Question at the end!
My mom adores plants, buuuut, let's say that she doesn't necessarily have the green thumb for it. I started keeping indoor plants 2 years ago, so I still have a lot to learn, and probably my most temperamental one is my African violet. But mine thrives. It's the middle of October and it's bringing new flowers. Again. So I can't complain.
But. I just got my mom's violet because they are moving at the end of November and she didn't want her plants to get frostbite and when winter is over, I will bring them back to her. But, first I gotta keep her African violet alive which seems like the real Mission: Impossible. It is etiolated, and has only a small crown of leaves. I don't think it actually ever thought bringing new leaves for the last year or so until it moved in with me lmao
So here's the actual question:
How the heck do you save an etiolated African violet? I know the self-watering pot is necessary, I will provide it that, but what else?
by DiamondSmart2149
3 Comments
First, the pot it is in is way to big. Potting mix needs a lot more perlite added to it. 50% perlite or more. I use a seed germinating mix then add a scoop of perlite for each scoop of mix.
Next, here is some info on repotting a long neck violet ==> [Repotting a Violet with a Neck – African Violet Society of America](https://africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org/learn/violets-101/repotting-a-violet-with-a-neck/)
And a video ==> [How to Repot a Long Neck and Also Cure Root Rot – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE0_d_E6NMk)
Best of Luck.
Self watering pot is not necessary and I’d personally avoid it for now as it takes time to perfect mixture and set up. I would however repot into a smaller pot, light compost (add 50 % perlite to it) and don’t plant her that deep into the new pot. The pot should be a bit smaller than the diameter of the crown
“But mine thrives.” Do for this plant as you are for the one you have. If it is thriving it has appropriate light, nutritious soil, is in a pot that fits it size, is watered with a weak solution of fertilizer each time you water and is groomed frequently so that the plant has balance and can balance.