I have recently read on the web that , after buying African Violets, in 3 months the commercial medium they are growing in will change properties, as there is usually an agent in it to help regulate the watering which deteriorates, and it is better to re pot the plant. If this is true, by re potting the plant, what exactly does this mean? Are we talking of potting the plant up to a larger pot ( dont think so ), or are we talking about removing the medium and re potting it in a more suitable medium/compost? If the latter, how is this done with as little stress to the roots as possible if the original medium is to be removed?
Dominic
Repotting African Violets
Dominic -
Here is a link with alot of good hints & tops. They include pictures, too, so you don't have to use your imagination!
http://www.robsviolet.com/lessons.htm
Well. I almost always repot. Depending where I got the plant and how much traveling or stress it went thru, I wait one or two weeks and repot. I am used to watering MY soil mix, some are on wicks, some oyama pots, some in flats...I mostly use the same soil mix (a little more perlite in the gessies) for everything. Someone elses soil mix is usually going to be different and need to be watered more or less than I'm used to and I have too many plants to water to have to keep watch over too many special needs. So I repot, the same size pot unless I think it is too big or two small, add marathon (had too much scare with soil mealies a couple years back, so I treat all new plants) and put in my quaranteen area for a couple months. This seems to work for me. tish
You may look far and wide. I do not think you will find better advise that is given free by Robs Violet Barn. He has three violet subjects 1. Repotting a Violet. 2. Restoring a Violet and 3. Violet Necks. All are clearly stated, photographed and easy to understand.
Yes, I have read the advice on Robs Violet Barn, and also have now orderd some plants from them..Many thanks indeed