Hello Emily!
What a brilliant tutorial. I feel like I could take on African Violets now. I have a perfect track record of killing every single African violet I've ever tried to grow, along with Orcids in close second place. I have one stubborn Paleonopsis thats clinging to life, goodness knows how, as I generally forget about it for months at a time.
Do they basically like to be submerged like a granny trying to keep their hair dry in the pool at her weekly water aerobics class? Or do they just want a permament sip of water that a drip tray would offer?
Oh goodness!! LOL, that totally cracked me up! (the granny part, not the plant dying part). Thank you for taking the time to check out my post :)
I'm not sure why I have been so lucky with African Violets. I'm the worst plant Mom ever (I've never been able to keep an orchid for more than a month or two). I pretty much only fertilize the violets with praise. I think also the fact that I have a wall of windows that face south helps. The blinds are such that I can regulate the amount of light that comes through. They seem to prefer filtered light as they are little jungle beings as I understand.
They can be watered just like a normal house plant. They won't die if their leaves get wet but the leaf touched will usually spot or rot and die.. I like to give them a little cushion of florists moss between the top of the soil and the leaves. They seem to like that. I think it keeps the moist soil from getting to the bottom leaves and also mimics their natural environment a bit. I think a drip tray would do them well. They like a slight bit of constant moisture best is what I have found.
But just to be clear, I am not an expert...I seem to have just gotten lucky ;) I hope you give one a go. Just tell it how lovely it is and keep your fingers crossed :)
Thanks for your reply!
I'll give it a go.
Pretty pretty plant... Grow little pretty plant :)
( I sent you a note in your wallet)