African violets are popular in indoor plants due to their bright colors, but they are also very sensitive.You have to move them to a new pot at least once a year.Sometimes African violets lose their leaves and the exposed stem is susceptible to rot.If you take good care of your violets, they can last a long time.
Step 1: When your violets need more space, choose a pot one size up.
When you see roots breaking from the root ball, repot the violet.If you don't know what size pot you need, use the plant's leaf span as a guide.You should get a third of that size.If your violets have a 9 in diameter, use a 3 in pot.
Step 2: Pick a pot that will drain well.
There are a lot of different pots.The clay or terracotta pots allow more air into the soil.It is easier to remove violets from plastic pots.If the soil doesn't get soggy, use whichever type you're more comfortable with.If you live in a warm, humid area, clay pots are helpful.
Step 3: Purchase new soil.
Replacing old soil will keep your violets healthy.A quality potting soil can be found at a gardening center.There are places that sell soil designed for African violets.
Step 4: It is possible to reduce the soil density by mixing in soil enhancers.
When growing violets, mix in additional substances for the best chance of success.The gardening center sells vermiculite and perlite.Put on gloves and mix vermiculite and perlite.Try to make your own soil.If you replace the soil with sphagnum moss, mix it with the Additives.
Step 5: The new pot should be packed with soil.
Pack the soil around the sides of the new pot.The violet has a root ball.The violets leaves should be above the pot's rim if you pack enough soil.If you want to know how much soil you need, use the size of the old pot.If the new pot is taller than the old one, fill it with soil on the bottom.Don't fill the pot with soil.Between 1.3 cm and 1.9 cm of space is between the soil and rim.
Step 6: Remove the leaves and suckers.
Before you move your violets, take the time to trim them.The oldest leaves are at the bottom of the plant.The suckers will be on the stem.To cut the suckers close to the stem, use scissors or shears.Most of the flowers and flower buds should be removed.During the repotting process, removing blooms can help your violets grow long-term as they adapt to new surroundings, because they take a lot of energy to maintain.
Step 7: To hold onto the root ball, hold your hand in the soil.
Don't touch the African violet leaves.Put on a pair of gloves.Feel the root ball and lower stem of the soil with your hand.Hold onto them with one hand.Water the soil to make this part easier, but it's usually better to hold off.The violets roots and stem are softened by the water.
Step 8: Pull the plant out from the pot.
Don't be aggressive to avoid damaging your violets.Use your free hand to hold the bottom of the pot.Try to move the plant away from the pot.If the pot is plastic, squeeze it a little.Don't force the violet to come out.
Step 9: To jar the violet loose, use a pencil or knife.
There are holes on the bottom of some pots.Push the end of a pencil or similar object into the holes to loosen the violets roots.If you want to avoid touching the violet, slide a butter knife around the edge of the pot.
Step 10: The root ball needs to be put in the new pot.
The violet should be placed in the middle of the pot.You should put the root ball in a hole on top of the soil you packed.To fit the root ball into the hole, push aside the surrounding soil.
Step 11: The root ball needs more soil to be covered.
To cover the root ball, push some dirt over it.Don't press on the soil.Keep the violet upright by adding more soil to cover the roots.The space between the pot's rim and the soil should be left.
Step 12: The soil should be moist with water.
The pot should be on top of the saucer.The water should be kept around room temperature.When you see water coming out of the pot, pour water directly onto the soil.Don't make the soil soggy.
Step 13: The excess water should be removed after 30 minutes.
Give the water time to spread through the soil.The violet should be in its new home after about 30 minutes.The excess water should be dumped out of the saucer.
Step 14: The violet has an exposed stem or brown spots.
A section of stem exposed beneath the lower leaves is one of the main signs.The violet can bepotted to avoid long-term damage.You don't have to cut the stem to repot the plant if it's shorter than 1 2 in.Check the soil.The violet needs to be repot in a pot the next size down if the pot is soggy.
Step 15: Remove damaged flowers and leaves.
Cut the violet with a pair of gardening scissors.If you want your plant to survive repotting, take off all flowers and buds.You should also remove dead, dried, and discolored leaves.Cut as close to the stem as possible.
Step 16: Remove the exposed stem with a dull knife.
Pull the blade from the top to the bottom.Remove any brown spots you notice.Use a minimal amount of pressure.You do not want to cut into the stem.
Step 17: To bury the roots, fill the new pot with enough soil.
You can mix your own soil using components from a gardening center.Put the soil in the pot until it is about 2.5 cm below the rim.You can poke a hole with your finger.You can mix your own soil.In equal parts, mix potting soil, vermiculite, and perlite.
Step 18: If the stem is more than 1 2 in, cut it off.
Remove a neck to protect your violet.Use a sharp knife or shears to cut the stem.The cut should be about 1 2 in below the lower leaves.There are signs of rot on the exposed stem.Continue trimming until all the rot is removed if it appears brown on the inside.
Step 19: The violet can be planted in a hole in the soil.
Take the stem out of the pot and put it in the soil.The stem needs to be covered with dirt to deepen the hole.The leaves should be above the rim.Put the violet in place by packing the soil around it.You don't need to cut the stem if the neck is short.If you want to plant the roots in the pot, widen the hole.
Step 20: The soil should be moistened by water.
When the soil feels a little moist, add a small amount of water.Don't let it get wet.The pot should not have water in it.
Step 21: The plant should be covered with a bag.
You need a bag like the one you can get at a grocery store for this part.It needs to be big enough to hold the plant and pot.African violets thrive in humid environments so seal the bag.You can use a grocery bag if you can't get a large plastic bag.The bag should be sealed with a wire tie.
Step 22: The violet should be moved out of the direct sunlight.
A room with a steady temperature and a lot of sunlight is a good choice.The ideal room is between 75 and 80 F.Put your violet in a bright spot away from the sun.
Step 23: Every few days, water the plant.
Check on the plant again after about 3 days.You won't need to do anything because the soil is still moist.If it is dry, add some water to the soil.Once you are done, seal the bag.
Step 24: After a month, remove the plant from the bag.
To test the violet, open the bag and pull on the stem.The new roots have begun growing if it feels stuck in place.Take the violet out of the bag after a few days.To grow a violet, go back to your normal water and fertilization routine.