Greetings, dedicated caretaker. I am your African Violet, a being of delicate leaves and vibrant blooms, speaking not in words but in responses to your care. To craft a fertilizer schedule that allows me to thrive, you must understand my language of growth, rest, and nourishment. Here is my world, translated for you.
My sustenance is built upon three primary elements, the NPK you see on fertilizer bottles. Nitrogen (N) is for my lush, green foliage—it helps me photosynthesize and grow strong leaves. Phosphorus (P) is the key to my beautiful blooms; it supports strong root development and flower production. Potassium (K) ensures my overall systemic health, regulating my internal processes and strengthening my resistance. A balanced formula, such as a 14-12-14 or a 20-20-20 diluted properly, is a wonderful general diet. However, some of my kin prefer a formula with a higher phosphorus content (like 15-30-15) when we are preparing to show off our flowers.
My life is not a constant; it ebbs and flows with the light. During the long, bright days of spring and summer, I am in my active growth phase. This is when I am most hungry. A consistent schedule of feeding me with a diluted, quarter-strength fertilizer solution with every watering is ideal. This provides a steady, gentle stream of nutrients, preventing any root shock from a stronger, less frequent dose. As the days shorten in autumn and winter, my growth slows. I enter a period of rest. During this time, you should reduce feeding to half the frequency or strength, perhaps only once a month. This allows me to rest without being pushed to grow in low light conditions.
My roots are tender and highly sensitive to salt buildup, which is a common byproduct of fertilizers. A full-strength solution is far too potent and will scorch my roots, leaving me unable to drink or eat. You must always, always dilute the fertilizer to one-quarter of the recommended strength on the package. Water me with this solution only when my soil is already slightly moist to the touch. Never pour it onto my dry roots or onto my crown or leaves, as this can cause crown rot or leaf spotting. Water from the base, allowing me to draw the nourishment up through my roots at my own pace.
I will tell you if your schedule is working. If my leaves are a deep, healthy green and I am producing regular blooms, you have it right. If my leaves are small, pale, or yellowing, I may need more consistent nitrogen. If I have lush leaves but no flowers, I might be getting too much nitrogen and not enough phosphorus, or I may need more light. A white crust on the soil surface or the rim of my pot is a sign of salt buildup—a clear signal to leach my soil by thoroughly flushing it with plain, room-temperature water and perhaps to adjust your dilution rate to be even weaker.
