African Violet Care - LONG NECK - Decapitation Demo

[@nancyriley3929]

Thanks for teaching me how to take care of long necks. I’ve learned a new method.

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are welcome! I am learning too, happy to share!

[@colleennisbet3727]

Your videos are so helpful! Your presentations are just the right speed so that I don’t get lost 😊 and so informative. I had no idea that my old AVs could be decapitated! Thank you!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Happy to help! Appreciate your feedback!

[@lervehater]

Very helpful. I’m still scared to do that but I will try.

[@fledanow]

These videos are so helpful. I have just reawakened my interest in African Violets after years away from them. I have learned so much from your lessons. My violets are much happier because of you. Thank you.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Appreciate your feedback! Glad it’s been helpful! Happy growing!

[@imahappy5317]

Excellent video. Up close I could see exactly how to do this. I have a much beloved old Violet that I really want to keep going. Thank you!!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful! Happy growing!

[@dolcev1135]

Great video!. You saved my 1st mini violet. I'm new in this wonderful violet's world. Thank you, thank you!. Now, wish me good luck with my propagations.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Good job and good luck! You can do it! Happy growing!

[@nunya2036]

Awesome video, revitalise my mothers plants that have all long necks, thank you for teaching me how to grow so much help.

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are welcome! Happy growing!

[@slh35661]

I love all the growing condition information you share

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad you enjoy it! Happy to share!

[@deemee7329]

thanks so much I have a couple long necks I had no idea how to take care of them. Now I do... and I need to propagate some . Great video!

[@grayturtleviolets]

So glad you find it helpful! Happy growing!

[@tiffanyjones7175]

Same!

[@shirleywest7654]

I used your instruction in taking care of a trailer that a friend gave me that she didn't wish to keep. The necks were very long and twisted, similar to the Rob's Gundaroo in this video only it is a standard. I got four plants out of it and they are all looking much better! I'm looking forward to what the blooms look like when they come.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it's been helpful! Thank you for sharing! Happy growing!

[@nancylee8504]

I need to work with some of my violets this spring so this was quite timely and very helpful! Thank you for great instructions.

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are so welcome! Happy growing!

[@karenkrosnick8725]

This is a great video. Gave me the courage to try this procedure. thank you!!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Appreciate your feedback!🌸

[@nancyzepp7247]

Excellent information and very well explained. Thank you.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@tameracoelho87]

Fantastic video

[@grayturtleviolets]

@@tameracoelho87 thank you!

[@kathiebumpers1767]

Very helpful and easy to understand. I have one that I need to do this to. Thank you .

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you!

[@susanbender7138]

👍 another great video ! I have about 65 miniatures and trailers in my collection so far. I just started growing miniature AV in September. One of my favorite is “Jersey Girl Trail”. If you don’t have her in your collection, which you probably do , she is a must have. So pretty. Another one that I just received from VB is “Pearl Joy” chimera. Can’t wait for it to bloom. Enjoy all of your videos. So informative. Thank you Gray Turtle.

[@grayturtleviolets]

So glad you like it! I got Pearl Joy from Violet Barn last year, this one has been a bit tricky for me to grow, still trying to make it happy, lol. Just received Jersey Girl Trail leaves from Fancy Bloomers, always wanted to have it! Hope I can grow it well. Happy growing!

[@sammiehayes7644]

Thank you for this video it helped me so much!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Oh, I am so glad! Happy growing!

[@aida087]

Thank you for sharing!! I've had 9 plants that I grew from propagated leaves and they all had long necks lol!! Watching your video gave me the confidence I needed to decapitate all of them, hopefully they all survive!!❤️🥰🙏🏼

[@grayturtleviolets]

They will! It gives them a fresh start! Happy growing!🌸

[@aida087]

@@grayturtleviolets Thank you so much!!🤗🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@aida087]

​@@grayturtleviolets Hello and I love how you call your plant Pinky🥰. So based on your video, I went through with decapitating my African violet plants grown from leaves on May 17th, placed them in water, and shockingly they've all rooted. I'll give them another week and then I'll pot them up in soil. I also managed to propagate 32 leaves in hopes that if they all sprout, I can give them to family and friends as well as, keeping some for myself to maybe create a collection. Overall I think African Violets are amazing!!❤🥰🙏🏼

[@grayturtleviolets]

@@aida087 Good job growing and propagating! African Violets are the best!

[@aida087]

@@grayturtleviolets Thank you so much, and for your videos, very knowledgeable and informative!!🥰🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@idalevine3479]

That was very helpful. Thank you.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful! Happy to share!

