Replant a 25 year old Violet - Ask Extension
I have a deep purple African Violet plant that my Dad, who has since passed away, gave me from a cutting from his own plant. The one I have is over 2...
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Replant a 25 year old Violet #873527
Asked June 17, 2024, 6:50 PM EDT
I have a deep purple African Violet plant that my Dad, who has since passed away, gave me from a cutting from his own plant. The one I have is over 25 years old and the root grows out of the soil and looks more like a trunk than a root. Very large and scaly. I have taken cuttings from this plant and they thrive but they are not that deep purple color. The blossoms come in white with some pink and some light purple streaks. Since it is so unique I want to keep it alive as long as I can. Is there somewhere or someone I could take it to that could help me preserve this old favorite? Is there a some special way to take a cutting the would preserve the deep purple color?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Gloria,
It sounds like maybe should take some leave cuttings and propagate some new plants.
https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C660&title=growing-african-violets
Try contacting the African Violet Society of MN, they will have some advice I'm sure:
https://africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org/event/african-violet-society-of-minnesota/
Good luck,
Sally Granath
St. Louis County MG
Thanks for your answer. I have taken many cuttings but they don't have the deep purple flowers the original plant has. Any suggestions how to take cutting that will show that color?
You might have better luck propagating the plant by division. Take a section of the plant including the roots and replant.
1. https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/in-the-garden/reference-desk/houseplants/propagating.aspx
2. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/african-violet/tips-for-easy-african-violet-propagation.htm
1. https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/in-the-garden/reference-desk/houseplants/propagating.aspx
2. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/african-violet/tips-for-easy-african-violet-propagation.htm
The root is now a big thick stem so I don't know how I could get a section of the plant to include part of the root.
If you can’t separate even a part of the root from slicing off a side then division won’t work. The second website explains why you are unlikely to get an exact replica any other way. Having care for it so well for 25 years is a major accomplishment. I would contact the MN African Violet Society for further consultation as noted above.
Thank you for your response.
