AFRICAN VIOLETS (Saintpaulia)
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Flowers have five petals with yellow centers. |
African Violets have long been the most popular flowering houseplants in the country and will continue to maintain this distinction far into the future. African Violets are not "true" violets but are a genus "Saintpaulia" related
to Gloxinia, originally from Kenya
and Tanzania, Africa.
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New varieties have flowers that can be ruffled or multi-colored. |
One
reason for its popularity is its ability to flower in indirect light and easy
care. African violets are short plants with rounded or slightly pointed leaves
with flower stalks emerging from the
center. Flower colors range from white, pink, red, purple and blue with a
yellow center. There is also a trailing variety which is less well known.
Flowers have five single petals although now double flower are available as
well as fringed and multi-colors varieties which seem to be created every day.
Even variegated leaves of white and green can easily be found.
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With short periods of rest, Africans violets flower throughout the year. |
The
abundant flowers bloom well with indirect sunlight all year long which help
make African violets as popular as they are. They also prefer modern indoor
temperatures of around sixty five degrees which is ideal. Most houseplants
prefer cooler temps at night. Additionally a fully mature plant only requires a
three to six inch pot making them ideal for window ledges, shelves or coffee
tables. All these traits make African violets perfect flowering houseplants for almost everywhere in an apartment or house with enough indirect sunlight or artificial fluorescent light.
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| Use the correct size pots as plants grow to help the roots to adjust. |
Considered
an easy to care for plant, it is
important to remember that African violets come from a warm climate. Water them
with room temperature water. Cold water causes yellow spotting on the leaves .
Also avoid wetting the leaves when watering. Watering plants from the bottom is
a good practice and lets them dry out between watering. Over-watering can cause
root rot, the most common cause of death of all houseplants. Also avoid drafts.
Move away from cold drafty windows and air conditioners.
Easy
and fun to propagate, you can take a leaf with the stem from the center of the
plant and root it in water or potting soil. The outer leaves are too thick and
do not root easily. Once rooted African violets grow quickly to flowering size.
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Once plants have rooted it's time to move them into the soil. |
Off shoots from the main plant are best removed and to their own pots.
Requiring
a rich soil mixture, you can purchase African violet soil premixed or you can *blend your own, but they will not grow well in regular potting mix.
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As the new plants grow you can add them to your collection or give them to friends as gifts. African violets are excellent Mothers Day gifts. |
For
more information on African violets visit the website of the 'African Violet
Society of American'
www.avsa.org
Happy
Indoor Gardening,
James
