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In the following pages you will find out all you need to know about growing and maintaining these beautiful plants, including: Stage 1 - Propagation from Leaf Cuttings (Photos) Stage 2- Division and Potting out Plantlets Potting up mature Plantlets Repotting soil grown Working with violets that have developed a "trunk" Ideal Growing Conditions: Copying the Natural Habitat. The Valley Violet method of
growing African Violets was developed after extensive research into the ideal
habitat of African Violets and other Gesneriads. These captivating plants were found growing in the leaf mulch of rocky crevices and the forest floor in a small area of East Africa. Hence the importance of a light and porous SOIL FREE Potting Mix. The absence of soil in the potting mix means that the plants require regular feeding with nutrient. Under the Valley Violet Wick Watering System your African Violets are fed and watered automatically; as their needs require. Provided with a suitable position and conditions, your violets will thrive and give you an abundance of flowers all the year round. The Valley Violet complete, simple system ensures the home grower can be fully equipped for each stage of growing African Violets. Long standing customers regularly inform us of their success using the Valley Violet system. They mention their continued delight with their plants, that some have grown & maintained for over15 years! New customers happily report that they have experienced the most success they have ever had, growing African Violets with our system. Lighting: The light source is one of the most essential elements of African Violet Culture. African violets thrive in plentiful filtered light. Early morning or late afternoon sunlight is fine. Temperature: African violets prefer an environment with an even temperature and grow best between 18C (65F) and 27C (80F), with night temperatures not below 15.5C (60F). African violets enjoy humidity and fresh air, but are adversely affected by drafts. Watering: Mix up the Valley Violet Nutrient Solution as per instructions on the nutrient bottle and fill the reservoir, ensuring that there is a space between the base of the pot and the solution. Check that the wick is in the solution and top up as necessary. If the potting mixture or wick becomes dry; remove the pot from the reservoir and using tepid water only, pour through the top of the pot until the water is visibly dripping from the wick. Replace the wick in the nutrient solution and the capillary action should recommence. Propagation of Leaves - PAGE TOP (Stage 1 Valley Violet Propagating Kit)
Then split the stalk in half to
approximately 1cm from the bottom
Finally, according to the directions on the Valley Violet Nutrient bottle, fill the tray with nutrient mixture to within 2cm of the pot support (or lid). Place pot on the pot support, making sure the wick is in the nutrient solution. Keep tray topped up from time to time. Any mixed nutrient can be put into a bottle and kept for future use. Place tray in warm, well lit position, away from direct sun and draughts. About 6-8 weeks after planting the mother leaf, tiny baby leaves will push through the surface of the potting mixture around the base of the mother leaf. When these are approximately 5cm high your plantlets will be ready for Stage 2 Propagation. For optimum results when growing by the Valley Violet Method - be sure to use genuine Valley Violet Soil-Free Potting Mix and Valley Violet Nutrient Solution. N.B:
Potting mix with soil content can prove too moist for the wick system Division and Potting out Plantlets. (Stage 2 Valley Violet Propagation Kit) PAGE TOP In the ensuing 8-12 weeks after the first baby leaves appear, you will be able to watch the babies grow rapidly until they are aprroximately 5cm high - at which time they are ready for division. Remove the wick from the nutrient for at least 24 hours before division, to allow the potting mix to dry out a little. This makes the potting mix a lot easier to crumble away from the roots of the plantlets. Squeeze the pot to loosen the potting mix and remove root ball. Gently crumble potting mix from root mass and pull apart individual plantlets - ready for potting. You should average between 4 and 14 plantlets per pot (or mother leaf). Trim roots with sharp scissors or knife to about 2cm to 4cm, depending on size of plantlet. Insert wick in 70ml pot, half fill loosely with potting mix and place the plantlets on top of mix, carefully spreading roots evenly over the mix. Add more potting mix to cover roots, being careful not to bring potting mix over leaf stems. Gently firm down and water through with warm water until it runs off the end of the wick to start the capillary action. Allow to drain overnight and then place the pot onto the reservoir/tray with the wicks in the nutrient solution. Potting up Mature Plantlets Your plantlets are ready to be potted into their final size pot (100mm) when they measure about 150mm across the top of the plant. Insert wick in 100mm pot and add enough potting mix to just cover bottom of pot. Then place pot of original size (70ml) inside larger pot (100mm) and add potting mix around edges to make a mould. Carefully remove smaller pot and you have mould ready to take the plant without disturbing the root system. Remove wick from plantlet and gently squeeze pot to loosen plantlet from pot. Remove plantlet and roots intact with potting mix and carefully place inside mould in larger pot. Gently firm down and add a little more potting mix if necessary, being careful not to bring potting mix level over leaf stems. Water through and drain as usual. You should see the first buds on your mature plants about 9 months after planting out the original mother leaf. Repotting Soil Grown African Violets into Valley Violet Wick Pots Remove root ball from existing pot and gently crumble potting mix away. Wash roots only, under tepid water to remove all existing soil/potting mix. Trim roots back to approximately 7-8cm (3"). Remove all outer leaves, leaving just 6 to eight leaves in central. Also remove all flowers and large buds. Pat the roots dry and dust hormone powder on exposed trunk. Insert soaked wick through centre hole of pot, to half-way up the pot. One-third fill pot loosely with Valley Violet Soil-Free Potting Mix. Hold plant on top of mix and evenly spread roots - lowest leaf line should be just below the rim of the pot. Spoon more of the Valley Violet Soil-Free Potting Mix into pot around plant and firm down gently, just enough to secure the plant - potting mix should come just below lowest level of leaves. Water through with plain tepid water until the wick starts to drip - to get the capillary action working. Allow the plant to drain. Make up your Valley Violet Nutrient Solution according to the instructions on the bottle. Fill the Valley Violet Reservoir with the nutrient solution - ready for your repotted African Violet. Ensure that there is a space between the bottom of the pot and the solution, and that the wick is in the solution. Position your violet in a position with plentiful filtered light and refill the reservoir as necessary. Your violet should reward you with blooms within 8-10 weeks. Working with violets that have developed a "trunk". As the standard variety of African Violets grow from the central crown, and as the old leaves are removed from the bottom row over a period of time; the plant will grow up out of the pot and develop a stem with a trunk-like appearance. To pot down a plant: Remove outer leaves, with approximately 6-8 leaves remaining around the central crown, also remove any blooms and buds. Using a sharp knife or scalpel, scrape away the dry surface of the trunk until the lime green flesh of the stem appears. Dust the raw surface with hormone powder to seal it. Next, remove the entire root ball from the pot and cut away as much of the base of the root ball as you have scraped back of the trunk. Reposition your wick and place the root ball/plant back into the pot, then top up the pot with Valley violet Soil Free Potting Mix to cover the stem. The bottom row of leaves should sit just below the rim of the pot. Water through and drain as usual, before placing back in reservoir.
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