Hi, I was at Walmarts looking for violet pots and was told the self watering is what they sell the most of for violets. Mine are HAWAII and HARAQUIN, I really like them and want to be successful with them. Are you guys using them? Also, how often do you fertilize? I am looking for a window self because my ledge is to narrow. Any suggestions.
Thanks,
From a newbie, Teresa
Self - watering pots
I bought them, they look nice and were cheap.
The key with violets grown in natural light is to let them get near dry and then add your water (which has 1/4t fertilizer per gallon) in the bottom. They'll absorb it. Capillary action. The advantage to water on the bottom is simply not to get water on the leaves, as this will cause water marks (bleached out spots) on the leaves. Helene
thats all true, i have violets on my kitchen window that are wiced & also some in self watering & they do great.
mrsbonnie
mrs bonnie
I hope you or someone can help. I purchased the self-watering pots. Do you leave a small amount in the bottom or let it dry out and then fill it. My 2 new ones look like they are slowly dying :( The stems are drooping. I picked a couple of the leaves off.
Help what am I doing wrong?
Teresa
They are possibly too wet. The walmart violets come growing in peat which stays too wet. Take the plant and wash off as much of the peat as possible and check the roots and stem to see if your plant is rotting.
If it is rotting, you need to cut off the top of the plant and try and reroot it. If it was just too wet, repot it. You need to buy some african violet/ or houseplant potting mix and a bag of perlite and mix some extra perlite into the mix and repot your plant. Violets need to be DAMP, and not WET. Don't keep too much water in the bottom part of the pot.
tish
Yes , trish is right,remove some leaves, cut off, then look, making sure there is no brown rot showing if there is, you need to cut of a thin layer until you see NO ROT.this may leave you, at the end perhaps only a few leaves, still better then rooting from leaf. You may want to put down some leaves as well.
You water in the bottom only, so you don't get water on the leaves.
Leaving no water in the bottom at all. Let them go near dry then water again. This is for window growing...Helene
Ok, I have cut away the droopy ones (ouch) I think that I left them to damp. I left about an inch of water in the selfwatering pot. I have purchased MG African V. potting soil. So maybe this Sat I can get them repotted.
Thanks for helping!
Teresa in KY
if there is rot going on you must move fast because the bacteria spreads very quickly. If you love this particular one be sure to set down a couple of leaves to make sure you save yourself this violet.
If you haven't already signed up, come over to the Round robin sign up. It will be great fun and a great way to expand our collections and to feed our additions. Lou
Well I have been using the self-watering pots for about 5 months and not happy .
1st casualty...
One has to learn and only fill with enough water that the bottom reservoir takes. Not fill from top and let water accumulate in the bottom. I prefer 3-1/2 to 4" AV pots that Cape Cod Violtry carries. But now that I am growing on a very small scale, i thought the self w pots would work. Niet. Helene
One has droopy leaves. I have let it dry out between watering. I just think me and AF don't get along :(
You will do fine with A. Violets! We all have to learn! It's worth it. They don't like to be wet or too dry, just a bit moist. Otherwise they cannot get oxygen. They need fluffy soiless mix. Perlite and Peat Moss. Also, you add a tiny bit of fert. to the water, I use bottled water. Use less fertilizer than the box says to.
If your plant dies, try again! We will guide you and help! We all make mistakes and learn, but is is all fun.
