African violets not growing - Orchid Board

ceropegia · #1 08-14-2010, 10:49 AM

A few months ago I purchased 3 standard violets from Rob's Violet Barn. They have grown very little since I got them. They each have about 4-6 leaves, since the greenhouse clips most of the leaves off to ship them. Each one has tiny new leaves in the center but they don't seem to be growing. I also got a free miniature violet with my order, and that one has grown well since I got it, though it hasn't flowered yet.

Right now I have them on the second shelf of my plant rack, which is about 23" away from my 2 T5s and underneath my large hybrid orchid pots. I prune the dead leaves, I water them when they dry out, etc...basically everything I'm supposed to do but still no growth. My rhizomatous begonias and other similar-condition plants, along with the mini violet, are growing very well, so I'm not sure why these violets haven't grown any.

Any suggestions?

Paul · #2 08-14-2010, 11:06 AM

I can't say for certain, cero, but in addition to the shock of all those leaves being removed, it sounds to me like you have them way to far away from the lights. I'd suggest bumping up their light levels.

ceropegia · #3 08-14-2010, 04:46 PM

I wondered if the leaf removal was part of the problem... it seemed sort of counterproductive to remove almost all of the leaves even though they were being shipped...there was plenty of room in the box to leave a few leaves on.

WhiteRabbit · #4 08-14-2010, 04:53 PM

I've bought an African Violet online - and it lost a lot of foliage in shipping - I suspect they just may not be good shippers ? It bounced back just great tho. I keep my African Violet fairly moist, and fertilize a lot. Also is directly on a window sill - north facing window - and it does great - used to have a few more, all did well with the same ...

ceropegia · #5 08-15-2010, 02:42 PM

Well I haven't been fertilizing them much...maybe that would help them bounce back. I did just repot them so I figured they'd get enough nutrients from the new soil. Also, I have access to RO water at my job so I might start using that too.

Gin · #6 08-15-2010, 02:52 PM

I use House Plants Alive from Gardens Alive I thought it might be snake oil but is not. I use it about every 3 months also on the Cymbidium Orchids better looking leaves and blooms on the Av's mine are bigger AV's tho .. If you use the Ro. add a little tap water to it as the RO or rain water does not have the minerals in it .I would feed them as well .. Gin

WhiteRabbit · #7 08-15-2010, 03:23 PM

They might be settling in after the "trauma" of being shipped ? I really can't remember how long mine that I received thru the mail took to rebound from it ...

Or maybe if potted in a big pot, they're busy growing roots to fill it? Idk, just tossing out ideas ...

ceropegia · #8 08-15-2010, 06:03 PM

I got them in March or April I think, but since then they have put out maybe one or two leaves. The mini violet is doing really well, but the standards are just in limbo. I repotted them in June in 4" azalea pots since the containers they were living in had poor soil. I'm moving in a few weeks but after that I might start a feeding regimen for them so they get consistent care. Hopefully they will start growing eventually!

WhiteRabbit · #9 08-15-2010, 06:26 PM

I'm sure they will!