How to recover African Violets after Nitrogen Overload?

[alp]

We have Bunnings here now. They have bought up our Homebase. The one called Bunnings is really lovely. We drove all the way to go there and it has a lovely gc. All the other Homebase branches are still named Homebase. We always go there for our plants. One day, a checkout lady asked us, "No bargains today?" Last time we went through her till, we bought all the Aechmea / bromeliads for 75p and some of them are still growing very well. Some have thrown up new shoots and I then found out that I needed to water from the urn.. Things that you learn when you google!

 

[TeamAquaLeader]

Replanted, 4 to a pot! I can't help but notice the suffering ones had much smaller roots... It seems they were stunted in their pots and couldn't grow through the fertiliser rich soil. The soil across the bottom is packed but all the soil above, including with the african violets, is loose. The decorational stones were rehomed to the water dishes as I was unable to get perlite in a small bag. I can easily add more sphagnum moss (I probably mispelled that) if needed. The soil is already damp and easy so I'm letting them settle for the night before wating in half hour intervals tomorrow.

 

[alp]

I don't think you need to add sphagnum moss. But I am not 100% sure.

Here from RHS

Compost
Root growth is fibrous and a good percentage of organic matter is required, therefore pot into John Innes No.2 compost, with 30 percent by volume added peat substitute. Alternatively use specialist houseplant compost.

Repotting of established plants is usually necessary only after two to three years and should be carried out in spring. Use 9-10cm (3½-4in) pots for final potting, but for growing very large plants and for the most aesthetically pleasing effect, shallow 12cm (5in) pots or pans may be used.

You don't need to buy John Innes 2. The RHS might get income plugging the stuff. MIGHT as I am not 100% sure either. But need to keep your judicious mind.

What is in John Innes 2 compost?

Just buy any decent but cheap and cheerful houseplant compost. Some people do use peat. It depends on your ethics.

Here's more on the page

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=942

 

[TeamAquaLeader]

I just add it around the base of the plant to help keep the dirt from building up too much around the base/stems, and to make it easier for the plant to shoot. The mix I got has compost mixed in! And I can buy horse poo by the kilo around here. It's late Autumn but the conditions in the house are steady, thankfully. The pots are indeed shallow, much shallower than they are wide. Only about 3 and a half inches tall. I'm not really sure if I can get that kind of compost here, sadly.
I forgot to add, the healthier ones had very long roots because I had put most of their old soil in the bottom of the pot since theirs had no bugs. They had reached down into that and spread nicely.

 

[alp]

Horse poo? I don't think you need that. Leaf mould and tomorite would be fine. I have the feeling that you over-complicate the process. But I could be wrong. Find the name Dibleys as they are British specialist on Streptocarpus and African violets. Also google youtube and see what size of pot they suggest when potting up please. Try to find advice to nurseries or suppliers please.

 

[TeamAquaLeader]

Again, I'm Australian- and I said horse poo because it's the freshest most natural stuff we have here. It's not like I'd stick an entire lump into the pot or something. Pretty much the only place for stuff here now is Bunnings, the other nurseries closed down. Being Australian also means there's not exactly much in the way of leaf litter around here, not even from my mulberries. Most of the plants around here are stuff like evergreens and bromeliads.