I couldn't figure out why my African violets were losing their beautiful rosette shape. I kept snipping leaves in an attempt to restore the shape, but the leaves on my plants were getting more crowded.
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Then I learned that, as an African violet matures, it produces baby plants or pups. Pups are immature plants that grow from the base of the mother plant. It is a good practice to separate the pups from the mother to keep the plant healthy and maintain its signature shape. The pup takes nutrients from the mother resulting in a weaker plant. As an added bonus, splitting African violets is a budget-friendly way to propagate your plants. You get a second plant for free!
The best time to divide African violets is just after flowering so that the plant's energy is directed towards root production. When you notice that your African violet leaves are bunched up or crowded and there is more than one crown with leaves sprouting, it may be time to split the plant. Take a close look at your plant. Is there more than one rosette of leaves? Does it look like there are two plants in your pot?
Look at the point where the stems join the roots. Once roots sprout from the pup it is ready for division. To be sure that roots have developed, you'll need to unpot the entire plant.
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Take the plant and soil out of the pot. Examine the soil below the mother and pups for evidence of roots. A division is most likely to thrive when both the mother and pup have roots attached to the stems and foliage. To separate, find the place between the mother and pup. It is easiest to separate the plants with scissors. Your goal is to separate the pup from the mother leaving roots on both the plant and pup.
Replant the mother and pup in separate pots. Remember that African violets like to be root bound and prefer a snug pot. It is best to use soil formulated specifically for African violets.
Don't forget that the African violet likes bright, indirect sunlight with temperatures between 66 and 80 degrees. Avoid direct sunlight as it may scorch the plant. Once you find the right place for your plants, they will give you beautiful flowers year-round.