How to setup African violets on a self watering wicking system

[@nellave15]

I live in a small apartment in the Houston area. I have 13 African violets right now. It has been keeping me so busy watering the violets and all my other house plants. However, I followed your guidance and I bought the thick wicking cord and rubbermaid containers to be the reservoirs for the water. I cut a hole into the top of the rubbermaid lids for the wicking cord to go through. After two days, the water has already started going up from the water containers up into the violet pots. I had to replant all of my violets, leaving a fairly long length of cord hanging from the violet pots into the water containers. I used half and half regular potting soil and perlite. I can already see how well the wicking cord is working. All of my violet plants have crisp, beautiful leaves. There are blooms on every violet plant except for three. I can fill the water containers as needed and I add just a little fertilizer every filling. I'll add the pennies next time I add the water. I'll still need to water my other 33 house plants in a traditional way. However, having 13 violets that are drinking healthy water on their own makes my plant care a lot easier. Thanks for your good video! Sara

[@funnyfarm5555]

For those in Canada; Go to a home improvement store or an electrician shop and buy a couple feet of 12/3 with ground. Electrical shop may just give you some odds and ends of wire left over from wiring switches and outlets. You can then strip the sheathing off all the wires and you have pure copper. Just cut it to the length you want it.

[@slackjawquickdraw]

I just wanted to thank you for all your helpful videos. I'm just getting into growing African violets and you've been so helpful in teaching me!

[@michellegrovak]

Hi Tina, I have a couple dozen violets and am going to try wick watering a few of my plants. The ones from you are doing well. Thanks for the instructions. Please make us more vids. We miss you.

[@sherrymascough1245]

you can use rocks in the bottom of same size pots to raise it.

[@cathyharston9632]

Very good information. Question... do you keep water in reservoir at all times? I'm a little confused about this .

[@Cajunkaty]

It looks like a great way to start with new plants especially. I love your idea.

[@davidivancic3661]

Thank you! Another very useful Bloomlovers AV lecture, I have been using a large polyester cord as a wick and 1.4 liter round Ziploc container for a 4 inch AV pot. I add water every ~ 3 weeks. That penny idea is awesome ! YAY no more algae .

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

so glad you found a useful tip David, that is the goal for the how to videos lol. Watering every 3 weeks, that sounds like heaven for me lol The penny should work but any copper material should also do the trick. Hugs, Tina xx

[@aida087]

So happy I found this video thank you!! I've been considering putting my Violets onto a wick-watering system!!💜💜💜🙏🏼

[@Gladys7477]

Thanks for another great video! I really like the details (like the copper penny) and close up photography. I'm already learning a lot. Can't wait until we can order new plants this spring!!

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

So glad you are liking the videos Gladys and the details, I was actually wondering if it was ok to give so many details.... I am the type of person who likes to know why I have to do a certain thing a certain way so this is why I am stopping to explain those little details, didn't know if it would be appreciated or annoying for the watchers... Glad you like it (lol)

[@kennethrichey8143]

@@BloomloversAfricanViolets I love all the little details...

[@kennethrichey8143]

Thank you... this is awesome.. I am just starting with AV and only have one.... This lets me know how to mix a soil and water.... Thanks again

[@peggyroyster1605]

Hi I did not notice how far up in the pot that you put the wick up to. Thanks, all your videos are great

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Peggy, I try to get the wick up high along the pot edge but in the end it doesn't really matter because as soon as the water reaches the soil, it will spread to the rest of the soil... Hope this helps. xx

[@CapMIam]

Thank you for a wonderfully helpful video. I wish I tested on a few before heading on an extended trip. Time to place another order soon !

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Ohhhh yes, testing is SOOOO important and most people don't do it, well at least they don't do it the first time and then they learn from the mistake (lol)

[@fishedout3652]

Hi-Nice job. One thing I don't think you described was actually putting the wick in the bottom of the pot. And a question: would it be better to let the wick go up the side of the cup to expose more of the medium to the wick?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Stephen, you are right I didn't say it but I do bring the wick up the side of the pot up to the top. Just hold it there with a finger while you put the soil mixture in and voila .. Hugs, Tina xx

[@swills403]

I am waiting for you to do a video on the capillary matting system you use. In the meantime I love every video you do, I always learn from every one. Thank-you

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

So glad you like the videos. I will be making a video specifically on capillary matting but I have to get some materials to do the video. The blue mats that you see in my videos are not wicking mats, they are pieces of felt that I purchased just to spread water in my boot mats... because my shelves are not always well leveled, the water didn't always to everywhere in the boot mats so by adding these blue felt pieces the water now spreads more evenly. It is not a perfect system but does the job. I will be making a complete video on the subject and will explain both ... the blue mats I made and use and also the real wicking mats and how to use them. Hope this helps for now. tina xx

[@willemh3319]

my daughter loves to mix blwck soil course sand spag and perlite for ger plants and keep her cuttings in a seetrhough storage box with leica bottom filling and l3dlight above works good moist warm gets clippings at a local plantstore

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Looks like she knows her stuff lol. Thank you for sharing. xx

[@marilynmiller2646]

Love your videos. Thank you Tina. I have ordered from you in the past and have been really happy with my leaves and plants. I would like to know more about the capillary mat watering system. Do you still have the wicks in the pots or do the plants just drink it up through the holes in the pots?

