African Violet Soil Home Depot

When you're buying potting soil for your plants, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the types of potting mixes available and the many ingredients those mixes contain. For the best potting soil for succulents, start with a basic cactus and succulent soil mix, or even an African violet mix, available at most garden centers. Then add some extra ingredients to find the one that will make watering easier, improve the drainage, and hold up a long time without compacting.

Mixes you buy contain sphagnum peat moss , coarse sand, and/or horticultural vermiculite and perlite. If you wish to make your own potting mix, choose from these ingredients. If you already have a houseplant mix that you want to include, add 1/3 coarse sand to bring it to the porosity you need. As you can see, there is no "soil" used in the mixes.

In fact, many houseplant potting mixes contain no soil at all. Potting soil, also known as potting mix, is comprised of various ingredients that provide a healthy environment for potted plants to grow. These mixes are designed to keep the soil from becoming too compacted, which can suffocate roots and impede the flow of water and nutrients.

A high-quality potting mix will be lighter weight and fluffy, with the ability to hold moisture. There are many different types of all-purpose blends, as well as more specialized mixes. Peat moss is a common ingredient in potting mixes because it is able to retain water without compacting or becoming waterlogged. This allows the roots of potted plants to continue soaking up moisture without sacrificing the aeration that the plant needs to thrive. Mixing peat moss with soil can counteract some of the soil's tendencies to compact in potted plants, or peat moss can be used without any soil.

The other main ingredient is an inorganic substance that allows water to soak into and then drain out of soil quickly, keeping the mix crumbly and airy. A more challenging choice is to make your own potting mix. A basic recipe is to combine one part compost, one part peat moss and one part perlite or vermiculite. If you don't have compost, one part peat moss to one part perlite also works, but you should never allow compost to comprise more than a third of your potting mix. Other ingredients to add to your recipe include limestone, which helps balance the pH of the mix , and fertilizers, such as fish emulsion.

The University of Florida IFAS Extension offers an array of recipes for potting mix intended for different types of plants, from succulents to bromeliads to seedlings. "Use new potting soil as you re-pot the plant and make sure it's watered in well, but again doesn't stay wet for longer than minutes," says McEnaney. With time, African violets may become overgrown and begin to crowd their pots. Use leaf cuttings from these plants to propagate, or start, new African violet plants.

Once plants have 4-5 leaves, they can be repotted into African violet pots. Fiddle leaf fig trees are susceptible to root rot, so you'll want to make sure your container has perfect drainage and that your plant will never sit in water. This means a container with a drainage hole, along with cactus mix or other materials like Smart Gravel to keep your root ball dry. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension lists other common ingredients in potting mixes. Compost can add nutrients to the soil but should compose less than a third of the total mix. Fertilizer and water-storing crystals may also be used to help plants get the water and nutrients they need.

It's important to first understand what ingredients go into a standard potting mix and how they can provide benefits to potted plants. Remember that potting soil is exclusively designed to be used for potted plants. If you want to grow plants in your garden or in raised beds, you'll want to stick with regular garden soil. A main ingredient of any potting mix for succulents will be organic matter.

Peat moss, the main ingredient in most potting soils, is hard to wet and then dries out quickly. By adding a little finely ground bark, water will penetrate more quickly. For homemade mixes, a great substitute for peat moss is coir, which is fibrous shredded coconut husks and is very slow to decompose. Unlike peat, coir is easy to wet when it dries out.

Compost can be used as well, though it decomposes very quickly. What you may use in the garden for hardy landscape succulents will likely vary a lot from what you use in containers. African violet mixes also are slightly more acid than regular house-plant potting soil. Soilless mixes usually contain sphagnum peat moss and sand, or horticultural vermiculite or perlite and a small amount of African violet fertilizer.

