Homemade Plant Food for African Violets

Homemade Food

• Commercial fertilizers made for African violets can be expensive. If you prefer to mix your own, an easy recipe for homemade African violet food uses 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. Epsom salt, 1 tsp. saltpeter, 1/2 tsp. to 1 tsp. household ammonia and 1 gallon of water. This plant food solution may be used once per month. Before you feed your plants, make sure the solution is slightly warmer than room temperature.

Frequency

• You can feed African violets using a pre-made, balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20 or 10-10-5. These options and fertilizers labeled for use with African violets have proven results. Feed your plants monthly, or use a solution diluted by 1/4 and feed your plants as you water them weekly. While you can feed your plants throughout the year, the Purdue University Cooperative Extension suggests you only fertilize your plants during the winter if you are growing them under artificial lights.

Testing

• If you are unsure whether your African violets need a dose of fertilizer, the University of Florida IFAS Extension suggests you fertilize a small number of your plants and observe them for 10 days, noting any changes. If the appearance of your plants improves, fertilize your other African violets.

Considerations

• Signs your African violets need feeding include fading foliage color, slowed growth and reduced flowering. Too much fertilizer causes the plants to develop foliage and grow quickly, but flowering will be reduced, and salts can accumulate in the soil. Signs of overfertilized plants include rust-colored new leaves and plants with tight centers, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension.

Water

• Achieving a good water balance in African violets is very important. Dry plants perform poorly, but because fertilizer is applied along with water, you must take care not to overwater your plants. Root and crown rots can result if you provide too much water. Water your plants from the top or the bottom, but wait until the soil on the surface of the pot becomes dry before watering. Use warm water, and do not wet the foliage of your plants. Provide a pot with good drainage, and don’t allow African violets to sit in standing water.