I would like to know what I do wrong when I re-pot my African Violets. I have a hard time to get them to grow after I re-pot them. They all die within a couple of weeks after I re-pot them.
Can someone please tell me how to do this?
HOW TO RE- POT AN AFRICAN VIOLET
Hi Golden Eagle..I am no expert..but what potting mix are you using and where are you putting them after you re-pot..I use perlite, vermiculite , and peat moss..all equal amounts I mix in my old kitty litter box..all my plants are sitting in natural light by the windows..hope this helps..
I'm sure someone with much more experience will chime in..
I think if you told us what you were doing when you re-pot it would also help alot ..a little more detail..hope this helps..
Sonia
This message was edited Feb 20, 2010 11:50 AM
I have a African Violet Potting Soil Plus mix that I brought from SCHULTZ which has SCHULTZ slow release Multi Cote plant food in it.
What I did was took the plant out of the old pot and knot off the loose dirt from the plant and put the potting soil in the new pot and put the plant on top of it and filled around the plant with the potting soil so it would be the same depth as in the old pot.and watered it from the bottom of the pot. I never water them from the top.
Hi Eagle,
It's kind of hard to say what's wrong without seeing a picture.I haven't used that particular Schultz mix,but their products are usually pretty decent.
Are you possibly putting them into larger pots than they need? A standard violet needs a pot about one third the size of the leaf span.Minis and semis need a very small pot until they are rootbound.
Also,if you are using a mix that contains fertilizer,you should water from the top every third or fourth watering to wash out the excess salt.
Last,are you using clay or plastic pots?
Lynn
IMHO Schultz' stuff is WAY too heavy. I hate their mixes. Try Pro Mix or Miracle grow and add some extra Perlite to it. Maybe about a 50/30 mix.
I order Volkmans av mix. The lightest one. Even then I add perlite. I add bottled water to it. I always water from the top with a turkey baster. Yes, you do have to use the right sized pot. Not too much "soil." Then you have to only add a TEENY bit of water, or none if the "soil" is pretty damp.
I bottom water as well.
I agree I've always read to stay away fom african violet potting mix..I'm sure all these great folks will be able to help get all your plants looking beautiful again..I am also a newbie and have learned alot here from just reading old post. I would be more than happy to share noid or two with you..
Sonia
It's good to know Schultz mixes are heavy.I have only used their plant foods.I use a light soiless mix,perlite,and vermiculite with charcoal.
Beautiful violet Sally!!
Lynn
I think lightening the mix is the key! There's some info on potting in the introductory article I wrote some time ago, http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/249/, and there are also a bunch of helpful links in the forum "sticky" thread.
I think any packaged African Violet mix will work, just mix in extra perlite. Please, please! stay away from the Miracle Grow African Violet mix, as they add their own fertilizer to the mix. That is, unless that works for you, then go for it! Just remember extra perlite!
I use half Pro Mix (no added fertilizer, a peat based soil-less mix) and half perlite, and I toss in a tiny pinch of polymer moisture crystals so I end up with a well-draining mix that I only have to water once a week.
In addition to using a light fluffy mix, please also make sure that you are not using pots that are too big for the violet. They like to be potted small. I believe the rule is 1/3 the diameter of the plant.
I use 1:1:1 Canadian peat, perlite and coarse vermiculite as a base(lots of other goodies added, but I don't remember the proportions offhand). if I am wicking then I double the perlite.