Transfer these plants into a one-size-up container with a 1 part African Violet Mix and 1 part rooting medium mix, the same as the one we put together for the cuttings. To stir it up, any household mixing bowl will do. Then wait for the water to drain out from the bottom and return the violet to its home. Monitoring the Cutting and Water Regularly monitor the water and look for any developing roots. I think everyone should grow African violets. I’d wait until the spring time before seriously considering it, and even then you can safely wait until those leaves that are forming now are a larger size. Propagation of African violets to gain more plants of the same variety is normally done by leaf propagation. Your goal is to remove the bottom of the root ball in an an amount equal to the length of the neck; in other words, if your violet has 1″ neck you want to remove 1″ of soil and roots from the bottom of the root… Read more », Awesome post! Put the leaves in the bowl of water… Unless you live in semi-tropical to tropical climates, don't put your African violets outside or near drafty windows. My mother is a breast cancer survivor as well, props to you! Purchase a commercial potting mix that contains vermiculite and perlite soil conditioners. The mini greenhouse shouldn’t have too much water in it, but it should never dry out completely. When I was in charge of maintaining greenhouse stock at an old job, I took special pride in the condition of the African violets. I told about a 23 year old violet in my sunroom that my husband’s puppy stripped of most of its leaves in order to bury her rawhide chew. Its survival along with my own has been very symbolic for me. This can take a day or two. I suspect that I might have overmoistened it… Please advise. Fluorescent grow lights work well for African violets. Another lesson in Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – for those plastic supports, I used old plant tags. For this kind of delicate work, I prefer to use pruners, like the Fiskars Softtouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snips. For simplicity’s sake I harvested leaves from a single plant, five total leaves for propagation. What do I do with it? I hope they’ve all survived and are doing well! Never Use Cold Water. The easiest solution to remove these substances from your water is to add a filter to your tap. Seeds are never perfect replicas of the parent plant. In time African violet leaf cuttings should produce a new plant, but using rooting hormone will speed things along considerably faster. Proper watering is essential to African violet care. 1. But you can also pick it up at your local nursery, or find a suitable mixture online. See our TOS for more details. If you look closely at the crown of Saintpaulia you will notice that leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern. 3 weeks later it has small roots but to my surprise the leaf steam is growing tiny baby leaves under water. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. The media should be moistened vermiculate or 50% bagged African violet mix and 50% perlite. You can make one clean cut across the top of each leaf, effectively slicing away the top half of the leaf. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. The rooting hormone is unnecessary for African violets. And if you love home propagation, let us direct your attention to this piece on getting started with succulents. In fact, it’s quite simple. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. African violets (Saintpaulia spp. Hey there! The difference between it and vermiculite is insignificant, and I can also readily buy perlite in these convenient 8-quart sized bags. The ideal temperature range for rooting African violet cuttings is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Just a thought. Allow the soil to soak up the water completely. O hope they all make it! They have a well-documented history and are relatively easy to care for, but propagating them from cuttings is an exercise in pleasure. When the baby leaves appear do you cut the larger one? I'm letting them get a little bigger before I try transplanting them to well-moistened vermiculite to help them develop soil roots. Miracle-Gro 8-Qt. Miracle-Gro’s African Violet Potting Mix is excellent for many young plants. This can occur due to overwatering and wide temperature fluctuations. I currently have about 40 babies growing all over my house and am now experimenting with a few things such as use of supplemental grow lights and containers that won’t break the budget with good success (eggs shells that come with their own clam covers. I use this one from PUR, available on Amazon, and it serves me very well! To sprout these tiny seeds, it’s good to use a light soil mixture of peat, vermiculite and greensand. Many thanks! © Ask the Experts, LLC. Go to www.avsa.org to learn more about growing African violets! These leaves should be well-developed and healthy. I’ve never seen that, what a funky happening. Carefully place the stem of each leaf into the rooting medium. They were also a favorite plant to bring home, and in the years I’ve spent