Question
Dear Patricia,
I have had 3 gorgeous pink violets in my office and am leaving my job (happily). The plants have bloomed magnificently with late day sun, must be western. I must bring them home this week, where the only decent light is an eastern exposure window. They seem to prefer being below the window so the sun is not so strong on them.Can you recommend the best way to relocate them so they don't stop flowering?
Thank you for your expert advice.
Carol

Answer
Carol,
They actually will stop flowering for a while, probably after moving. This is just the nature of African violets. They usually bloom 3-4 times a year when kept in the same location. They are beautiful flowers, and this is why we love them, but they do need their rest. One of the best ways of making sure they continue flowering is to pinch off the blooms when they become old and withered. This puts energy back into the plant to use for more blooms or future blooms. It is highly unusual, but delightful, when a violet blooms almost continuously all year. Some of the older ones will occasionally. They must have an optimum level of light, moisture and warmth. It is surprising to me that your violets are doing so well in a western exposure, right here after summer. The western sun is usually much too strong for them, unless they are kept behind a thin or sheer curtain. Even then the evening sun is very strong. I have had violets to get burned leaves from evening sun in the summer/early fall. Ideally, place your violets where they will receive morning to early afternoon sun. This is an eastern exposure. Make sure they stay moist, never, ever dry out, and if you have time you can even mist them a few times a day for humidity. Violets love to stay in the same place; they are homebodies, so to speak! If the right amount of sun and moisture are kept they will provide you with lovely green leaves and colorful flowers frequently throughout the year. A note about fertilizer: Give them half-strength water soluble fertilizer (such as Optimara or Peter's Special) once a week but only between March and September. I hope I've helped. Feel free to write back if you need further help.