violets and tea
A friend recently swore by tea for African violets. She said her grandmother brewed a pot of ordinary tea about once a month and once it cooled, she watered the violets -- always from the botttom -- with the tea.
Has anyone heard of this? No matter how far I google this, I can't find any references online to tea and African violets, except as a popular beverage imbibed by fanciers wherever they gather to see and talk about African violets or other gesneriads!
Has anyone heard of this? No matter how far I google this, I can't find any references online to tea and African violets, except as a popular beverage imbibed by fanciers wherever they gather to see and talk about African violets or other gesneriads!
posted by Kati at 10:42 p.m.
4 Comments:
Violets love acid based soils...when in potted soil the natural levels drop over time. This is why they like the tea...as well it is right to say they don't really like wetness on thier leaves. I have always water them from the bottom or soil level. Go ahead give it a try. Cheers
Kati, you have so many new posts appearing that my head is spinning! It's very cool to read and sort of stream of consciousness in feel, but not so easy to catch the tail of an individual thought in order to make a coherent comment. I can't do more than enjoy or ponder the others, so will stick to the mundane and concrete!
I do remember hearing that golk wisdom that leftover tea was good for houseplants...maybe the benefit came from the tea's being slightly acidic? Also boiling the water would have removed any chlorine, and letting it cool to room temperature made sure there was no thermal shock. The bottom watering was what a friend of mine always said - keeping those leaves dry!
Annie
My husband's grandmother taught me this...but not only for African Violets; for all of your houseplants. My plants do extremely well, so it can't be hurting!
your comments are very helpful! I was given two plants recently, one which looks like 3-in-one that I think I'll divide...very carefully! Whenever I've grown violets in the past, they would bloom bountifully, once...then nothing but foliage. Any idea why?
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