Why aren't my violets blooming? What can I do to get them to bloom and what can I fertilize them with?

You'll find a violet in almost every home. This species comes in a variety of colors and shapes, and it's popular for its ability to bloom year-round. Sometimes, the plant grows vigorously, constantly producing new foliage, but no buds. It's important to understand why indoor violets aren't blooming, as there could be several possible causes, and only then take action.

The most common causes are improper care of the Saintpaulia or the presence of pests. It's important to identify and eliminate the cause promptly to not only restore the plant's ability to produce colorful flowers but also to preserve its life, as some diseases and insects can quickly destroy the violet.

Why don't my indoor violets bloom?

Among amateur gardeners, there is an opinion that Saintpaulias, better known as violets, are unpretentious in care and, when growing them at home, they count on the year-round presence of beautiful flowers of various shades and the pleasant aroma inherent in many varieties of this species.

The reasons for the absence of flowering for a long time may be associated with the following factors:

1. Lighting: Its duration and intensity directly affect the development of the violet's flower stalk. Saintpaulia loves light, and a lack of it will cause the plant to develop improperly, possibly preventing flowering altogether. When choosing a location for the young plant, ensure it receives ample sunlight, but not enough to burn the leaves. North- and west-facing windowsills are ideal. South-facing windowsills, especially in summer, will cause the plant to suffer from too much direct sunlight.
   Remember!

   Regardless of where the plant is located in the house, it needs 10-12 hours of daylight, otherwise it suffers from a lack of sun.
   A combination of natural and artificial lighting, if needed, is ideal for achieving this goal. A sign that the Saintpaulia is lacking light is the elongation of its leaves—they will reach toward the light source if the plant's location was poorly chosen.
2. Humidity and watering can also affect the natural development of flowers. Saintpaulias do not tolerate either drought or excessive watering. In both cases, the plant loses its beautiful appearance and begins to become unhealthy. Excessive watering leads to root rot, while insufficient watering leads to the drying out of the above-ground portion of the flower.

   

   

   It's best to use a tray of water for watering; this will allow the violet to absorb the moisture it needs. Drain any excess. When watering overhead, carefully apply water to the roots, avoiding the leaves and rosettes, as this can damage them.

   Important!

   Another important factor when adding water is its temperature: under no circumstances should you use cold water straight from the tap.
   The flower prefers room-temperature liquid that has been well-settled. In their natural habitat, violets grow near bodies of water and require a constant level of humidity for healthy growth. A good solution indoors is a container of water placed next to the flower. Avoid spraying the Saintpaulia with cold water, especially in winter. Spraying is acceptable only during hot weather, but only with warm water and sparingly.
3. Incorrect room temperature can also lead to a lack of flowers, particularly if it is too high. The optimal temperature for the plant year-round is 16-20 degrees.
4. In order for the Saintpaulia to delight with flowers, it needs to be fertilized frequently. Without the required amount of fertilizer, the soil quickly loses nutrients and the plant has no energy to bloom.

   

5. The composition of the substrate in which the violet grows is important. If it's improperly composed, it will not only fail to bloom but also fail to thrive. It's easiest to buy a substrate for Saintpaulias at the store, but you can also make your own. Avoid hard soil; be sure to add a baking powder and fertilizer to the mixture. Because the flower has a delicate root system, it requires a light-consistency substrate.
6. The size of the pot the Saintpaulia is planted in also affects flowering. Avoid transplanting it into large, spacious pots, otherwise you'll end up with a decorative foliage plant without flowers.

   

7. Diseases and pests can also affect flowering, as their presence forces the violet to expend all its energy fighting them. If signs of insect infestation appear on the plant, it should be treated immediately, otherwise it will quickly die. The same applies to signs of various diseases, which will manifest themselves in a deterioration in the violet's appearance.

   

In addition to these reasons for the lack of flowering in this type of indoor plant, it's also important to know the characteristics of the variety being grown indoors. Each variety has a specific flowering period, and some have a short one.

What can I do to make a violet bloom at home?

Naturally, when purchasing a Saintpaulia, you want the flowers to be present on the plant year-round, as it is precisely for their unusual shades and petal shapes that gardeners love this species.

Rules for fertilizing flowers

The success of fertilizing your Saintpaulia will depend directly on the timing and frequency of application. It's sufficient to fertilize the plant twice a month during its active growth period and once a month during winter. It's also important to monitor the amount of fertilizer applied.

Never apply fertilizer in the following cases:

• the flower was transplanted less than 30 days ago;
• the air temperature is too low or too high;
• the plant is sick;
• the violet is exposed to direct sunlight.

If your indoor plants look healthy but haven't bloomed for a long time, and you don't know what to do, use the following information on how to fertilize Saintpaulias:

1. Brewing black tea mixed with soil to loosen the soil.
2. Adding coffee grounds to the soil to improve the structure of the substrate and control moisture inside.
3. Pour boiling water over the citrus peel, leave for 24 hours and cool, then dilute with water 1:10 and use for watering.
4. Spraying with onion peel, which must first be boiled and infused.
5. Dissolve sugar in water and use for spraying.
6. For watering, you can also infuse yeast mixed with a small amount of sugar.
7. Fertilizers sold at flower shops. Apply during watering. Choose a fertilizer that contains the following elements: phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, iron, as well as zinc, copper, and manganese.

It is permissible to use a combination of traditional fertilization methods and chemical compounds to improve the flowering of Saintpaulia and its appearance.

Other methods

Provided the plant receives the proper lighting, watering, humidity, and appropriate amounts of fertilizer, Saintpaulias will bloom. If this doesn't happen, you can try the following methods:

1. Repotting into new soil is a good idea. It's best to do this annually to ensure the soil remains loose, with an acceptable level of salts and alkalinity, and sufficient nutrients. It's possible that depleted soil is the reason for the lack of flowers.
2. Damage to the roots during transplantation could also affect the flowering factor of the Saintpaulia; you need to be extremely careful when performing this procedure.
3. Drafts and temperature fluctuations have a negative impact on the plant; if the violet is exposed to such risk factors, its location should be changed.
4. Forming a rosette is a good way to achieve abundant flowering. You should promptly remove old and dried buds, as well as damaged leaves, and do not forget to turn the Saintpaulia around its own axis from time to time.

   

Also remember that if there are several negative factors for the development of violets, they must be eliminated simultaneously in order to achieve a positive result.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main reasons for violets not blooming are improper watering and lighting, as well as improperly selected substrate, pot size, and fertilizer. By understanding and adjusting these factors, you can ensure your violet blooms almost year-round.