Fixing a Neglected Houseplant Arrangement & Rooting African Violets 🤦‍♀️😆🌿// Garden Answer

[@siameselady52]

I always have one African violet in my house in memory of my sister, Carol. That woman grew the most AMAZING African violets.

[@Graycat1735]

"What was I doing?" You were having a sweet baby boy.❤❤❤ Thanks for the instruction!

[@gardenanswer]

Oh yeah... that kind of took up a lot of time! 🤪😆💙👶

[@charlimiali9364]

Disinfecting wipes.....BRILLIANT! Thanks once again Laura👍👏👏👏❤️

[@katiegray14]

Thank you for being so real. It makes me love you even more 😊

[@gardenanswer]

I hope we get to see you guys when we are in Seattle! :)

[@katiegray14]

Garden Answer us too!

[@DonnaDavisArt]

I think sometimes accidental neglect leads us to understand our plants more. For example I found out that my Hoya (Hindu Rope Plant) flowers amazingly if I neglect it for one month. By accident I moved it up high in my home, forgot about it for a month (as in I did NOT water it at all) and then with my mistake gave it a good soak and returned it to watering once a week and it flowered so beautifully. I couldn't get over the beauty of it's flowers. Even my MIL who is an avid houseplant keeper couldn't get over it and asked how I got it to bloom. "Neglect", said I as that was something should would never have done. It's interesting how gardening is always an experiment and learning which is one of the reasons I so love it.

[@peacenow4456]

Love this advice. My poor violet has been in same pot for 16yrs. Sprouted a baby and now baby is huge too, so they both need a new pot. I experimented w feeding Shultz all purpose as I ran out of Schultz for violets, and they did fine and bloomed a lot! Waiting on my new AV potting soil, then I'll give this a try! Thanks Laura!

[@megcotton5183]

Always love hanging out with you Laura and watching your videos! I do not have many indoor plants because I do tend to forget about them. Glad to know I am not alone!

[@auyannaplants]

No you are definitely not alone with the house plants. I have to buy tough houseplants that do not need alot of attention because sometimes I forget about them but they do just fine.

[@MLD.Ltd.]

Laura's orchid: stays alive in the wrong environment for 3 years My fern: YOU DID NOT LOOK AT ME YESTERDAY *dies*

[@artsyladie7]

You are comical!😄

[@melness6621]

Don’t feel bad. Buying a fern (which I love) is like the kiss of death for the poor plant.

[@yadiaag7771]

I overwater and kill my plants…I almost killed a snake plant….yeah

[@carolbeatty2468]

Coffee with Laura and fixing plants is a nice way to start the day. I love violets but have never had good luck growing them but may try it again. Love that you are willing to say yep I sometimes neglect my house plants because I feel like I do and I don't have a huge garden and yard to take care of lol Thanks again for all the information!

[@paulacullison8678]

Thank you for all the great tips, and being so "real" about not always being on top of taking care of your houseplants! Life interrupts! A HUGE happy birthday to Benjamin, as well! He's beyond adorable!

[@mariankay6482]

I love the "real" that Laura brings to the internet! There's no "fake news" on her channel. If it happens, she's not to proud to show it and in doing so, she makes me feel better for being human and making mistakes and not just in my garden, either! Happy gardening!!!❤

[@maggiebaxter610]

I’ve had my African violet plant for over 20 years and it pretty much bloomed all year long UNTIL I took the plant apart and replanted them in several different pots. They haven’t bloomed since. (I worked them up in August 2019.) I’ve always kept them on the shelves above my kitchen sink which gets morning sun and of course they love the humidity from washing dishes and cooking. Until I saw your video I had no idea there was special soil and food for them so when the weather turns nice (I live in NY State but not in the city) I’ll repot them with the proper soil. Thanks for such an awesome and informative video and I hope you’re enjoying your weekend. 🤗 #kindnessmatters

[@kathymacomber4502]

Maggie Baxter African violet soil and perlite and a pot that isn’t too large( roots grow side to side before they bloom).

[@lisathomas98]

I have six African violets. I’ve had them for years. Reported several times. They are all big and thriving. They flower. I have never cut the roots or “rooted them. I don’t get this video

[@MissOrchidGirl]

The little orchid will be just fine I'm sure, not sure how you do it, but you have a very very green thumb! If I attempted anything like this arrangement (or any type of arrangements lol) I wouldn't have been able to keep the plants alive one month, let alone 3 years 😂 just one thought though, the bark mix looks very chunky, which is great, but might dry super fast in your home during winter. So just keep an eye on moisture levels for a while and do water when it's almost dry, she'll love the extra help until more roots grow 😉 and thks for the shoutout! 💖

[@sheena5201]

Just bought a couple orchids and your channel has helped so much!

