From our perspective as African Violets (Saintpaulia ionantha), we are eager to bloom; it is our purpose and our joy. When we do not, it is not out of stubbornness, but because our fundamental needs are not being met. Our environment is sending signals that now is not the time for reproduction. Here is a detailed look at the world from our viewpoint.
Light is our primary clock. We require abundant, consistent, but gentle light to produce the energy for blossoms. If the light is too dim or the duration too short, we simply cannot gather enough resources. Conversely, harsh, direct sunlight scorches our delicate leaves, causing us stress and damage. We need the equivalent of a bright, but overcast day for 10-12 hours. A north or east-facing window is often ideal, or a few feet back from a south or west window. Without this perfect balance, our survival takes precedence over flowering.
We are delicate feeders. A soil rich in nitrogen will encourage us to produce lush, green foliage at the expense of flowers. It tells us to focus on vegetative growth. We require a fertilizer with a higher ratio of phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio) to promote bud formation. However, an excess of any fertilizer leads to salt buildup in our soil, which burns our sensitive root systems and prevents nutrient uptake. We need a gentle, balanced, bloom-boosting fertilizer applied at half-strength, and only during our active growing periods.
We are naturally shallow-rooted plants. A pot that is too large is a terrifying and problematic place. The excess soil retains too much water around our roots, leading to rot and suffocation. A stressed, struggling root system cannot support the high energy demand of blooming. Conversely, a pot that is too small and root-bound leaves us with no resources to draw upon. We prefer to be slightly pot-bound, in a container that is about one-third the diameter of our leaf span. This cozy environment makes us feel secure and signals that it is a good time to reproduce.
Our native environment is one of high humidity and stable, warm temperatures. Dry, stale air from heating or air conditioning vents is incredibly stressful. Low humidity causes our buds to abort or fail to form altogether. We thrive in humidity levels around 50-60%. Furthermore, we despise drafts and sudden temperature shifts. A cold draft or a blast of hot, dry air signals an unstable season, and we will conserve our energy instead of risking it on flowers.
Blooming is an exhaustive process. If we have just finished a magnificent display, we need time to recover and regenerate our energy stores. Please allow us a rest period. Other stresses include pest infestations (like cyclamen mites that specifically attack our buds) or crown rot from water sitting on our leaves. We are fighting for our lives and cannot consider blooming under such dire circumstances. Regular grooming of spent blooms and old leaves helps us direct energy efficiently.
