This partly explains why it adapts so easily to household temperatures. Nonetheless,
it is best to maintain a difference of approximately 5°C between daytime and nighttime temperatures.
Lowering the temperature at night will improve the plant's appearance in a number of ways. First, the
flowers will be about 25% larger. There will be more petals and their colours will be more intense.
Moreover, the white borders on bicoloured flowers will be brighter.
Finally, since variegated cultivars require cooler temperatures, they should be
placed lower down on plant stands.
Watering
The frequency of watering will be influenced by the plant’s stage of growth and the
soil composition, ambient humidity and amount of light.
The plant must be watered as soon as the soil on the surface becomes dry but is still
somewhat moist underneath. Add plenty of water, until it seeps through the drainage holes at the
bottom of the pot, in order to moisten the root ball thoroughly. After one hour, remove any water
still standing in the saucer.
It is important to use water that is slightly warmer than room temperature; cold water
will cause spots to appear on the leaves. Moreover, blooms will suffer if the roots are chilled.
Morning is the best time to water a plant. Watering at night promotes the development of
fungus-related diseases, while watering in the afternoon may cause leaf spots to appear, especially
if the plant is exposed to the sun while still wet.
Opinion varies on whether African violets should be watered from the top or bottom.
Watering from the top will not cause any problems if the above instructions are followed. Water may
also be placed in the saucer to be absorbed by the soil, provided that the plant is flushed from the
top periodically to wash away fertilizer salts that accumulate on the surface. The same applies to
containers equipped with a wick.
As a rule, it is important to avoid overwatering, so as not to reduce the amount of
oxygen available in the soil. This will first affect the roots and then the entire plant. The weight
of the pot is a good indication of when water is required.
Fertilization
Fertilizers are an important source of food for an African violet. A balanced formula
such as 20-20-20 is suitable during the vegetative period. To flower, the plant requires more
phosphorous; a 10-30-20 or 15-30-15 fertilizer is appropriate.
Many people like to fertilize their African violets once a month, following the
manufacturer's recommended dosage. Alternatively, 1/4 to 1/5 the regular dosage can be added with
each watering, as this causes less shock to the plant. Finally, the plant should not be fertilized
if it is dormant or ailing.
The African violet is native to a tropical environment, where temperatures can climb to 30 to 32°C
and never fall below 18°C.
