African violets

Saintpaulia or African Violets as they are commonly known are one of  the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. These beautiful house plants bloom all year through making your home bright and filling you a sense of pride. African violets also come in different colors ranging from deep purple to white and shades of pink and blue. The dark green, fleshy and hairy texture of the leaves make the plant look beautiful and interesting. This is a common house plant in the hot tropics, where it thrives.  These plants are easy to grow and care for, with a little patience you will see them flourish and thrive so well. African violets in special pots make very attractive gifts and you could even  manage to sell well established plants for a decent price.

African violets can be grown from stem cuttings like any other plant that is grown that way. To do this you may have to buy a plant or ask someone to cut their plant, which many people are unwilling to do. But if you asked a friend for a leaf or leaves he/she may not hesitate to give you some. The easiest method would be to propagate these plants from their leaves. Yes, you understood me correctly, you can grow African violets from leaves. You need to select a leaf/leaves that have long stems and look healthy and without blemishes. The leaves of this plant have stems that are two to two and a half inches in length.  You need the full length of this stem, so use a sharp knife or blade to cut out the leaf in a simple stroke. Chose leaves that are not right in the middle or in a visible area of the plant, as that would spoil the way the plant looks. These leaves are soft fleshy and fragile so you need to keep them in a container or box maybe  wrap  the stems in a wet tissue to keep it fresh until you are ready to get the African violets to grow. (and that should be within a few hours)

Now you need as many jam jars as leaves (or use glass bottles with short necks like jam jars). Now fill the jars with tap water or water in which fertilizer ( in right

growing african violets

proportion) has been added. I always use plain tap water.  The water should rise right up to the brim.

Cut out circles of wax paper and put them around the mouth of the jam jar and secure them with a piece of twine. The leaves should never touch the water, though the stem should be well immersed.

Make a hole with a pencil or a sharp knife just enough to allow the stem of the African violet leaf to pass through it. Now insert the leaf and leave the jar in a warm place where there is a bit of direct sunshine, but not where it gets too much sunshine. Wait for 2-3 weeks for the roots to form.

When the leaves have a substantial amount of roots, they need to be potted in pots that are prepared for them. These leaves and roots are tender and delicate so handle them with care. Choose a pot that is small to start with and keep increasing the size as your African violet  grows.

Prepare the pots for your young African violet plants by filling the pots with 2:1:1 loam, leaf mold/coconut fiber mold and perlite/plain sand. This allows for adequate drainage while retaining enough moisture that the plant requires.

Never over water your plants. Check the soil with your fingers and if it is dry give it some tepid water. Since  African violets grow in warm humid climes it is best to keep them in an area that is warm or use the right lighting for it. If it is winter or cold weather you would do well to place the pot on some pebbles, on a tray into which you could pour some tepid water from time to time. The humidity keeps the plant growing healthy and happy.

African violets need to be potted once in four to five months. The plants need to be fed often with a recommended fertilizer, at least once in a month for healthy growth. It would be your joy and pride to see a healthy flowering plant brightening your space anytime of the year.

My love for African Violets started a few years ago when I moved into an apartment. I had no space for big plants,  since I love flowers and the freshness that they bring with them I started experimenting with  African violets. These plants have served as great  indoor plants and out door plants for me. My window sills are often filled with begonias and African violets. Orchids are of course another passion.

A well grown pot of African violets makes a great gift, it is pretty popular after I introduced them as gifts here. I am sure it would be for you too, especially, if you have friends and loved ones who love flowers.

A healthy blooming pot of  African violets would fetch you a decent price if you are willing to market them. But, for me, they are my joy and my pride. I would happily recommend African violets to those who occupy in small living spaces, you can beautify your living spaces with some gorgeous looking African violets.