I have moved most of my african violets out to my greenhouse and the weather has taken a sudden dive in temperature and I need to know what to do. Right now the temperature is 60° and is expected to get much colder. So what do I do? I also want to know what kind of heater would be safe for my violets. Some heaters give off fumes that would hurt my plants. I eventually want to install natural gas heaters since that is what i use in my home. But for now, what should I do? Please help.
Jesse
Low temperature for AVs
I don't know how big your greenhouse is, but how about a portable electric heater, a 'Vornado' perhaps using a heavy duty indoor/outdoor electric power/extension cord? I sure hope your plants will be ok. Kinda cold!
I was just wondering what is the lowest temperature that my african violets will do okay with. They make up a third of the plants in my greenhouse and I need to consider their needs along with the needs of my other plants. So what is the lowest the greenhouse can be with my violets being safe?
Jesse
Found this info at gardenguides.com
Quote:
Temperature Requirements
"One reason the African Violet is such an ideal houseplant is that it likes the same temperatures as people do. I keep my house about 20 degrees C. during the day and lower the temperature to about 15 degrees C. at night and the Saintpaulia are thriving. African Violets will tolerate day temperatures up to about 85 degrees F, but like cooler temperatures at night. Sixty-five degrees F. is ideal. According to the University of Nebraska's Nebguide on African Violets, however, the plants will become stunted at temperatures lower than this and will be slow to recover even when put into a warm place. "
Hi Snowrose,
I can vouch for that....my plants have been on the deck and it has either been too hot or too cool and they hardly did anything all summer but the ones in the house were terrific.
Joanne
Thanks for the information Snowrose. The fan in my greenhouse has a temperature setting of 60 F to 140 F and I had no idea what my AVs needed. This really helps. I'm a little bit confused though because my african violets are not looking very good right now and it is not from the temperature being too hot or cold. Could it be because I moved them from inside the house to outside into the greenhouse? I need to do something to get them to "perk" up. I wonder if the would like some plant food? I think I will move my minis back into the house because I have room for them now that everything else is outside. I already have my episcias and streptocarpus in the house and I think I want my minis inside too.
Jesse
Hi Jesse,
many environmental factors can contribute to shock. Increased sun, day/night temp differences, air flow, and I'm sure there are other things I'm "forgetting" as I've never had a gh..... It can take time for plants to adjust, sometimes taking a few new leaves-worth of time.
Fertilizer is generally best avoided when a plant is in stress. Some things that I might use are - in very very weak doses - superthrive or seaweed fertilizer (I suspect Eleanor's VFT would also be ok). I tend to spray the seaweed, but that's a bit tricky on AVs.....
Jesse be careful of cold temp's Africa violets can live at 60 for short period of time but they will not grow at this cold temp. They really should be kept 68-74 degrees. Even here in Florida we ran lights and heater at night to keep plants warm. Also windowsills will be ten degrees colder than the room.
When it's cold they are more likely to get fungus, mold, mildew which is really not good for your plants. You will want to water them less and I always liked to use warm to hot water. Really cut your fertilizer down to almost nothing.
And babies or leaves I would keep in your home along with Espsica..
** IMPORTANT. Epsicas , Alsobia Cygnet DO NOT LIKE COLD ... THEY NEVER LIKE IT UNDER 65 ..they like it hot, warm and humid.
Streptocarpus do like it cooler but but not under 60.
Chiritas can handle the cold to 40 degrees !
All of my Episcias, Alsobia Cygnet, Streptocarpus and Chiritas are in the house so I don't have to worry about them. And I think I'm going to bring my mini avs inside. That way I won't have to worry about them. I have some babies to pot up and I'm not sure where I will keep them. But I will try to keep my greenhouse as warm as possible. Thanks for the help from all of you.
Jesse
generally, streps and chiritas will deal with cooler temps without a problem - they'd be more sensitive to the heat in your temp window.
Yes I was going to say Jesse as mentioned Streptocarpus and Chiritas like cool weather and Chiritas even to 40 degrees ! But Av's, babies, leaves down no they won't like it under 65 .