Saintpaulia Ionantha
(African Violet)

The African violet was first discovered in East Africa in 1892 by Baron Walter von St. Paul. African violets came to North America via Europe in 1926. Von Saint Paul found the plant growing among shaded rocky ledges in the Usambara Mountains. He immediately sent seeds of his "Usambara violet" to his father in Germany. In Germany the plant acquired a botanical name which it still bears today: Saintpaulia.

African violets are one of our favorite indoor blooming plants. These wonderful plants come in miniature as well as standard varieties. African violets have been widely hybridized and there are numerous interesting and attractive varieties available.

Water: Prefers moderately moist soil. Water thoroughly when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Do not allow plant to stand in water.

Temperature: Prefers 70° - 75° F days and 65° - 70° F nights 

Light: Indirect or bright diffused light is best.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2-4 weeks with a half strength liquid fertilizer. Over fertilizing can damage the root system and cause browning of the leaves.

Color Range: Single, double or frilled blossoms in white, pink, blue, red, purple and some bicolor.

Tips: Often violets will flower continuously in good natural light conditions or with 14-16 hours of artificial light per day. Keep plants moderately root-bound. Avoid splashing cold water on leaves, as this can cause leaf petioles and may rot from absorbing soluble chemicals where they touch the rim of a clay pot. Remove dying leaves to avoid gray mold and crown rot.

 

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