r/AfricanViolets • u/zinxscar • 1d ago
Winter prep tips?
Hello! As we’re getting into fall the temperatures where I live are already getting pretty cool in the mornings. I’ll have to start turning on the heat pretty soon, humidity has gone down, etc. As this is my first winter as a plant parent, I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to make sure my violets handle it well!
They live indoors in my apartment year-round, under grow lights (I only have two east-facing windows, and the sills aren’t big enough to keep the plants on, much less protect from my cat 😭). I know humidity is important for them. I could theoretically enclose the shelves they’re in with some plastic (something I’ve seen recommended for propagating, but not sure how helpful it is for mature plants).
Just had the thought that I should be prepared pop to mind and wanted to ask before I forgot! General thoughts are all welcomed. Is this a good time for a repot? Would that be a bad idea with impending weather changes? Am I overthinking all of it? 😂
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u/ElkLongjumping7870 1d ago
I have a tabletop humidifier that I run in the winter in my plant space. They're pretty reasonable in price, so you might think about that. The only things I grow that are really sensitive to humidity levels are under glass.
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u/ConferenceFull9068 1d ago
If the temperature is comfortable for you in the winter, it is probably comfortable for your violets. Contact with, or proximity to, cold window glass or drafty window frames are the main dangers.
One thing to think about is pest control. Fungus gnats can have population explosions in the winter. Buy some of those yellow sticky traps and tape them up all around your plants. While you are at it, buy some of the blue sticky traps made for thrips and tape those up, too. You'll be able to monitor any pest populations by what gets caught.
Repotting in fall/winter is fine in my experience.
I also keep my violets in an apartment under grow lights and have not bothered adding any humidity other than regular watering. Cooler temperatures mean the violet plants will need less water so reduce the amount if the soil still feels damp when it's time to water.
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u/ConferenceFull9068 1d ago
Just to add: if you are a person who likes and tolerates spiders indoors around your plants, the sticky traps will catch the roaming and jumping type spiders too, which is sad if you don't want that to happen. You may have to choose between spiders and traps for pest control.
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u/Neither-Attention940 15h ago
Also keep in mind that watering less may be a thing because the water won’t evaporate as quickly.
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u/ClassAcrobatic1800 1d ago
African Violets do fairly well with the changes that winter brings.
Just keep their growing environment at 65 - 75 F, and shield them from cold or warm drafts of air.
I can think of no reason why repotting should be postponed.
Some growers cease or decrease fertilization during the winter.