save my African violets!

[HeyMickey]

Hi everyone I'm a newbie to the gardens board, and I need some help from those who have greener thumbs than I

My mom bought me two small African violets (they're in 4" pots if that gives you an idea) for my dorm room a week ago and they are already wilting. I keep them on the windowsill so they get moderate sun all day long and I have been watering them every morning. Should I be doing something differently? How wet should the soil be? Any tips at all?

 

[amid chaos]

Hi Hilarie..Welcome, You have come to the right place. I'm sure someone with some Violet experience will be able to help, but it isnt me, I tend to kill them.
I'll take a shot in the dark, I believe you are watering them too much.
Have a great year at school!

 

[chessie]

I have been growing African violets for years. My friends often drop theirs by for a vacation so that I can get them blooming again. You don't have to keep them at the window. They do better if they are in an east window but that really doesn't matter. They just don't like it to bright. The sun will actually burn their leaves if they get too hot. After you water your violet pick up the pot and make a mental note of how heavy it is. When you pick it up and it feels really light it is then time to water. they like to dry out a bit between waterings. They prefer being watered from the bottom but if that is not possible just be careful not to wet the plant. Some people provide humidity by setting them in a tray of pebbles and water but I have never done that. Hope this helps get your violets back to good health.

Chessie

 

[mommytotwo]

Great tip Chessie.

 

[HeyMickey]

OK, I think I am watering them too much. I'll cut back a bit and hopefully they'll look better. Thanks everyone!

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome, Hilarie!

Chessie's right about too much sun burning the leaves! I have a south facing bump-out window, and it happens to my african violets. We keep meaning to put a darkening film on the windows, but, it's one of those many things we haven't gotten around to doing...yet...

I find that a little african violet plant food added to the water, from time to time, perks them up quite a bit also.

Good luck to you, keep us posted on how they do!