[@charocflores]

I do not have orchids but I watch you all the time. lol . Thanks for so much knowledge and teaching.

[@jennellbarrett3211]

Wow plants 🪴 😍

[@wind571evergreen]

You inspire me to work on my house plants, orchids-african violets-ivy, which have also been neglected. You keep it real Laura! 💚🌿

[@debbiefield6706]

See, now I need to go down to the garden store and buy some house plants....Thanks a lot, Laura.......😉🌹

[@mariankay6482]

My husband gets nervous everytime he sees me watching a Garden Answer video that has plants in it that I don't have. But, he also has a tendency to somehow get me one or 2 of them to play with, too. He loves them, too. He's just happy to enjoy them and let me do most of the care, though! Haha!!! I haven't had great success with African violets. I think I wanna give them one more try, now! 🤣❤

[@ofeliaflores5607]

You are the reason I bought some.african violets 😊 I thought they would be to difficult to keep alive. Thank you Laura. I love your channel. You're a great teacher. 💚💚💚

[@christafarmlife4246]

The power at our house came back on just in time for a new video! Good morning!

[@lisarmahan]

My grandma used to grow lots of African violets... Thanks again for all the great information I've got a long way to go on learning how to care for my house plants... Really there are a lot of my outdoor plants moved inside for the Winter even bought a grow light 🌿🎍🌿

[@a11s10h08]

Hi Laura, came across an unboxing of gifts video lastnight and you mentioned today is Benjamin's birthday! Soooo happiest birthday wishes to your precious baby boy!! 🎂🎁🎉🎈

[@ashleighscott9896]

i love my african violets. I've had to clip and repot several like this over the years but i always dabed a bit of rooting hormone on the tip of the trunk, and I've never used a bag for humidity but i live in the south east so we can basically swim through our air anyway.

[@auyannaplants]

I love how easy it is to start a new African violet from one leaf.

[@gerrysandygathje5595]

I didn't know you could just cut them off and re-root them. Wonderful to know, thank-you!

[@jolielutrario6930]

Perfect timing for this video. I was just getting ready to re-pot one of my african violets but wasn't sure if I could cut the tap root . Thanks for showing us how....

[@VirginiaHale]

Thank you for showing this. Now I know that life gets in the way for others & I'm not the only one things like this happens to. LOL Thanks for all the the tips. I had never heard of the bag tip.

[@colleenwells4643]

I saw and tried using a 2 liter bottle with bottom cut out. It made a great terrarium for one of my violets that needed time to recover.

[@13dulcie]

After watching this I thought...maybe I should really look at my plants. OMG! Boy do I have a mess on my hands. Guess I know what I'm doing today...haha! You're not alone in this one.🤣❤

[@seriouslyreally5413]

Oh Laura! you're just showing us you are just as busy as the rest of us during late winter and all through the year as far as house plants are concerned. I finally trimmed and repotted my violet this Fall after plucking a few babies off the crown and its blooming like crazy! I keep fewer houseplants these days because I do so much outdoor landscape, patio and vegetable gardening I'm rarely indoors to enjoy the houseplants. In fact I've begun putting the houseplants outdoors in the late spring,(not the violets) under the pergola on the patio just so they get some attention while I'm outside! I just have to be careful they don't get sunburned.

[@TexasMyTexas]

Thanks for keeping it real! 💁🏼‍♀️

[@kklunker]

You are so knowledgeable it amazes every video I watch. My mom has a special green thumb like you. And she LOVES her African Violets. They are her absolute favorite flower. I started watching all of your videos on African violets to see what I could learn to maybe come up with a fun Mother’s Day surprise. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent. I love your videos! And your house is BEAUTIFUL!! 😍

[@isabellaabruzzi9611]

A tip I learned when potting orchids is to soak the orchid medium first, then plant/repot the orchid. Works great.

[@tc-gd8ln]

i love the way you love your plants. you even give them touch love. .. couldn't resist stroking the agave . . . so sweet. you are awesome.

[@juliekelly6313]

When I do things to my violets that are hard on them like this, I always take a leaf or two off each plant to root. That way if my plant doesn’t make it I will have new plants from the leaves. 🙂

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You did my plant lovin' heart good sharing this today. I have completely neglected some of my favorite African Violets this past year and they looked the worst they have ever have. Some I have had for 20 years! So knowing that I am not alone is getting so busy that you forget, neglect or run out of time to properly care for them sometimes makes me feel less like a bad plant person.

