2024 was named The Year of the African Violet by the National Garden Bureau and I am so here for it. The cheerful, compact, easy-care African Violet is a plant Ive always had a few of for the last 30+ years. They should come with a warning though. Theyre very addictive!
As well as my many mature African Violets, I have a converted Ikea cabinet with 20 or so variegated and girl leaf propagations growing right now, tucked up nice and warm and humid under grow lights. And no, I did NOT think ahead on what Ill do with them all once they get big, so I guess its African Violets on everyones gift list this year. I love how a simple single-leaf cutting can be popped in some Starter Mix and voila! Hello cute new plant. PS: These mini pots with humidity domes are superb for African Violet propagation and baby plants.
However, these adorable plants seem to be hit-or-miss with plant parents. Either you find them super-easy, or you kill them. There certainly are some African Violet rules that make them MUCH easier to care for once you know what to do (and not to do), and how to read their leaves. Here are the rules, African Violet tips and tricks, the care essentials covering watering, substrate, light, temperature, humidity and more, plus trouble-shooting tips throughout, including how to get your African Violet to flower. Lets jump in…
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The Captivating Beauty of the African Violet ‘Frozen in Time’
The African violet ‘Frozen in Time’ is a show-stopping variety cherished for its mesmerizing flowers and ornamental variegated foliage. Since its introduction this award-winning cultivar has earned a spot in collections across the globe. In this article we’ll explore what makes ‘Frozen in Time’ such an exceptional African violet.
Origin of ‘Frozen in Time’
‘Frozen in Time’ was hybridized in Australia by renowned breeder Lyndon Lyon. It was registered with the African Violet Society of America (AVSA) in 2010 as cultivar #9167 The poetic and fitting name reflects the timeless beauty of this variety
With its distinctive flowers and leaves, ‘Frozen in Time’ quickly gained acclaim. In 2010, it won the prestigious AVSA Gesneriad Hybridizer’s Award. This honor is bestowed on new African violet introductions of exceptional merit. Let’s examine the captivating traits that have made ‘Frozen in Time’ an instant classic.
Captivating Flowers
‘Frozen in Time’ is prized for its high-impact flowers in pristine white with chartreuse edging. The single blooms occasionally give way to semi-doubles, adding floral depth. Their pansy shape showcases the bold green rim, while subtle purple picotee provides a pop of color on some flowers.
The bright white petals create a crisp backdrop for the contrasting green edge. In certain light, the luminous blooms seem to glow against the foliage. The edges showcase the classic African violet pansy shape to full effect.
The occasional semi-double form reveals a layered, fluffy flower with ruffled petals. The added texture and frilled look is eye-catching. On some blooms, thin vivid purple picotee traces the white petals for added interest.
During peak flowering, ‘Frozen in Time’ presents a spectacle, with scores of clean white blooms rising just above the leaves. The prolific flowers contrast exquisitely with the foliage. They bloom successively over a long season on sturdy, upright peduncles.
Mesmerizing Variegated Foliage
In addition to its captivating blooms, ‘Frozen in Time’ is grown for its ornamental variegated leaves. The foliage features an elegant combination of light green and ivory white. The variegation occurs as irregular central markings and borders.
The leaves have a heavily ruffled appearance, with a lightly rippled edge. The surface is distinctly quilted, almost like fabric. The puckered quilting and ruffling add intriguing texture.
When viewed from above, the quilting pattern resembles a field of tiny polka dots. This quilted texture makes the foliage feel almost padded or cushioned. The variegation provides lovely contrast against the solid green portions.
The full dome of foliage perfectly frames and highlights the flowers. The lush ruffled leaves at maturity form a neat, dense rosette. They complement the blooms in color, texture, and form.
Cultural Needs for Optimal Growth
While ‘Frozen in Time’ adapts well to average African violet care, some specialized treatment brings out its best traits:
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Bright indirect light is essential to encourage lush variegation and compact growth. Direct hot sunlight will fade or burn delicate foliage.
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Consistent soil moisture prevents leaf browning and drying. Allow the soil dry only slightly between thorough waterings.
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Cool temperatures around 60-75°F (16-24°C) keep growth regulated and controlled. Avoid cold drafts around this tropical plant.
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Moderate fertilization encourages healthy leaves and abundant blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer at 1⁄4-1⁄2 strength weekly.
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Good air circulation prevents fungal leaf diseases. Avoid overcrowding around plants.
When provided with proper care, ‘Frozen in Time’ grows vigorously with minimal leaf issues. It maintains a dense dome of foliage topped with graceful blooms.
Harmonious Balance of Flowers and Foliage
One thing that makes ‘Frozen in Time’ so special is the perfect harmony between its blooms and variegated foliage. The pristine white flowers and ornamental leaves complement each other beautifully.
