I learned so much from this video! African violets are my very favorite flowering plant, and I've been very successful with them. I use a wick system with very diluted AV nutrients so they're always getting just a bit. Your method is so interesting to me! I'm going to give it a go and we'll see what happens! Thank you for this! ♥️🪴
I think I completely killed my flame violet 😢 all the leaves are gone but there is a good thick stem left then tiny hair like roots coming from that. Is it possible to save it still?? Should I put it into water or soil or what? Please help!
I lost all of my African Violets when Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans in 2005. I had 10, all growing very nicely. I started out with 3 that a coworker gave me when she was about to retire. She taught me everything I needed to know about properly caring for them, even growing a new plant from a leaf that had broken off. That's how I ended up with 10 plants. I purchased an African Violet with purple blooms just one week ago, and am happy to find how much I still remember, and the few things that I have forgotten. So I turned to the UA-cam channel to find out how to care for violets properly. I'm glad I did, because I found tons of very valuable information. Good luck to everyone growing for the first time., and those trying to advance their skills in caring for Violets. Brenda DeBouse New Orleans, LA
I'm a chatty little thing. I piped up a conversation with a lady that works at our local gardening center when she was pruning up the african violets. I asked her if I could have what she took off of them and she agreed! I took them home and found 17 leaves that I thought had half a chance. I planted them and tended them with care I ended up with 12 plants, with 9 varieties. I don't know you but, if you are chatty or charming, I'd go into the local greenhouse for some fert. and strike up a conversation. Might work for ya. I'm a potter. My plan is to make double pot. I'm hoping to proliferated prolification with my AV. So I can sell them on the side. I need to support my clay and plant habits.
I've read the best method for these is to use the Swedish Plant Guy method, so just remove loose soil and surround the rootball with pumice or pon. They can be very sensitive to having their roots disturbed. I've found this is most definitely the case with small ones as I've lost every single plug plant I've tried to convert
Hey Nora! Great video, thank you! I haven't had an African Violet in my collection for years now. You've just reminded me of how much I love them all - frilly leafed, double flowers, frilly flowers, and the colours 😍 I have no room though... 🙈tempted 🙆🏾♀️
Thank you. I try to change the water every 2 weeks but the reality is that I just add more when needed most of the time. Do what I say and not what I do!
Well Nora, thank you for this video cos I just transferred 2 large plants (like your large one with white flowers) into self-watering pots (12cmx14cm) and I'm hoping they don't die on me. They have sentimental value as they were from my sis-in-law's mum's funeral 🙏🏼 They have still been flowering for me since March so I cut all the flowers off to transfer from soil to LECA and now....I wait🥺 Your largest one shown at the beginning of this vid is just gorgeous. Let's hope these 2 get that big 🌸
@@TheLecaQueen Haha, well we are after all kindred spirits 😅 Looking forward to the next instalments👏🏻👏🏻And as always, thank you for all the hard work you put in to helping us novices 🫶
I've never seen such a big and beautiful african violet. Thank you for the tips! I can keep them alive and flowering, but mine look nothing like your's
Beautiful african violets. I have a large one, it hasn't stopped flowering for a few months now. I believe as you do, the miniature violet would have survived if it was a bit bigger. Overall, great video. Thank you 😊
Thank you for this incredibly helpful video. Growing up in California my friends mother had several beautiful African violets but she kept them covered with a cloche. What is your opinion on cloche’s? I live in Oklahoma and just received my first violet split from a plant from the 70s but it’s not looking great after only 3 days. I’m going to do my best with the information you gave. ❤❤❤❤❤
Cloches work to increase humidity which for some plants is essential. If the ambient humidity levels are very low, using then is an excellent way to go.
I'm charmed to the core by your accent. I got distracted. I have to listen to the information again. Lol. So you know, you have an audience in Alaska that is loving your content. If you went over it I'll find it on second viewing but just incase, I am having an issue I'm not able to find info about. Some of my leaves are turning pale. Not at all yellow but like some one is steeling their green. The leave look healthy in every other way. Fuzzy and plump cells just their a whiter shade of pale. I haven't been playing them any Procol Harem. You have any idea what is cauzing this? They are in a north facing window but this is Alaska in the summer. I get sun over there for 3 hr. a night. Lol
my violets do just fine in soil. but if you have them in soil you need to watch out for root rot. I use a self watering pot. it trickles water into the soil and I also allow the pots to dry out.
