African violet (Saintpaulia)
It’s a great time of year to divide and spruce up your African violets. This way you can share an easy care plant with others. I have had one African violet for over 8 years, it faithfully produces beautiful purple flowers regularly and requires minimal attention. Many friends and family members now have their own plants from cuttings I have made over the last 5 years. Here is how you can do the same with your African violet.
Supplies assembled and ready to begin propogation
Start by looking at your plant, particularly the lower leaves, which will be the largest; making them the best choice for propagating. Before starting, sterilize your pruners, this is important for the health of both the mother plant and the cuttings. I use isopropyl alcohol. I remove anywhere from 3-8 leaves, making a clean cut at the base of the plant, taking as much of the leaf stem as possible. When I am done I sterilize my pruners again.
Lower leaves removed from Mother Plant
The next step, which can be skipped if you don’t have it at home is applying rooting hormone. I mix mine into the water container where I will place the cuttings. In the past I have also dipped each cutting in rooting hormone before placing it in water until roots form at which point each will then be potted up.
You can dip the cutting in growth hormone before putting it in the water to propogate
Alternatively, you can dip each cutting in the rooting hormone and place them directly in soil. When I have done this, I have covered these plants to increase humidity. I will then place the cutting under grow lights or in a south facing window until they are rooted. (winter south facing window)
African violet cuttings in a solution of water and growth hormone.