African violet leaves won't grow
anna_294404881
4 years ago
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YOLANDA
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Does anyone remember how to grow African Violets?
Comments (33)Hello Lisa, why are you trying to grow a banana? Does it conjure up tropical images? There is one growing next door that is hated by the other next door because it sends runners under the fence. It even has bananas but is not a thing of beauty. Micro clime thing. North slope, no frost. No banana plantation was ever on the flat. Does that help? I'd like to grow Lily of the valley, tulips, daffodils and a few other things but i know they would be a complete waste of time so i do not bother Somewhat on topic. I love Drosera capensis but it is not growing as well as it should for something that is supposed to send seed everywhere. Comment re. Afican Violets.Beeeeeeeesssssssssts of plants, anyway they would take up space where i can grow orchids.....See Moregrowing african violets care
Comments (2)People before made their own soil instead of using the HD bagged one. I am not promoting using backyard loam, cow manure, sand and all other secret components of this old day soil - but it was much better for the plants then the stuff from HD. So - do not use it straight - add 1/3 of perlite. This soil is preloaded with fertilizer- so do not use any fertilizer for 2 months. It has the wetting agent already in a mix - so do not add dish soap - otherwise your soil will be way too wet. Do not buy these heavy double ceramic pots - they are tricky. The regular plastic pots are better - and you can use mugs, cashepots to cover your plastic pots. You can wet your plants - you can even bath your plants under lukewarm water and leach the soil - but you need to let them dry and blot most of the water with paper towel - before returning back to the window. otherwise the leaves go spotted - that's what your Grandmother prevented by not wetting the leaves - ugly spots. After couple of month your AVs will utilize all the fertilizer - you need to get some for your plants - otherwise they won't bloom. The main cause of AV death - is overwatering or inconsistent watering. Drought to drown is fatal. So - make sure that they never sit in the water in their saucers - splash the leftovers out 10-20 min after watering - and make sure that you know when to water them - lift them up - and if the pot is light - it is time. After some time - you will figure ot how often - may be every five days in summer - and 7 days in winter. Just as Mz F said - read the books, work through the website - find the club or people who grow well in your town. And in no time - it is not a rocket science - you will be growing AVs - your Grandmother would be proud to have. Good Luck irina...See MoreGrowing Fuller, Larger African Violets?
Comments (12)Thanks for the input everyone!=D aegis500: I was wondering if it was just meant to grow like that. It's fine for me if it does, cause it's still cute in it's own way to me!=) I'll just let it grow out for now, cause it does have many old leaves left, and the new ones have been crowded out by the flower stalks! Perle_de_Or: I wish I had thought of taking a proper picture of it in full full bloom!=0 Somehow I went ahead and disbudded before doing it!=( *kicks herself* Though I do have pictures of non-full full bloom, and one of it hidden behind my spring onions in full bloom (not a good picture or angle, but you might see it if you squint hard!=P). I also took a picture of it now!=) Hope you guys don't get too disappointed by the photos though!=X Preparing to bloom: Blooms beginning to fill in: Really hidden full blooming at a bad bad angle (sorry if you can't see it guys!=(): Disbudded (hopefully it's healthy enough?=/): P.S: It's always had the old curly leaves since I got it, and the new leaves curl at the edges too... Do some plants just do that? Or could it be a pest or disease? I've always wondered that, but the flowers were perfectly fine, nor did I see any spilled pollen, so I've just been leaving it alone...=0 I do hope there's nothing seriously wrong with it though...=( But if there is, hopefully someone can help me identify it!=)...See MoreAfrican Violets and AeroGrow Lights....
Comments (4)Hello Aveo, I grow AVs under lights too. They aren't in an AeroGarden likes yours though. You have several options to fix your problem. First, you could reduce the amount of time the plants are under lights. Try 10 hours for a few weeks to see how your plants respond. You could also move the lights further from the plants....like 12 inches or so. But, I don't think you're able to raise the lights any further with your system, right? Last case scenario would be to remove one of the lights. Typically, AVs that are grown under lights are grown in a 2-bulb fluorescent system that produces 4000-5000 lumens over 4 feet of space. The lights are about 10 inches from standard sized plants and 6 inches from semis, minis, and seedlings. FWIW, different plants do react differently to the intensity of lights. Plants with dark green leaves or with purple/red blooms can take more intense lighting than lighter bloomed flowers and light green plants. I hope this helps. Here is a link that might be useful: African Violet Brats Forum...See Moregetgoing100_7b_nj
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