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 Ihave had my AV for 2 years or more, they have NEVER bloomed. I have a grow light on most of them. I am about getting ready to junk them, help!
Answer African violets need a few things before they will agree to bloom for you.
First thing is sufficient light. How many hours per day is the grow light on? It should be on from 10-12 hours per day and the plant should be about 12 inches below the tube.
I don't know how long the Gro-light lasts. With average florescent tubes, we are encouraged to change one of each fixture each year. Maybe your tube is too old to put out sufficient light for your plants.
Second is fertilizer. Do you give 1/4 teaspoon fertilizer in one gallon of water and water with this approximately every 7-10 days? What are the numbers on the fertilizer? It could be something like 20-20-20 or 15-30-15. Low numbers won't give you many flowers.
Third, how often do you change the soil in your plants? This should be changed about every 6 months. Fresh soil with lots of perlite should perk up the plant.
When these three basic things are taken care of, the plant should be blooming very well. Let me know if it begins to bloom better.