You know… For several years now I haven’t seen any African violets where I live, in San Diego, CA. I love them, and used to keep them. Perhaps it’s due to the pandemic logistics problems?
Having the same problem in South Africa. I was told that they have gone out of fashion. Sad. Maybe try Violet Barn, they mail plants throughout the US?
Will you have links so I can purchase Leca..and what fertilizer you use how often and how often you repot. And more on how to keep my African violets healthy thriving and blooming😅 oh pots.. where do I get those
This is my first time hearing about this method. So once you have repotted them in the leca do they stay forever in that pot with holes, inside of the larger pot with the water only a third of the way up?
yep, they stay there forever. Check out my community tab for updates on my violets and see this video here: ua-cam.com/users/shortsmpjhX38yE50?feature=share
Yay, cool! Did the leaves get damaged from the water when you washed away the dirt? From what I'm learning about African Violets is that water droplets damage their leaves, which is why people bottom water them.
Hi Nora, my AVs are still in soil in self watering pots but would love to transition to leca. Where do you get your Italian leca from? I can’t find it in Bunnings & l am not keen on the orange round ball leca.
What is leca? Can you explain how the cash pot works. Does the pot inside have holes. I saw a two pot system at the nursery but it was clay. I bought two miniatures so I guess I don't want to go with leca.
Hello, leca is clay balls. I recommend you watch this playlist to get you started understanding the principles NEW HERE? Start with This Playlist.: ua-cam.com/play/PLjZ0p9mB4l9fPWE_9TKbVuBwUNtzTvD_R.html
i bought one leave on eBay, put it in Pon. Weeks and weeks nothing happened . Then i put it under a bright Grow light and within weeks little baby leaves popping up. Now those leave are getting bigger BUT the leaves are yellow. 2 much light ??
Thank you, they are happy to grow in soil, but I find growing plants in leca using passive hydroponics methods works really well to keep the consistency of watering and nutrition.
Am glad I know about you now. I proporgate in my fish aquarium so I am familiar with this type of setup. I will be switching to your leca setups with my soil plants(sick of pest). Quick question, can I use my fish tank water instead of buying fertilizer? I will give it a try, but wanted your input first. Thanks in advance for your videos and expertise.
@@00Moonlight00 it just depends on how you use it. I am great at growing in leca clay balls, I can not speak to potting mix, but lots of people have great success with it.
So sorry about that. I have another video dedicated to moving AV from soil to leca soon. Hope that is better. I simply spread the roots out instead of putting them in a heap.
@@mollyascherle I know, I have heard that all my life but I have not had that experience so far and therefore I am treating that as an old wive's tale.
Hi, thanks for the tips on transferring from soil to hydroponics. African violets can surive in semi submerged medium or even hydroponics if done properly. Many people do this not in Leca but in medium size perlite. The mini you were showing is varigated one, which means it needs much more light to survive and it's much fussier than the regular non varigated one. And they usually do ok. But the problem is, you were touching the roots so so much... I think you were rubbing the roots in between your fingers, which was a bit nerve racking for me because you were just destroying the plant right in front of us. I get that you were trying to show us, but you should not be touching the roots like that honestly. Also, you should remove the flower before transferring to a new pot. This applies for those that will be repotted upsized. We almost always remove flower stalks after it has been transferred to a new pot so that it can focus all its energy in growing the roots. FYI, the mini isn't that it was not mature enough, it is already mature for a miniture sized one. Because mini doesn't get that large even if it gets older. It is that you were touching the roots and disturbing it so much...that's probably why.
My secret.... leave them alone... she lives on the window shelf in my south east window ( I live in canada) bottom water her when she is dry... and forget about it. And never wet the leaves. Follow this and they thrive. The more you fuss over them... the worse off she will be
I hear that alot but I do not subscribe to that. I just think how do the violets growing in the wild keep the leaves dry? I think the plant can cope if there is adequate ventilation.
I learned so much from this video! African violets are my very favorite flowering plant, and I've been very successful with them. I use a wick system with very diluted AV nutrients so they're always getting just a bit. Your method is so interesting to me! I'm going to give it a go and we'll see what happens! Thank you for this! ♥️🪴
Thanks Jan. Please let me know how it works out for you.
