Best brand soil for African Violets

Does anyone have suggestions as to which brand soil is best for African violets? I can find is miracle gro and it ends up packing down solid after a few months.

I suspect that you will get many different answers to this question. It's one of those for which everyone seems to have his or her own best answer. I am especially fond of a 50:50 blend of peat and vermiculite. I always found that this mixture encouraged much healthier roots than any of the commercial AV soils I tried. To this you can also add some perlite if you like, and some swear by the addition of a bit of charcoal, but I always had best results with just the peat/vermiculite mix.

While I used this mix to grow all of my violets, I also found it (sans perlite) to be the absolute best for rooting leaves. I suspect the climatic differences (humidity, etc) in different parts of the country (and world) along with individual differences in watering practices may account for much of the differences in the answers you will get to this question.

Here are some links to various other AV 'soil' recipes. As I said, there are many. Google will yield many more. You might want to try a few different mixes to see which you prefer.
http://violetvoice.blogspot.com/2010/08/soil-recipes.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/how-potting-soil-african-violets-2666500.html
http://carolsavs.miniviolet.com/tips.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~onepinkpoodle/id4.html


The following explanation from Optimara.com may also be helpful:

"A good potting soil for African Violets actually contains no soil (or dirt) at all. A good potting soil will be very light and porous, a quality which enhances aeration, while keeping the soil moist, but not soggy. Such a potting soil will be made primarily of block-harvested, sphagnum peat moss. Perlite or expanded polystyrene will be added to maintain optimal porosity. This contributes to the proper aeration of the potting soil, while keeping it light and porous. In addition, since peat moss by itself is very acidic, small amounts of calcium carbonate, or some type of lime, will be added to correct the pH. For African Violets, the pH should be between 5.8 and 6.2. This is still slightly acidic, but very close to neutral. The pH of a potting soil is important, because if it is too high or too low, African Violets can not properly absorb nutrients.

While it is unlikely that potting soil from a reputable manufacturer will harbor unfriendly micro organisms, it may nevertheless be prudent to treat the soil before exposing it to your African Violets. The process for treating potting soil is called pasteurization. To pasteurize your potting soil, it must be heated to 180 degrees F for 30 minutes. This can be done by simply sealing the potting soil into heavy aluminum foil (minus the bag, of course) and placing it into your oven. By inserting a meat thermometer through the aluminum foil, you can monitor the temperature of the soil. Once the temperature reaches 180 degrees F, continue to heat it for 30 minutes. When the process is complete, remove the potting soil from the oven and let it cool. Once it has sufficiently cooled, you should seal it in a plastic bag or some other air-tight container in order to prevent contamination."

What purpose is the charcoal for? Ok so my other question is the mixture you said the same for starting AV seedlings? I read NOT to have perlite for them as they will cover the tiny seeds. But then what to add for proper drainage?

I use a peat moss/perlite mix. Almost 50/50 favoring peat moss so as not to dry out as fast.

I don't add charcoal to my AV soil, but many people do - horticultural charcoal, that is. Charcoal helps to stabilize humidity and minimize fluctuations. It also absorbs some types of toxins, helps to prevent root rot, and helps to keep the soil smelling 'sweet'. The amount added is very small, somewhat analogous to adding salt to a pot of food.

I have never started AVs from seed. I didn't say my mix works for seeds. I said it works for rooting AV leaves. My mix does not contain perlite, just peat moss and vermiculite. I mentioned that some people like to add things like perlite and charcoal to the mix for growing AVs (not for starting seeds). While I have the best success growing violets in a 1:1 mix of peat & vermiculite, many people including commercial growers recommend a mix of equal parts peat, vermiculite, and perlite. Like I said before, you will likely get as many answers to this question as there are respondents. There is no single, best answer. This is why I recommend you try a few different options to see what works best for you.

The peat/vermiculite mix is popular for rooting AV leaves as is the peat/perlite mix recommended by Tommyr2006. Leaf propagation is by far the most popular method for propagating AVs. Leaf propagation is fast, easy, and inexpensive, plus a single leaf typically yields numerous plantlets and may even be used over and over again if you are careful. Except for chimeras, leaf propagation yields plants that are true to the parent plant, whereas seed propagation usually does not. Leaves of 100s, perhaps even 1000s, of varieties are available for next to nothing and many are probably traded here on DG, as well. Unless your goal is hybridization, I would highly recommend leaf propagation over propagation by seeds.

Because AV seeds are so very fine, even vermiculite is not recommended for this use, as seeds may become trapped in this substance as it expands. Many growers use a layer of peat moss (alone) for seed starting. Some people take those jiffy peat pots apart & sprinkle the contents in their seed starting container to form a layer, but I should think a bag of very fine peat moss would work the same and be a much better value. I think the jiffy peat pot contents are popular because the peat is chopped super fine.

As I mentioned above, I would highly recommend that you experiment a bit, trying a variety of AV 'soil' recipes to determine what works best for you, both for propagation and for growing plants - you may find that you need 2 different mixes, 1 for propagation, another for growing. Some recipes hold water better than others. Some are better for growing with mats, wicking, and self-watering planters, while others are better for use with traditional pots. Depending on such factors as your environment and your particular watering habits, you may find that one mix works best for you.

