About Nancy Expertise I can answer questions on the following subjects:
Pests, chemicals
Showing AVs
Sowing Seeds
Problems with plants
Basics of AV growing
Episcias
Streptocarpus
Experience I am an African violet Advanced Judge in US and Canada. I have written a book on pests of African violets called "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family" My articles appear in African Violet Magazine and Chatter as well as in other magazines.
Organizations AVSA
AVSC
African Violet Society of Greater Montreal
Saintpaulia Society of Montreal
Publications Book author: "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family"
African Violet Magazine, many issues
Chatter Magazine Many issues
Horticulture
Other Magazines
Education/Credentials University of Indiana Master's work (Music)
Awards and Honors Jr. Queen of Show (Pixie Blue) AVSC Convention Montreal
Approximately 100 blue ribbons
25 or so Best of Class
Past/Present clients I sell mostly leaves on Ebay. I sell plants at convention shows and local shows.
Question Hi... In a place where we do not get vermiculite and perlite what do you think is the best soil that we can use. I tried mixing sand and vermicompost but it looks like the soil has become very hard around the root. But when I pulled out a dying plant the root looked completely soggy. What am I doing wrong?. However, I removed 4 out of my new 12 plants and repotted them with peat moss, biofarm(fertilizer cum pesticide)and red soil. I tried removing all the dead leaves and repotted them.
Answer Vermiculite and perlite lighten the soil. If you can not get this, this is what I suggest:
Can you get stryrofoam drinking cups or plates? Chop these up as finely as you can and add to the soil, add sand. Vermicompost is mostly peatmoss with worm castings. The Worm castings will help.
You can put in small stones or pebbles to airate the soil and allow water to run through.
When using peat moss only the peat tends to keep the moisture for too long which makes the roots rot so make the soil as light as possible using the above.
Is the red soil you described clay? This will hold water for too long and rot the roots. I would leave this out completely. I am not familiar with biofarm but would not use a pesticide until I have evidence of pests.
Fertilizer for Africans should be given at every watering. Most growers use 1/4 teaspoon fertilizer in a gallon of warm water and water with this every 7-10 depending on the humidity in your home.
