A hello to all of you! Been to the other forums but first time here. I did try to take a glimpse at the question and answer section...I couldn't quite find what I was looking for. I only have 4 AV - 2 mini's and 2 regular. I have them in 4 in pots (for a few years) and have had to trim them back a few times now. Should I be moving them up a pot size? There is one in particular...God bless it's sweet heart...it doesn't matter how many times I give it a trim - he just keeps on going errr, growing. I'm thinking surely he must be pot-bound by now...but they all look so "happy" i.e. no drooping...they bloom on a regular basis...hate to fix something "if it ain't broke" but am curious what you all's thoughts are on potting up.
Many Thanks!
Chantell
Thriving AV's
Hi welcome ! Nice to meet you !
Well miniatures plants should grow in 2 inch pots never larger than 2.50 . They should also be regularly bathes, groomed , suckers remover and repotted into new pots some new soil but same size pot at least 2-3 times each year.
Large plants can be in 4 inches pots. re-potten 1-2 times a year, bathed and groomed.
Always use new pots and soil when RE-potting.
It's a good idea to follow the 1/3 rules. The pot should be 1/3 the size of the plant If it is over potted or under you will have [orblems.
Also Miniatures Av's are 3-6 inches across. Standards are 8 inch up..
Hope this helps some sure others will have answer too !
Chantell do you ave pctures of your 4 Av's please !
They are unknowns...LOL...yes I'll be happy to snap a couple of pics and post when I get home...thank you so much for the welcome and the info!!! :)
Chantell, welcom. You can never go wrong listening to Violet_Treasure. She's a real pro
OHH Nanna your so sweet just a Pro too along with everyone else here :))
Hi Chantell..welcome...good to have you with us....i agree...if it ain't broke..don't fix it...but many of these folks are experts FROM their experience...
Such a friendly place ya'll are great!! Ok, Violet...I'm posting the pics...I pride myself on my photography so I need to say I cringe every time I have to use my daughter's digital camera. My apologies ahead of time for lack of focus and colors that aren't correct. The first one is the pink mini - this color at least looks correct. The shiny object in the photos is a penny for size comparison. Thanks ahead of time for any guidance!!
Chantell
Here is the purple mini - no blooms yet...I noticed a couple of buds...so he's coming along. These leaves are shaped differently then the pink mini...they have a "ruffled" look to them.
This message was edited Mar 8, 2006 10:11 PM
Pink regular - this is the wild one...mercy - just going all over the place. And remember these have been trimmed numerous times...not recently though...it's been a few months
Purple regular - digital wouldn't get this color right regardless of the adjustments I did. It's a grape purple.
Chantell, glad you are here. Pretty AVs!
Hi Chantell,
Welcome to AVs! Your plants look very happy.
Sharon
Very pretty ! You have had them all in the same pots without transplanting for how many years ? Your lucky they are doing so well !
The first pink looks like girl foliage ! Pretty. Maybe you can go to using Azlea pots their shorter . Av's like these. Rule of thumb is using pots one third the size of your plants. But then root come into account also.
I'd say it's a good idea to transplant once a year. If you feel you need the same size pot. Use a new clean one. Check the plant and check roots and root balls carefuly . Take some soil off the top and bottom cutting any dead roots away and groom and old leaves off.
Now your plants can get fresh soil on top and bottom !
A miniature plant is a plant that is 3-6 inches across and Semi-miniature is 6-8 inches across. From pictures hard to tell what your's is. It looks like girl leaf too ! Very pretty.
I suspect it has many suckers that can be removed and rooted to new plants. Then pot the plant up in new pot the correct size. Mini's never need a pot larger than 2.50. If the pot is too large for it's roots or if it has a lot of suckers could be one reason why it is not blooming. Have you had it for years and it never bloomed ?
After taking off suckers , groom all old leaves, trim root balls and remove some top soil. Re-pot in 2.50 inch pot with light soil-less mixture. Some people like to bag to give the plant humidity for a couple weeks to get use to it's new home. It does not work for me just promotes rot but most people do well with it.
Do you grow your plants in natural light ? How many years do you feel they have been in these pots ?
They may be root bound.
They are all beautiful !
Thanks for sharing them. I'm sure others will have help too !
That should keep ou busy, Chantel. Your effort will be worth the work. May I suggest that when you repot you lighten the soil. Just add perlite to the mix you are using. Half and half should be ok it you are watering by hand.
Good growing.
And Beautiful blooms. I am a lover of pinks in any shade.
Great information, Violet...and thanks again to everyone for such a warm welcome. I'm embarrassed to say they've been in those pots for probably four years...without new soil. Yes amazing (now knowing better) that they're thriving the way they are. They are in a north window - the natural lighting is all they get. They all do bloom on a regular basis - just at different times. When you all "trim" the root, how much is safe to take off? Thanks for the advice nana - yes I've learned a lot about soil in the past year and I'd definately have them in a different mix. I don't pot anything in the stuff straight from the bag anymore...kinda like having a kitchen with the mixtures I get together for various plants...LOL
Wow this may help also
fount this great file of rejuvenation your African violet plant in our Sticky !
Rejuvenating Your African Violet, This is a PDF file, great step by step photos on ‘how to’ )
http://www.violetshowcase.com/rejuvenate_web.pdf
Violet - how perfect was that file?!!! Already printed it and have it to take home this afternoon. Thank you!!!