African Violet Propagation by Blossom Stems

Tutorial on propagating African Violets by blossom stems

[@colleennisbet3727]

Wonderful video! I had no idea that blossom stems could be used. Thank you!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@VitreousJohn]

Who knew? I will have to attempt this to propagate some of my violets. Thank you for the informative video.

[@maya993]

I really needed this video, thank you. I have an incredible Rebel's Splatter Kake AV from Violet Barn (pink flower with white edges and lots of blue fantasy) but none of my leaf clones ever turn out like the parent (usually pink with only a little bit of blue fantasy). I hope that flower stem clones will come out more true to the original.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Yes, I’ve heard this variety is not easy to grow from leaves, to accomplish true fantasy blooms in offspring. Good luck with blossom stem propagation!

[@michelleschilling7026]

Optimara Yellowstone is one of my wish plants! I live in Wyo and Yellowstone is one of my favorite places. Such a pretty plant. Thanks for your wonderful videos.

[@britl.1822]

I saw this video for the first time 3 weeks ago. At the time I was looking for how to grow African Violets from the flower stalks, because I wanted to propagate the 2 kimeras that I have true to the mother plant, and that can not be done with leaf propagation. I copied your method, and put the small pots in a mini greenhouse, placed so that it gets light from an east facing window. I can now feel that the flower stalks have rooted. And for one of them, the trailer 'Hawaiian Trail' I can see tiny leaves forming between the leeflets and the flower stalks. A special thing about those flower stalks... I received a big cutting without roots of 'Hawaiian Trail' from a private seller. The cutting had several flower stalks in full bloom. I cut them off, and put them in a small vase, so I could admire the flowers, but the cutting would not have the stress of supporting them while growing roots. So having these flowers in a vase made me look for how to also get even more out of them, by propagating them. In fact they remained in the vase quite some time after the flowers had fallen off, before I got around to planting them... 🙃 So it's kind of fun that 'Hawaiian Trail' now seems to produce new plants faster than the other one which is 'Kilauea'. For 'Kilauea' the flower stalks were taken off the plant, cut shorter, dried 10 minutes, and planted. Those flower stalks have definitly rooted, I can feel that when I pull gently, and they look fresh, but no babies yet. Anyways, I just wanted you to know that this video was very useful, and it's now "responsible" for new babies here with me ! So THANK YOU for this video ! ❤️🤗

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome, thanks so much for sharing! So exciting, hope all babies bloom true! 🌸🌸🌸

[@Lan-uj2zy]

That is amazing! Never thought of propagating it using the flower stem. Thank you for making this video.

[@meghanplamondon8639]

I just saw those small leaves on my petal stems for the first time last night, and now I know what to do with them! Perfect timing, thank you very much. A well done tutorial.,

[@tameracoelho87]

Great video thank you. I have not been successful with this and I think it may be I was not cutting the stem short enough.

[@grayturtleviolets]

This hasn’t been always successful for me as well, I only tried a few times, mostly out of curiosity, at a 50/50 success rate. Propagating by leaves remains my most favorite method.

[@tameverts3761]

Wow I can’t wait to try this method. About 2 months ago a very nice lady offered me leaves to propagate. My babies are coming up now. I have 1 plant full size that’s flowering now so snip snip.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Perfect, hope you like it! Happy growing!

[@anndrake492]

wow! thats amazing. I am surprised about the blossom stem. thanks.

[@prettycyjah2094]

Cant wait to try this method, love your videos... much love from the philippines!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@HealingPlaceEnergySchool]

Learn so much. I just repotted all my AV with acrylic yarn wicks. I’m tired.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Good job! Happy growing!

[@1on1dogtrainingregan73]

Wow i had no idea you could propogate them this way

[@tuckerfam7311]

Nice job on your video! Very clear with awesome information. Thanks so much!!!!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you so much for your feedback!

[@neridaneuman9534]

You have been ever so helpful. Thank you

[@grayturtleviolets]

My pleasure! Appreciate your feedback!

[@joannmahaffey1068]

Thank you

[@daisyhansraj9352]

African Violets are one of my favourite flowers which I love very much I admire so much I can't help .also Roses I wish I had a garden of both of them .unfortunately here in Trinidad we're not that lucky weather wise ,but I still try my best with them .

[@grayturtleviolets]

They are my favorite too! Hope your local weather cooperates, happy growing!

[@asianangie7209]

Thank you for detailed demo!

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome!

[@JoAnneMOwens]

I have never seen this done before, thx so much for sharing this idea with us! Do you have a follow up video to this planting? It would be good to know if this variety was also successful, thx!

[@grayturtleviolets]

It’s been two years and I still have this variety, so it must’ve been successful, no follow up video though. Thank you for watching!

[@roxanafigueroa1714]

Thank you for sharing a very useful information.

