How to plant African violets by leaf cuttings

African violet leaf cuttings pre-treatment:

Check whether the leaves are damaged or necrotic, and cut off the damaged or necrotic parts. If the leaves are dehydrated (petioles and leaves become soft), they need to be soaked in water to restore moisture.

Time: It can be done in May and June when the temperature is suitable. If the temperature can be maintained at 15-25 degrees, leaf cuttings can be done at any time.

Substrate: Perlite or coarse sand is the best medium for cuttings. Ordinary soil is also acceptable, but it is best to disinfect it before use.

African violet leaf cutting steps:

Leaves for leaf cuttings: Choose relatively healthy leaves. The most ideal propagation material is the leaves in the third or fourth ring from the center.

2. Cut the leaves: Use a blade to cut the leaves from the base of the petiole.

3. Leaf processing: Use a blade to cut at a 45° angle 1cm to 2cm from the base of the leaf.

4. Solid medium leaf cuttings: Insert the petiole into a two-in-one or three-in-one pre-moistened medium. Do not insert it too deep, otherwise it will take longer for the seedlings to grow out of the soil.

5. Rooting and sprouting: Rooting will take one week to two months. After rooting, apply diluted fertilizer every 7 to 10 days. New sprouts will grow about one month after rooting.

6. Separation of seedlings: When new shoots grow on the leaves of the African violet and the seedlings have 4 to 6 leaves, take the mother leaves and the seedlings out of the breeding container, remove some of the soil, and then separate the seedlings with a small blade.

7. Care of seedlings: Seedlings should be protected from water shortage and can be planted in larger pots after 2 to 3 months.

Management after African violet leaf cuttings:

1. Ensure that the air humidity is between 60% and 80%, and pay attention to the moisture retention of the medium.

2. Be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight, but make sure there is at least 12 hours of diffuse light every day, and you can use lights to supplement the light.

3. The temperature should be between 20℃ and 25℃.

4. Do not apply fertilizer before roots and buds appear, and do not use organic fertilizer.

5. The black and necrotic parts of the leaves should be cut off in time, and the germination time of the leaves that have been cut off and damaged will be prolonged.

6. When a bud grows 3-5 leaflets, it can be divided and transplanted.

7. The leaves of leaf cuttings can continue to be buried in the medium after the buds are divided, and new buds will grow after a period of time.

8. When the leaves do not sprout, you can dig up the medium and use a needle to prick the area near the cut surface to stimulate germination.