Contents
- 1 Can I start an African violet from a leaf?
- 2 How long does it take to propagate an African violet from a leaf?
- 3 What is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?
- 4 What’s the best way to propagate African violets?
- 5 Can a baby African violet grow without a mother leaf?
Can I start an African violet from a leaf?
African violets are very easily propagated from leaf. Even inexperienced growers can quickly produce additional plants and expand their collection.
Can you root an African violet leaf in water?
The quickest and easiest way I’ve found to root African violets is in water using a leaf. Pinch off an African leaf that is mature, but not too old. It should be in good shape—nice and green and not torn. Remove the leaf from the base of the plant so that you have at least an inch of the leaf stem intact.
How long does it take to propagate an African violet from a leaf?
Roots will usually form in 3 to 4 weeks. The leaves of new little plants usually appear in 6 to 8 weeks. You should see several plants form at the base the cutting.
Can you root a violet leaf?
It is relatively easy to propagate African violets vegetatively by rooting cuttings; a leaf with an intact petiole, or leaf stem, can develop roots if properly placed in a rooting medium. African violet leaf cuttings can successfully produce roots in water or soil.
What is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?
Commercial African violet mixes are generally more porous and have better drainage than house-plant potting mixes. African violet mixes also are slightly more acid than regular house-plant potting soil. Many growers use soilless mixes. They do not contain natural soil from outdoors.
Do African violets need to be repotted?
African violets should be repotted about twice a year, or every 5-6 months. One mature, this simply means repotting the plant with some fresh soil, into the same size pot. Over the course of time, your violet will have lost (or had removed) its older, lower, leaves, forming a “neck”.
What’s the best way to propagate African violets?
Propagating African violets from leaf cuttings is the most popular method because it’s so easy and successful. Plan to do this project in the spring. Using a sterile knife or scissors, remove a healthy leaf along with its stem from the base of the plant.
When to cut off leaves for African violets?
This method of African violet propagation is usually done in the springtime. Simply remove a healthy leaf with the petiole or leaf stem by cutting or snapping it off neatly at the stem of the plant. The petiole should be trimmed to about 1 ½ inches for best results.
Can a baby African violet grow without a mother leaf?
Below the top part of the leaf blade, the stem may still be green and have roots going deep down into the soil. Leave this stem as it still may be supporting the plantlet cluster. Even without the main mother leaf the baby African Violet plantlets will grow fine, as long as there is a strong root system developing below the soil.
Can you use the leaves of a violet?
You may use a leaf from a violet you already have or ask a friend to share a leaf of an attractive variety that you don’t have. It is common to find leaf cuttings sold at violet shows or by violet vendors. You’ll find that you can increase your collection without spending much money and have a lot of fun too. WHAT VIOLETS CAN BE USED?