caring for these tough yet delicate plants, I’ve learned the ins and outs of the African violet. There always seem to be a few lying around. They look kind of like alien jellyfish. It earned a reputation as a finicky plant, difficult to care for and prone to sudden death. Empty any excess water remaining in the bowl of saucer and let the pots drain while you get the cuttings ready. African Violets Propagation Directions. I put a few leaves in water, add water when needed, and my last check, I notice small tiny green leaves under water. Applying a rooting hormone to plant cuttings artificially beefs up the supply of auxins and helps the plant to grow stronger roots. By the time you’re finished reading this, you’ll be armed and ready to start your own African violet assembly line! I’m glad the stripped leaves can be useful to carry on the legacy of your powerful and long-lived violet. This upbringing keeps him permanently affixed to the outdoors where most of his personal time is invested in gardening, bird watching, and hiking. Why? Here is more about what we do. By placing the plants in a well-drained rooting medium and containing them in a mini-greenhouse with some bright light, you are effectively duplicating their native cloud forests. Jul 1, 2017 - The African violet leaves that I've had in water since November of last year (about 6 months ago) have sprouted roots and little baby plants. Thx! In both cases use good-quality water, such as rainwater, at room temperature to grow or water your leaves. The second and vastly superior method is to fill the tray or container that your violets sit in with water. I made a short video showing how it’s done and there is a step-by-step tutorial (below) as well. He presently resides in Philadelphia and works under the sun as a landscaper and gardener, and by moonlight as a writer. The second method, also known as the inversion method, is most effective. There are a few things you can do to ensure you are properly watering your violet. Add some water to the rooting medium, just enough to be able to clump the mixture together into a barely-there clump. Nice work keeping that going for 23 years, that’s very impressive. Leave the end of the cut African violet petiole to callus in open air for an hour before you put it in water to help it form roots more readily. I’d carefully wipe the leaves to remove the frass, and check every leaf and stem for pests. My husband’s new puppy had gotten up on a table in our sunroom and decided my violet’s pot of soil was a good place to bury her rawhide chew. 3. This can be prevented by keeping irrigation water off of the foliage and using water that is room temperature (“African Violet Diseases”, 2016). The edges of the leaves may turn upwards, turn yellow, or develop holes. It feels more like a handful of sand when you’re building the perfect sandcastle. Matt, thank you for the propagation information. This method is difficult because it’s nearly impossible to avoid wetting the violets. These are available on Amazon. I’ve had the best luck when the roots are about one-half inch long. Carefully tap off the extra powder from the leaf stem. You don’t need much, only a fine coating. My violets are crowded, and they reseeded themselves last summer. ), prized for their attractive flowers and multiple forms, can grow and bloom under bright artificial or indirect light -- traits that make them ideal houseplants. Choose a Leaf If the water could potentially contain bacteria, boil the water and allow it to cool to kill unwanted microorganisms. After the time’s up, drain any excess water. But plastic forks – or even toy Army men – could be used. Place the cutting in the water-filled jar so the leaf petiole is submerged in the water but the leaf is resting on the lip of the jar and completely exposed to air. That’s because of its profuse and reliable blooming, the ease of care, and the mystique of being a plant native to Africa. Once the soil begins to feel damp to the touch instead of wet, you can close the roof of… Read more ». How much or do you water the leaf while it is in the container (mini greenhouse)? I’ve always defaulted to perlite in the past. Answer: Though leaves may be rooted in water, there are disadvantages to this method. I wa scrolling through looking for the same answer when I stumbled upon my original post. Fill the 2-inch pots (or whatever size you have) with the rooting medium. This fact makes African violets relatively unique in the plant world … I have nurtured that violet successfully for 23 years. Remember that starting from a cutting is to start a plant with almost no need for water, since it has few roots to pull it up and almost no material to spread that water to. The first, inferior method is to water the plants from the top with room-temperature water, being careful to avoid wetting the leaves. Select and prepare an African violet leaf following Steps 1 … Product photos via PUR, Garden Safe, Miracle-Gro, and Fiskars. Matt Suwak was reared by the bear and the bobcat and the coyote of rural Pennsylvania. African violet leaves will burn -- or develop dry, brown spots and fail to develop roots -- if the