I guess this is a two parter.
1. If you lighten the soil, does the ph balance last as long?
2. How often do you need to repot with lightened soil.
I am begining to notice signs of ph problems in some of my plants. Loss of bloom color for one. The plants are very healthy. I am pretty sure there are no critter problems. Six months would have been up in November.
Do any of you have experience with ph problems?
PH with make you own soil
Huh! The only potted plant I've ever seen a pH problem with is my jasmine, which perks up with a sprinkle of "Ironite" pellets. Have you tested the soil's pH to see if there has been a change, or are you just going by symptoms?
Loss of Bloom color could be from other causes than PH.
The color pigment will change slightly due to outside influenceeeees acting on the plant. Light, temperature, soil-mixture, soil PH, plant food- -- all affect the color of pigments. For example , normal pink petals will
become very red when ample supplies of nitrogen and phosphorous are available to the plant. This will account for some of the changes noticed in the blossom color of some African violets.
Cold water and cold temperatures can affect blossoms, Humidity, pot size, stale air,
Different Soils
http://cwerness.home.comcast.net/soil.htm
There are so many, I usee 3 parts Perlite, Bat Poop, when I can aford it I use 25 percent worm castings and kelp meal.
African violets prefer a slightly acid soil mixture and peat-calcine clay combination gives to the plant. Usually the PH will be near 6.8 to 7.0. Also , any mixtures composed mostly of peat moss will have slightly acid PH African violets need. For African violets you want to keep your soil mix that remains loose and fluffy. This will guarantee adequate drainage and good air supply for healthy vigorous gorwth. Afr cian violets prefer soil mixes without soil. You must keep in mind that mixtures without soil need to be ferilizeed a little more often. African violets grown under lights also have different ferilizer needs " More"
You can test your soil PH but best to do when wet with fertilizer you use will change it.
When re-potting alway use fresh soil-less mixture and clean bleached pots and wicks. Use proper size. Re-potting does not have to mean to a larger pot. A same size pot may be needed. Over potting will lead to lots of problems.
Miniatures do need more care and more re-potting. Maybe every 4-6 months . Sometimes Minis- Semi, even Standards can go a year.
I re-pot when the plant needs it.
http://www.rachelsreflections.com/PotUpOneSize.htm
I'm sure Doctor Optimara has information on this also. Good Luck, Allison
Now Doctor Optimara has a lot to say on bloom color change. and PH. They also say;
http://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/pottingsoil-phimbalance.html
For African Violets, the pH should measure between 5.8 and 6.2.
When a few of my African violet books say " Usually the PH will be near 6.8 to 7.0. Also , any mixtures composed mostly of peat moss will have slightly acid PH African violets need " Go figure... and I have at least three books that say this.
Well anyway DR. Optimara has some good information also.
Lt us know what you find out and do about it please. Good Luck, Allison
Two of my plants have sysmptoms of ph imbalance. lightening of the bloom color and a halo effect on the outside of the leaves. Both of the plants are in clay pots. I think there might be a build up of salts in the pots. I will repot to plastic pots. The other thing in the posting that caught my interest was chlorine in the water. Sometimes you can smell the chlorine when you turn on our water, espectially after a storm. I think I will drawn the water and then let it sit overnight before using it.
I plan to leach the plants. Repot in plastic with new soil. Wait a week and then begin lightly fertilizing again.
Thanks guys. Optimira is a good site. I glanced at it before but with your suggestion VT I paid a little more attention to the total posting on PH.
Pots
http://www.optimara.com/africanvioletcare3.html#anchor1525213
Repotting
http://www.optimara.com/africanvioletcare3.html
Size of the pots you use are very important :)) Happy potting . I love doing it. :)) I'll be working on my many babies. Allison
I just repotted one of your babies, Allison. (Fantasy Radiance)
Peat-moss based mixes are usually engineered to be balanced to accomodate most any plant's pH needs, I think.
Chlorine has an ill effect on the beneficial bacteria in the soil, bacteria that often make the "fertilizer" available to the plant.
Kenton
Your so right Kenton ! I can't wait to see Fantasy Radience bloom for her first time ! Hope the blossoms are beautiful for you ! Allison
Thanks James. I think that salts build up from using clay pots and watering with water that had too much chlorine was my problem. I will try to take a picture of the halo effect that took place on two of my plants. The leave had a ring of lighter green around the outside.
We would appreciate that insight, Nanna. Thanks.
You get salt build up easier with clay pots. Also always wateering from bottom and wicking , fetilizer and salts build up. It's good to flush your plants threw with warm water or water from the top once in a while.
Nanna have you checked Doctor Optimara ? Allison
I have. That is usually the first place I go. Thanks
We;come ! It's a grat sight !