African violets - hot or not?

One of the most popular posts I have ever written on this blog is this one on how to look after African violets.

I have had a couple of questions from readers of late on how to care for their Saintpaulias, so I thought I'd return to the subject. I recently bought Andy Sturgeon's excellent book on indoor plants, Potted, and loved it all, barring one thing - he includes African violets in his list of plant "pariahs" - the deeply naff species that render you deeply uncool.

I love African violets, though, and my one-woman campaign to rehabilitate the Saintpaulia as a cool plant begins here.

Admittedly there are some rather tasteless confections on the market - I am not a big fan of the pink frilly ones that look like your nanny's knickers. But the deep purple of the classic AV is enchanting, and they look great grouped together, and I like the white ones too. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that one of these plants was the first thing I managed to coax into flowering, aged about 10 or so.

Part of the problem is that while they're pretty easy to grow, unless you do a few easy maintenance tasks, AVs don't stay looking like the plants you take home from the garden centre. I can't remember how many times I have seen a pot crowded full of AVs, usually a parent plant that's grown lots of offshoots - so it looks like a vesuvius of furry leaves.

The flowers are long gone, of course. When offshoots appear, usually from the base of the stem, they should be removed - and preferably potted on to make a new plant. Then there's the problem of overwatering, which tends to be the fate of most houseplants that die. African violets are - duh - from Africa, so they prefer things on the dry side - it's best to let them get completely dry and even a little limp before watering. Head back to my original post for the full monty on AV care.

On to the questions. Bonita Goodman says:

My violet leaves gets to the edge of the pot and then break in the middle. The whole plants seem to take up the pot. The pot is 4 ¾ “across, and it has only bloomed once since I have had it. That was 6 weeks ago. It was in bloom when I brought it home, and I removed the dead flowers when wilted. Should I repot, and if yes, then do I have to use African violet soil?

Not quite sure what Bonita means here, but suspect she's got an overcrowded pot - if there's more than one plant in there, they need separating out. If it's a single plant, however, it can probably stay put as their roots like to be a little bit on the crowded side. Yes, it is wise to remove dead flowers - make sure you pull them off cleanly so no stump is left behind. And African violet compost? Well that's a new one on me, but having Googled it seems such a thing does exist - J Arther Bower sells it for one. I don't think it's necessary - any regular peat-free multipurpose compost that states it's suitable for houseplants will be fine.

Bonnie has another good question:

In reading all the different articles on violets there is no mention of the little tiny black flying bugs I have on my one violet.  How can I get rid of them?  I think I read one time that you can use soapy water?

Hmm. Very hard to know without seeing the plant, but I think that you may have a case of fungus gnats, little beasties that thrive in damp compost. Fortunately Emma Cooper has a great post on her blog that explains the best way to get rid of this problem - installing a couple of sundews. If, however, it's a case of some blackfly - a kind of black aphid - then yes, a spray with some soapy water would usually do the trick. BUT this is a bad idea for an AV - their furry leaves abhor getting wet and you're likely to end up with a very unhappy plant. The only solution then would be picking off by hand, or brushing off with an old (clean) makeup brush. Hope that helps Bonnie!

Comments

[Simon Sherlock]

Well I like them and have owned the same one for about 6 years. As you say remove the offshoots and the flowers as soon as they wilt. Don't over water and keep in a bright place (but no direct sunlight).

It flowers twice a year (and currently looks great).

I'm heading over to your original post now ...

[Rhiannon]

If they are a little too naff for you, but you would like the ease of caring for a plant like an afican violet perhaps you should consider streptocarpus(they are related I think)they have lots of pretty varieties and produce loads of flowers if you are lucky. I got mine from dibleys nurseries and the variety I like to grow is my namesake- I'm not sure if growing plants which have your name is hot or not!

[Rebsie Fairholm]

Nanny's knickers is a great description! I do think they look naff en masse in a mix of colours, but if you keep it to one or two colours they are lovely. I love the plain dark purple ones.

I certainly agree with you that soapy water will make for a very unhappy plant, as the leaves rot so easily if they get wet.

For those who can be bothered, AVs do very nicely in a double pot (i.e. one inside the other like a bain-marie). The AV goes into well-drained soil in an unglazed terracotta pot. The terracotta pot is then sunk into a larger non-porous pot which is backfilled with moist compost. By watering only the compost in the outer pot, the AV stays comfortably dry while the porous terracotta allows just the right amount of moisture to get through.

[emma t]

I totally agree with you about the Sturgeon campaign against uncool flowers. I don't think you can dismiss any plant as completely useless. I would always have said begonias, and then C Lloyd taught me otherwise.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/gardening/in-praise-of-naff-leylandii-pampas-grass-cactus-dahlia-just-some-of-the-plants-thave-fallen-foul-of-the-style-police-its-time-to-stand-up-for-them-says-emma-townshend-744522.html

[Alex]

I was a bit surprised to read you had never heard of African violet compost or soil, yet you are writing a site of horticulture, gardening and the like. When I read you had not heard of soil packaged for African violets (there are many soil mixes packaged for different plants), I decided your site was not for me. How can you claim to know about plants and gardening and not have heard of something that has been around for at least 20 years? Odd.
I, for one, would not look to you for advice.
I was especially taken back that you would admit to your lack of common knowledge. All anyone needs to do is walk through a garden section of ANY store and they will see package upon package of planting ‘mixes’.