You might remember that I really love African Violets. A while back I had a blog reader send me a couple of leaves and I started them.
These pictures were taken in early December 2022. I planted the three leaves in the dirt to try to grow babies several months earlier. These pictures were taken just as the babies started to emerge.
I’m always so happy when this happens. It’s almost as fun as baby chicks hatching.
The new babies are hidden in front of and behind the leaves.
As I said, those pictures were taken back in DECEMBER. This picture was taken a week or so ago. Those baby plants grew and grew, the leaves are now gone. NOW is the time to transplant the babies.
I have given leaves to my son and given leaves to my sister. Neither one has been able to start plants. The reason I think is because they try to transfer the plants too quickly.
In general, I think you need to plant the leaf and water it regularly but don’t worry about transplanting or splitting the babies until 9 months after you plant the leaf. If really takes that long!
I originally planted three leaves…I believe there were two different varieties. Now is the time to take it all apart and see how many babies grew.
I ended up with six plants. Two were pretty big, three medium, and one small.
I ended up gifting one to Kayla and one to Karl. I am hoping that I was able to keep some that represented both varieties. They went to family and hopefully, they will keep them alive so we can compare bloom color. Worst case scenario, they both got the “other” variety and I have to get a leaf from them and start over. HA!!
I HIGHLY recommend these little pots for starting new plants. They are self-watering pots. African Violets love them. You can find them HERE.
African Violets prefer specific potting soil. I use THIS. I use THIS fertilizer.
I’m super excited to see what color these babies all end up being. If anyone wants to exchange African Violet leaves, I’d love to trade. Send me an email… joscountryjunction@gmail.com. I can’t trade with everyone but I’d love to trade with a couple of fellow African Violet lovers.
Wow-you sure have a green thumb.
I d love to grow African Violets like I did when I lived in Calif. i had a
lovely kitchen greenhouse window that faced north. I just can’t get them to last here in this arid environment of Phoenix.
I stumbled upon an inexpensive way to increase the humidity around my African violet plants. I use empty clear plastic salad containers to house my violets, they are like a mini greenhouse. I keep mine in a east facing window, if the moisture in the container gets too much I open them up for an hour or so. I have also converted large clear plastic cake containers for larger plants.
Great idea! Jo got me hooked on African violets and I have been doing pretty well. That said, the suggestion of east window and cake dome greenhouse are terrific. Would a glass dome do just as well? I have a few of those just sitting in my basement…
Tracy, thank you for the mini greenhouse idea. I will try it.
o this is such a trip down memory lane. One of my grandmothers had such a fantastic African violet collection that my grandfather had to build a special area in their dining room to accommodate them. New window even. She and her daughters were constantly trading starts.I hope you will share the blossoms with us.
Great looking “babies.” Every time you post about your violets, I’m tempted to want to try one but I know that my house does not have the right lighting for plants. I will continue enjoying yours through your posts.
Oh, those are gorgeous! With all your tips it almost makes me feel like I could grow violets….but could I, could I really? Probably not lol! Also, I had no trouble reading this on my Chromebook. I saw that some others did. Computers are so weird. It must be very frustrating because after all, this is your job. We know you’re trying to fix the issue. Have a great day!
Do you use any rooting hormone?
Propagating African Violets makes me feel like I MAY have a green thumb. I’ve done it a few times successfully. Your new little plants look very happy!
Today your African Violet post totally readable, yesterday not so.
Such healthy looking plantlets Jo. I have more success with miniature streptocarpus.
cheers, Dot.
Loved reading about the African violets – I have a couple and would like to try propagating them.
Thanks for the “good” version of the blog – I couldn’t read yesterday’s via e-mail or the one on FB, but this time it’s just the way it was intended! Thanks!
You’re like an African Violet midwife :)) It’s exciting to see which plants you kept; looking forward to seeing the flowers!
Someday will you post where you got your violets from the Czech Republic….or am I remembering wrong??
I love African violets. My grandmother grew them on a little enclosed porch. She had shelves that stretched across the windows. As a little kid I loved that little room. It was always so full of color. Pamela A/PA