Over the years I have attempted to grow African Violets but never got them to live long much less bloom after the blooms they came with dropped off. Back in May I bought another to try yet again. The only window sill I have to put it on is the livingroom, west facing window....and the only direction I had yet to try. I was afraid that the extreme hot west sun this summer would be too much for it but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I placed a plastic cup upside down inside a larger decorative pot and sat the Violet in it's original pot inside. When the soil is dry I add water until there is about 1/2 inch of water up the sides of the pot. Can you see all the blooms and buds???? I have never had one bloom for me before. Yipeee, I finally have a blooming A.V. ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )
Congratulations Toni!! You've done exactly the right thing with your AV - given it humidity - and it's certainly paid off for you. Well done. Now you have to go out and buyt some more.
I had given them humidity before this tho, planting instructions always said to place the plant on a pan of rocks and keep water in the rocks. That never worked, but closed up in the decorative pot seemed to do the trick. I don't know about getting more, but there were some pretty pink ones and some white ones at the garden center...oh, just what I need is houseplant obsession again.
I've got mine in a west window too, and it's blooming now! It seems to thrive on total neglect...I've never fertilized it, just water when it needs it.
Way to go Toni. We all have to use our own little tricks. Mine has been sitting in an east window but I used violet food and it now has many flowers on it. I put it in our fair here this week and it took 1st place on it. My problem is not being able to keep primeroses to last and they're so pretty too. I have yet to figure the secret on them.
Another thing about African Violets is they really dislike getting their leaves wet. Brown water spots appear on their leaves after getting wet. By you watering from the bottom, no brown spots on the leaves. Well done, toni!
Gratz Toni! Yea my mom who kills everything managed to grow one and its sprouted 2 off the mother plant. Hers is in the west window too. And she never remembers to water it....even if she looks at it everyday because its the kitchen window She has the pots sitting in shallow dishes and just adds water to the dishes.
I love african violets I have a huge one that I have had about 4 years now and it blooms all the time .I keep it in my bathroom .its in northwest window but the bathroom light stays on 24 /7
