African Violets
I love them so much as I have been pretty successful in maintaining several plants which I have grown from propagation. These have been a special flower for me for many decades as I got one as a present many years ago – It was not only special but beautiful.
After a little while I was a bit sloppy and accidentally broke a leaf of my beautiful African Violet. I thought maybe I just stick it in the ground and it would grow. It did not but that was not a mistake as the leaf may have been damaged. Since then I have had many success stories of propagating African Violets and it is actually easy. Even more I have had success growing these plants outside. and even flowering. They actually grew by accident.
What is propagation?
I cut off healthy leaves about an inch long from my original plant using a sharp pair of clean scissors. I let the leaves dry for a couple of days so that the end of the stem dries and forms a callous – callous on the end of the stem helps to save the plant from rotting when it is taking root. I then insert the leaf into a small pot of soil at a 45 degree angle.
Absolute patience from now on …
Then at last 4 to 5 weeks or may be later little green shoots appear above the soil. Sometime the main leaf you are growing from dies off and you think it has failed but just lift it up and check underneath – you may be surprised with a brand new little plant starting to grow.
The Colours
African Violets come in a myriad of colours – purple, pink, red and white with bright coloured flowers. They have beautiful thick furry green leaves.
The Best Thing About African Violets
The best thing about African Violet Plants are that they are easy to look after as a gorgeous indoor plant with beautiful flowers. You do not need have a huge garden to own them and look after them and they flower a lot and all through the year if looked after well. If you are bad with plants or want to start this is a ideal plant for you as a little TLC and you have beaten the first section and then it gets better from there.
- They are an attractive indoor house plant
- Place them in a room where they can get indirect sunlight and also a bit of fresh air. Remember too little sun will cause them to stretch and produce less flowers and too much sun can burn the leave.
- Water from the bottom of the plant once a week – always first test with your finger how dry the soil is as the plant does not like too much water. A light fertilizer every two to three weeks will help increase the plant to bloom often. African Violets can bloom all year round. The more humid the room, the less often you will need to water the plant.
- And believe it not … and this is what they say … They can live up to 50 years if nurtured properly and have endured popularity since its discovery in the late 1800s.
The Gift
African Violets are a wonder choice as a gift for all occasions. If you need a housewarming gift or just a gift for any occasion that is simple, nice and is a long-term gift that makes people think of you – this gift works and you can choose a colour that suits and you do not have to worry about size as they are so small and cute. It is so much better than a bunch of flowers because most people will not throw a plant in the bin if it is potted and nice, specially African Violets.
The African Violet
This plant is my favourite plant due to so many great and simple ways to grow them. I can be creative and change them up to something special or even a beautiful gift in minutes as they are so easy to cultivate and grow. This plant is just fun and not a chore as it is small, cute and forces creativity.
#AfricanViolets #MyFavouritePlant #IndoorPlant