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome! Happy to share!

[@loladidovich5892]

Thank you for the video! Very details. I found very helpful! Can't wait to try it. :)

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome! Thank you for your feedback!

[@conniejenson6797]

Thank you so much for your information. It's very informative. Tomorrow I'm going to try just what you told me!! Can't wait!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it's helpful! Happy growing!

[@lraston26]

Thank you for the great and very informative video. Also, for letting me know about how long it takes for the babies to grow after propagation. I am so excited, it’s like watching paint dry. So thank you. Now I have a gage to go by.

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are so welcome! Happy growing!

[@Alexxa1130]

Every time I’m learning more from you and is helping me to re-starting mi new collection of African violets. Thank you!

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome! Happy to share with fellow African Violet enthusiasts!

[@ralphchristianson]

This is a new way of doing it, great idea since it works

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you! I learned about it from Violet Barn, super helpful: www.violetbarn.com/plant_care/lessons/propagation-by-blossom-stems/

[@Alexxa1130]

Very helpful information! Thank you!

[@donnaread6637]

Thanks very much.i love your work.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Appreciate your feedback! Thank you for watching!

[@yanetvalla9000]

Interesting I have never tried it before but now I will thank you 👌🏼🇨🇦

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome! Happy growing!

[@thusharaboutiqueonlinestor7498]

Very beautiful and rare colour contrast one, purple one 🤩👍

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you!

[@suebabe100]

Great tutorial, thank you!

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome! Happy to share!

[@CatNip379]

I love your accent ❤️ the voice of my people! Russian/Ukrainian

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you!

[@sanjudaley5876]

Thank you very much very interesting idea (Kathmandu)

[@grayturtleviolets]

You are very welcome! Thank you for your feedback!

[@elizabethjones8528]

Do you not water during the two month period when it is in the sandwich bag? Thanks. Love your videos, you have helped me so much.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Yes, once in a while, when the soil surface looks dry. Usually, it stays moist for longer periods of time than in open air. Happy growing!

[@danielleaf9146]

Wow I never knew! How long before you can see babies growing off the flowering stem? And how long before it bloomed? Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Usually about the same as with leaf propagation, maybe a bit longer. The success rate, in my growing conditions, depends on the size of the bracts - the smaller they are the less chances are that the bloomstalk will produce offspring. Once the babies are big enough to be separated from the bloomstalk, it takes the same time for them to start blooming as with leaf propagation, depending on the variety.

[@danielleaf9146]

@@grayturtleviolets So basically same timeframe leaf vs flower stem.

[@burtonwillis6454]

You are an excellent teacher. I truly hope that's something you will put in your "strengths" column. Just curious how long did it take you to get really good at propagation? Beginner here, new subscriber, do you have an instagram?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you! Got serious about growing African Violets two years ago, took me a few months to get the propagation right. Here is how I do it now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3S2eqFuqLWnedU. Thinking about creating an instagram account, that's a great idea! Welcome to the club! :-)

[@nunya2036]

Another excellent video, I tried using a stem before but didn’t plant it deep enough it’s still alive but not growing babies.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching!

[@amerikadabirturk1383]

❤️💞💕

[@marilynasterevillarta1485]

Tnx

[@pinkyssj4]

If the bottom part of flower stem has most growing hormone, then why did you shorten the stem by cutting it?

[@grayturtleviolets]

This is needed to encourage growth of roots and babies from the area where bracts connect to the main flower stem, rather than from the end of the flower stem. When propagating chimeras in particular, only these babies will be most likely to repeat the parent chimera characteristics, whereas if they grow from the end of the main flower stem, they are most likely to sport.

[@isotestardo]

Thank you for your videos! I have got no problems having babies in the zipbag, both with leave and stem. But , by the time I separate the babies and pot them , they start to rot. Do you acclimate them before taking out the bag? Or do you put them in the bag again after separating ?

[@grayturtleviolets]

I keep them covered after separating for a while, until they grow at least three rows of new leaves, more in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGaogWtpndR5ntEsi=0XEAIprqFdam588l

[@isotestardo]

@@grayturtleviolets Thank you, you're very kind

[@sarahp5437]

Hello I really love your videos thank you for sharing! Do you have an update video? I have a beautiful NOID AFV I picked up from a nursery that I’d love to propagate. I don’t think that a leaf would give me the same flower. Is this a good option for me? The bloom is a sparkly light bright happy pink with white frilly edges and lots of purple freckles 😍 it’s so beautiful!!

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you for watching! I didn't make an update video to this particular blossom stems propagation episode. Congrats on the beautiful blooming plant! Unless it's a chimera that requires a bloomstalk propagation, propagating by leaves should work too. Sometimes, with non-chimera varieties, bloomstalk propagation is used to produce baby plants with particularly nice looking blooms, by propagating from that particular bloomstalk that carries those blooms. Happy growing!

