I just did a major hack job on Optimara EverGrace. It was getting so so huge. My question is this. Now that I have taken off 14 leaves, the plant is much smaller. So do I repot it into a smaller pot or just leave it like it is. I am putting 14 leaves down and I'm hoping for some really nice babies. But about pot size. Do I repot or do I leave it in the 6" pot?
JesseK
Should I change pot size?
My experience with Ever Special is this. It came in a 6 inch pot and the outside leaves kept dying no matter what I did. So I cut back two rows of leaves (about 10) and put it in a 4 inch pot. It recovered very well. That was a year ago. I just repotted last month back into the 6 inch pot. So far so good. I think the large standards have the potention of growing to the 6 inch pot but the do very well in the 4 inch pots. If the root ball will fit into a 4 inch pot with a little room to grow. I suggest the 4 inch pot.
Good Luck
I'll second Nanna's advice! It's more about root ball than crown size, especially after a major trimming.
14 leaves down! Wow, you could end up with 100 babies! What fun!!
Also if you cut off all those leaves the soil may be heavy, old, roots may be damaged what's on top comes from below first. You may want to cut the old soil and roots off and put it in smaller pot.
I 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
Thanks Allison. Good to know that article is there. I have a wonderful Deer Path Trail that needs to be repotted. I am hesitating right now because I don't want to kill it. It take me a couple of weeks to build up the courage to do what I know I should do.
I have a question. I would like to order a couple AV books. I don't have much money so would like to get the best ones. What do you all recommend? I love books and I love learning so a couple of good AV books would be nice.
JesseK
I have three: Growing to Show by Pauline Bartholomew, African Violets, The Complete Guide by Jan Hill & Gwen Goodship, and The African Violet Handbook by Tony Clements. You can also find excellent information on line at the extension services of state universities and of course there is the sticky at the top of the forum.
Jesse
Sorry I did not get to answering this question of yours in Dmail . I have a few old books one I even gave to a CNA several months ago told her to keep it as long as she likes. Hope she read it ! She has knee surguery couple weeks ago gives her more time. lol
I read mine all the time ! One I like I bought used long time ago for about a dollar or two.
Helen Van Pell Wilson's
African-Violet Book.
This one was revised and copyright 1951,1963.1970.
I have one I paid way to much for and it's not any better than this one ! I like this one soft covered , light wieght though 235 pages lots of pictures and information about everything !
I feel the used old books are best. The information about growing African violets has not changed.
I also enjoy the new and old AVSA or GSN books.
Yes I have read Growing to Show by Pauline Bartholomew, African Violets is good also Nanna yes !
Jesse also what about the AVSA Library ?
http://www.avsa.org/Library.asp
And are there any AV plant books in DG bookworm ?
I have not had time to check the bookworm yet. I have been so busy trying to get all of my AVs organized. But I will probably have some free time coming up soon and would like to read some good books. I will check into the one by Pauline Bartholomew when I get some time. I have been busy rearranging all of my shelves to make things more efficient.
JesseK