If you get more than one 'soil' recommendation here at DG, you might try potting a few plants in one and a few in another to see which you prefer. Note that each of the links I posted above also contains a recipe for the AV potting mix recommended by that particular grower. The 3 main ingredients used in AV propagating and growing mixes are peat, vermiculite, and perlite. One option might be to buy a small bag of each of these and (assuming you have several plants) try one or more plants in each of (1) the peat/perlite mix recommended by Tommyr2006, (2) a 1:1:1 mix of peat, perlite, & vermiculite, & (3) my 1:1 mix of peat/vermiculite. Mix 2 is very popular. Tommy's mix is also popular (for leaf propagation as well as growing AVs). Most recipes are 1 of these 3 perhaps with a few minor additives. For now maybe skip the minor additives and just see which mix of the main ingredients works best for you.

Oh, DreamofSpring...your baby is adorable!!! We have a Maltese too ::)) In fact, I have pics of him with a black bow in his hair lol!! He IS our child (grin)

Sorry :( Back to mixes....

You will get a different mix/opinion from anyone who grows due to watering methods and environment. I personally can't use vermiculite in my mix because it stays too wet. I wick water. Now I can use it when I bottom water. Your mix needs to work according to how you will water. Anytime you wick (like I do), you need a lighter mix than if you hand water once a week.

Keith, because it's "to each his own" all I can do is recommend a test for you to use that will help you find the correct medium mix. Take a 4 inch pot for each mixture you want to test. Place each mix in each pot and label them WITHOUT a plant in the pot. Water them as you would if you were growing a plant in there. Do this for a couple of weeks and keep checking the mixture. Is it too wet? Is it too dry? Perlite helps keep the mix on the drier side, vermiculite helps keep the mix on the moist side.

Charcoal keeps the soil "sweet". That is another topic that is constantly debated. Some of your top growers/hybridizers use it and love it BUT they repot as they should. Other growers/hybridizers have said they will never use it as they find that while it cleans/sweetens the soil, after a short time it releases the toxins back into the soil and will affect the health of the plant. I have some but I've not tried it. I just try to keep my babies on schedule for repotting to avoid having my mix "sour".


Connie

Thank you the advice from everyone has been very helpful. My final question is can dry manure or blood meal be added to the soil like outdoor plants get, or do African violets not tolerate this form of fertilizer being they are indoor plants?

I'm not willing to stink up my house by cooking it lol. They have used a small amount manure in mixtures but it needs to go through the process due to bugs, etc. They will be just as happy with a balanced fertilizer but that's your call if you want to try it.

Connie

If it has to be cooked forget it lol not worth the smell. :)

Since the miracle gro soil only has sphagnum peat moss and a little perlite, in going to add more perlite and also add vermiculite. I can skip this for growing seedlings. I don't need lime as soil already has right ph, and I'm not adding charcoal. I noticed another issue. This soil fertilizes only 3 months, is there something I can add as a "slow release" fertilizer, perhaps that will last 6 months? I do feed with schultz's African violet liquid fertilizer, its 8-14-09 I'm not sure if that is proper amount for monthly feeding?

To each his own, I say. I like your idea of testing w/o a plant, Connie. I definitely agree that different mixes work best for different people for various reasons, and that it's a good idea to try different things to see which works for the individual and his/her circumstances.

I don't water on a schedule, like x amount per week, that sort of thing. I use my finger sticking it into the soil to determine when more water is needed. I then add enough water to wet the soil thoroughly. After about 15min or so I empty all saucers to ensure the soil is well drained. I don't water again until my finger says it's time, regardless of whether that is 1 week or 3. I've been at this for a very long time, so my finger knows, but it's not easy to explain this method to someone new.

With my environment, water, etc and my watering habits, I find that the peat/verm mix encourages the growth of visibly strong and healthy roots. I have always been impressed by the appearance of the roots when transplanting 'babies' (from leaf propagation) from this mix. I can see, however, how this mix could lead to problems for those new to AVs who might be more inclined to over water - and maybe for the various bottom watering methods, as well.

I don't use any other soil additives either and don't care for charcoal. I have had problems with it in the past, although I never knew why. Connie's explanation makes sense.

Cross posted.

I should think the Schultz fertilizer would be sufficient. It is formulated to meet the needs of AVs. I would only use 1 fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can also lead to problems.

Connie,

I got so caught up in AVs, I forgot to thank you for complimenting my little guy Widget. I used to use red bows, but I absolutely fell in love with the tuxedo/formal look of black and white the 1st time my groomer 'dressed' him that way. Widget is my 2nd Maltese. I had a female before him. I find the interesting thing about having a male Maltese is that everyone calls him a 'she' even when I tell them he's a male. I think it's just impossible for people to see such a froufrou, girly dog and think 'male'. :-)

Ok, back to AVs.

Is the Miracle Grow an AV specific mix or just their regular potting mix? Another mix popular with commercial growers is a mix of equal parts AV soil (such as the Miracle Grow), perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite.

Yes it is an AV specific mix. Trouble is it has no vermiculite so I bought some. And fertilizer only lasts 3 months, what do I use for the other 9 months before repotting?

In general you will have to add perlite to most any mix to make it light enough.Vermiculite is a matter of choice.It holds more water.If you use a light mix like ProMix or Sunshine you can add perlite and vermiculite if you want to.

When the fertilizer in the soil mix expires, just use any good AV fertilizer or AV plant food. Didn't you say you had Schultz liquid? Use that. Or if you prefer a time release fertilizer like the one in the MG mix, you can buy one of those. Just google AV food or AV time release food if that's what you want. There are tons of options out there.


Edited to change "one" to "fertilizer" to avoid confusion.

This message was edited Aug 16, 2013 6:10 PM