[@almamagpantay48]

Hi! Do you have to water the propagated cutting from flower stem you placed in the sandwich bag? If so how often? And whats the soil mixture combination? And the fertilizer you were using?Thank you so much. Alma

[@grayturtleviolets]

I pre-moisten the potting mix, when I make it, so just a little water at the beginning, and after that water sparingly, only as needed, when the potting mix appears dry. I keep the sandwich bag closed, so the moisture usually stays in. I open it once a week to check. When I water it, I use DynaGro 7-9-5 at 1/4 tsp/gallon. Here is the potting mix I am using: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn2vlI2Fm66iY6c

[@almamagpantay48]

Thank you so much.

[@cherylrettinger1043]

Do u ever place cinnamon on the tips of the blossom stems when propagating? I read it stimulates growth but I haven't tried it

[@helenemacare4105]

After you put in the plastic bag. Do you stil have to give the plant water ?

[@grayturtleviolets]

I usually plant mine in a premoistened potting mix, which tends to retain moisture in the enclosed plastic bag or domed propagation container. I check it periodically and water sparingly when the surface of the potting mix appears dry, usually every two weeks or so.

[@francrouch9347]

Would it be okay to place several cups in an aquarium with a glass top and a light shining through the glass top? It would be a mini green house.

[@grayturtleviolets]

African Violets do really well in terrariums and bubble gardens! Great idea!

[@amerikadabirturk1383]

👏👏👏

[@marysunshine389]

Do you use fertilized water or just plain water for the stems? Thank you

[@grayturtleviolets]

Just plain water for about a month until they grow roots

[@user-pe8mt3px9b]

Do you have to have a stem with leaflets on them to propagate this way?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Yes, the leaflets play important role in photosynthesis, supplying bloom stalk with energy needed for formation of roots and babies.

[@Glofishes]

Hello, I got a sport from a streptocarpus. Would it be possible to do the same procedure?

[@grayturtleviolets]

I haven’t tried propagating Streptocarpus this way. I’d be curious to learn about this myself!

[@Glofishes]

​@@grayturtleviolets Hm... I'll have to experiment on my more normal streptocarpus and ask around. She's has a sectorial chimera flower which is very stunning.

[@almamagpantay48]

I find your video very interesting.What is the size of the cup to propagate 3 stems? And what is the brand and kind of the wick yarn.Thank you so much.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Thank you! I use 3 oz plastic solo cups, I buy them at a local Ralphs. I use the 4-ply worsted weight 100% acrylic yarn, any brand will do. Currently, I am using TLC Essentials by Red Heart - it's the old yarn I have left over at home :-)

[@tameracoelho87]

Can you wick the blossom stems and the leaf propagations?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Yes, I started wick-watering some of my leaf propagations and it worked great! Haven’t tried wick-watering bloomstalk propagations, only propagated a few in potting mix.

[@lyndakrause4281]

Great video, have just tried this method. Wondering if you have done a follow up video. How did the flower stems go versus leaf. How long before you could separate the babies from the flower stem etc. which would you prefer leaf or flower propagation?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Personally, I find propagation by leaf much easier than propagation by bloom stalk, and do the latter only for chimera varieties (they are known to propagate true only from suckers or bloomstalks, but not from leaves). I talk about my leaf propagation method here, check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3S2eqFuqLWnedU. Separating babies in both methods usually is the same, depending on size and viability of the babies, here is how I do it with leaf propagation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGaogWtpndR5ntE. Appreciate your feedback!

[@jujularue7611]

У меня через два месяца как раз вылезли малыши, а много за раз могут вырасти и при отделении надо сразу всех снимать? Сейчас там как будто два листика закрученные в разные стороны размером со спичечную головку. Я их несколько раз раскапывала от нетерпения, теперь думаю, будет ли фиалка еще дольше "думать" или они не как орхидеи, не тугодумы?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Численность потомства и скорость размножения зависит от сорта. Иногда появления деток приходится ждать до 6 месяцев, а у некоторых сортов они могут появиться через 5 недель. Не спешите отделять, подождите пока у деток сформируется хотя бы 2-3 пары листьев. У меня есть отдельное видео об этом: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGaogWtpndR5ntE

[@lornabailey1294]

I love your video on Affrician voilets very informative but I live in Jamaica my few voilets are outdoors they are doing well I believe but I don't know much as how to really keep them I do not knoe their names I will learn as I go along do you know how I could get leaf to buy to improve my collection please help me I would be very gratefull

[@grayturtleviolets]

Here in the U.S., a grower is required to provide phytosanitary certificates for all international orders. Check out Violet Barn, I believe they ship internationally: www.violetbarn.com/store/international-d5.html

[@vilmat.gonzalez2759]

Thank you for your tutorial. I noticed, you use distilled water? Am I right?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Happy to share! I do use the store-bought water sometimes, most of the times just regular tap water that I let sit in open containers over night.

