Love in Bloom

African violets (saintpaulia) 
African violets are cheerful, colorful house companions that require little care and yield bountiful flowers for years to come. Thriving in comfortable temperatures, faint sunlight and minimal water, African violets are as low maintenance as they are gorgeous, making these blooms ideal for indoor display. By simply learning the caretaking basics, you can incorporate these exotic blossoms into your own home.

• Colors: African violets bloom in vibrant hues of white, pink, lavender and deep purple, often in unique combinations on a single petal. Most African violets also feature bright green and white foliage. Given what they need, African violets are among those rare and special houseplants that are easy to care for and bloom continuously throughout the dark winter months.

• Temperature: Ideally, African violets should live in a 70°F space, but they can easily withstand nighttime temperatures as low as 65°F. But in general, simply stick to room temperature—if you feel comfortable, chances are your African violets are comfortable, too.

• Light: Like us, African violets need good light, but hot, direct sunlight can scorch their foliage. For a constant but indirect stream of light, position your flowers near an east-facing window, provided it is not drafty. During the colder months, move your flowers to a warmer location at night.

• Water: Believe it or not, more plants die from over-watering than under-watering. This is especially true of African violets. When watering your blooms, adhere to these simple rules to strike that perfect balance between thirsty and drowning:

  • Water from the bottom: When the soil around your plant is dry, fill a saucer with lukewarm water, position the saucer underneath the pot and allow the plant to slowly absorb the water. If your plant is especially thirsty (absorbing the water in only a few seconds) refill the saucer, but don’t allow the plants to sit in water for long periods of time as this can result in root decay.

  • Stay dry: When watering your plants, avoid getting the foliage wet as this can create leaf spots and blemishes.

• Fertilizer: African violets need to be fertilized regularly to maintain healthy foliage and continuous blooming. Use a fertilizer customized for African violets, following the label’s directions carefully, or use a general liquid houseplant fertilizer at half-strength (mix one part fertilizer with one part drinking water).

  Tip: Before feeding your African violets a general liquid fertilizer, allow the solution to sit overnight, as the plants do not respond well to chlorinated drinking water.

• Repotting: Every six months or so, you need to repot your African violets. Repotting provides them with fresh nutrients and helps get rid of built-up fertilizer salts. Follow these simple steps to replace your pot:

Orchids (phalaenopsis orchids) 
The phalaenopsis orchid is another beautiful and easy-to-grow houseplant that enjoys much the same conditions we do, requiring little maintenance and blooming for long periods of time. From bright white to lush fuchsia, this flower features an elegant, askew silhouette that can stand on its own as a striking but minimalist décor piece.

• Colors: Orchids bloom in shades of white, pink, lavender and yellow in both solid colors and mixes of colored stripes and spots. Each individual bloom lasts for three or four months.

• Temperature: The orchid is fairly flexible with regard to temperature. A room between 55°F and 85°F is comfortable, with daytime temperatures in the low- to mid-70s and nighttime temperatures of 60°F encouraging optimal flower spikes.

• Light: Orchids thrive best when placed near or within a bright window. Like African violets, an east-facing window is ideal for avoiding direct mid-day sun that can scorch an orchid’s leaves.

• Water: Orchids should be watered infrequently but thoroughly. Water the orchid generously, then wait until the potting mix is nearly, but not completely, dry before watering again. In the winter months, soil will dry out in about a week. During spring and summer, check the soil every four to six days.

  Tip: In the winter season, lower humidity in your home will require you to water more frequently.

• Fertilizer: A slow-release granular fertilizer with equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium will keep your orchids happy—“NPK (14-14-14)” fertilizer is recommended and can be found at home improvement stores and garden centers everywhere. If you prefer liquid fertilizer, be sure it contains the same proportions of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and apply it based on the label’s recommended rate. Fertilizer should be incorporated every other time you water your orchid.

• Repotting: Potting is best done in late spring or early summer after the orchid’s blooming is finished. Use this step-by-step approach to guide you through the repotting process:

With African violets and phalaenopsis orchids, you get the unusual beauty of an exotic flower and the low maintenance of an everyday houseplant. Choose them as a special expression of your love, or as a simple way to help your home blossom.