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If your violet has outgrown its pot and has a neck that is too long
to fit back into the pot, you will need to do some radical pruning and restart your plant. This seems like a drastic measure
and can be pretty scary the first time, but violets readily take to this type of pruning and will put out a new root system
very quickly.
First, gently remove your
plant from it's pot and remove as much old soil as possible so that you can easily work around the neck of the plant.
Here is the scary part!
With a sharp, clean knife, cut through the neck leaving approximately one inch of neck below the bottom row of leaves. Remove
any older leaves leaving only 2-3 rows, no more. Also remove any flowers or bloom stalks. You want your plant to put its energy
into creating a new root system, not maintaining flowers or extra leaves. Take your knife or your fingernail and gently
scrape away the brown dried out material covering the neck, leaving healthy green material exposed. This makes it easier for
new roots to appear.
Prepare your pot with
your preferred soil. Fill the pot to the rim then take a pen or your little finger and create a hole right in the center as
deep as the neck of your plant.
Set your plant gently into
the pot and firm the soil up around the neck. Make sure your soil is damp, but not dripping wet. If your plant is wobbly in
the pot, plastic toothpicks can be used to support the plant until roots begin to grow.
The last step is
very important! Your plant has no roots, which means it does not have its normal means of absorbing moisture. If you were
to stop at the previous step, your plant would droop and very quickly die. Place your plant in an air tight, clear container.
If you do not have a tray with a clear domed lid (salad containers from the deli work well, as well as many commercially available
plant trays) you can simply place your plant into a large ziploc baggie. Blow some air into the baggie creating a dome around
the plant. Place the plant in indirect light--keep it out of direct sunlight. Using a clear container will keep the moisture
contained and your plant will be able to absorb the moisture through it's leaves until it has a new root system. Leave
the plant in this container for 3-4 weeks. After the time has passed, check on your plant, give it a gentle tug and it should
feel set and sturdy in it's new pot. Readjust your plant to your normal humidity by opening the container slightly for
a few days before completely removing it. If your plant wilts when removed from the container, simply put it back in for another
week or so and check on it again after that time.
Most African Violets will thrive on this procedure and will reward you with
a nice growth spurt after the root system is re-established. This is a great way to rejuvenate a plant that has been in its
pot too long and has been supporting too many old leaves. Good luck!
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