[@kiddywriter]

Do you water them again after placing in plastic bag?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Infrequently, the sealed plastic bag keeps moisture well. When the potting mix surface looks dry, I water it again, about a month later.

[@annabel5040]

can you propagate a leaf petiole without the actual leaf?

[@grayturtleviolets]

I know AVs can be propagated from a section of a leaf, and trailing varieties can be propagated by stem cuttings that have at least one leaf bud, but never heard of propagation from a leaf petiole, without the actual leaf. I would imagine that AV leaf petioles have lower photosynthetic capacity than the AV leaves, therefore less likely to produce roots and babies without the leaf. The photosynthetic capacity is the reason why the size of the bracts matters in the AV bloomstalk propagation, for instance, as shown in this video.

[@jackielagioia6656]

How often do you water when they're in the Ziploc bags?

[@grayturtleviolets]

About once every 3-4 weeks, just watch for the potting mix to look dry and then water ever so slightly.

[@AidaJof]

Good tutorial. It could have been done in 5 min, I sped up most of it in 5 sec. increments.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Appreciate your feedback, thank you for watching!

[@luckytahlula6515]

I love your videos. I got an African violet and looked up info on KZbin and there you are. I want to propagate and you were very clear on everything but I have one question. Do you water the violet in the bag at all after you close it? Thanks.

[@grayturtleviolets]

Happy to help! When propagating in a plastic bag, I watch the surface of the potting mix, and water it only when it looks dry. Usually, not too often, the plastic bag enclosure keeps the humid air in and the potting mix stays moist longer than in open air, it’s important not to overwater, otherwise the propagation material will rot from excess moisture.

[@luckytahlula6515]

@@grayturtleviolets thank you so much. I'm going tomorrow to get all the supplies from soil to the little cups that you recommend on your video. You rock! Stay well and God bless you.

[@geebrewer8186]

@@grayturtleviolets how long do you keep it in the plastic bag? The one you showed on the video with all the baby leaves, will you keep it in a plastic bag or is it old enough to be out on it's own?

[@grayturtleviolets]

@@geebrewer8186 I keep them covered until the babies are big enough to be separated and planted in their own containers, usually when they have 6 leaves. Check out this video for more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGaogWtpndR5ntE

[@massudcnee6649]

Hi. Will it grow root if I dip the cutting in honey? Thank you

[@grayturtleviolets]

I am not sure, I haven’t tried this.

[@susanbender7138]

Can you put more than one 3oz container in a plastic bag?

[@grayturtleviolets]

Sure, as long as it stays sealed to keep the moisture in!

[@roxanafigueroa1714]

Do you know how to propagate African violet by seed and get the seeds from the mother plant ?

[@grayturtleviolets]

I've seen others do it, but haven't tried it myself. Check this out: nadeausafricanvioletseeds.com/instructions

[@roxanafigueroa1714]

Thank you for answering my question so quickly. I saw the video of Mr. Nadeau and he explains part of my question very well and I will definitely put it into practice as soon as possible. I know that this topic of propagation by seed is not very common in you tube videos, even the method you use is the first time I see it and I really liked it, I will also put it into practice. However I would always like to find out the complete process by seed. I have found videos on how to pollinate African violets but they do not explain how to obtain the seed ... If you have any specific information on obtaining the seed of the mother plant, I will appreciate your guiding ...

[@grayturtleviolets]

@@roxanafigueroa1714 I saw it in practice only once so far, when I attended a hybridizing workshop hosted by Burbank African Violet Society before the pandemic. I remember the host showing opening the seed pods over a white paper, so we could see them easy, but I don't recall the tool he used, might have been an x-acto knife. Have you tried reaching out to hybridizers on social media? Some have their own groups on Facebook, and there are also groups for African Violet growers, I found them very helpful.

[@roxanafigueroa1714]

These methods of propagation of African violets are new to me, until a few days ago I started watching videos on this topic and I found the method of propagation by seed. It caught my attention. I continued my research and found yours that I found fascinating and easy to do ... I will continue my research with the information you have given me. Again, thanks for your help.

[@saleena.kashraf9413]

@@roxanafigueroa1714 where did you bay that seed,from india

[@ericahowland7504]

how often do you water ?

[@grayturtleviolets]

The key is to keep potting mix moist, but not overwatered, so I water a little bit every time when the potting mix dries out. Frequency depends on the room temperature, when it gets warm, the potting mix dries faster than in cooler temps, so I water more frequently in the summer and less frequently in the winter.

[@kymetozdemir942]

👏👏👏