I think I completely killed my flame violet 😢 all the leaves are gone but there is a good thick stem left then tiny hair like roots coming from that. Is it possible to save it still?? Should I put it into water or soil or what? Please help!
I lost all of my African Violets when Hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans in 2005. I had 10, all growing very nicely. I started out with 3 that a coworker gave me when she was about to retire. She taught me everything I needed to know about properly caring for them, even growing a new plant from a leaf that had broken off. That's how I ended up with 10 plants. I purchased an African Violet with purple blooms just one week ago, and am happy to find how much I still remember, and the few things that I have forgotten. So I turned to the UA-cam channel to find out how to care for violets properly. I'm glad I did, because I found tons of very valuable information. Good luck to everyone growing for the first time., and those trying to advance their skills in caring for Violets.
Brenda DeBouse
New Orleans, LA
Would love for you to make a video about how to care for these plants
I'm a chatty little thing. I piped up a conversation with a lady that works at our local gardening center when she was pruning up the african violets. I asked her if I could have what she took off of them and she agreed! I took them home and found 17 leaves that I thought had half a chance. I planted them and tended them with care I ended up with 12 plants, with 9 varieties. I don't know you but, if you are chatty or charming, I'd go into the local greenhouse for some fert. and strike up a conversation. Might work for ya.
I'm a potter. My plan is to make double pot. I'm hoping to proliferated prolification with my AV. So I can sell them on the side. I need to support my clay and plant habits.
This ear rings are so cool!!!!
thank you for sharing. i learned something new
Glad it was helpful!
I’ll have to try this. Thanks.
You’re welcome!
I've read the best method for these is to use the Swedish Plant Guy method, so just remove loose soil and surround the rootball with pumice or pon. They can be very sensitive to having their roots disturbed. I've found this is most definitely the case with small ones as I've lost every single plug plant I've tried to convert
I've never seen African Violets that are so happy! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
You are so welcome!
Thanks for sharing. I've a cat and this is one of the safe flowers I can plant without him being poisoned.
Love your plants and earings
Beautiful I have never seen them so beautiful
Thank you 😊
Just found you but you have a faithful follower. Thank you!🥰
Yay! Thank you!
Hey Nora! Great video, thank you! I haven't had an African Violet in my collection for years now. You've just reminded me of how much I love them all - frilly leafed, double flowers, frilly flowers, and the colours 😍 I have no room though... 🙈tempted 🙆🏾♀️
Marcia, there is always room for the things we love!
@@TheLecaQueen so true my dear, so very true...
@@TheLecaQueen ...this may be my first foray into leca... oh dear, it's all your fault Nora🤣 at least that's what I will tell my hubby and family 😂🤣
Your earrings are so beautiful! Where did you get them? Also thanks for this awesome video. Your plants are beautiful!
Thank you for your useful information. Do we need to change the leca again after 6 months, like soil plating?
You are welcome. No need to change the leca, all you need to do is flush it once in a while.
What a great video. How often do you change the hydroponic water?
Thank you. I try to change the water every 2 weeks but the reality is that I just add more when needed most of the time. Do what I say and not what I do!
@@TheLecaQueen😅
Well Nora, thank you for this video cos I just transferred 2 large plants (like your large one with white flowers) into self-watering pots (12cmx14cm) and I'm hoping they don't die on me. They have sentimental value as they were from my sis-in-law's mum's funeral 🙏🏼 They have still been flowering for me since March so I cut all the flowers off to transfer from soil to LECA and now....I wait🥺 Your largest one shown at the beginning of this vid is just gorgeous. Let's hope these 2 get that big 🌸
Hey Connie, so funny! I was just looking at this very video! I have 2 more African Violet videos in the pipeline, stay tuned!
@@TheLecaQueen Haha, well we are after all kindred spirits 😅 Looking forward to the next instalments👏🏻👏🏻And as always, thank you for all the hard work you put in to helping us novices 🫶
I love African violets.
I love them too!
I've never seen such a big and beautiful african violet. Thank you for the tips! I can keep them alive and flowering, but mine look nothing like your's
You are so welcome!
Beautiful african violets. I have a large one, it hasn't stopped flowering for a few months now. I believe as you do, the miniature violet would have survived if it was a bit bigger. Overall, great video. Thank you 😊
Thank you Joann
Wow I didn’t know they get that big! Yours is a beaut! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks! I’ll make sure my little violet is well loved 🥰
Leca :3
I like the way You say leca.
