African Violets Not Blooming: Care Tips and a Homemade Fertiliser Mix
The Ukrainian outlet Unian.net has compiled advice on getting African violets to bloom, stressing proper light, watering and feeding. As an extra aid, it suggests a mix of water, starch, garlic powder and turmeric.
African violets, popular houseplants, can flower for many months, but sometimes they stop producing buds and grow only leaves. The Ukrainian news site Unian.net has compiled recommendations for encouraging blooms, which the Latvian outlet NRA has also published. The main requirements are suitable lighting, correct watering and enough nutrients.
Homemade mix
As a supplementary remedy, a solution of three ingredients can be tried. One tablespoon each of starch, garlic powder and turmeric is added to one litre of water. Everything is stirred thoroughly and left for 20–30 minutes. The liquid is then strained through a fine sieve, coffee filter or gauze so that no solid particles get into the soil.
The mix is used once a month in small amounts: a plant in a pot 10–12 centimetres in diameter needs about 50–100 millilitres. It is poured onto soil that is already moist, not completely dry, and should be used within 24 hours of preparation.
Placement and watering
Violets need a bright spot with diffused light, such as an east- or north-facing windowsill. By a south-facing window, direct sunlight should be blocked with a light curtain so the leaves do not burn. A suitable temperature is about 20–25 degrees Celsius. In winter, cold draughts and a very cold windowsill should be avoided, but the pot should not stand directly above a hot radiator either, as the soil may dry out quickly.
The leaves are covered with fine hairs, so it is better not to wet them. One option is watering through a saucer: water is left to soak up for about 15 minutes, then the excess is poured away. The soil should be slightly moist, not waterlogged. During active growth, a fertiliser meant for flowering plants can be used, while in autumn and winter the feeding frequency should be adjusted to the plant's condition and the product's instructions.
Why a plant may not bloom
A lack of flowers is not always caused by missing nutrients. More often the reasons are insufficient light, incorrect watering, too low a temperature or an unsuitable feeding regime. It is therefore worth checking growing conditions before adding new products. Over-fertilising can harm the roots, so more fertiliser does not mean more flowers.
