African Violets

Nature 3 Minutes

African violets are one of the world’s most popular houseplants and for good reason. These compact, low-growing plants flower several times a year, and they are available in a multitude of leaf forms and colors. African violets are distinguished by a rosette of thick, fuzzy leaves and violet-like flowers that bloom just above the evergreen foliage.

Don’t be put off by their reputation for difficulty: providing you follow a few simple rules, African violets should thrive indoors. With a little experience, it’s possible to keep these slow-growing plants in flower nearly all year round and grow them to the size of dinner plates.

African Violet Care

African violets will thrive in bright, warm and humid conditions. Keep water from touching their leaves or it will leave brown spots. Remove dead flowers and leaves as soon as you see them to encourage a healthier plant. Regularly check the soil for excess moisture. This will encourage rot. Growing these houseplants is really a matter of balance; you have to make sure that the different factors that go into their cultivation all are weighted against each other. They should be kept in moist enough conditions that they don’t dry out, yet still exposed to a fresh breeze to avoid letting them get too stuffy, and exposed to sunlight without damaging their leaf tips. Don’t be discouraged if your African violets suffer some damage—it’s all part of the process.

Light

African violets do well in bright but not direct sunlight. They are commonly grown under fluorescent lights placed 12 to 15 inches above the leaves. If the leaves start getting light green, your plant is getting too much light, while thin and dark green leaves or a leggy plant indicate too little light.

Soil

A well-drained potting mix is essential for African violets. Poor drainage can cause root rot, in which the plant becomes waterlogged and its leaves begin to fall, so make sure that the plant is never allowed to be exposed to standing water for an extended period of time.

Water

Keep soil moist with warm water and strive for high humidity. Do not allow water to contact the leaves of the plant to prevent damage, other than light misting. Water from below, or push the water spout into the soil when watering. Don’t allow the plant to sit in water.

Temperature and Humidity

African violets like warm and humid conditions and thrive at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not allow the temperature to fall below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Do your best to keep the plants away from any drafts in the home.

Fertilizer

Feed with an African violet fertilizer every other week during the spring and summer. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

Types of African Violets

The original plants, the S. ionantha, were introduced in Germany in 1893. Shortly after, the S. confusa were introduced when a grower at the nursery noticed subtle differences among some of the plants. Since then, thousands of varieties have been produced. Today, African violets are available in single and double flowers, frilled and different shaped flowers. Their flowers come in all different colors, and the plants have widely varied leaf shapes. They come in both single crown and also multi-crown, trailing plants. These are just a few examples.

‘Persian Prince’ is a miniature-sized plant with scalloped medium green leaves and semidouble dark purple flowers.

‘Lyon’s Lavender Magic’ is standard size with medium green foliage, and white with light purple colored star-shaped flowers that can be single or semi-double and frilled.

‘Hawaiian Pearl’ is a standard size plant with dark green foliage and has a semi-double star shape flower that is ivory with a dark lavender/rose band.

‘Summer Twilight’ has variegated leaves with frilled lilac-purple flowers that have a white edged border.

‘Lonestar Snowstorm’ has variegated leaves with single white frilled flowers.

‘Little Maya’ has dark green foliage with deep crimson red flowers.

SOURCE: THE SPRUCE

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Published by pat frederick

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147 thoughts on “African Violets”

  10. sunnydaze
    January 26, 2024 5:03 pm

    ….” A group of Republican senators led by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) introduced a bill on Thursday that would ensure that illegal immigrants are not included in the population count for the Electoral College or congressional districts.

    The bill, titled the “Equal Representation Act,” would require the Census Bureau to ask a citizenship question so that Electoral College votes would only be apportioned based on U.S. citizens living in the state. Former President Donald Trump attempted to have the question added to the 2020 census but was blocked after he faced a bevy of lawsuits from Left-leaning groups. “……

    https://www.dailywire.com/news/tennessee-senator-introduces-bill-to-end-counting-of-illegal-immigrants-for-electoral-college

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Greg Price
    @greg_price11
    I just want to remind everyone that in addition to once saying on CNN that “rape is sexy,” E. Jean Carroll’s accusation against Trump is an exact plot line from a 2012 Law & Order SVU episode.

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    Liked by 2 people

  12. “Texas Finds Loophole With New ‘Super Ouchy Pokey Wire'”
    U.S. · Jan 26, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    EL PASO, TX — With the legal conflict between the federal government and the state of Texas still in full swing following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the use of razor wire along the southern border, Texas found a loophole by instead using “Super Ouchy Pokey Wire.”

    The new type of wire, manufactured in Japan, provides an alternative to the controversial razor wire that was previously being used to deter illegal migrants. Legal experts consulted by Texas officials discovered the loophole and presented it as a viable option to subvert the legal challenges brought by the Biden administration.

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    Members of the Texas National Guard had already been given orders to begin installing the Super Ouchy Pokey Wire along all heavily trafficked border crossing points. The White House was reportedly already working behind the scenes to put forward a new legal challenge. “This is outrageous,” one Biden administration insider said. “We’re going to use every type of diplomatic and economic pressure we can to hold the makers of this product accountable. Those clever Texans will not get away with this.”

    At publishing time, Texas officials had placed an additional order for more Super Ouchy Pokey Wire from Japan, this time with the optional Buzz Zap Shocky Shocky Electricity feature.”

    Liked by 1 person

  13. “Biden Says Texas Has Till End Of Day To Remove Razor Wire Or Else Frinlerbagsuzzit Dorblelerg”
    POLITICS · Jan 26, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a stern warning to Texas and other states standing in support of razor wire barriers at the Southern border, President Biden said that Texas has until the end of the day to remove it or else frinlerbagsuzzit dorblelerg.

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    Confused reporters directed further questions to Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre, who is black as well as gay. “What the president means is something he has been clear about from day one, and that is exactly what he means, which is abundantly clear,” she said. “The important thing to remember here is that the border is one-hundred percent secure and Biden is the most competent President of all time. No further questions, thanks.”

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    At publishing time, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to uphold Biden’s decision to impose frinlerbagsuzzit dorblelerg on the state of Texas.”

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I am adding a short daily prayer to the board. I would invite each of you, if you wish, to also add one or maybe two of your own liking. I do not want to stifle anyone but please limit yourself to one or two religious postings. here’s one I found that I liked.

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