Propagation Experiment Using African Violet Leaves

Immediately after I bought my first violets in january I realised that two leaves were damaged during the transportation, so I decided to use them in my first propagation experiment. After some research on the Internet I realised the stems were too short so I took a sharp knife and I cut both of them creating longer stems.

Leaf no. 1 before/after cutting:




Leaf no. 2 before/after cutting:



I put them in a mix of vermiculite and African violet soil (50%, 50%) but before that I made a hole in each pot. Trough that holes I passed a synthetic mason line that I kept in water for a while and then I put the pots in a bigger reservoir (be careful the pot not to be in the water, only the lace). This is the wick-watering method and I find it very smart. I covered both leaves with transparent plastic containers after I made a hole in each. This will allow the leaves to have humidity inside and also fresh air.



I put them close to my kitchen window and then I waited…and waited.
On February 27th leaf no. 1 showed its first tiny green heads. What a joy! I kept track on the evolution taking pictures, but leaf no. 2 was still doing nothing.

Leaf no. 1 on march the 1, 10th, 24th 2013:




Leaf no.2 turned out to be much lazier. Only on march 18th it showed its tiny green heads. This is a picture that I took on march 24th 2013.


I keep you posted during the next weeks :)