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African Violets

Watering--how much how often

18 years ago

I'm new to AVs, have some a friend just gave me, and I'm hoping to start rooting cuttings on some others in the next week. Basic question--I'm giving them AV food in every watering. I've been watering by placing the pot in an inch of water. How long do I leave it in the water? How often should I be doing this--daily? Every other day? If I decide to try wick watering, how does that work--do I leave the wick in water always, or only for part of the time? (I havent tried this but it looks like a good technique)..

Thanks!

--Carolyn

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Comments (7)

korina
18 years ago
Carolyn, take your plants out of the water NOW. Then go read the FAQ on the forum's main page.

Go on, go!

Korina
cjsmith
Original Author
18 years ago
I did read the FAQ on basic care. It says you can bottom water, it doesnt say how long to leave them in water. I've been leaving them maybe a half hour to an hour when I've been watering. The soil at the top still feels mostly dry to me, maybe very slightly moist. Definitely not soggy.

I've had the violets a little over a week, they still look healthy, but I'm unsure exactly how to tell if I'm watering them enough or too much.

Thanks!

--Carolyn
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Hi Wood, let's see where to start? (S) Okay, misting is fine, especially when foliage is sprayed w/hose. It keeps leaves clean, helps w/humidity, and rids some types of insects, if insects are a problem. BTW, just to be on the safe side, did you check for insects? Look for mites, whitefly, mealy and scale. Mites are the worse as far as hibs go..Do u know how to check for these bugs? Yes, hibs should be placed in full sun, but do it gradually, especially if your hibs were indoors overwinter. You ask about hosing soil. Do you water by hand? Soil should dry a bit between waterings, in other words, don't keep soil soggy..plant can develop root rot. So, if you water by hand, there's no reason to use the hose too, (for soil) but foliage is another thing..I think hibs love having their foliage sprayed..in fact, it works better than misting since the spray really moistens leaves. It's natural for some leaves to yellow, but if it's happened daily, then there's a problem. When did you get your hibs? Are they new? Toni
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korina
18 years ago
Carolyn, if they're still in the peaty soil they came in, you should let them get fairly dry before a thorough watering. If they're still mostly dry on top, maybe you didn't put enough water? You can top water, just try not to get the leaves too wet. And drain the pots thoroughly afterwards. Never let your violets stand in water for more than 20 minutes or so.

If they get waterlogged, they will get root rot and die, so it is best to transplant them into a good mix ASAP. It's difficult with peaty soil, because it does hold so much water.

Check out the link below for tons of very useful info, with pics!

Korina

Here is a link that might be useful: Rachel's Reflections
lainielady
18 years ago
Carolyn,

If they are sitting in water for 30 minutes or more and the top of soil is still dry, your potting mix may be compacted. If this is the case and you water from top, the water may just run very quickly through without wetting all the soil. It could be your violets need to be repotted now in fresh potting mix.

Normally when watering from bottom the plants should rather quickly "drink up" the water if dry. If the pot feels light when picked up, your mix is dry. However, if the pot feels heavier, the mix should be moist. Be sure to lightly moisten your potting mix before repotting.

Elaine
lainielady
18 years ago
Carolyn

A p.s. to the above post. If your mix is compacted, be sure to gently remove as much of the old soil from around the roots as possible prior to repotting, because otherwise your hard mix would still continue to cause the same problem, even after repotting. If potting mix has become "rock hard" it is extremely difficult to get wet again.

Second thoughts Elaine. :)
cjsmith
Original Author
18 years ago
That was very helpful, thank you. I think I do need to repot them in looser soil. I will do that.

--Carolyn
korina
18 years ago
My favorite method of removing old soil is to hold them under the kitchen faucet; low pressure and tepid temp. Gently work the roots, loosening them up and allowing the old soil to wash away. Works every time.

Korina

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