Thank You!
Thank you!
Thank you for this incredibly helpful video. Growing up in California my friends mother had several beautiful African violets but she kept them covered with a cloche. What is your opinion on cloche’s? I live in Oklahoma and just received my first violet split from a plant from the 70s but it’s not looking great after only 3 days. I’m going to do my best with the information you gave. ❤❤❤❤❤
Cloches work to increase humidity which for some plants is essential. If the ambient humidity levels are very low, using then is an excellent way to go.
Wow!!! Your plants are so big and happy looking! I hope mine can get that big too one day! Beautiful plants 🌱💚
Edit: Omg your earrings are so cute!
I love your hair it’s gorgeous
I'm charmed to the core by your accent. I got distracted. I have to listen to the information again. Lol.
So you know, you have an audience in Alaska that is loving your content. If you went over it I'll find it on second viewing but just incase, I am having an issue I'm not able to find info about.
Some of my leaves are turning pale. Not at all yellow but like some one is steeling their green. The leave look healthy in every other way. Fuzzy and plump cells just their a whiter shade of pale. I haven't been playing them any Procol Harem. You have any idea what is cauzing this? They are in a north facing window but this is Alaska in the summer. I get sun over there for 3 hr. a night. Lol
Thanks for the informative video! Can I use pearlite?
Thank you for your video! I've watched your video and my new african violet is in leca now! :D
I am so glad it helped. Nora
I’ve had good luck using Leca for my AV’s, although some are still in AV soil. I’ve noticed the leaves grow much larger than when in AV soil.
That is an interesting observation, bigger leaves in AV soil. I must do an experiment!
@@TheLecaQueen
I’m sorry, I meant the leaves seem to grow larger in Leca!
@@yolyrom7233 yay!!
my violets do just fine in soil. but if you have them in soil you need to watch out for root rot. I use a self watering pot. it trickles water into the soil and I also allow the pots to dry out.
I love your earrings! Where can I get some?
Buitiful,but what are those round things you're putting in the pot?
they are leca clay balls, I use them to grow my plants instead of soil. Find out more here: ua-cam.com/video/CMQ2Q2K35ns/v-deo.html
You know… For several years now I haven’t seen any African violets where I live, in San Diego, CA. I love them, and used to keep them. Perhaps it’s due to the pandemic logistics problems?
That is so sad and your reasoning might be valid.
Having the same problem in South Africa. I was told that they have gone out of fashion. Sad. Maybe try Violet Barn, they mail plants throughout the US?
I transitioned my minis to leca but I used a small 3.5in self watering pot and they did well. I wish I would show pictures in the comments.
I would love to see that!!
Av like damp soil but leca allows roots to dry out too soon. Is my experience.
That is interesting to note. I have not had this experience
Will you have links so I can purchase Leca..and what fertilizer you use how often and how often you repot. And more on how to keep my African violets healthy thriving and blooming😅 oh pots.. where do I get those
Can we use soil too for semihydro fot the african violet thanks
Would Orchid bark work as well ?
How do you mean?
So can I just keep it in soil please I just got one today as a gift thanks for your response
Yes, absolutely if that is what you prefer to use.
This is my first time hearing about this method. So once you have repotted them in the leca do they stay forever in that pot with holes, inside of the larger pot with the water only a third of the way up?
yep, they stay there forever. Check out my community tab for updates on my violets and see this video here: ua-cam.com/users/shortsmpjhX38yE50?feature=share
@@TheLecaQueen thank you! 😃👍🏼
Yay, cool! Did the leaves get damaged from the water when you washed away the dirt? From what I'm learning about African Violets is that water droplets damage their leaves, which is why people bottom water them.
I know what you mean. I heard that all my life, but no leaves are just fine as you can see when I showed the update.
@@TheLecaQueen Yes you're right! Thanks :)
Hi Nora, my AVs are still in soil in self watering pots but would love to transition to leca. Where do you get your Italian leca from? I can’t find it in Bunnings & l am not keen on the orange round ball leca.
What is leca? Can you explain how the cash pot works. Does the pot inside have holes. I saw a two pot system at the nursery but it was clay. I bought two miniatures so I guess I don't want to go with leca.
