaves rot easily and flowering is affected. In summer, when temperatures are high and the air is dry, more water should be given, and misting should be used to increase air humidity, otherwise the flower stalks droop and the flowering period is shortened. However, when misting, if too much water splashes onto the leaves, it can also cause leaf rot. In autumn and winter, as temperatures drop, watering should be appropriately reduced. African violets are semi-shade plants, and 8 hours of light per day is most suitable. If light is insufficient on rainy or snowy days, artificial lighting should be added. If light is insufficient, the leaf stalks elongate, flowering is delayed, and flower colors become dull. In midsummer, if the light is too strong, young tender leaves can be scorched or turn white, so shading protection is needed. Nighttime temperatures should be higher than daytime temperatures; with 24°C at night and 16°C during the day, stems and leaves grow luxuriantly and flowers are large and numerous. During growth, fertile, loose leaf mold is ideal, and fertilizer should be applied once every half month. If fertilizer is insufficient, flowering decreases and flowers become smaller. After flowering, spent flowers should be removed at once to prevent them from becoming moldy and rotting.

2. Fertilizing

Generally, when the light source is sufficient, only a small amount of additional fertilizer is needed to maintain normal plant growth, and too much fertilizer can instead cause growth disorders; however, in an environment with insufficient light, even if ample fertilizer is provided, the plant will still grow poorly or even die. Therefore, fertilizer should generally be applied under conditions where light is not a concern for its effects to become apparent. As long as the light source is ample, the environment is appropriate, and management is correct, merely mixing base fertilizer into the medium or relying on the fertility stored in the medium is enough for the plant to grow normally and bloom even if no fertilizer is added during the growing period. However, if the goal is to improve plant vigor and flower quality, then fertilizers suited to different growth stages must be used.

For African violets, the fertilizers required at different growth stages and the key points for fertilizing are as follows:

(1) Rooting stage - such as propagation, transplanting, and repotting. Just after handling, because there are no roots or the roots are injured, absorptive function is poor, so it is not suitable to fertilize immediately; wait 2 to 4 weeks before fertilizing. Fertilizers with higher nitrogen and potassium content are suitable, such as those with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios of 7-6-19, 14-12-14, and so on.

(2) Vegetative growth stage - such as from seedling growth to before flowering and after the flowering period. Fertilizers with a higher nitrogen component are suitable, such as those with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios of 30-10-10, 25-5-20, 5-1-1, and so on.

(3) Flowering stage - begin applying about 2 months before expected flowering. Fertilizers with a higher phosphorus component are suitable, such as those with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios of 10-30-20, 15-30-15, 12-36-14, 0-10-10, and so on.

3. Repotting

Aged plants, seedlings being moved to new pots, plants with diseased roots, plants with salt deposits on the pot rim and outer walls, and plants that have lost their shape or look unattractive should be repotted promptly. Plants in different conditions have their own suitable repotting methods and key points. Taking healthy plants (small and medium seedlings) being moved from small pots to larger pots and aged plants as examples, the sequence and key points are as follows:

(1) Tidying the plant and inspecting the health of the root system - first, remove the lowest leaves that are smaller or growing poorly, and inspect the roots: if they are white, they are healthy; if they are brown or dark brown, they are unhealthy or even rotting. Unhealthy root tissue must be removed with a blade or scissors along with about 1/3 to 1/2 of the medium; generally, the more severe the browning, the greater the proportion of medium that should be removed. For healthy plants, no treatment of the roots is needed, and injury to the root tissue should be avoided as much as possible.

(2) Potting into a new pot - when moving a plant from a small pot to a large pot, first place a small amount of new medium in the bottom of the larger pot, put the plant with its medium into the larger pot, and fill the gaps with new medium.

(3) Treatment after repotting - water thoroughly, then place in a suitable environment for cultivation. After repotting, plants are usually weaker or have injured roots, and root absorption capacity is reduced, so avoid fertilizing within 2 weeks after repotting. It is best to choose a season with suitable environmental climate for repotting so that the plant can recover smoothly. Generally, it is advisable to maintain a temperature of 18 to 26°C when repotting. In Taiwan, China, spring and autumn are more suitable, but if grown in an environment with air-conditioning equipment where the temperature can be maintained at around 25°C, repotting can be done in all four seasons.

The above is knowledge about African violets, and I hope it can help you.

Root absorption capacity is reduced, so avoid fertilizing within 2 weeks after repotting. It is best to choose a season with suitable environmental climate for repotting so that the plant can recover smoothly. Generally, it is advisable to maintain a temperature of 18 to 26°C when repotting. In Taiwan, China, spring and autumn are more suitable, but if grown in an environment with air-conditioning equipment where the temperature can be maintained at around 25°C, repotting can be done in all four seasons.

The above is knowledge about African violets, and I hope it can help you.