cutting is in a too-bright spot. African Violet Potting Soil Mix. Yes a regular clear plastic container will work fine, its main purpose is to create a humid environment for the cuttings. To re-pot an African violet with a neck, remove the plant from its container. If the leaves you cut are too tall to fit inside the container, there’s an easy fix for that. I am going to leave the next one in water just to see what happens. As for those plastic pots, drainage holes are a must, and you’re looking for something small. (Cling wrap works excellent!) This board contains articles, ideas and tips on African violet propagation, America's favorite houseplant. Hi, If the roots are the right size, you can plant the leaf directly into its intended pot. For close to four years I was handling hundreds of plants (in addition to the rest of our stock) and am proud to say I lost a mere handful. A high-quality carbon filter works best for removing these gases, and one with an indicator light when it’s time for changing is ideal. The main violet is healthy and happy. I got mine from the salad bar at a local grocery store. When would be the best time to replant my babies? Finally, to create a mini greenhouse for your cuttings to grow inside, you will need a clear plastic to-go container, the clamshell variety. Now, stick the leaf (stem side down) into the mix, positioning the leaf directly in the center of the pot. I am entertained by the fact that one leaf will produce as many as three or four new plants. He considers folksy adages priceless treasures and is fueled almost entirely by beer and hot sauce. Plants That Root Easily in Water for Replanting, Washington State University Extension: Taking Slips for Propagation, How to Root a Viburnum "Robustum" Cutting in Water. It is relatively easy to propagate African violets vegetatively by rooting cuttings; a leaf with an intact petiole, or leaf stem, can develop roots if properly placed in a rooting medium. Be sure that you cut as close to the root as possible. (Shh, I used one from our baking set; don’t tell my fiance!) COPYRIGHT © 2021 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Then we’ll all have something in common. Quick question. For miniature African violets, our 1.5 inch plastic pot works well. I'm letting them get a little bigger before I try transplanting them to well-moistened vermiculite to help them develop soil roots. Learning to water an African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) properly is essential to growing a healthy, long-lived plant. Do we drill drainage holes in the part where we start the leaves. [1] X Research source Vermiculite and perlite help your soil retain moisture. Question: I root my leaf cuttings in water. For each leaf, you’ll require one pot around the 2-inch size for this project. Too much longer and the plant could have a difficult time establishing, and roots that are shorter can be far too delicate for planting. of water. Do not plant African violets too deep. I appreciate and will try what you suggested! Perhaps more than other houseplants, Saintpaulia benefits from a quarter turn or so every week to adjust what areas of the plant are receiving sunlight. My daughter gave me this violet 23 years ago while I was in the hospital after breast cancer surgery. To minimize shock to the vulnerable African violet root system, handle the plant gently and keep the growing medium very moist for at least a week after planting. And just think, if enough take you can hand them out as gifts to people, and they can all share in the legacy! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Wicking African Violets for Better Water Delivery. Remove a fresh leaf from the plant that you wish to propagate. A bit of Epsom salt can help to lighten the soil even more. Some people say to imagine it’s like oatmeal, but I’ve never grabbed a handful of oatmeal before. Should I keep it submerged until the baby leaves are bigger? Step 1: Remove and trim leaf. I’ve always dipped my cuttings right into the bottle of hormone powder, but you can shake some of the hormone onto a flat surface if you prefer. But if you want to re-pot your plant, here’s how. Room-temperature water is ideal for African violets. I’d suggest leaving it for now and monitoring its growth, and if the parent plant begins to look a little stressed it’s time to remove the new one. Regularly monitor the water and look for any developing roots. Thank you again. The new plant rosettes will form from this area. Cold water has come into contact with the violet, leaving telltale damage. When it comes to any kind of cuttings or seed growth, it’s always better to start with more than you think you need. For rooting African violet potting mix to dampen it to stir it,! I have propagated from my original post reading your article, I used a few.... Leaves to remove as much of the violet, leaving telltale damage plant – pot!, America 's favorite houseplant tolerating transplanting ago I was in the hospital after breast surgery. % bagged African violet mix and fill the pot stand in water to see what happens how! 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