Hello, leca is clay balls. I recommend you watch this playlist to get you started understanding the principles NEW HERE? Start with This Playlist.: ua-cam.com/play/PLjZ0p9mB4l9fPWE_9TKbVuBwUNtzTvD_R.html
Would orchid potting mix work? Heavy on the coconut bark pieces?
They sell African Violet soil mix
i bought one leave on eBay, put it in Pon. Weeks and weeks nothing happened . Then i put it under a bright Grow light and within weeks little baby leaves popping up. Now those leave are getting bigger BUT the leaves are yellow. 2 much light ??
Omg that was a beautiful plant and you just kill it
It was 😪
But it’s ok that way we learn.thanks 🥰
Is it ok to wet the leaves so much and leave the water on them ?
Just found your channel, and you're so cute!!! ❤
Edit: question: so they shouldn't be in school?
Thank you, they are happy to grow in soil, but I find growing plants in leca using passive hydroponics methods works really well to keep the consistency of watering and nutrition.
Love your earrings!
Thank you!!
❤❤❤
Am glad I know about you now. I proporgate in my fish aquarium so I am familiar with this type of setup. I will be switching to your leca setups with my soil plants(sick of pest). Quick question, can I use my fish tank water instead of buying fertilizer? I will give it a try, but wanted your input first. Thanks in advance for your videos and expertise.
Hello! Welcome. I don't think I cam comment about the fish tank water. I have heard about people using it but I have no experience with it . 😕
Those violent are beautiful
Thank you Pauline
Can we still use soil?
If you want to, but I don't.
@@TheLecaQueen does it affect the growth if we do?
@@00Moonlight00 it just depends on how you use it. I am great at growing in leca clay balls, I can not speak to potting mix, but lots of people have great success with it.
@@TheLecaQueen Ty 😊
Why change from soil to pon or leca?
For easier plant care, no fungus gnats
You didn’t show how you spread the roots when you put it in the Lica. ???
So sorry about that. I have another video dedicated to moving AV from soil to leca soon. Hope that is better. I simply spread the roots out instead of putting them in a heap.
I noticed you get water on the leaves. Don’t they burn?
Not at all
Imagine how they survive in the wild without people wiping their leaves. I reckon they do ok.
That’s always been my thought. It makes no sense, but you hear everyone say water will burn the leaves.
@@mollyascherle I know, I have heard that all my life but I have not had that experience so far and therefore I am treating that as an old wive's tale.
I thought you were saying “Liquor! ” lol😢😮
leca clay balls
@@TheLecaQueenexcited just got an African Violet. ❤😊
Pretty 😍
Thank you!
Hi, thanks for the tips on transferring from soil to hydroponics. African violets can surive in semi submerged medium or even hydroponics if done properly. Many people do this not in Leca but in medium size perlite. The mini you were showing is varigated one, which means it needs much more light to survive and it's much fussier than the regular non varigated one. And they usually do ok. But the problem is, you were touching the roots so so much... I think you were rubbing the roots in between your fingers, which was a bit nerve racking for me because you were just destroying the plant right in front of us. I get that you were trying to show us, but you should not be touching the roots like that honestly. Also, you should remove the flower before transferring to a new pot. This applies for those that will be repotted upsized. We almost always remove flower stalks after it has been transferred to a new pot so that it can focus all its energy in growing the roots.
FYI, the mini isn't that it was not mature enough, it is already mature for a miniture sized one. Because mini doesn't get that large even if it gets older. It is that you were touching the roots and disturbing it so much...that's probably why.
Thank you, your extensive comments are well appreciated. I will try the mini one again some time.
My secret.... leave them alone... she lives on the window shelf in my south east window ( I live in canada) bottom water her when she is dry... and forget about it. And never wet the leaves. Follow this and they thrive. The more you fuss over them... the worse off she will be
That certainly works too, and I am glad it works for you!☺
And don't get the leaves wet!
I hear that alot but I do not subscribe to that. I just think how do the violets growing in the wild keep the leaves dry? I think the plant can cope if there is adequate ventilation.
Omg too much fussing around. Mines going to stay in its soil and take its chances lol
🤣🤣🤣
Very good video, but please ditch the idiotic music! We want to listen to you when you speak.
I hear you. Growing pains my friend. The music has been ditched!
Very poor information!
Thanks for the view. Why do you think it is poor?