The green flower edges tie in elegantly with the variegated leaves. The occasional purple picotee also coordinates nicely. This color contrast creates a visually striking plant.
The foliage acts as the ideal frame and backdrop to highlight the graceful flowers. The two elements work together seamlessly, amplifying each other’s beauty.
A Must-Have Variety
For African violet growers, ‘Frozen in Time’ is a must-have variety. Both novice and expert collectors appreciate its flawless flowers and ornamental foliage. It makes a show-stopping focal point in any display.
Here are some of the traits that make this variety a prized addition:
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Stunning high-contrast flowers in pristine white with green and purple accents
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Attractive quilted foliage with elegant white variegation
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Prolific bloomer with long lasting flowers
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Neat, compact growth habit
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Striking harmony between flowers and foliage
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Versatile variety suitable for shows or windowsills
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Robust grower when given proper care
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Captures the imagination with its poetic name
For most growers, ‘Frozen in Time’ quickly becomes a favorite plant. It exemplifies the unique beauty possible with African violet hybridizing.
Freezing Time with an African Violet Gem
Some African violet varieties make an immediate visual impact. Others reveal their beauty gradually over time. ‘Frozen in Time’ achieves both feats. The initial glimpse elicits an audible gasp. But then it continues to entrance as flowers unfold successively among the foliage.
This variety truly arrests moments of pristine beauty for us to admire indefinitely. Its poetic name perfectly evokes this trait. ‘Frozen in Time’ is a living masterpiece for all to enjoy.
Have you added this mesmerizing African violet to your collection yet? Seek it out and let its timeless beauty unfold on your windowsill. With proper care, you can freeze blissful moments with this African violet gem for years to come.
Best temperature for African Violets
Maintaining an average of around 21 degrees Celsius (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit), is ideal for African Violets. Its best to avoid below 15 C (60 F), or going above 26 C (80 F). They dont love sudden or big temperature swings, so if you can avoid day and night being more than 5 degrees different thats ideal, although not always realistic! Being too cold tends to cause more harm than too warm.
As temperatures get cooler, you might notice no flowers, no or slow growth, and theres an increased risk of rot. You might also have leaves wilt, turn soft, brown and almost see-through. Curling leaf edges is another sign. Flowers may also wilt or turn brown. If theres been a more sudden temperature drop, such as leaving a plant outside overnight or in the path of the air conditioning or a cold draft from a window, it can take 1 to 2 days before an African Violet shows the signs of cold shock.
The dangers of wet leaves
A bit like the warning in the movie Gremlins: Never get your African Violets leaves wet (and if you do, always make sure to dry them). If you have a mature or full plant, its tricky to top water without the foliage getting wet, but if that does happen, have a paper towel on hand and dab the leaves dry right away, paying special attention to the crown.
Coming from a humid, sometimes very wet rainforest habitat in the wild, of course their leaves get wet, but its the staying wet thats the problem. Indoors the conditions mean they dont dry out as fast as they would outdoors in the wild. I personally prefer bottom watering or wick watering rather than risk getting the leaves wet when top watering (more about all watering methods coming up).
Water sitting in the crown of the plant in particular – where the stems of the leaves are tightly bunched together – can quickly lead to stem rot or crown rot. A common problem caused by the fungus Pythium or Phytophthora which can attack the roots and crown of African Violets, and tends to spread fast. Ive lost more than one African Violet to rot and its often a sentence to a quick death. Wet leaves can also develop botrytis or mildew. If youre wanting to clean the leaves of your African Violet, instead of water just use a small, soft brush. I use a soft toothbrush for mine.
African violet ‘Frozen in Time’ #saintpaulia #streptocarpus #flowers #indorplants #plantscollection
FAQ
How do I bring my African violet back to life?
Brown spots, dead leaves, and withering blooms indicate your plant isn’t getting the moisture it needs. To fix this, you’ll need to prune away any dead leaves or flower stems and remove any diseased or dying tissue from the stem or crown of your African violet.
What is the lowest temperature an African violet can tolerate?
During the summer, it tolerates high temperatures well. In winter, temperatures must not be lower than 5℃ (41℉) to prevent frost damage.
How to save an old African violet?
- Strip Away ALL flowers and Sickly Leaves. First, we want to remove ALL flowers that are presently on the plant. …
- Cut Your African Violet in Half. Now we are going to tell you something that sounds ridiculous. …
- Pot the Healthy Top Half in Mix. …
- Let the Healing Begin.
Why is my African violet suddenly dying?
What you need to check: has the plant been over watered to the point where the roots are rotting? African violets die most commonly due to over watering. During all your soil changing and such, it could have been sitting in too much moisture for too long.