[@MacCrafter707]

I add a little activated carbon I get from the pet store fish department to keep the algae under control.

[@lucythecat529]

Great tip about the penney. I still have some lol

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Glad to help. xx

[@suemandeville122]

Hi Tina, Good video. I also enjoyed the tour of your violet rooms video. In that video you said you would explain the materials and methods you use to sheet water your plants. Will you make a video that explains that? Thanks

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Pearls, I will indeed make that video. It's on the list... lol

[@soonzach4017]

Always your videos the very best, thank you.

[@fantastica1652]

I will be on vacation for 2 weeks and your method is a very good idea. Can I do the same on my Phals? I am a newbie and I do not want my Phals to die.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Fantastica, I don't grow orchids and have no experience but I do believe they can be wicked... You may want to do a little google search on the subject just to make sure before you do it.. Have a great vacation...

[@slh35661]

I have been having trouble with algae growth in my wick water containers. This is the first time I have seen copper in the water can prevent it from growing algae. I am totally going to try this

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

I hope it will fix the problem Sharon, algea is indeed a problem when wicking, everything looks dirty with that crap growing everywhere... xx

[@justinarobles3060]

Sharon Holley drop a penny in ur water 💦

[@jfuentes9188]

Someone mentioned that activated charcoal from the pet store fish dept works too

[@juanae.ramireztuesta4923]

Hi, I am Juana and my english is not very good, I am from Perú. Like this video.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Glad you enjoyed the video Juana, flowers don't have a language, they speak with their beauty so it doesn't matter what language you speak. xx

[@tameracoelho87]

Great video! What do you use to cut the plastic containers?

[@MrsBooklover55]

Hi, I really want to learn about the matting you use. You said in the beginning you would explain how to get it and use it cheaply. Did I miss it in one of the other videos?? Thanx for all your information!!

[@doreenalexander]

Thank you I will be testing out this system. Love the penny! . Hope you will be doing a video on LED strip lights. Pure white or a mixture? Moved to new home and need lights for my babies to be.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Doreen, I have actually looked into this last fall but haven't gotten any LED strip lights because of the cost... but when I will have time, I will get some ordered, set up and will do the tests to get results that I will be able to share with all of you guys as without testing, I cannot give out good information... The lighting videos will be made as they are important ones, I am just realllllllly busy right now preparing as the store will be reopening tomorrow and this all requires a lot of preparation... Hope to find more time for videos soon....

[@hansoakwood1879]

Enjoyed your video. Thank you for posting. The one problem i had with the video was the use of a copper penny in water. Copper is toxic to plants. Better to use an Algaecide like PHYSAN 20. A couple of drops to a gallon of water and then add to the water dish will take care of the algae. Product available on Amazon.

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

Physan 20 is extremely potent. The company gave me the wrong dosage to use it and it literally melted several hundred dollars worth of hoya cuttings of mine. I told them and they couldn't even say sorry, complete assholes. For something like algae in water constantly in contact with the plant you'd want to dilute it quite a bit, 1-2 drops per gallon is likely more than enough. It only stays active for one week anyways so eventually algae will form if water isn't changed for a long enough period.

[@KittenBowl1]

@@WaterspoutsOfTheDeepif you don’t want algae you want to block the light (UV lights). You can choose to use a dark water reservoir container and not clear one. If it’s a black light blocking container it will not grow algae. It needs lights to grow. That’s why in hydroponic system it uses aluminum lining to block the light completely on the root part.

[@WaterspoutsOfTheDeep]

@@KittenBowl1 of course but the point is to have a fancy looking setup with glass or crystal reservoir for the water and so on since this is in ones home and on display for visual appeal. It's not a industrial hydroponic farm or growing veggies in a corner of the basement never seen.

[@tootieo.]

I enjoy all of your videos and always look forward to them. Question: I read that since AVs have small, tender roots, they should not be planted in clear containers where light could damage them. Have you noticed any difficulties using the clear containers such as those in this video? I would love to use similar ones, but have been scared to try them. (I use full spectrum LED grow lights for my AVs.) Thank you.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Tootie, I am aware of that saying to not use clear containers to grow them however, at some point, I needed many new pots and all I could find at a low cost was clear pots so I bought them and have never had any problems with them.

