African violets are a member of the gesneriad family. They are many relatives that make wonderful houseplants. As the name suggest are from Africa. The species is provided most of the genetic material for the best plants is Saintpaulia iontha. There was some breeding S. groeti to provide the trailing habits is some varieites. There a group of species which are sometimes available on Ebay. We are very fortunate that violet produce mutation regularly. The DNA of all living things are copied and sometimes some changes produce mutations. Most of the colors of violets are in blue and purple ranges of colors. The pinks are really a shade of lavender. It is noticeable only when you hand something really pink next the flower. There are a few yellowish color violets out there. It is not like a yellow tulip. The color usually does not cover the entire petal.

Anyway over time violets have produced a range of flowers shapes. Leaf shapes and a few times in variegation. The old varieties had flower that dropped off. The newer varieties are sticktite which do not drop their flowers. There are different sizes. The miniature must be less six inches across to be entered in shows. Semi-miniature less than eight inches. Standard can be grown as big as wish. I have seen plants close to three foot across. One fantasy variety called 'Big Bird" with pink with blue spotted double flower 4 inches across. The leaves were as large as my hand.

Soil. If you ask six violet people about a soil receipe you will probably get ten answers. I like to use a water wicking mix which is one part peat moss, one part perlite and one part vermiculite. They are many variations. I would not recommended the potting mix in the garden with African Violet Mix on the label.  If you are growing plants successful, then it is not broke don't fix it.

Light. It is easiest to use shop lights. The plants six to twelve inches from the tubes. The plants will tend if you they are getting too much light. The leaves will hug around the pot. If the light is too low the plant will not flower and the light will tend to reach for the light. Different plants will have slightly different needs. You will have to experiment to see what works best for your plants.  The light should be left on for ten to 14 hours a day. In warm temperatures the lights should on the shorter end and in the winter the longer time. The higher temperature allow for faster growth. If you are trying to keep the light about the same size you should adjuct the timing. This is easiest with a timer. Also an important note. African violet need a period of at least eight hours of darkness to absorb fertilizer. If they are expose to light 24 hours a days they will yellow and eventually night. Have you ever noticed that african violets in 24 hour stores look terrible after a week or two. They are not getting the darkness they need. Variegation plants will need more light because they have less area to produce food. In natural light the plant should be turned a quarter of the way daily. This helps promote  even growth and a symmetrical plant. On the light stand conditions are better controlled so week turning is usuually good enough. A plant grown in the center of the stand does not need turned since the light should be even.

Fertilizer. Plants grown in a soiless mix will need fertilizer. You can use a balanced fertilizer like 20-20-20. If the middle number is high it will promote flowering. There is a mix for violets Jack Classic African Violet 12-36-14. I use myself but really there are many fertilizers that will work just fine. I use the constant feed method which is one quarter teaspoon per gallon.

Humidity. They like to be somewhat moist. I would recommend 40% to 50%. If it is too high you have the risk of powdery mildew. If it is too low the edges of the leaves might brown. If you have a large number of plants they will modify the environment. I tray with pebbles and filled with water just below the surface will raise the humidity. If you are in a cold area in the winter it is the most likely too to have low humidity problems.

Pots. The rule of thumb is the pot should be one third the size of the leave crown. If the plant is six inches across a two inch pot. If the plant is twelve inches across then a four inch plant. Trailer the roots are different they can be allowed to spread across the surface of the soil. African violets like to be root bound. You should wait until the you can see roots on all sides of the soil before repotting. If the plants is starting to get a stem at the base it can be replanted deeper convering the stem. It good to scrap the stem with your fingernails to encourage new root formation.

Propagation. Most African violets are grow from putting down leaves. The chimeras need to be started from sucker cuttings. I will cover this in depth in another guide.

Pest and Diseases.

Powdery Mildew is a fungus that will grow on the plants if the air is too moist and little air movement. It is solved with a small fan in your plant room. Also sulphur powder can be applied directly to the patch. It will be killed in a couple of days.

Red Spider Mites.  You will notice the webs before  you see the mites. The mites are small and red and suck juices from the plants. The centers will be affect first. You will notice distorted leaves. You can  buy a spray from your garden center to kill them. They seem to thrive in low humidity.

Fungus Gnats. They do not damage the plant but they are unsightly flying around your plant room. The moist soil is providing a breeding ground for them. You can use a yellow contact paper and they will stick to the surface.

Mealy Bugs. They are a grey color and oval shaped slug-like creature. They have cottony masses where the eggs are layed. They are hard to remove from a large plant. It is easier to take a cutting and throw the plant away. Leave treated with rubbing alcohol and water solution. These insects are big enough to see. If the infestation is not bad rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab will kill them. You need to repeat the treatment every few days for a couple of weeks. You will get the babies as they hatch and start to grow up.

Thrips. They are a small flying insect that eats pollen. The telling sign is pollen spilled on the flower. African violet need a insect to spread they pollen. The most common to get these is cut flowers from the garden brought into the house. They are more of a nuisance that damaging to your plant. You can remove all the flowers from all of the plants. They will strave to die before your plants begin blooming again.

Root Rot. Keeping the plant too wet is the major cause of this condition. Another possiblity is the plant was dry for a long and kill all the roots. You can cut off the plant and reroot it in new soil. A plastic bag is helpful to allow not wilt while growing new roots.

Soil Nemotodes These are invisible worms. They destroyed the root systems overnight. It is easy to prevent by sterilizing your potting soil. Either baking it in they oven. Keeping the soil at 175 degrees for two hours. I have never really had a problem with this pest.