Cold water that comes in contact with the leaves of African violets can cause white blotches. To water the plant from below, place the container in a tray containing about 1 inch of water. When the soil surface becomes moist, remove the pot and discard excess water. Lack of flowering is one of the most common problems and is generally due to inadequate light . African violets can also be successfully grown under artificial light.
Fluorescent lamps give the best results.
Plants grown entirely under fluorescent lights should be placed 6 to 12 inches below two 40-watt tubes for 15 to 18 hours per day. The best temperatures for growing African violets are 65 to 70 F at night and up to 80 to 85 F during the day. Before applying the fertilizer solution, water the plant from above to wet the soil. Lower, older leaves that turn yellow and a reduction in growth rate usually indicate that fertilizer is needed. Use only warm water because cold water causes spots on the leaves.