Annette has been growing African Violets for nearly 18 years. She had a display of plants of many colours including maroon to show us.They originate from East Africa and Tanzania, near the Equator with equal light day and night. They grow in free draining soil under a canopy of trees. The original species had purple flowers. In 1930’s double flowers were hybridised and later pinks.Now there are single flowers, double flowers, ones with white edges and a variety of leaves.African violets are an indoor plant; bathrooms can be too cold for them.They flower all year around; they flower, have a rest and then flower again. They don’t have a special season. They have no perfume.They require two main things to flower, food and light. Bright, filtered light but not the direct sun. Turn the violets around regularly so they grow evenly.Overwatering is the biggest killer of African Violets.Water only when the growing medium feels dry. Growing medium, not potting mix.They can grow from a leaf cutting; the ideal time is September to April.The plant grows from the centre. When re-potting cut off the outer leaves. Train plants to become symmetrical and compact.Annette then demonstrated how to grow plants and re-pot them.Cut the stem of the leaf on an angle and plant in a small pot with a wick through one of the holes in the base of the pot. The wick goes into a reservoir at the base of the pot and draws up the fertiliser when required. Water in with lukewarm water.The time from planting a leaf until it flowers 9-12 months.One leaf produces several plants.Re-pot established plants every 12 months. Recycle pots and wicks using bleach to clean them. Cut off the outer leaves and half the root.Do not plant them in a large pot or the roots will try to fill the pot will use all the plants energy. The colour of the plants grown from leaf cuttings are not always true to the parent plant. Purple is the dominant gene. As well as having plants for sale Annette had bags of growing medium, fertiliser and pots for sale. She lives at Grantville and people are able to visit and buy her items for sale. It is also possible to have them posted.