[@tootieo.]

@@BloomloversAfricanViolets Thank you so much. I will give it a try with confidence!

[@mariavila265]

Hello Tina the fabric you put on the boots tray is this for watering the pots Is it a sponge fabric thank you Maria

[@doreenhyde5107]

Love your videos, theyre very helpful. I have a room which I'd like to use for my babies but the lighting is not good. Could you talk a bit about proper lighting and what to use.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Doreen, I do have a video planned on the subject, I am just out of time to make a lot of videos as I am in full spring frenzy mode of preparing for the shop to open... I will get them all done up as soon as I can.

[@deniselyons181]

Thank you for your beautiful information wow 👍🌹

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

My pleasure Denise, glad you enjoyed xx

[@melindafiske1933]

Hi Tina! As usual, love your channel. Went to wick watering about 4 months ago. Love it! However using mason line as a wick, and sometimes the action stops Should I change to yarn?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

if the yarn stops working after a period of time, I would indeed suggest that you try another type. You will eventually find one that works and keeps on working...

[@JoAnneMOwens]

I had no idea about the copper and algae! Excellent tip, but does it affect the violet over time? I only have two violets right now, but will be adding a few more over time and this set up looks so easy to work with. Also, one question, will wicking work when trying to propagating leaves? Thx!

[@betteneiman8033]

How often should you add water to the pot when wick watering? Should you always leave water in the resiviour?

[@joanneraymond4111]

I just purchased several (7 I think) plants from Lowes. They look like they were freshly potted. Is there a way to wick them without repotting them? I was thinking since the wick needs to be wet is it possible to soak the wick and the put it through a straw and feed it through the plant along the side and out the bottom through the watering hole and then remove the straw? The problem is that there will be no wick wound around through the plant and only on the side where the wick is fed into the hole. Will this be sufficient watering if I am using yarn? Of course when I repot I will do it the correct way. Thanks for any information you can give me. Great video - I enjoyed it.

[@fificorina]

Great video Tina,, you made me look allover the house, found 2 pennies hahaha I kept them because they were special edition. With this watering method, do we give the plants some dry time too or we keep moist all the time, I mean is great for seedlings but when mature, aren't they growing too fast?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Fifi, with the wicking system, the plants will stay wet all of the time that is why the soil mixture is VERY important. Try this wicking on just a few plants before doing it to all of your plants, you have to figure out the right soil mixture for your specific conditions. Hope this helps. Tina xx

[@melindafiske1933]

Great video. Do you let the wick lay in the bottom of the pot, or pull it up to the top of the pot?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Melinda, I would pull the wick up to the top soil line as I want to make sure the water will get up there. Hope this helps. xx

[@iddybiddyladybugleeza909]

So helpful thank you!

[@lucillepiche4935]

Like your video good job, to control algae growth, I have a water fountain that I add a couple of drop of "controls algae growth" to keep the water clear (for aquariums ) wonder if it would work for this purpose? if it doesn't kill the fish maybe won't kill plant

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

I don't know about aquariums and fish so I can't tell you to use it for that, wouldn't want to kill the fishies... xx

[@sallysanford8223]

So helpful! Thanks so much1

[@myataylor4807]

Can this be used for a six in pot as well?

[@jenastelensya3215]

Hi, I have a lot of AV to take care and I would like so much to make this method work, I tried this method few times during the last year, on and off, it seems that majority of my AV do not like it. I tried 50/50 (perlite /peat moss) and even 60% perlite, but soil seems to be too wet and I lost some plants. I tried with a 100% acrylic yarn 4mm, will try 2mm to see the difference. Any suggestions?

[@LoanNguyen-js6zd]

Very throughout instruction!

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

glad you enjoyed Loan xx

[@0LorreneBaumDavis0]

Thanks for this.

[@juneteeter8327]

Your info was good, but it didn't answer how to get my AV's to actually bloom. I have them in good light, they get watered regularly, they have the right soil. Now, some of the leaves are growing almost straight upwards, but not one bud. I don't understand because the grow lights are 12-15" away. That's what one of the instructions indicated. I have kept them in the same pots they came in...should I repot them? I have had them for a few weeks.

[@Gladys7477]

What is in the peat moss? It looks like there's something white even before you mixed it with the perlite. Thanks.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Gladys, my soil mixture has some perlite already in it and those are the white pieces you are seeing. Hope this helps. xx

[@baldwind19]

Thank you very much.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

You are welcome!

[@katsierra4476]

Curious? Can I wick water with clay or terracotta unglazed pots?

