African Violets are Great House Plants



Posted: Thursday, October 01, 2009

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African violets are very popular flowering house plants because if kept in the right conditions they will bloom nearly all year long. They come in many colors and can make a beautiful window sill display or a perfect dinner table centerpiece.

Keep these plant in temperatures from 60F to 75F only. Deviating from this range will cause stunted growth and no flowers. During the summer months it is best to place them in an east or north facing window. In winter this same location may not provide enough light so you should supplement with artificial light. If you move your African violet so it is getting southern light be sure the light is not direct but filtered. Strong direct sunlight can make the leaf stalks droop and it can discolor the flowers.

African violets prefer a humid environment which you can easily create for them by placing the whole pot in a pebble filled saucer that has some water. Do not place the pot directly in water because you do not want the roots to be constantly wet. You are just using this technique with pebbles so the immediate air around the plant remains moist. These plants also need moist soil to thrive so be sure to water it as soon as the soil on the surface begins to feel dry. Water the soil only being careful not to let it touch the leaves or foliage. Feed your plant with fertilizer, preferably one made specifically for African violets, once every three to four weeks.

African violets flower better when their roots are just right for its pot. A little crowding of roots is also fine. Repot only if a third or more of its foliage is larger than the pot. At that point use a pot only one size larger so the roots can easily grow into it. Spring is the best time to repot.

Just give your African violets a little tender loving care and you will be surprised how easy it is to get this beautiful plant to flower all year long.

Ann is a home based business entrepreneur who researches and reviews many products and writes about her personal interests. Visit her site Fish Pond Supplies for great information on Fish Pond Filters and Pond Algae Control

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