African Violets enhances the beauty and overall aesthetic of any garden with their velvety leaves and elegant blooms. However, to keep them thriving, a proper care and little bit of occasional pruning is necessary. Pruning removes extra foliage and older leaves of the plants to promote their new growth. But have you ever wondered how to prune African Violet in a right way to promote their growth.
A few steps will help you in pruning your African violet plant. It is not as difficult as it seems. All you need to do is pinch the old leaves from the bottom of the African violet plant with sterilized scissors or fingers. In this blog guide, we have discussed the benefits of pruning, the way to prune and aftercare of African Violets. Stay connected!
African Violet Pruning Vs. Trimming
There is a huge difference in trimming and pruning of the African violet plant. You will cut or remove all the dead leaves and flowers in pruning your plant. It will improve the plant’s growth, save its energy and promote new growth. On the other hand, trimming the African violet plant is like a haircut; it means you have to give a proper shape to your plant. The process of trimming includes careful removal of healthy excessive leaves to maintain the plant’s look. Thinking out the limbs and giving structure to the stems is basically trimming the plant.
Why Should You Prune Your African Violet
There are many reasons behind the pruning process of the African violet plant. It improves its growth and makes it healthy. It also prevents the plant from diseases and pests and saves it from an early demise. Here are some reasons for the pruning of the African violet plant:
- African violets produce leaves and bloom continuously. Its flowers bloom eight months a year, so cutting or removing them will give the plant a new and healthy appearance.
- Sometimes, African violet plants have too many leaves, making the blooms difficult to appear. Too much foliage inhibits the ability of the plants to bloom flowers. So, cutting the extra leaves at that time improves the blooming ability.
- Most of the time, pests and diseases affect African violet plants. So, removing that affected part at that time becomes the most important task. Removing it will give healthy growth to the plant.
- Pruning also stops the plant from overgrowing, enhancing blooming and providing more space for the new branches, foliage, and flowers.
- Another reason is space and airflow. If the African violet plant is too crowded with leaves, there is no space left for the air to pass through.
When to Prune a African Violet
As you have read, all reasons which make the gardeners prune their garden African violet plants. There are specific reasons for pruning this plant rather than the pruning of other plants. These includes, leggy and overcrowded plant, yellow and wilted leaves, and spent flowers removal. So, you should only prune your African violet plant when the explained signs start appearing. Maybe, you have to do it every week or every month.
It will likely be done throughout the year to remove the dead flowers and leaves. Never prune your African violet plant too much; it will make it look empty and flowerless. Removing too many leaves or branches can also cause other problems for your plant. So prune only extra leaves and branches to make space.
Make sure to keep sharp pair of pruning shears in your garage to complete this process every month successfully. Determine your plant’s growth first and then decide whether it needs pruning. If it does not have too many leaves and flowers and still has space to bloom, wait for some more days. Whenever you see the plant getting crowded with leaves, prune it.
What You Need for Pruning African Violet
Are you going to prune your African violet plant? And thinking of using the suitable tools that you will use for this purpose. Technically, there is not any specific tool to prune the garden plants. Most gardeners and growers remove dead leaves and flowers by using their fingers. But, if you do not like getting your hands dirty, you can buy sharp scissors or pair of shears to remove all the dead leaves and branches.
Pruning will be easy if your pair of shears are sharp and cutting quickly. But must remember to sterilize your tools before and after the process. Furthermore, take careful steps to avoid damaging of other leaves.
How to Prune a African Violet
Here are the steps which will help you in pruning your African violet plant:
1. Observe the African Violet Plant
Firstly, take some steps away from your African violet plant and observe the structure and shape of the plant. Observe if or not your plant has dead leaves, flowers, and branches or whether it is growing thinly or think. Now, check your plant from all directions to see if there is any specific area where leaves and flowers are not growing. If there is any, you should prune that part. Otherwise, your plant will not grow healthy and efficiently. The blooming will also reduce.
2. Determine the Pruning Tools
Pruning the African violet plants is so easy because they are small. You can use sharp, sterilized scissors to remove dead leaves and flowers. The usage of sharp scissors guarantees quick cuts and prevent plant diseases. Some people prune by pinching; it is not recommended for a beginner. Never remove dead leaves and flowers of the plant with your hands because it can damage your plant and encourage the spread of fungal disease. Before starting pruning, always remember to wear gloves.
3. Remove the Dead Leaves and Flowers
After examining the pruning tools, you now have to start the process. Remove the discolored and spotted dry leaves with sharp scissors in this step. One thing you must keep in your mind is that the African violet plant always grows from the crown out. So, most leaves are close to the soil, and those are the oldest ones. First, cut all those old leaves from the bottom of the plant and then cut the defective or discolored leaves from the top. After that, pull the stems which start rotting along the roots to let them dry. Do not water the plant until you see the soil is dry.
4. Reduce Crowding on Plant
As you are growing the African violet plant at home, you must know that this plant is crowded with blooms all year around. But the blooms face difficulty in growing if they have too many leaves and branches. The plant stops blooming due to the extra and crowded leaves. So, if you notice the plant is getting crowded with leaves, prune those leaves out and give some space to the new blooming.
