I haven't grown African Violets for years -in fact I haven't had many house plants for years except orchids .
My daughter , who is in fact an incredibly gifted gardener used to "prune " them and her grandmother's !
This pruning began as soon as she had the skills to do so !
I love African Violets .There's something so sweet about those tiny flowers peaking out from hairy leaves .
We used to put a one tablespoonful of Epsom salts to four pints of water as a tonic .
They don't like cold water. They like an NPK ratio of 14 12 14 so commercial feeds address that.
But maybe tea does and it's cheaper !
I routinely water my potted Camellias with old tea .
I use old tea bags to prevent my outdoor potted plants from drying out .
All except Iris as they don't need so much moisture unless they are the Ensata type .
The camellias ,which are planted out are doing better than the potted ones .I feed the potted beauties with Sequesterene .Just looked at them and
they need repotting .
The tea tonic isn't sufficient .
My roses -all cuttings get a tea tonic as well .
Again they benefit from a specialised rose tonic .
I use a commercial tonic on my orchids .
As a rule those grown in soil need more potassium than those grown on bark .Adding old banana peel will increase the potassium levels ,but attrack fruit flies !
Bark can't retain nitrates and need a higher nitrogenous feed .
Peace lilies are supposed to be easy to grow .Like all house plants you have to replicate their habitat.
South America !
So if they are in the correct place -not direct sunlight, not over /under watered -they should flower .
But if they aren't or the flowers stay green - I'd give them a tonic - 20 20 20 NPK .
It's trial and error with all plants-if tea works for you then great !
I haven't tried coffee grounds on my hydrangeas ,but shall !
More commercial fertilisers are available these days and I gravitate towards them !
