AF Violets and Streptocarpus, 2024-2025

Growing under lights: Minis and semis 6-8” away from the lights (top of the plant to tube) and standards 10-12” away.

“Sdbl” in the context of African violets refers to semi-double flowers. Semi-double flowers have more than one layer of petals, but not as many as a double-flowered variety.

For standard AV a 4 to 5-inch pot will be sufficient for most varieties.  Repot using fresh soil every 6-9 months,

For miniature AV never use a pot larger than 2 1/2-inch.  They are usually comfortable growing in the small pot they are shipped in.

Tight or crowded AV can be caused by too much light, too much fertilizer or cold air.

Punter #7 Species AV. Bright silvery-lavender blue pansies over very dark, glossy, quilted, round foliage. Small grower, heavy bloomer. Purchased Oct 22, 2024.

Culture and care as for violets.  Temp: 60-80 degrees.  Humidity: 50-70%.

Most streps grow best in 5″ pots.  Compact streps can be kept in 3-4″ pots or smaller.  When repotting, choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the root ball, about 1-3cm wider. Streptocarpus prefer to be slightly root-bound, so avoid overly large pots.  If leaves become too long just trim with scissors.

To over winter Streptocarpus:  Some Streptocarpus varieties may enter a period of dormancy during winter.  In this case, further reduce watering and feeding.  Streptocarpus bloom April through October.  Maintain moderate temperatures, and adjust watering frequency. Reduce watering during dormancy, but don’t let the plant dry out completely. Protect them from cold drafts and consider using supplemental lighting, especially in winter’s shorter days.

Stop fertilizing during the dormant period. Resume feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer when new growth resumes in the spring.

Feed Me Orchid pellets: 13-3-15 (grows leaves). Worm Tea Max: 1-0-0 to 5-5-3. Bone meal: 3-15-0. Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato: 4-6-3. Miracle-Gro Watering Can Singles: 24-8-16. African Violet Barn Super Thrive Grow: 7-9-5.

NPK is an abbreviation for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Potash (0-0-60) specifically indicates the form of potassium, often potassium oxide (K2O), present in the fertilizer.

For flowering plants, the ideal NPK ratio is generally one that is higher in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) compared to nitrogen (N). A fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content is crucial for stimulating flower development and promoting overall plant health during the blooming stage.  African Violet Barn Super Thrive Grow: 7-9-5.

Streptocarpus will tolerate lower temperatures, they will be happy on a cold windowsill. Trim brown edges on leaves of plants like streptocarpus. Remove spent blooms and old, yellowed, or unhealthy leaves.

Though the size of the plant (foliage) will not change, the tubers can grow substantially over time. Larger, more mature, tubers can produce multiple shoots (plants) above the soil. Use pots only one size larger than the tuber–do not use pots significantly larger than the tuber!

If neglected, plants can die back but once tuber has formed, will soon sprout again.

Sinningias will mature, and generally will have produced a tuber once they’ve begun to bloom. Once the plant has formed a tuber it can always resprout, so long as the “eye” of the tuber (much like a potato) remains healthy and undamaged.

Hybrids listed here will: compact varieties 8″, miniatures 3-6″ or less in diameter. Actual size will vary depending upon culture and how you choose to grow them. Though larger growing varieties will tend to have larger tubers, for most sinningia, tubers will grow as large as you allow them to. Though the size of the plant (foliage) will not change, the tubers can grow substantially over time. Larger, more mature, tubers can produce multiple shoots (plants) above the soil.

Use pots only one size larger than the tuber–do not use pots significantly larger than the tuber!

Water: Spring through fall, keep the soil moist, but not soggy. In winter, allow top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings.

When receiving the Rabbit Foot Fern, do not repot immediately but wait at least 6-12 months or if the roots are beginning to get crowded and growing through the drainage holes.  Repot in the spring, using a 2 inches bigger pot to give the roots room to spread.

Replanting:

• Water your plant in the old pot before transferring over and let them sit for an hour. Place a piece of screening at the bottom of the container over the drainage hole to secure the soil and allow them to drain. Use a rich, well-draining indoor potting mix amended with 50% coconut coir to help retain moisture.
• Lift the plant and release the roots against the existing planter. Use a clean knife or garden trowel to wedge between the pot and the soil to loosen.
  Inspect the root ball. Notice if there are any dead or rotting roots and trim them off with sterile pruners. If the plant is rootbound, you may also divide them to make two plants by cutting through the roots with a clean knife and planting in separate pots.
• Ensure the plant is sitting about 1 inch below the edge of the pot to avoid water spillage. Add more soil and backfill around the sides by tamping down. Fill up to the soil line but not over.
• Please do not cover the Rabbit Foot’s rhizomes (the fuzzy stems) but let them sit on top of the soil to avoid rotting. These will grow over the pot in time.
  Water thoroughly, and let them drain. If settling occurs, add more soil.
• Cleaning, Monthly:
  When watering your fern, give them an overhead shower to knock off the dust. During watering and fertilizing is an excellent time to trim off any browning, yellowing, or discolored leaves. Cut the stem all the way back to the base. Avoid trimming the fern’s top, if possible, except for the dead, damaged, or diseased parts. Bravo! Now your fern looks like they just had a face-lift!

Schlumbergera is a small genus of cacti with six to nine species found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil. These plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats that are generally shady with high humidity, and can be quite different in appearance from their desert-dwelling cousins. Most species of Schlumbergera have stems which resemble leaf-like pads joined one to the other and flowers which appear from areoles at the joints and tips of the stems. Two species have cylindrical stems more similar to other cacti.

To grow a healthy Christmas cactus, provide bright, indirect light, use a well-draining potting mix, and water only when the top inch of soil is dry to prevent root rot. These tropical, not desert, plants need higher humidity and cooler night temperatures (around 55-65°F) in the fall to set flower buds. Fertilize regularly during the growing season (spring to early fall) and stop fertilizing when buds appear.

Common Christmas cactus problems include root rot from overwatering, bud drop due to inconsistent temperatures or lack of darkness, and wilting or drooping stems from too much or too little water. Other issues can be too much direct light causing reddish leaves, or salt buildup from overwatering and improper drainage.