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African Violets - Help At Hand
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This article was provided by
'The African Violet-Gesneriad Society of N.S.W.'

On to the next problem - how to get your Violets to bloom. Successful African Violet growing is based on supplying a few simple needs: good potting mix, light, temperature and fertiliser. Given adequate supplies of these commodities they will flourish and bloom. Potting mixes has been covered, so let's look at light - every house's light supply is different, but as a rule a plant more than 18" from a window is not receiving sufficient light to bloom well. So, give your plants the lightest spot that you can, but remember they can tolerate very little direct sunlight, and can become badly chilled if left near the cold glass of windows in winter.

African Violets dislike extremes of temperature, and thrive best at around 21C. However, we can't always control temperature - so just do you're best to give your Violets a moderate climate. If they get too hot in summer, or too cold in winter, they will not be at their best, but are unlikely to suffer serious damage in our climate - they will recover in milder weather. If humidity is a problem in dry heat, misting with warm water will give your plants a welcome lift.

Finally - fertiliser - a must for good growth and bloom, particularly in a soiless mix. There are many excellent fertilisers specially formulated for African Violets readily available. Most specialists fertiliser frequently (almost at every watering) with a dilute solution of fertiliser, usually on quarter of the strength recommended. However some fertilisers can be used at the dilution recommended - inquire when purchasing.

So if you have had problems in the past, give African Violets another try - by following this advice, your African Violets should bloom, certainly should not die, and will give you much pleasure.

TIPS AND TRICKS
POWDERY MILDEW

At the present time the days are warm and the nights are cold, problems with mildew can occur because the moisture on the leaves and flowers condenses at night and creates ideal conditions for mildew. Usually it shows on the blooms first, a greyish white powdery substance is evident and it may also occur on the foliage. Mildew will spoil your flowers and the fungus will be detrimental to your plants. If you detect it, remove the flowers and spray with Baycor fungicide according to the directions on the can and try to give your plants a better air circulation and also prevent the extremes of temperature from day to night if at all possible. High humidity and still air is a problem, but a small fan, not directed at the plants can help to circulate the air.

Happy Growing.

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