[@cautiouscoyote8590]

I've had many houseplants over decades, but have felt somehow intimidated about tending to african violets (other than food & removing the spent parts) so they just get gangly😳. After watching a few of your excellent videos, I feel confident enough to proceed & play! Thanks!

[@grayturtleviolets]

That’s great, African Violets are fun to grow! Happy growing!

[@Alexxa1130]

This video was very helpful...thank you!

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are welcome! Happy to share!

[@cristinaalbu4651]

Excelent! Mii de mulțumiri!

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@krmenlevano6147]

Thank you for this video. Excellent!!! 😊👏🌷

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad you like it! Thank you for watching!

[@motled]

Thank you for another informative and helpful video! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours 🍁😻🙏

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you so much! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[@sedumzz3289]

So, is leaving the trunks hurting the plant? I like the look of a trunk, so would repotting it help fix the possible issues? Thanks!😊

[@grayturtleviolets]

If the plant is growing and blooming well, and if the long neck look doesn't bother you, then it's perfectly fine, except those cases when it decides to fly off the shelf, happened to mine a few times, and those that don't have a long neck have better chances of surviving the fall, lol. The other case would be when the neck grows so long that it starts affecting the plant's growth, then it's time to rejuvenate and repot. I think of it this way - the longer the neck grows, the longer it makes the journey for the nutrients traveling from the roots all the way to the center of the crown, where the new leaves grow.

[@yvonne3607]

Yes was helpful video, thank you

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful! Appreciate your feedback!

[@ismaelhajar6006]

Is there any video about keeping the long neck?! I saw a violet on board of a vessel like a bonsai…so beautiful!!! Any tip for me?!

[@grayturtleviolets]

I wonder if the plant you saw was a trailer variety - the ones that cascade down in long branches, they are gorgeous, indeed - check out the African Violet Trailers playlist on my channel, for more info.

[@jenniseknight8220]

This is a very good video. Trying it out now with some miniatures. Love the mini-greenhouse method with the plastic bags!😊

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful! Happy growing!

[@valerieryan]

Hello! Thank you for your video! I am going to have to use the plastic bag method since I don't currently have a humidity dome. How long do you leave the newly cut crown in the plastic bag?

[@grayturtleviolets]

About 3-4 weeks, by then it usually starts growing new roots.

[@valerieryan]

@@grayturtleviolets Great, thanks so much!

[@angellynette8258]

Thank you so much this was so helpful.

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome! Happy to share!

[@sherrishokler5469]

Very useful. Thank you.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching!

[@amyswanson3389]

Thank you! I'm trying this method and wondering how long the pot has to stay in a plastic bag? Is there a way to tell when the roots are strong enough?

[@grayturtleviolets]

I keep mine covered for about a month or so - some take longer than others, minis are usually the fastest to root. You will see by the plant's growth - when it starts growing new leaves from the crown center, it's usually a good sign that it has rooted nicely and is ready to come out of the greenhouse. Happy growing!

[@joannmahaffey1068]

Thanks

[@deltalady52]

Thank you so much for your very informative video. How long do you keep the one plant in the freezer bag? How long do you wait before you wick the others? Thank you.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Appreciate your feedback! I keep them covered for about a month or two, so they grow healthy roots. In this video, I show what a starter plant looks like when I transfer it to wick watering: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3nGinZ5n7WJfdEsi=G44a7ngppVPOXJ18. Happy growing!

[@deltalady52]

Thank you for responding so quickly. I appreciate your information. I will write on the gallon bag the date to help me remember when to take it out. Can’t wait then to see the root system that develops.😀🪴 I did view the video you suggested. Sent you a question.

[@quiltindee]

Will the stem left in pot after decapitation grow? Or do you just toss it?

[@grayturtleviolets]

I usually toss it. Sometimes, it can grow suckers/additional crowns, if you keep it.

[@reefwalker3381]

You have a knack for producing great videos - cheery and informative. My question: what pot size do you use to repot a decapitated mature standard? For the rejuvenation I just did, the long-neck came from a 4 inch pot and I repotted the shortened crown into a 4 inch pot. Should I have started smaller?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you so much! I use 3 oz plastic solo cups (2" diameter) to pot decapitated standard crowns, keeping only 1-2 rows of grown leaves (not counting the baby leaves at the very center), and keep them domed in plastic bags, or a domed propagation tray. Happy growing!