[@pat9604]

You arenot alone! My house plants are so in need I don't know where to begin. Those I've attempted have not revived, especially my peace lilies. I now have some idea of how to help my orchids. Thank you, Laura, for reading our minds! 😁

[@leslieheavingham8986]

OMGosh...Laura! You have SO MUCH TO DO...and thats the only thing you've not paid attention to?? YOU..ROCK!!!! And as much love and care that you give your plants, I am sure these will bounce back...happy! 👍💕😁

[@LB-vl3qn]

I remember when you put this arrangement together. Don't give up on the sad ones. I've been able to resurrect some that I was sure weren't going to make it. They're tough plants. Of course, you're not alone in letting houseplants slip. We're busy outside! ~ Lisa

[@2281CozyBrickCape]

Thank you so much for demonstrating the repotting of the African Violets. I feel confident I can do the same with mine.

[@nancyburns9279]

Your videos were exactly what I was looking for. My new violet is beautiful with ruffled leaves, and I want to keep it healthy. My daughters have confidence in my ability to keep it growing! Thanks for your timely advice.

[@elsaortiz7589]

I so love listening to you. Your voice is so sweet and your plants look beautiful. Enjoy your arrangements. Thanks.

[@MLD.Ltd.]

I like your idea on using a rotating plate/stage below the pot! Works well for both planting and deconstructing I think! Smart!

[@judithjohnson2111]

Never fails that I'll learn from you every video. They all look happy now. I love how you put the one with the wonky stem to straighten itself. Who knew. Great video. Thanks.😀

[@cadre500]

If you don't have glazed terra cotta saucers, you can use plastic lids from empty large jars such as a peanut butter jar. I find they hold a nice amount of water if you want to water from below and they hold overflow water if you water from above. They come in various colors and sizes. Nice use of something that would otherwise be tossed. I like them so much I use them for all my small pots. I also use leftover plastic salad containers for larger pots.

[@valiumsurbanjungle2041]

Looking forward to the updates!! I had an african violet once and did it all the wrong way, because I didn't know, so I might try again in spring!!

[@houseblessing3331]

I was wondering what Espoma says: isn't it necessary to moisten our bags of potting compost and manure (that is in bags) that lays around in our households that we haven't used yet? Nitrogen evaporates from manure in form of ammoniac very quickly. If I buy manure or any potting compost in Europe, the bags are quite heavy because they are wet. I read if you want to apply manure to a field, you should turn it into the soil quickly because it evaporates. Thanks in advance, Laura!

[@christinalw19]

I haven’t bought an African Violet in 40 years! This last year I have improved in caring for orchids, so I think I am ready to take on the AV! Laura, please follow up on progress with your orchid in about 3 months! I tend to be in outside gardens more, too. 😘🙏🏼❤️

[@SS11660]

Wicking is a great way to water violets.

[@altuttle08]

THANK YOU, thank you, thank you! First, for showing us you can be neglectful at times, makes you human, and we love you for it. Secondly, thank you this video was perfect timing. I have three pots of African Violets all with 2-3 plants in them. I've been watching propagation videos, but none have made me feel confident enough to attempt the splits - so, thank you again for such an informative video. I've shared this video with my SIL who will be getting one of my plants. She's not good with plants in general, and is quite apprehensive about getting a house plant, so I'm hoping this gives her some confidence in caring for her new addition. Thank you, Laura for all you and Aaron do to encourage gardening inside and out. You guys are awesome! 💕💐❤️

[@bettybennett1955]

Plants are amazingly resilient. For the last 2weeks of my husband’s life I had to rearrange furniture. I had no access to two poinsettia, 2 amaryllis, and an African violet. They lost leaves but with pruning and care are coming back.

[@kristypalmer8601]

So glad to see you use turn table.

[@MidwestGirl]

And that's what we call turning a frown upside down! lol Thank you for keeping it real and showing us the fails along with the successes!

[@mariafolch8067]

@gardenanswer Laura, I suggest you gather the top of the large plastic bag and blow into it as you would a balloon, twist it tight to keep the bag blown and tie it tight. That should keep the air in longer and avoid the leaves from touching the bag. You can also put the pots inside a clear container with a lid, such as Rubbermaid and add some water to the bottom of the container. This allows to put more pots in with minimal disruption and provide the necessary moisture they seek. I am glad to see you going through the pains of taking care of some neglected plants. 🤗💚🍀

[@pamelathesouthernbelle1201]

My mom grew the most beautiful plants. She had a white African Violate that was absolutely beautiful. I still remember it in my “minds eye.” WOW... love the video and in this one I noticed your dimples. They are beautiful...😊😊

[@sharonmika4786]

So happy you created this video! A couple of my African Violets look like yours. Thanks for helping me find the courage to fix them. 💫

[@joannekempf3350]

Had to chuckle at her recommendation to repot houseplants once a year. I have plants that have been in the same pots for decades and are thriving! I only repot when they look like they’re struggling.

