Help-need to cut back a False Violet

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Tizer88 Crockett, VA Oct 08, 2015

I need to cut back this False Voilet to bring it in for the winter. Any ideas on where to cut and how much?

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Post #10152667
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tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Oct 11, 2015

Streptocarpus saxorum

No need to be fancy, just take a set of HD scissors and cut the pendulous stems off flush with the edge of the pot, then snip off the top so it's slightly domed shape. If it takes you more than 3 minutes, the scissors are too dull or you're making more of the chore than necessary.

In all honesty, how this plant performs for you next year is going to be very significantly impacted by whether or not you repot; and by repot, I mean pretty much bare-rooting the plant, pruning the roots, and giving it a fresh change of soil. Potting up only partially/temporarily reduces the limitations imposed by root congestion - repotting eliminates the limitations entirely, up to about the next point in time where the root/soil mass can be lifted from the pot intact. Once the roots become that congested, only repotting will lift the limitations levied by root congestion.

Al



This message was edited Oct 11, 2015 1:33 PM

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Post #10153908
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Tizer88 Crockett, VA Oct 13, 2015

Thanks. Now, what do you mean by bare rooting and pruning the roots? Again, how much do I cut away of the roots? I am sure it definitely needs to be repotted. It has small new leaves in the middle so I am probably hurting it.
Should I do that this time of year in Virginia or just cut back now?

Post #10154974
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tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Oct 14, 2015

I would repot it in mid to late April where you live. When I repot, I usually first reduce the root mass by about 1/3 by cutting off the bottom 1/3 of the root mass. Then, I remove all the old soil, prune out the largest roots remaining, as well as any 'problem' roots (roots that are circling, girdling, j-hooked, growing straight up or straight down, growing back toward the center of the root mass, .....). When done, the root mass will have been reduced by 1/2-2/3. Then, I repot into a soil that allows me to water appropriately (so I'm flushing the soil when I water) w/o the need to worry the soil will remain soggy so long it affects root health and function. Your choice of soil is the foundation your planting is built on, and you can't expect much if you build on a poor foundation. Chose a poor soil and you'll be in constant battle for control of the plant's vitality - it's not worth it. We simply can't expect healthy plants if we can't keep the roots happy.

Al

Al

Root pruning has a significant rejuvenating effect on plants. Once your plant wakes up and starts growing in earnest, there would be no comparison between a plant potted up and one repotted. The repotted plant (all else equal) will far surpass the root bound plant in terms of growth, vitality, and appearance.

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