5. Deadhead African Violets
Deadheading means you have to eliminate the deadheads of the flowers from the African violet plant. In this step, all you need to do is to deadhead the flowers. Observe the plant and check if dead, dying or unhealthy flowers are on the plant branches. Hold the flower in one hand and snip off the deadhead below the dying tissue. If you see the entire flower is dead, you can cut back the entire stem to let the plant grow a new flowering stem. No need to leave the old stems on the plant because they will turn brown after some time. Cut them also while pruning the plant.
6. Shape the African Violet Plant
After removing the dead flowers and leaves from the plant, it is time to give the African violet plant proper shape. Observe the plant thoroughly and check if there is any dead leave or flower left on the plant. If there is any, cut it right away. If leaves are moving in the wrong direction, cut them also, they are running the shape of the entire plant. Remember not to prune your African violet plant more than 25%.
7. Clean the Area After Pruning
After pruning your plant, clean the area around the plant thoroughly. Collect all the dead flowers, leaves, and branches in the bag and place them in your garage to dispose off later. You can also throw them in the garbage can; the garbage collecting truck will get them and throw them away for you. Never compost these dead parts of the plants because they can spread diseases. Disinfect your tools with soap or water that you use for pruning.
(Expert-Tip: To promote a bushier growth and a fuller African Violet plant, pinch off the tips of the new shoots.)
How Often do I Need to Prune My African Violet
If you observe the crowded leaves and dead flowers on your African violet plant, it must be time to prune it. There is no specific time for pruning this plant; you can do this process anytime. Usually, pruning your plant every 4 to 6 weeks is beneficial for the growth. If you have many plants at home, you will know that it is unlikely to other plants because they need seasonal pruning. But this issue is not with the African violet plant.
African violet plant grows too quickly, so removing their bottom dead leaves every month is better. The flowers of this plant bloom eight months of the year (spring to autumn), so don’t prune in the other four months of winter. Only prune the plant when you see pests and diseases affecting any specific area of the plant. Moreover, also prune when the plant getting too many extra leaves, causing problems for the new flowers.
What to Do With the Discarded African Violet Leaves
Saintpaulias gives the best solution to get rid of the removed leaves of the African violet plant. You can regrow the leaf if you remove it because of the crowded place. Because, in this case, the plant must not be dead or have any disease. It means the leaf of the African violet plant is healthy, and you can grow a new plant with it.
You can throw the dead leaves and flowers in the garbage can or anywhere far away from your home. If the plant leaves have bugs or diseases, you can bury them, also. Otherwise, growing a whole new plant with healthy leaves is the best option. Grab some pots and fill them with moist but fast-draining soil to grow them.
Before planting the leaves, moisten the mix lightly. You have to slice the end of each leaf at an angle of 45 degrees to let them root fast. Cutting the leaf tips will also help in rooting. After this step, bury the petiole of the leaf in the soil. Water the pot according to the soil and plant requirements. After three months, you will see the new leaves popping out of the leaf and growing.
Post-Pruning Care of African Violet
After pruning the African violet plant, there are few instructions to take care of the plant. Some factor directly affects the growth of the African violet plant. So you have to follow the given care tips for the healthy growth of your plant:
Temperature
Besides deadheading and removing dead flowers and leaves, proper maintenance and care are essential for the better growth of the plant. African violets have some requirements for their healthy growth before and after pruning. If the temperature is around 70-90 degrees F during the day and 65-70 degrees F at night, that is perfect for the plant. But the plant will die if the temperature falls from 60 degrees F. After pruning, place the plant in the greenhouse to ensure the proper environment for it.
Water
African violets like water for fast and healthy growth, but not too much water. Too much soggy soil will cause problems for the African violet plant, and you will also suffer with your plant. Whenever you grow this plant in your garden or pot, use well-draining soil to let the extra water out of the pot. Overwatering will cause rotten roots and other fungal diseases in your African violet plant.
Light
African violet plants like to grow in bright but indirect sunlight. If there is direct sunlight on the plant, it will burn the leaves and flowers. Proper required sunlight will encourage the best growth of the African violet plant and make it leggy. It needs more sunlight in winter, so increase the time of sunlight exposure in winter.
Fertilization
Use any fertilizer rich in phosphorus and nitrogen for your African violet plant. Make sure to buy the fertilizer with the NPK ratio of 15:30:15. Remember to apply the diluted fertilizer every two weeks to improve plant growth.
Final Verdict, Can You Prune African Violet
Yes, pruning African violet plants is so simple. If this plant grows in your garden or inside your house, you must enjoy its faster growth. It is essential to prune the fast-growing plant after the specific days to save its energy and let the new leaves and flowers bool. Pruning the African violet plant removes dead flowers and leaves from the plant stems. This article is a perfect guide if you were wondering how to prune African violet plants. Follow the tips and instructions you read in the article to make your pruning process successful!
FAQs
1. Do You Cut the Dead Flowers Off African Violet?
Remove deadhead African violets if you see dead flowers on the top of your African violet plant. It helps the plants to continue blooming and grow with beautiful foliage.
2. Can I Cut the Stem of the African Violet?
If your African plant stem is too leggy and bare, the only option to save it is to cut the plant near the soil level and re-root it. Fill a new pot with well-drained soil and plant the stem you cut a few moments ago. Now, remove the extra or rough leaves from the plant and let it grow efficiently.
3. What Can I Do With the Discarded Pruned African Violet Leaves?
If the leaves are healthy, then you can use them to propagate new plants or in making compost. However, dispose off the diseased or pest infected leaves to prevent potential hazards.