homemade fertilizer for african violets

Make a compost tea from 2 tablespoons each of molasses and seaweed or fish emulsions, 1 teaspoon of citric acid or a few teaspoons of lemon juice, plus fresh hay. Combine the ingredients and boil them for eight to 12 hours in 5 gallons of water, using a bag made from an old sock or a length of coarse fabric.

What is the best fertilizer for African violets?

African violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus trace minerals. The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source.

How do you make fertilizer for African violets?

Mixing 1/2 tsp. of sea kelp meal in 1 gallon of water provides important nutrition to African violets. A combination of bat guano and sea kelp, plus milk and juice residuals, provides a nutrient-rich, organic source of homemade fertilizer for African violets.

Is coffee grounds good for African violets?

Is Coffee Grounds Good for African Violets? Yes, coffee grounds are a great homemade fertilizer for African Violets. Make a mixture of dried coffee grounds and dried egg shells, then work the coffee ground mixture into the top of the soil. Replenish every couple of months.

Is Epsom salt good for African violets?

Applied once per month epsom salts will help trigger bloom in your violets and be a good companion to your African violet specialty fertilizer. Dissolve two tablespoons of epsom salts in one gallon of tepid water in a watering can or pitcher. Swish or swirl the salts in the water to dissolve them and combine the two.

Can you use Miracle Grow on African violets?

Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment. For best results, plant African violets in African violet pots, which are small (4- to 5-inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers.

How do you force an African violet to bloom?

Humid conditions encourage an African violet to bloom. African violets grow and flower best in high humidity. Place a shallow tray of gravel, small pebbles, perlite or sand under the plant's container and fill the tray with water. The humidity in the air around the plant increases as the water evaporates.

Should you deadhead African violets?

Deadhead African violets to encourage more blooms. African violets make useful flowering houseplants since they can bloom for up to nine months per year. They do need the other three months off as a rest period.

Why does my African violet has limp leaves?

If your African Violet plant has been over-watered, the soil will retain too much water. This retention of water will cause the leaves and /or leaf stems to turn soft, limp or mushy. ... The roots absorb so much water, that they can no longer hold onto so much water and eventually rot.

Should you mist African violets?

African violets tolerate average indoor HUMIDITY; 40-60% is best. If your house is very dry, mist your violets lightly with room temperature water on a daily basis, but never late in the day or at night. ... Wash leaves occasionally with slightly warm water, blotting dry.

Can I pour coffee on my plants?

To use coffee as a plant fertilizer, you'll need to dilute it. ... You can use coffee fertilizer on your potted plants, houseplants, or in your vegetable garden. Coffee and coffee grounds can be acidic, but since we're diluting it so much, that's not really a problem unless you're watering the same plant with it every day.

How often should I water African violets?

“How often to water African violets?” is perhaps the most pondered African violet dilemma. The best guide is to feel the top of the soil: if it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant.

Do African violets go dormant?

African violets do not have a natural dormancy period, and given sufficient warmth and light, will continue to grow and bloom throughout the year.

Why are my African violets not flowering?

The most common reason African violets don't bloom is because they aren't getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light.

How do you preserve African violets?

How to Care for African Violets

Keep the soil lightly moist and use room-temperature water.
Leaves are susceptible to rot if kept in high humidity, so water African violets from the bottom to avoid getting excess water on the leaves.
Dust dirt off the leaves with a small, soft brush.

How do you know when to repot an African violet?

When to Repot Your African Violets

"As the plants grow, they can be repotted into larger pots so that they don't get too root-bound." Once your African violet has doubled or tripled the size of your pot and the leaves are starting to wilt, it's probably time to make the move, says McEnaney.

How many years do African violets live?

African violets can live a long time, as long as 50 years! To get them there, you need to provide good care which includes repotting African violets.

How often should African violets bloom?

How Often Do African Violets Bloom? One of the reasons African violets are so well-loved is that they can bloom nearly year-round with the right care. Each healthy flower will last two or three weeks. A happy plant can continue producing new blossoms regularly for 10 to 12 months out of the year.

Do African violets like to be root bound?

Contrary to what you might have heard, African violets do not like to be root bound. They do, however, like to grow in the right shape and size pot. ... If you plant your violet in a pot that is as deep as it is wide, the roots will fill the diameter but will not get down to the lower part of the potting soil.

Do African violets like to be crowded?

Violets need to feel crowded to bloom, but when a plant gets too big for its pot, divide the plant's separate-looking leaf heads. ... Place in potting soil after the roots and leaves become well formed.

Can African violets get too much light?

African Violets need plenty of sunlight, but only indirect sunlight. If Violets get more than this, they will begin to show signs of scorching on the leaves and flowers. ... In the most severe cases, too much sunlight can actually be fatal to African Violets.