African violets are popular potted plants that decorate houses and apartments, but also gardens. They can also be grown outdoors in summer. Their velvety leaves and delicate flowers of various colors make them popular as decorations for window sills and shelves.
What to do if our plant does not want to bloom? Often, one small change is enough to make a difference it was covered with buds.
African violets are also known as violet vultures. These are popular ones that have specific requirements. The condition and appearance of the plant largely depend on their fulfillment.
Violets like bright places, lit with diffused light. They do not like watering from above. A much better idea is to place the pot in a saucer with water so that the plant can absorb the necessary moisture itself.
They also need a stable temperature (around 18-25 degrees Celsius), rather humid air and a permeable substrate. Interestingly, they also prefer tight pots.
African violets in nature develop in specific conditions, taking root in small rock crevices, where the layer of humus is thin and the space is small. Putting them in large pots is a shock because they have access to a lot of soil and a lot of space.
The plant then focuses on developing roots, and despite large, dark green leaves, the number of flowers is small. Thanks to a tight pot, the African violet receives a signal that the soil is stable and you can focus on producing flowers.
At the same time, in larger pots there is a greater risk of water stagnation. The substrate stays wet longer because it dries slower. African violet does not like excess moisture, which can lead to rotting of the roots and the development of fungi.
The ideal pot for an African violet should not be too large. There is a fairly simple way to choose the best product for a given specimen. The diameter of the pot should be about three times smaller than the diameter of the leaf rosette.
Most African violets growing in our apartments therefore need a pot with a diameter of 7-9 cm. A smaller pot can encourage the plant to produce new buds and flowers. Often, a similar effect can be observed after 4-6 weeks.
