African Violets

If you have suckers or if you put down a leaf and new small plantlets have emergerd do this; knock out root ball, separate any single crowned plants and plant them into pots. A sucker is a plant that has grown out the side of an original plant but is small, carefully slice it from the mother plant leaving at least one inch of stem if possible, plant in soil less mix, moisten then place it in a zip lock baggy so new plant crown can produce roots. This will take about one to two months. Place in good light.

There doesn't have to be a dormant period for African violets [Saintpaulia spp]. Specifically, they're capable of flowering year-round. Important factors are temperature, moisture, light, humidity, growing medium, feeding, and container. Particularly important are the light and the feeding in terms of continuous bloom times.

The scientific name for African violets is Saintpaulia.

Bright vs. Dim

Bright light will cause the center of the plant to grow very tightly, and can cause 'sunburns' on the leaves. Not enough light will cause the leaves to reach up (and look like a celery plant!).

Natural light vs. artificial light

Some plants seem to do best with natural light, and others only seem happy under regulated artificial lights! You can experiment and see what your plant likes best.

The temperature also has an effect on the plants, especially variegated plants!

African violets benefit from having their leaves rinsed off with tepid water or the same fertilizer/water mixture, when I water my African violets they get a total shower every time I water them (the fertilizer helps the leaves stay green and helps prevent powdery mildew. Make sure you blot off the excess water on the leaves and from the crown area to avoid water marks and to prevent crown rot. Also, if you are using artificial lighting to grow your African violets make sure you leave the lights off until leaves and especially the centers are dry.

2 parts nitrogen, 3 parts phosphate, 2 parts potash.

Unfortunately no you can't. This is called sporting when you plant genetically changes either it's flowers, leaf color etc. It is possible by propagating you will get some plants like the original plant. African violets are known for their sporting like this. Some hybrids sports often and some don't at all. Check out The African violet association of American web site for lots of good information.

The seasons that African violets flower depend on their variety. Some of the older varieties seem to flower all the time or at least every two months. Please refer to the related link below where you can see many photographs of beautiful African violets.

Cold water kills the leaves of African Violets. Where the water touches, it causes dead spots on the leaves. Room temperature water will not cause these dead spots.

A Chimera African violet is a violet with genetic differences, being that the blossom is not a solid color for instance, it could have a background of pink with five or six striped color of purple down each little lobe of the blossom if it is a single blossom it will have three lobes on the bottom area and two on the top. The stripes usually form on the outside edges of the lobes. They come in an array of color combinations.

Yes, there are some very nice yellow African violets available. Online.

No, they are not. Taproot plants roots are long like a carrot.