[@thekatattack]

Hi Laura! I know you sometimes don't show every step, but just in case, I wanted to give a friendly reminder to pull out the extra water from the crown of your orchid with some paper towel. I definitely learned that one the hard way! Absolutely LOVE your videos, you are such an inspiration and your style is beautiful 😍

[@sharonroof1213]

Thank you for showing how to revive these plants. I just throw them away & get new ones only because I didn’t know how to do this. Thank you!

[@wadescott6859]

Cool I never knew u could do that with African violets. Definitely need an update about this process!!!

[@patriciathibeault5267]

I loVe orchids and there are a few people you will learn about Orchids. I am now the owner of 50 Orchids just from watching U tube with orchids for beginners. Worked for me.

[@chrislittebrant5235]

My mother had several of them when I was growing up. Whenever she went on holiday, i always forgot about them and then drowned them.. I’m not good with them at all. Good to see what I should have done.. Thank you Laura, Chris-Raleigh NC

[@lisaangarola4070]

Now for my comment about my one & only African Violet I have had the poor thing in the same container probably almost 5 yrs 😬 it has stayed small understandingly but has such a will to live & blooms, but by golly it has the thickest stem it probably only being no more than 5 inches wide with a stem almost 3/4 of an inch thick, just keep pinching the faded outer leaves off. I am so amazed at what a will to live it has. Besides top watering it. After watching your video 1st thing I'm doing is giving it some pampering with new home & life. Wish me luck.🍀🤞

[@kellilangvo]

Laura, please do a follow up on the rooting process....always exciting to see the outcome❤️☺️

[@GrandmaSandy]

Thank you so much for sharing all these awesome tips on how to grow and transplant African violets and taking care of our orchids thank you so much

[@kattrinamayvigare6155]

I so love watching your videos Laura! So inspiring!!!

[@wandygonzalez8078]

Great video. Thanks Laura!!! The plants look happier now.

[@pamketron]

Great info. I wasn’t aware that you could do this with African Violets. My Grandma used to grow beautiful ones. Thanks for showing us how to do this.

[@myracamilo7826]

Happy New year Laura, you are not alone because I tend to forget and neglect house plants. I think your African violets looked great, I haven’t had an orchid for almost 2 years. Thank you for all the great advice, I will surely use them.

[@nanac6515]

I did this with a clear plastic cup and a zip lock bag over the top And I've only had to water it once every couple of months and I've had it in there for almost a year and it's thriving It's really small tho You can also take the leaves of the bottom As long as there not damaged And you can propagate them in water They take a while But it's fun to watch them grow new itty bitty plants from the ends

[@lisaminer6474]

I bought a couple African Violet's at the beginning of last year. By the summer they were covered in aphids. I tried several times to get rid of them but no luck and eventually through them out. They were very mis-shaped and now I know what to do for that! Thanks Laura! Knowing I can groom them back a lot and cut the roots off is great. I will try again when I see some.

[@shilpapawar94]

I love all the information you give, its been so useful for me. I have grown and become so much more good at my gardening. And all thanks to you Laura. The first video of yours I watched was how to dead head your roses where you dead headed a soft purple rose plant and I was hooked. I have never stopped since. We all know how hard it is for you to do everything that you do but thank you so much for all you do for all of us.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@PRODTEMPEST]

Watched your original African violet video a few weeks ago. Great info! Can't wait to see an "after video" of how they look

[@auyannaplants]

I need to report my African violet but is blooming so pretty right now so I have to wait. I love how easy it is to propagate just from one leaf. Thanks for sharing!

[@debbiedouglas7439]

Great information Laura. I was watching Monty Don came to gardens in America. I am keeping my fingers crossed he came to see you and your garden. I would so love to see you meet him in your garden.

[@mariebaucum635]

You are definitely not alone. I neglect my houseplants as well and I’m not nearly as busy as you!

[@mariankay6482]

My husband gets nervous everytime he sees me watching a Garden Answer video that has plants in it that I don't have. But, he also has a tendency to somehow get me one or 2 of them to play with, too. He loves them, too. He's just happy to enjoy them and let me do most of the care, though! Haha!!! I haven't had great success with African violets. I think I wanna give them one more try, now! ❤ Hmm, should I watch this again in his presence???😍🤣

[@thelmahall2593]

Ty for repotting your plants and doing this video. Tyvm for the tour. Love your plant room.