[@Zarsalehi]

Thank you so much for very good your tutorial

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are welcome 😊 Glad it was helpful!

[@JY-zq5jk]

Wow! Amazing that Africa Violets like to be Decapitated. How strange.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Not sure if they really "like" it - I use this method only when they grow old, as a way to rescue the main plant. I always plant a couple of leaves as a backup too, in case if it doesn't work out. :-)

[@gigigg9763]

Trailing violet love it 🥰

[@grayturtleviolets]

Rob’s Gundaroo - one of my favorite trailers!💕

[@Zarsalehi]

Thank you so much again for very good your tutorial I have one question. Are wicker pots usually dry or wet?(surface soil)

[@grayturtleviolets]

Appreciate your feedback! The soil surface usually stays moist in the wick watered pots. This presents a risk of overwatering/root rot - to avoid that, I add coarse perlite to the potting mix, no less than 50%. Perlite helps create air pockets in the soil, allowing roots to breathe.

[@Zarsalehi]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@caseycavasher1039]

So after you make the cut to shorten the stem before letting it dry, you don't use any root powder?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Correct. Mine root just fine without the rooting hormone.

[@carpy1252]

I tried this and the crown ended up dying. Luckily the base I still kept grew offshoots.

[@grayturtleviolets]

I had good experience using Pro-Mix BX as a base for my potting mix, when using this method. It is enriched with Bacillus subtilis, a biofungicide that prevents root diseases. I always plant a couple of leaves as a backup as well, in case if it doesn't go well.

[@jvsnyder1]

Do you add any water after they go in the bag or greenhouse dome?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Yes, I water them when the potting mix gets dry, to keep it moist but not drenched.

[@margaret138]

Can we first dip the stem into grow hormone before put it into the soil?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Great question! I haven’t tried it myself, guessing it wouldn’t hurt using the rooting hormone powder.

[@naomiojala7144]

I've been doing this for years with a plant that was my mother's. This last time, the lower leaves have all wilted. I tried repotting on new soil, but the leaves won't perk up.

[@grayturtleviolets]

@@naomiojala7144 It happens sometimes, I usually let it root and grow new leaves, and then remove the older leaves. Some need a bit more humidity, so I keep them domed while they are recovering.

[@valeriekushner5003]

Does the mother plant continue to grow and produce after it has been decapitated? Thanks for the information. “What did the big flower say to the little flower? What's up, bud?”

[@grayturtleviolets]

If you keep a row of leaves on the mother plant, it will start producing suckers, which can then be used to propagate new plants.

[@michellegrovak]

I was drinking a glass of wine and thought you spoke of decapitation... Oh, you did. LOL

[@grayturtleviolets]

Lol, yes I did! Took me a while to get used to this term! :-)

[@mikehawk11]

Oh my goodness the exacto knife scared me. There must be something solid under the paper towel, paper towel alone won't protect your fingers from an exacto knife. Should always cut things on a table or board or something solid like that.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Yes-yes, I was using a wooden cutting board, but it wasn't pretty, so I covered it with the paper towel - trying to be creative for the video :-)

[@Miyauisillaejeongwon]

African violet is so attractive It is a plant I want to grow.❤🤩

[@grayturtleviolets]

You will enjoy them! African Violets are very grateful plants, they pay us back with beautiful blooms, for the care we provide!

[@Oneiromatic]

Low key, about 3-4 years ago, I grabbed a leaf that had fallen off of a violet plant at Home Depot. About a month later I had a whole new plant, and a couple months after that, beautiful purple and white flowers ^_^

[@filbrit2am]

how long does it stay under the dome or in plastic bag?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Usually it takes a couple weeks to start growing new roots, I keep mine domed for about a month, and then start introducing them to open air.

[@tandizzle714]

What should one do if they don’t have a special area with a lighting set up? Also, how do you plant the leaves? Thanks :)

[@grayturtleviolets]

They grow well in indirect natural sun light, too, so no need to have a lighting setup. Here is how I propagate leaves: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3S2eqFuqLWnedU. Happy growing!

[@JoyceDarden]

19:11 amazing

[@FAMILYWORLDBYSHILPE]

so good 🌹👌👍😘♥️

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you!

[@elayneplanche4031]

She’s talking about Long neck is that a certain type of violet it is are you talking about when a leaf grows out real long and it loses it shape

[@pilarrosas9776]

Hermosas muy bellas🖒👌👏👏👏🇲🇽

[@yomama8873]

🤩🤩💜

[@ИринаПрокова-й4м]

👍 🍀 🌸 🍀