What s Old Is New Marsha Clark

What s Old Is New Marsha Clark

Also known as Usambaraviolet, genus Saintpauliaof the family Gesneriaceae Violets grow on the floor of the rain forest They like warm, humid air 2 of 4 species are cultivated After 1925: Breeders developed 200 horticultural varieties Propagation by seed/leaf cuttings We will start a leaf cutting today

Three ways to acquire your violet(s): 1. Buy at a supermarket/hardware store Less expensive than a nursery Make sure healthy: choose one that has unopened buds Repot as soon as possible 2. Cut a leaf or two from a friend s plant ASK PERMISSION FIRST PRIOR TO CUTTING! Least expensive method 3. Buy at a nursery Maybe more expensive, but usually in better shape and more variety 4. Marsha s way: FREQUENTLY UTILIZES ALL 3 OPTIONS- JUST ASK Rob/Bob

Types of pots: plastic, unglazed clay pot, glazed ceramic potwill affect the frequency of watering Glazed and plastic pots- require less water than unglazed pots THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR AFRICAN VIOLET IS TO OVERWATER IT! You can purchase your pots at supermarkets, hardware stores, nurseries, yard sales- just make sure your pot has holes on the bottom for good drainage/watering If you purchase a pre owned pot(s): make sure you clean it so it won t transfer pests/diseases to your plant If you want to make the pot more attractive or to match your décor- can be placed inside a decorator pot

Correct type of pot:

Gather the following items and bring to your potting area: 1. Watering can- small spout- don t want to get water on leaves- will leave brown spots- may kill the leaf and/or plant- see example page 2. Distilled/tepid tap water- allow tap water to sit for 1 hour-overnight to allow for evaporation of harmful chemicals- cold water may shock/kill the plant 3. African violet plant(s) 4. African violet pot- with at least one drainage hole on the bottom- the shorter violet pot allows water to evenly saturate the plant roots/soil without drowning them-see example page 5. Saucer for each pot- (allows for better flow of humidity) make sure the saucer is large enough to allow a finger tip length all around the pot- see example page 6. A layer of aquarium gravel- place the gravel in the saucer and the pot on top of the gravel in the saucer- will prevent root rot- may occur if the pot sits in water- see example page 7. Soil- get a prepared mixture, or you can mix your own of equal parts potting soil, peat moss and perlite/vermiculite

Fill pot: half-full with soil Place plant carefully in the center of the pot, making sure the crown is at the rim of the pot and firm soil around the plant with small spade/teaspoon Fewer leaves of the plant will be broken if the plant is slightly wilted Potting soil should be just moist enough to squeeze together slightly After potting/repotting plant(s)- can feed with either plant food spikes (1-2 per pot) or soluble liquid plant food (specific African violet plant food)- use per package directions- water into plant saucer Plants should be shifted to larger pots as needed- using this procedure

You can cut 1-2 leaves from a mature plant without damage to the plant Prior to collecting the leaves, fill watering can with tepid tap or distilled water (see watering procedure) THERE ARE 2 ROOTING METHODS WE WILL DISCUSS: Water/Jar rooting method Perlite/Vermiculite method

Select a clean/clear cup, tepid water, cover (large enough to cover top of cup Cut 1-2 violet leaves, fill cup with water Cut 2 holes in cover-1 slightly larger than the other, place cover over top of cup, and seal Put violet stem in smaller hole water should cover the stem but not the leaf Add 1-2 drops of violet plant food to cup and place cup in sunny, warm area for 5-6 weeks transplant when roots appear (use potting/repotting procedure)

Place the leaf with 1 ½ petiole into moistened mixture (half perlite, half vermiculite)- firm around leaf and water thoroughly- careful not to wet the leaf Place a ventilated plastic bag/bell jar around cutting- place in a warm sunny place for 4-8 weeks- roots should appear at this time and leaves should appear in 5-6 weeks- petioles rooted more deeply will take longer to root and grow leaves After several weeks- gently tug on a leaf- if you encounter resistance- the cutting is growing roots- continue to keep cutting(s) moist Usually several plants will form around each petiole- you can divide into several different plants or plant all together for a larger plant. Plant each new plant in a 2-2 ½ pot using the potting/repotting procedure You can also divide older plants with multiple crowns by carefully cutting through the crown with a razor blade or sharp knife: Make sure each cutting has a piece of the original root system

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A CLEAN SURFACE AND TOOLS ARE MAINTAINED DURING THE CUTTING/ PROPAGATING/ POTTING/ REPOTTING PROCEDURES. You can use a 5% chlorine bleach solution (1 part of bleach per 5 parts of water)

Put your violets next to a window- an east or north window is best If you cannot put your violet near a window- put it under a grow light. Follow the directions as to distance and time under the lights- ensuring that the plant(s) get at least 8 hours of darkness. You can even place the grow lights on a timer. I check on my plants daily- that way I can check on them for light, water needs, pests, etc. If your plant does not flower- it may not be getting enough light. If the leaves start to brown on the edges or get brown spots on the leaves- plant may be receiving too much light

African violets are native to tropical Africa, where they grow on the floor of a rain forest- constantly exposed to warm, humid air. When you recreate that environmentyou will have a healthier, happier violet. By using the saucer covered with pebbles and tepid tap/distilled water- you are creating this rain forest climate. The water evaporates and rises thus increasing the humidity level for the plant. Check the pebbles every few days- add water as needed. You may also want to add plant food to the water- follow the directions- as too much fertilizer can burn/kill the plant.

Never water your African violet from above- may spot/kill the leaves and possibly drown the plant Never water without testing the soil- every few days stick your finger into the soil- if the soil is damp- DON T WATER- WAIT ANOTHER SEVERAL DAYS AND CHECK SOIL AGAIN. If soil feels dryfollow watering procedure. Never water with cold water either from the tap- may shock/kill the plant After watering your plants- fill your container(s) with tap water- and you will be ready with fresh, tepid chemical free water for your next watering Watering Methods: 1. Individual saucer method 2. Big tray method

1. Individual saucer method: fill saucer with tepid tap/distilled water- allow pot to set in water for 1 hour (I set a timer)- drain any remaining water and return the pot to the saucer. Repeat as needed. 2. Big tray method: Locate a big deep tray or rectangular roasting pan. Put all or as many violets (as possible) in the tray. Fill tray (to bottom of the pots) with tepid tap/distilled water. Allow pots to sit for 1 hour- drain remaining waterplace pots back on saucers. Repeat as needed 3. There are other methods- more involved. Remember- the amount and frequency of watering depends on the type of pot, size of the pot, amount of light, and temperature the plant environment.

Hundreds of links-websites, here are a few: 1. African violet society www.avsa.org 2. Illinois African violet society www.iavs.org 3. Growing Tips-Illinois African violet society www.iavsonline.org/tips.htm 4. African violet flowers www.suite101.com/com/conmtent/african-violet-flowersa230077beautiful pictures!!! 5. African violet fact sheet www.gardens.si.edu/horticultures/res_ed/fctsht/aviolet.htm 6. Reading list www.optimara.com/readinglist.htm/ 7. Assorted books will be available at the presentation