[@jojocag1]

Excellent!

[@vicwareham4159]

Do you have any varigated leaf violets? I received 8 leaves from you on May 2 and all are now well sprouted. Thank you

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

congrats on your leaves sprouting, it means they are happy ... unfortunately most of the variegated leaves are sold out at the moment and the plants are recooperating. Normally I should have another relisting of some in August. Just put your email addy in the restocking notification field of each variety you like and the system will notify you when I restock them. Hope this helps. xx

[@suemandeville122]

Me again...also while watching your violet tour video you mentioned the basement was cooler than the upstairs and the plants grew slower. What temperature is your basement violet room? Thanks

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

the temperature is "cold" lol. The house is very hard to heat during the winter (very old house) and I didn't know that before purchasing, it is something that I learned quickly when the first winter arrived. The temps in the basement will varie between like 65-70 which is fine once and a while but when the temps are like this for many months, it becomes a little harder on the plants. They don't die from this but don't grow a lot either. When the spring and warmth arrives everything goes into growth spure mode, it's amazing.

[@midoritukichi4088]

What is the wick made out of. Is it Poly fiber?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Midori, I am sorry I don't have the label for the yarn so I can't tell you but I know it is man made fibers (no natural fibers, those don't work, they rot)

[@myataylor4807]

Do African violets need to stay moisture or do they like to dry out between waterings?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

if you are top or bottom watering the plants can be allowed to slightly dry between waterings. If the plants are on the wick watering system, they will remain moist all of the time. (the soil must be different for each type of watering method) Hope this helps.

[@myataylor4807]

Bloomlovers African Violets I have been watering from bottom to top, and it seems like I watering all the time.

[@doreenhyde5107]

Me again, if you dont use the wicking system is it better to water from above or below or is there another method?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

It is better to water from the bottom (watering from the top will not hurt them, but it is better from the bottom) and I have a video planned on this subject to explain why.

[@myataylor4807]

How far up is the wick in the pot?

[@kathybuchanan2260]

what kind of light do you use

[@kathymacomber5115]

Are those little drinking cups?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Kathy, those are indeed little drinking cups, I love to work with those, they wash easier than the conventional plant pots and are less expensive. xx

[@kathymacomber5115]

Perfect

[@lindasmith9699]

The soil in my wicked African Violet is to wet. What should I do?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

If the plants are healthy and not rotting it means everything is ok. The goal of wicking is to keep the soil moist at all times but the soil recipe for this is very important. If the plants are not doing well and rotting, you will have to change the soil recipe and add more stuff in there to lighten it up like perlite. Hope this helps.

[@susanpratt4061]

Link for the wick material you use? Thanx

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Susan, I don't have a link, sorry.. the wick I use is a synthetic yarn and I tested it to make sure it wicked properly before buying a lot of it.

[@harveyschneider9644]

Pennies are not a good source of copper. Modern pennies are stamped out of a white metal and have only a thin copper plating. Copper electrical wire is a good source of pure copper. A ring of #14 AWG wire in the reservoir will last a lifetime.

[@lillianelliott1868]

How do you fertilize your African violets?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Lillian, you would simply add the fert. to the water (low dosage) xx

[@ShioriRose]

I tried this. But my soil mixture must have been too wet still cause my av all rotted? But I had vermiculite in the mixture too

[@browneyedgirl760]

That's why don't put the vermiculite in it holds too much moisture

[@gaylemae]

New penny’s are zinc, not fully copper. They also degrade in soil so don’t use a special one. Older pennies are all copper

[@patriciarussell8450]

What are your wicks?

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Patricia, I am sorry I don't have the label of the yarn and don't remember.

[@nadmel]

As always helpful tips. Thank you so much for sharing ❤❤ Do you sell cuttings and ship to Mauritius island? My grandma and i love violets but here the options are very limited 🙏

[@kathymacomber5115]

When are you getting more violets in to see

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Hello Kathy, I will be restocking the store tomorrow March 6th 7:00 pm. I made a little video about it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHu9mpuVnrKhnrc

[@kathymacomber5115]

Excited

[@rlchick5774]

You didn't show how to add the wick to the pot

[@kathymacomber5115]

To sell

[@midoritukichi4088]

Why don't you tell the exact type of yarn you use?

[@mavirenes]

αυτό με το νόμισμα, το έκανα, δεν πιάνει

[@brucecampbell6035]

can you send me a penny, I'm in canada . thank you very good video I'll be watching very interesting!

[@midoritukichi4088]

When did you put the wick in.

[@BloomloversAfricanViolets]

Before adding the plant and soil in the pot, I place the wick where I want it,, hold it in place with my finger and then add the soil and plant. hope this helps. xx