violets
The trick with trailers is to plant them in tall pots, since they will continue spreading out and down the sides. The bottom 3/4 of these pots are filled with LECA and only the top 1/4 with an African Violet Mix, since trailers have very shallow roots systems.
Do not use self-watering pots for violets.
African Violets are a great deal more drought tolerant than most people realize. I have numerous African Violets (more than pictured here) and one group of 11 plants was not soaked for 39 days and they are fine.
All plants (400+) are soaked on a regular basis, most of my African Violets are soaked approximately once every 2 weeks.
If a violet is failing, check the roots, cutting away anything that has rotted. Next, slice off the roots completely, leaving about 1.5" - 2" stem. GENTLY scrape the sides of the stem (all around) to expose a bit f green. Doesn't need to be completely scraped away, only portions around the entire stem so it can form new roots.
Next, get a new pot ready, soaking the soil BEFORE putting in the pot. Let it drain. After it drains, poke a hole in the center of the pot, that is large enough to receive the cleaned and scraped stem, right up to the bottom set of leaves.
With a chopstick or similar plastic tool, push the soil around the stem.
Don't put it back it direct sunlight for at least a week, giving it time to recuperate a bit and for new roots to begin forming. Within a month, it will be good to go back in its sunny window, but hopefully, sans a self-watering pot.
Self-watering pots - for any plant - should always be avoided.
African Violets are a great deal more drought tolerant than most people realize. I have numerous African Violets (more than pictured here) and one group of 11 plants was not soaked for 39 days and they are fine.
All plants (400+) are soaked on a regular basis, most of my African Violets are soaked approximately once every 2 weeks.
If a violet is failing, check the roots, cutting away anything that has rotted. Next, slice off the roots completely, leaving about 1.5" - 2" stem. GENTLY scrape the sides of the stem (all around) to expose a bit f green. Doesn't need to be completely scraped away, only portions around the entire stem so it can form new roots.
Next, get a new pot ready, soaking the soil BEFORE putting in the pot. Let it drain. After it drains, poke a hole in the center of the pot, that is large enough to receive the cleaned and scraped stem, right up to the bottom set of leaves.
With a chopstick or similar plastic tool, push the soil around the stem.
Don't put it back it direct sunlight for at least a week, giving it time to recuperate a bit and for new roots to begin forming. Within a month, it will be good to go back in its sunny window, but hopefully, sans a self-watering pot.
Self-watering pots - for any plant - should always be avoided.