Question
Hello Patricia! For a long time, I couldn't figure out why my AV's would never bloom. I figured out recently that they needed water soluble fertilizer, not time release! Now they're blooming, yay! My question now is, how often should I feed them. I read your previous answers saying that March through September, with a rest during Winter months is the way to go. But during the warm months, how often do you feed yours? Every other week? Less? I don't want to burn them up with too much food. I also read that you said to only use half of the amount that the product recommends. Does it still work as well that way? I live in South Florida, so humidity isn't a problem. I have my plants on a windowsill that receives indirect light for most of the day. I water them when they're on the dry side of damp. Am I doing it right? lol Thank you for all the good work you do. African Violets add a little more joy and brightness in the day to day, so any advice is appreciated.

Answer
What a nicely written question! It is a pleasure to do this.
Looks like you have a great handle on how to care for violets. I personally use Peter's Special fertilizer; it comes in a plastic cannister, it is like a powder. You mix it according to the directions, but only HALF STRENGTH. That is what the experts say, as in the American African Violet Society, as well as all my books. So, that's why I do it! Also, the weaker the solution, the less chance of burning the roots. It is a good question, though. I wondered myself in the very beginning!

Now, as for frequency. this is perhaps another one of the reasons the fertilizer should be half strength. From March to September, sometimes October, I keep the fertilizer/water solution in a large container and each time I water, which is 2-4 times a week in warm weather, they are getting a constant feeding. Make sense? I hope so.

There have been times I'll be honest with you, that I have run out of fertilizer, and have given tap water. A good healthy violet will bloom anyway. Sometimes I think the less chemicals, the better. However, continue using half strength, or even a lesser concentration. You do want to ensure that it doesn't get on the leaves because it is, after all a nitrogen compound, and can mildly burn your leaves.

I hope I have answered your questions. If not, feel free to email me back.