Seems were always L@@King for Maximum Results with Leaf Propagation of African violets !
I came across a commercial growers experiments.
Commercial growers and nuts like me we set hundreds of leaves each year.
This gives them many opportunity to run experiments on different methods of producitn " Baby" violets.
Were always out to determine which technique would
1) produce plantlets in the shortest ime
2 ) give the most starters per clump
3 ) produce babies that grew on after separation without setback.
Seems were always L@@King for Maximum Results
The most dramatic difference I have fount and many growers could be effected by controling air temperture.
Leaves kept at temperatures consistently over 85 and under 60 went almost dormant and many rotted. Plantlets produced under these tempertures were few and very slow growing even after being placed in warmer location. It was concluded that the ideal air temperture for leaf propagation was 75-80 .
Experimenting with soil is always interesting. Leaves I have and Comercial growers have set in standard potting mix produced more plantlets sooner and more vigorous . A lots of growers most successful mix was peat moss, vermiculite, perlite in a 1-1-1 ratio with charcoal and lime added for a PH of 6.8. Now when I first learned to mix my own soil charcoal and lime was added and babies did grow fast. Maybe I should add it again.
Another surprise in experimenting leaves watered primary with regular fertilizers produced better than thosed watered with Rootery or Fish emulsion. The first waterings with Peter's Av , Optimara other names like this plants grew fast and produced young.
Using fish emusion was a disaster as the leaves grew instead of of reproducing themselves !
As for soil depth , they and I expected a shallowly filled pot to outdo a full pot- WRONG !. The pots filled to the top were filled with babies first and the fullest !
Leaf tip removal proved to be helpful getting babies up faster . But they were not cut in the beginning. When leaves were rooted ( that is they resisted remoeval when pulled gently ) usually four weeks after setting, the tops then were 1/4-1/3 of the leaf was cut off with scissors. If the variety was in great demand, the piece cut off was also pushed gently into soil in a separate pot to produce also.
Through less controlled esperiments and I have always fount true that it's very important to wait before separating plantles until at least the size of a quarter of larger. The larger plantles suffer less setback. Then they watered them for the first time with Rootery for a quick start. This is when I give my plantlet babies a Fish Emulsion drink ! They really get a boost for me and shoot right up.
Also there was a long wait and growth is well underway before removing any " baby" leaves.
Again air temperatures plays a big rol in the speed of growth. Plants grow up to two times faster when the maximum daily temperture is 80 degrees compared to a growing area with high temperature area with a high temperture of 70 degrees.
Happy Baby growing !
African violets are the easiest babies to progate, their Fun and Easy to grow. Fun to share ! Share the Joy !
thanks for all this info. allison! i am learning so much!
kelly
Your welcome Kelly :))
Good info Allison! Thanks:))
Thanks ! Always worth a try I know people all over the Country and out that have had good sucess :))
Allison this might be why many of the leaves I put down in the winter were less successful than those I put down in the spring.
Hmmm.... 75 to 80 degrees, huh? I'm going to set up my seedling heat mat next fall for leaves! I may even juggle things around & use it a bit this summer.... it has a thermostat, so would only turn on when necessary.
Yes a reason were all battling to progate babies during the cold . They like it warm for Maximum Results
Thanks Allison...good info.
Joanne
Your welcome ! Many healthy babies for everyone !