What’s your African violet potting soil?

stillinwisconsin

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

african violets:

I‘ve used Miracle Gro

switched to Espoma brand

i have my AV’s in glazed ceramic pots, appropriately sized

they are happy, the bloom religiously, nice growth

but they get mildew on leaves and flowers

circulation is good

i think the soil holds too much moisture, though im not overwatering i assure you

there are large drain holes …but very little drains

if i saturate to the point that it drains from the pot they’d be drowning

im guessing its the glazed pots

the roots are otherwise healthy and geowth is vigorous

i tried a homemade mix of equal parts sphagnum peat moss, perlite, coco coir and vermiculite while it drains better it stays saturated way too long and i had to unpot my orchids this morning as they weren't happy with me

should i add more sphagnum to the base mix?

another formula is 2 parts sphagnum peat to 1 part vermiculite and 1 part perlite but peat moss has more retention so not sure if that will alleviate the issue ???

or do i just go back to espoma and change to plastic liner pots?

i watered days ago and one pot was too saturated for my liking so im guessing thats why the mildew

whats your homemade formula?

Featured Answer

Rosie1949

5 years ago

You said "there are large drain holes …but very little drains, if i saturate to the point that it drains from the pot they’d be drowning."

THIS statement tells me your soil is far too heavy. Lighten it up with perlite, use plastic pots and see if your plants don't improve. I think they will. AND make sure your cover pot is at least 1/2 inch larger than the growing pot for good air circulation. My soil mix is very light because I wick water. Roughly 50 to 60% perlite to 50% Miracle Gro. (I am a little heavy handed on the perlite. I also use the larger perlite) Rosie

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
i had so much trouble it unfired clay pots.. .. in the house.. i quit using them decades ago ...

find and use plastic pots .. and even better if they fit inside the clay pot you like to look at ...

ken
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stillinwisconsin
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you …. i added more peat moss to my original mix and a lot of perlite my AV’s seem happier now but i had to lop a few floppy leaves off
Rosie1949
5 years ago
Just remember, peat moss holds water but once it dries out it is hard to remoisten. I don't add anything to my MiracleGro except the extra perlite. There is peat in the MiracleGro so I don't feel the need to add more. BUT I wick water so somehow this works for me. If your new mix works for you by all means stick with it. Don't worry about "pruning" off leaves. That is a continuous process sometimes. It is called Grooming!!!!!

There are so many mixes one can use for plants,,,,so if you find what works for you than life is good!!!! Wishing you success! Rosie in Michigan
judy musicant
5 years ago
I use Optimara soil to which I add a little extra perlite.. Most of my AVs are in Oyama pots, a type of plastic self-watering pot.
party_music50
5 years ago
I have always used ProMix potting mix. Either ProMix AP (all-purpose) to which I add extra perlite, or ProMix HP (high porosity -- meaning it already has the extra perlite in it).
terrilou
5 years ago
I keep it simple. For the past several years, I have used Jiffy Organic Seed Starting Mix cut with 50 to 60% perlite. I use this for all stages of growth and any plastic container and for all methods of watering. . . wick, top, Oyama pots, or mat. I constant feed with Optimara fertilizer.