Forcing African Violet Bloom

If you have trouble getting your African violet plant to bloom, try these suggestions sent by BG. Sutterfield:

“Move them to where they will get lots of light, and two or three hours of sunlight will not hurt them if it is not too strong, or is filtered through a curtain. Reflected sunlight is also good.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of a good all purpose plant food in one-half gallon of water - rain water when possible or use distilled.

Cut a piece of plastic or wax paper larger than the top of the flower pot; cut a hole in the center and slit from side to center. Put the plastic over the pot, under the leaves and around the stem and hold in place to keep the soil from falling out.

Use a large bowl in which the water and plant food has been poured. Dip the leaves in the water, dousing it over them, washing the leaves and at the same time giving them a foliar feeding.

Set the plants in a shady spot to dry. Do this once a week for three or four weeks and you will be rewarded with not only blossoms, but the foliage will become more beautiful and young plants will blossom much earlier.”

Related Articles

• Episcias - Striking Cousins of the African Violet - It is a rare occasion for a really NEW plant to be introduced and episcias, popularly known as “flame violets” are by no means new to house plant collections. They have, however, from time to time had a rapid climb in popularity as a so-called “new” plant, and can easily be obtained by mail order,
• Care and Growing African Violet Plants - Easy to Grow Color - The African Violet is in the Gesneriaceae family and may originate in Africa but in fact is not a violet at all. The name comes from the violet color of the flower. They do very well as a house plant and adapt perfectly to life indoors where they bloom almost continually. Description This low-growing, hairy-leafed plant hold