I looked at the stickies, and got some answers, but I didn't get one of the answers that I needed. Does anyone know the pH level for AV? We have alkaline water here, which I adjust accordingly for all my plants. I find it most helpful with my houseplants to do this.
Have Questions on AVs
African violets like a PH between 6.4- - 68.o 6.9 would be perfect.
so that means more acidic, right?
This message was edited Apr 30, 2006 5:15 PM
pH 7 is neutral so, this is acidic but nearly neutral. More than 7 would be alkaline.
I'll try and add a link to the sticky regarding soil pH.
in the mean time here's some links I googled
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-10.pdf (PDF FILE)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG028
http://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/pottingsoil-phimbalance.html
according to SteveRD site:
PH Problems normally a PH problem will show itself over more than just one leaf,
- so if just one leaf shows the problem it's not a PH problem, normally
link http://www.steverd.com/violets/leaves/leaf-id.htm
there was some recent discussion on Violet Reflections forum regarding how to adjust it, but I skimmed through it since I wasn't needing to adjust my pH.
hope these help
African violets grow well in 6.4 to 7.4 ~ If your in between these numbers your fine :))
What you put into your soil when watering type of water and fertilizer will make a difference. I like to check mine after watering .
It's funny beacause The Best growing books grow to show , and many more I own say 6.8-6.9 is perfect and 6.4 - 7.4 is fine for growing African violets. !
I feel is you are in any of these ranges you have nothing to worry about.
The water department here in Spokane told me to add regular white vinegar to the water to make it neutral or more acidic, and that in small amounts it won't effect the plants. I think it was two teaspoons per gallon of water if I remember correctly. It was a very old email that I no longer have. Perhaps I should email and ask them again since I've lost the information.
Maybe you can test your soil, test water, and test soil after you have added water and fertilizer.
I just have regular potting soil for most of my plants, however I try to use other mediums if the plant requires it.
I have noticed that my acid loving plants do not like my plain water at all, but after adding a little vinegar they do much better. When I fertilize the acid loving plants, I use Miracle Grow Acid Fertilizer (the stuff for Azaleas, etc...)
Do you use that for African violets ? Does it have Urea in it ? Urea will burn the tender toots of African violets. . African violets like a light soil-less mix and for good healthy growth you will want to add 50 percent perlite.
Some people like to use vermiculite. Then they use 1/3 of each .
What are you planting your African violets in now ?
If you use Canadian peat and perlite and make your own mix the ph will be fine. Canadian peat is naturally 6.5 to 7 ph.
I haven't used anything but straight tap water on the African Violet, since I didn't know it's requirements. I do have some peat I can add to potting soil when I transplant it.
When you make your potting soil you will want to make it light by adding 50 percent perlite and using some water to mix well slightly moist and keep it in covered container.
You would not just want to use a bag of soil-less mix and add Canadian peat to it and not perlite. Lot's of the soil-less mixes have Canadian peat already.
I know right on the bag of MG potting soil says PH 6
when I use this I add 60-60 percent perlite.
Then adding water and food to the mix can also change it.
What ever mix you use it needs to be light.