African Violet
African violets, officially known as Saintpaulia, are native to the
Tanzania region of Africa where they normally grown on the rainforest
floor. Although not true violets, their name stems from their
resemblance to this plant. They produce colorful flowers in shades of
pink, purple, and blue. The small to medium flowers bloom continuously,
even in darker months. They appear in large clusters and are surrounded
by the plant’s leaves. The leaves themselves are dark green in color and
have a waxy coating. They are elliptical in shape and usually no more
than three to four inches in length. With proper care, African violets
will reach up to six inches in height and up to a foot in diameter.
African violets are rather easy to care for. They can survive in a range
of temperatures, usually between sixty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit. As
for the soil, African violets should be planted in equal parts peat moss
and perlite with a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Additionally, these plants
grow best when provided with ample, filtered light from an east or north
facing window. African violets will not bloom if lighting is
insufficient, or will turn brown if over-exposed to the sun. Since
African violets are native to humid climates, they grow best in a pot
with a pebble saucer, which moistens the air around the plant. Soil for
these plants should be moist at all times, but never truly wet. It is
difficult to set a precise watering schedule for these plants, but a
rule is to water them whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
Additionally, you may want to add a small amount of fertilizer to the
water when you feed your African violets.
 |
