Watering The frequency of watering will be influenced by the plant s stage of growth and the soil composition, ambient humidity and amount of light. The plant must be watered as soon as the soil on the surface becomes dry but is still somewhat moist underneath. Add plenty of water, until it seeps through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, in order to moisten the root ball thoroughly. After one hour, remove any water still standing in the saucer. Moreover, blooms will suffer if the roots are chilled.
Morning is the best time to water a plant.
Watering at night promotes the development of fungus-related diseases, while watering in the afternoon may cause leaf spots to appear, especially if the plant is exposed to the sun while still wet. Opinion varies on whether African violets should be watered from the top or bottom. Watering from the top will not cause any problems if the above instructions are followed. Water may also be placed in the saucer to be absorbed by the soil, provided that the plant is flushed from the top periodically to wash away fertilizer salts that accumulate on the surface. The same applies to containers equipped with a wick.