African violet - Flower Buds

Can see the flower buds?

DIY Terrarium

Doing this for my fren.

How to start an African Violet plant by a leaf cutting

To propagate a favorite African Violet you can perform the following technique by using a leaf cutting.

Step 1: Using scissors, gently snip an outer stem of your favorite African Violet.

Step 2: Place stem in a pot or jar that will support your leaf.

Step 3: Place in a bright, but not direct light, location and keep soil moist but not wet.

P/S: I am still in the mist of propagating mine. :P


----------------------- Another Method ---------------------------

Step 1 There are two methods to starting African Violet plants from leaf cuttings. The first uses water to start the roots of the cutting. The second uses soil and rooting hormone. Let's start with the simple water rooting method.

Step 2 Using the scissors, snip off an African Violet leaf from the mature parent plant. Be sure to leave at least one or more inches of stem. Cut at an angle.

Step 3 Fill the glass container with water. The container can be a simple drinking glass or a clean jelly jar. Place a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap over the top and secure with a rubber band (for plastic wrap). Cut a slit into the top and slide the African Violet cutting into the water.

Step 4 Keep the cutting in a bright area, with lots of sunlight, and be sure to never let the water level drop below the end of the cutting. After about a month, you will start to see a long filament dangling from the cutting. This is the developing root system of the plant. Simply place the cutting into a pot of African Soil, bury the root, water well and keep in a bright east or west window. In about six to nine months you will have a new plant!

Make a Simple Terrarium

To make your plant in a jar, you will need a large glass jar with a closable lid, such as the gallon pickle jars used in restaurants and delis. You will also need pea gravel, potting soil (not garden soil) and a few small houseplants. Good choices are English Ivy, African Violets, Rubber Plants, Prayer Plants, and Jade Plants.

Clean your jar thoroughly. Remove the label by soaking it in hot water for a few minutes so that it is easier to peel off. Pour two inches of pea gravel into the bottom of the jar. Pour four inches of potting soil into the jar on top of the gravel.

Now, you are ready to plant your jar. Carefully take your plants out of their pots and look at the roots. If your plant is root-bound (This is a term that means the roots are starting to grow up and are wrapping around the plant's other roots,) gently tug the roots loose so that they will be in a position to easily grow into the soil. Make a hole in the soil and carefully place your plant in the hole. Firm the soil around the plant.

Next, carefully water the plant until the soil is settled. Stop watering once the soil is moistened, since over-watering could cause rotting. If you pour the water too quickly, you can end up splashing soil on the sides of the jar. If the jar does get a bit dirty, you can wipe the soil off with a damp cloth.

Once the plant’s leaves have dried off, close the lid of the terrarium. If the container is properly moistened, the plant will not need to be watered frequently. In fact, I haven’t needed to open my terrarium and water my plant for over a year. Since the terrarium will be closed, don’t place it in direct light or it can overheat and actually cook the plant.
To make your plant in a jar, you will need a large glass jar with a closable lid, such as the gallon pickle jars used in restaurants and delis. You will also need pea gravel, potting soil (not garden soil) and a few small houseplants. Good choices are English Ivy, African Violets, Rubber Plants, Prayer Plants, and Jade Plants.

Clean your jar thoroughly. Remove the label by soaking it in hot water for a few minutes so that it is easier to peel off. Pour two inches of pea gravel into the bottom of the jar. Pour four inches of potting soil into the jar on top of the gravel.

Now, you are ready to plant your jar. Carefully take your plants out of their pots and look at the roots. If your plant is root-bound (This is a term that means the roots are starting to grow up and are wrapping around the plant's other roots,) gently tug the roots loose so that they will be in a position to easily grow into the soil. Make a hole in the soil and carefully place your plant in the hole. Firm the soil around the plant.

Next, carefully water the plant until the soil is settled. Stop watering once the soil is moistened, since over-watering could cause rotting. If you pour the water too quickly, you can end up splashing soil on the sides of the jar. If the jar does get a bit dirty, you can wipe the soil off with a damp cloth.

Once the plant’s leaves have dried off, close the lid of the terrarium. If the container is properly moistened, the plant will not need to be watered frequently. In fact, I haven’t needed to open my terrarium and water my plant for over a year. Since the terrarium will be closed, don’t place it in direct light or it can overheat and actually cook the plant.