Using African Violet Potting Mix for Other Plants A few types of plants thrive in lightweight soil and can tolerate higher acidity. These species generally do well in African violet potting mix, and this includes cacti, some species of succulents, and seeds/transplants. Can you use regular plant food for African violets
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia, commonly known as African violet, is a genus of 6–20 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae, native to Tanzania and adjacent southeastern Kenya in eastern tropical Africa. Typically the African violet is a common household indoor plant but can als…
What is the best fertilizer for African violet?
What To Look For In a Fertilizer for African Violets
- The essential nutrients. A good fertilizer should contain fairly equal amounts of the most important nutrients namely nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
- Nutrient source. It’s also important to choose your fertilizer according to its nutrient source. ...
- Water solubility. ...
- Form. ...
When to feed African violets?
African violet fertilizer needs to be water soluble and in a ratio especially developed for the plant’s needs. The best time for fertilizing African violets is in spring when the plant is actively growing. Avoid feeding African violets in winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom, while others tout the process.
Do African violets need fertilizer?
To keep your African violet thriving, you’ll need to give it fertilizer. Houseplants only have access to a small amount of soil, and they cannot access additional nutrients once they use up all the ones in the soil. African violet soil should have plenty of nutrients at first, so you can wait a few months to begin fertilizing.
How do you care for an African violet plant?
How to Grow and Care for African Violets
- Position. African violets do well indoors in a sunny window where they get bright, indirect light. ...
- Temperature. African violets do so well as houseplants because they thrive in the average home environment. ...
- Light. ...
- Watering. ...
- Fertilizing. ...
- Flowering. ...
- Deadheading African Violets. ...
- Potting & Repotting. ...
- Propagation. ...
- Pests & Diseases. ...
Can African violet soil be used for other plants?
African Violet soil alone might be sufficient for some cacti and succulents, it won't work for many other plants. But, it can be used to mix with peat or coco coir to be used for potting other plants that like light, fluffy, well-aerated soils.
Can you use African violet food on succulents?
Although these plants generally need less feeding and not as often, feeding is necessary for vigorous and healthy growth. There are commercial cacti fertilizers on the market, but African Violet or blooming houseplant foods also have a good mixture.
Can I use African violet food for orchids?
If you have African Violets, these are the best household plants that will benefit from orchid fertilizer. African violets grow in some of the same conditions that Phalaenopsis do, and have similar tastes in nutrient requirements. Succulents of any kind will also react well to orchid fertilizer.
Can you use African violet soil for peace lily?
So, what's the best potting soil for peace lily? Use a light well-drained soil mix like a soil made for African Violets works well or a simple mix of peat moss and perlite. Mix 3 parts peat moss and 2 parts perlite.
What other plants benefit from African violet food?
A good choice for African violet fertilizer is a blend of humic acid and organic plant root fungi. This blend will provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to produce vibrant blooms. The blend is ideal for plants like primrose, amaryllis, and poinsettias. Plants will respond to a balanced mix of nutrients.
Is African violet soil good for jade plants?
Since African violets and jade plants have similar formula requirements, it should come as no surprise that one of the best types of soil for jade plants is actually formulated for African violets.
What other plants can I use orchid fertilizer on?
You can use orchid fertilizer on your peace lily, but you should avoid using it on other house plants, such as tomatoes. Orchids are delicate and can be damaged by fertilizers, so you should avoid using them on anything edible, such as your vegetables.
Can I use cactus fertilizer for other plants?
Fertilizers formulated for other plants should be diluted at half strength so that it doesn't burn them. If you're not a member of a succulent plant club or aren't sure whether to use cactus fertilizer, don't worry! You can also use balanced fertilizer in smaller amounts.
Is Epsom salt good for African violets?
Applied once per month epsom salts will help trigger bloom in your violets and be a good companion to your African violet specialty fertilizer. Dissolve two tablespoons of epsom salts in one gallon of tepid water in a watering can or pitcher.
What is African violet soil good for?
The perfect African violet potting soil will exhibit the following qualities: Retains moisture without waterlogging the container. Allows for adequate airflow (because roots breathe too!) Retains fertilizer and inhibits nutrient leaching.
Can I use African violet soil for Monstera?
African violet potting soil is generally not used for other plants because of its expense.
Can I use Miracle Grow on a peace lily?
Plant peace lilies in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix for great results. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. A month after planting, feed plants with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food. Repot when the plant's roots have completely outgrown its container.
Why is African violet potting soil not used?
High Cost Potting Soil. African violet potting soil is generally not used for other plants because of its expense. African violets need great care in the type of soil they grow in, and thus high-quality additives are often used, or sometimes the product is simply marked up because it is marketed toward a target audience.
What is African violet mix?
Common African Violet Mix Additives. Perlite is a pelletized form of volcanic glass and is an extremely light substance that does not absorb water. Vermiculite is mica, heated to popping, and is also an extremely lightweight medium that retains water and nutrients very well.
Does African violet soil contain fertilizer?
African violet potting soil may also contain fertilizers. Read the package carefully to determine what other additives may be in it before using it on a plant that does not need that kind of fertilization. The light acidity in African violet potting soil is fine for most plants, but alkaline or high pH-loving plants may suffer in acidic soils. In these cases, the soil can often be brought to more neutral pH by adding compost, and the extra organic matter will certainly help most any other plant thrive.
Do potted plants need potting soil?
Most potted plants need a very light potting soil mixture to make up for the fact that they are not in the ground, where the surrounding soil would normally even out the soil moisture quickly and keep it from becoming soggy. The exceptions to this rule are few, including cacti and sedums.
Is African violet soil acidic?
The light acidity in African violet potting soil is fine for most plants, but alkaline or high pH-loving plants may suffer in acidic soils. In these cases, the soil can often be brought to more neutral pH by adding compost, and the extra organic matter will certainly help most any other plant thrive. Advertisement.
What is the recommended ratio for African violets?
African violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium plus trace minerals. The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source.
Do violets need to be fed?
They do need proper exposure, heat and keep water off those leaves, but they usually keep producing those sweet flowers much of the year. To keep your violet in good health, it needs to be fed. When, how and with what are questions we will be answering.
Do African violets need fertilizer?
Almost all plants need proper macro- and micro-nutrients as well as soluble vitamins, and African violets are no exception. African violet fertilizer needs to be water soluble and in a ratio especially developed for the plant’s needs.
Can you feed African violets in winter?
Avoid feeding African violets in winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom while others tout the process. However, considering that blooming deprives the plant of energy, it would seem logical that the nutrients used need to be put back into soil for plant uptake.
plant food
I HAD an african violet but it died. I now have a bottle of african violet liquid plant food. What else can I use it on? It is 8-14-9. I do not intend to get another african violet as I have no pace left with my other 40 plus houseplants.
Comments (3)
Hi Dina, Most AV's are killed by overwatering. I suspect that may be the case with you. Depending on where you bought your AV the soil may have been too heavy and held too much water, that si why I repot my plants into a light mix ASAP.