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 Nancy,
How often should an established AV be repotted? I heard someone say every six months. That shounds crazy to me! Is that true? Also, what causes variegated violets to lose some of their bright colors after a year or so? Is it always soil pH and nutrients as the problem?
Thanks so much.
Answer Standard violets should be repotted from 2 to 3 times per year. Soils become depleted of nutrients so need to be replaced. Many growers use a very light soil or soil-less mix including 1/3 part peat moss, 1/3 part vermiculite, 1/3 part perlite so there is very little nutrients in this at all.
Variegated violets are affected by temperature. So most growers put variegated plants on the lower shelves of a light stand where it is cooler. For window growth, just keep the plant as cool as possible. It may lose variegation in the summer months then in autumn, when temperatures cools a bit, regain the color again. This is not a pH problems or even a fertilizer problem.
Speaking of fertilizer, you can use 20-20-20 or even higher, like 10-52-15 for variegates. Babies with all white foliage may be "greened up" by using a fish emulsion foliar spray.