[@joyclarke8942]

Your porch is very beautiful!!

[@radhikam2401]

Your bad plants look waaayyyy better than anything I grow. 😂

[@ImperialRis]

You do the work of 20 people. Don't be so hard on yourself. It's all good.

[@jeannieadams6824]

Love your marble turn table. Looking on Amazon for one!

[@najlajaber5643]

Love African violet beautiful I can let it grow in my house like yours thank you for showing us

[@td7363]

That video was really helpful. Thanks for all the tips and tricks. Would love a video about houseplants for shade- or a link for a newish subscriber if you've already made one 😊

[@sybilbruncheon]

I always us a hot skewer or a soldering iron to burn holes in the sides of orchid pots (Chinese food containers for won ton soup are the best!). The holes let air move through the bark and roots, and the translucent soup containers let light get to the orchid's roots which are able to make photosynthesis food for the plant!

[@dianeknutzen5797]

Can you put 4 African Violets in the same pot? Can you do this without a grow light? What type of grow light would I need? I have an African Violet that I’ve had for at least 20 years now and it is my pride and joy, but the root stems are definitely out there. It has multiplied into 4 plants hanging over my pot. I’m terrified of repotting it because it was my first plant that I ever got and I don’t want to ruin it.

[@VioletaGherman]

So I just got reunite with my African Violets after a year, and they all look like these, your video gave me an incentive to repot them. I agree about Missorchidgirl, best chanel for orchid lovers, and she has a special playlist for begginers. (She also loves african violets)

[@tippystreats]

Perfect timing - I have an orchid that I plan to repot after it's blooms are gone. I actually found a terra cotta orchid pot at my garden centre so will be using that. I love African violets - have my mother-in-laws which who only knows how old the original plant was - have given away many over the years. I'm guessing the original was 30-40 years at least. Thanks for the video and being so honest that all your plants aren't perfect because I have many other plants that need help too!

[@claudiasmith9117]

Thank you so much for this video!!❤

[@lindahopkin8597]

good information on african violets laura thanks

[@sandyg8794]

Hi Laura! This was a very good video, well put together and full of great advice! I always water my African Violet from the bottom, but have struggled with them getting leggy on the stem. Now I know what to do when that happens instead of just throwing them away. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Oh, I saw in some comments that Benjamin just had a birthday! Happy Birthday Benjamin!

[@laralangelett2020]

Laura I am a gardener as well and I do things like that also when it is seed starting time .

[@Cainm01223]

Instead of plastic bags, could you use a glass cloche? Would heat be an issue? Just wondering. Thanks!

[@tamaraschaeffer7847]

OMG! I just went to Planterina (thanks for that recommendation Laura) and watched an Aug 2019 Low light plant video and she sings a Thank you to Laura!!! You have to go watch that it's hysterical!!! It's at the end of her video!! so so funny. She's a hoot.XXXX

[@jannarosereads4805]

This was so informative! Thanks so much

[@el3389]

I can't keep house plants alive to save my life! I'm trying though. I still have a few. Laura, super stoked you're coming to Cleveland in February.

[@suzanneb5229]

Laura I love your videos. I haven't had an Africa violet in years, I always killed them. Now I see why, I always watered from the top and got their leaves wet. I think I'll give them another try. I do need to repot my orchid so your video reminded me. I'm so jealous of your sun porch, it's beautiful. Maybe some day I'll get one or a greenhouse!

[@nanetteb2216]

please post updates on the African violets !!

[@tamaraschaeffer7847]

I will love my violets even more since Santa brought me a plant light shelf system from Gardeners supply! Thanks Santa. BTW your violets look a lot like mine LOL.

[@Anna-BoBanna]

Produce bags from the grocery store work really well for covering violets while they recover.

[@elizabethpeterson7955]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My sister has an overgrown violet that I want to help her with and this video i perfect. Please keep letting us know that you are not perfect either, we all need to know that we can come back from a mistake.

[@catherineshiddengarden2596]

A tip that I do is blow in the bags and then seal it. Gives them a boast of carbon dioxide. 🌱😉

[@naturekuwaitgardening5814]

That’s quite helpful.. I needed this advice.. Thank you 😊 .. شكرا جزيلا معلومه قيمه 🥰❤️🌳🌿🌱

[@Elizabeth45840]

I will check her out. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.