Improper watering is the primary
reason people fail with African Violets, and the most common
type of improper watering is overwatering. When a violet is
consistently overwatered, the leaves turn jelly-like and droop
over the pot rim, row by row, until even the central core of
the plant rots away. If violets just die on you, the problem is
probably overwatering. Not watering enough or on an erratic
schedule will cause violets to grow slowly and irregularly, but
it usually doesn't kill them. Wick watering is a growing method
that provides plants with proper water, fertilizer, and
humidity. The plant is suspended over water by one of several
methods. The bottom of the pot does not touch the water; just
the wick hangs in the water. An important factor in wick
watering is the soil. Most soils sold as African Violet potting
soil are not suitable for wick watering because the particle size
is too small. The soil needs to be chunky and porous. A soil
appropriate for wick watering is composed of sifted sphagnum
peat moss, medium size particle vermiculite, perlite,
horticultural charcoal and dolomite lime. Nylon twine or
wicking cord and a wicking reservoir or tray are needed. The wick
should be at least as long as the distance from the top of the
pot to the bottom of the wicking reservoir. Plastic pots are
recommended for wick watering. Insert the wick through a
drainage hole in the pot and bring the end up over the pot rim.
Place about a half inch of potting medium in the bottom of the
pot and lay the wick down on it. Then proceed to pot the plant
as you would normally, adding sufficient soil to fill the pot to
within one-fourth inch of the rim. Lightly compact the soil (don't
pack it) to be sure it is in contact with the wick. With the
wick extending out the bottom, place the pot in a saucer of water
for about five minutes to saturate the wick and begin the
wicking action. The plant may now be placed on the wicking tray
or reservoir with the wick extending down into the water-
fertilizer solution. A wicking reservoir can be something as
simple as a margarine tub with a hole cut in the lid. Trays
with grids to support the violets over the water-fertilizer
solution are useful when wicking groups of plants. As with any
watering method, it is important to flush each plant with warm,
fresh water once a month and allow it to drain well. If a
wick isn't pulling water, check to see if algae is clogging it
up; or if the pot is sitting on the wick, pinching it and
restricting the flow of water. Or the wick may need replacement.
A wick is useful for between 6 and 8 months, after which it
becomes clogged with soil particles, fertilizer salts, and
minerals in the water. The plant should be repotted and the
wick replaced when this occurs.