A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Starting african violets from leaves 101

For everyone who wishes to join in, I will be guiding you through the process of starting an african violet from a leaf.

Do not hesitate to ask ANY question, no matter how big or small, or how simple you may think it is...we are all here to learn, and chances are good that I will forget to mention something that I should!

First off, you need to decide how many leaves you have room to start. You can do as few as one (though I seriously advise more) or as many as you dare...

Keep the following in mind when deciding on numbers.
#1. This is addictive.

My advise would be to start somewhere around 10 leaves. I can fit 12 leaves on a cookie sheet, to give you an idea of the size of space they take up.

Alright, now that we have talked about numbers, let's talk about light requirements.

When starting leaves, light is important, but not nearly as important as it is to a growing plant. Basically, you can start a leaf just about anywhere there is some light.

My first set of leaves did fine on my kitchen counter. Now I start most of mine on a rack near a north-facing window.

There is much debate over how much light is needed, but the general consensus seems to be they will root and make babies as long as there is some light, but opinions vary on whether the make babies faster with a little more light. who knows.

What type soil? Can we use any good potting soil or do we have to have the special AV soil and also fertilizer. Thanks
Jimmy

oooooooooh - I'm so excited, Sarah!

Great explanations so far!

Good question, Jimmy. Let me talk about pots, then I'll do dirt!

Alright...let's talk dirt!

Fist off, you are going to need some PLAIN potting soil. None of the ones with fertilizers mixed in (like the miracle grow one!) Usually the cheaper ones like the store-brand one is one without any added fertilizers. Read those labels carefully!!!

Also, due to the tendancy of leaves to rot, (and when you are impatient like me and water too often) it REALLY helps to mix in some perlite.

I know, I know...what the heck it that???

Here's a pic:


Perlite is the white stuff in most potting soils. It's super light, and very porous, so you don't drowned the poor leaves (and later, the plants!)

I mix my "dirt" half-and-half...that's half potting soil, half perlite:

Lots of growers have lots of recipes for their soil mix. This one works for me.

When you go to the store hunting perlite and plain potting soil, you will maore than likely see a potting soil mix labeled "african violet mix"...these mixes are fine, but still to "heavy" for my taste. I still mix them half and half with perlite. However, plain potting soil is cheaper...hence the reason I use it.

Barley I know I am full of questions sorry. Do the post need to be see through I think I have some plastic that cheese spread comes in I use to soak seeds in. I will pick your brain as I have never had these before but the ones I saw today were pretty. Usualy they are bad looking @ Wal-Mart. I use pearlite all the time. Have some potting soil mixed with compost for soil is th at ok?
Jimmy

Jimmy, great question! No, they don't have to be clear at all. I just happen to prefer clear, and they are easy to come by. Also, I can see when there are well-developed roots with clear pots, but that is by no means necessary.

Ok I will start buying more cheeze spread just needed a good excuse
Jimmy

oooooooh - now I know what to do with all those single serving applesauce containers!
YIPPEE!!!

Now I just have to get the sugargliders to eat more applesauce. Dogs don't like it any better then I do. I gotta dig some out of the trash hope neighbors don't think I am nuttier then they know I am digging in my garbage after midnight. Dogs might even give me strange looks but then they know I am anyway.
Jimmy

Um, happy to help your reputation, Jimmy!

Lynne...now that's what I'm talking about! Those containers will work wonderfully!

Now, let's talk about "donor" plants. I would suggest a trip to your local wal-mart, fred meyers, home depot, lowes, ect. to pick through thier plant deptartment.

You will be looking for a healthy, happy african violet that you can take home and use as a donor for leaves to practice on.(You could also beg or borrow some leaves off of friends with violets.)This will also give you a chance to practice your growing skills with mature plants.

These are good examples of healthy mature plants:





See how full and healthy-looking they are? Nice and green. These are good.

Now these are NOT good donor plants:




These are bad because the top one have small not-happy leaves, and the bottom one - look closely at the crown ( the very middle). See the misformed and the brown? Not good signs. These can be caused by a number of things such as a simple "culture break", over fertilization, or buggies!

Got a great visual of you doing that, JV!!!

Sarah, what's a "culture break"?

Funny, I had the same mental picture.

A "culture break" is just a change in the way the violet has been grown. Like when they are transfered from a warm, humid greenhouse of a cool, dry store. Some violets really don't take the change well.

You can also cause a "culture break" in your own home by moving it around a lot. Some violets are picky. :rolleyes:

Very interesting - I have never heard that phrase before!
Learn something new everyday!

Absolutely WONDERFUL lessons here AVQ!!! I am SOOO thrilled you started this thread...

Okay...my leaf I started yesterday...I did good on the soil but did not mix the perlite...should I leave it as is or disturb it to add the perlite?

Oh..and I wanted to add that your pics help tremendously...

thanks teach!

~V~

Vanessa...I'm working on another post for the AV's...but basically, I'm sure yours will be fine! You may want to "dome" it, though...

Okay...now, on to the fun stuff!

First, assemble the following:

Use the permenant pen to label the pot with the date you started the leaf.

Poke holes in the bottom of your pots with the knife...BE CAREFUL!


Using the knife, cut off a leaf, close to the crown of the plant so there is a lot of stem left with the leaf, like so:

Now, using the razor blade, cut the stem at about a 45* angle, leaving around a half and inch of stem:


So it looks like this when done:


Now...let it sit for around twenty minutes so it can sort of scab over the end a little, then stick it into the pot:

Now, to keep the leaves happy and firm while they are "laboring", I like to "dome" them...in essence, create a mini greenhouse for them to hang out in...

Either "dome" each pot seperately:


Or as a group:


The covered pan in the second pic was found at wal-mart in the bakeware section. They come as a set of two for around $3.

Any questions?

Way Cool! I really like the idea of the baking pan with a lid. I could keep that here at my desk as I am going to put a growing light under the eave of my rolltop desk.

Just so you know, you have answered all the questions I have come up with so far. I cannot WAIT to get started on this!

Oops! I'm thinkin this one might be a gonner from the start...I may need "do overs"... :rolleyes:

~V~

Aw, you would be surprised how many I have done totally different from what is posted here and they made it. Give it a chance!