Money Trees are susceptible to root rot, so their most pressing need is to be able to drain efficiently. The best soil is peat-based, potting mixes like cactus blends. The pot you select needs a drainage hole and should be one size larger than the pot it was in. You'll need to get a container that is 3-4 inches larger in diameter than your plant's current container. Grab a tape measure to make sure your new container is both wider and taller than your existing container.

Don't go too big, as too large of pots can promote root rot. At most, the new pot should be 6 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Most large fiddle leaf fig trees at Home Depot are in 12- or 14-inch containers, so a 16- or 18-inch pot will work. Your new pot will need holes at the bottom for drainage or it's plant homicide.

I find the easiest container to use is a large ceramic pot like the one below. These containers have drainage holes on the side, designed to keep the roots dry as a bone. That's because the growers water their plants daily to soak the roots and the growing pots are designed to drain immediately.

This reduces the risk of root rot, but it's dangerous for your plant once you get it home. I don't recommend using beach sand in your succulent potting soil mix. Also, beach sand could contain things like salt or pathogens that can harm your plants. It's best to buy it at the store to avoid any problems. After years of trial and error, I finally came up with the perfect succulent potting mix recipe.

This is the best soil for succulents, and it's super easy to make too! In this post, I will share my recipe and show you exactly how to make your own succulent soil. The two main reasons to use a potting mix rather than garden soil is to ensure that your potted plants are receiving plenty of air and plenty of moisture. Peat moss and perlite are two crucial ingredients for accomplishing that goal. Give your potted plants a natural boost of nutrients with our selection of organic potting soil. Potting soil contains iron, potassium, and other nutrients both indoor and outdoor potted plants need to thrive.

Our natural and organic potting soil is made from naturally-derived ingredients, perfect for eco-friendly gardeners. African violets prefer to stay evenly moist - ideally the soil feels like a well wrung-out sponge. They do not like to dry out completely in between waterings, but they do not like to be sopping wet all the time.

Too much water can lead to root rot, while roots start to die in soil that is too dry much of the time. Either way, plants with reduced roots systems often sacrifice flowering in order to survive. For best results, plant African violets in African violet pots, which are small (4- to 5-inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers.

Growing plants in these pots will provide the proper amount of continuous moisture to the plants. Plant the violet in soil in in the top pot and fill the second or lower pot half full with room temperature water. Set the violet in the top pot into the bottom pot with water. The water will seep through the bottom of the top pot to keep the violet moist. The violets need to be fertilized occasionally with small amounts of African Violet food sprinkled and mixed into the water in the lower pot.

I later pinch the lower larger leaves off of a plant to start more plants to give to friends so that the violet can spread out and grow well. Tropical plants and flowers thrive with a higher acidic level, which is why Miracle-Gro African Violet and Tropical Plant Potting Mix is a great choice for these plants. The special formulation of the potting mix provides an acidic pH to help build strong root systems. Enriched with Miracle-Gro plant food, the potting mix will feed the soil for up to three months. Then, she suggests making an indentation in the soil for the plant and set it in the pot.

Add more soil to cover the root system, without burying it any deeper than it was in the old pot, and pat down gently. When resettling a plant deeper in a pot, gently scrape the bare stem to remove the heavy bark that forms when leaves are shed. You can repot your violets once a year, separating any new crown growth to make new plants, although African Violets that are slightly root bound will tend to bloom more. When repotting your African Violets, put them into pots that are more wide and shallow rather than deep, their roots grow out not down.

Too much moist soil under their roots can lead to root rot. Remember that in their native home they grow on rocks. Finally, if you have recently repotted your African violet into a larger pot, the pot may be too big.

African violets prefer to be root-bound to bloom well. It is good practice to periodically repot houseplants because the soil should be refreshed periodically. You can often repot the plant into the same pot after cleaning it well, using fresh potting mix. As a rule of thumb, pots should be no larger than one-third the size of the diameter of the plant. Because African violet roots break easily, try to keep the damage to a minimum.

Trim away rotting portions of the roots, and repot the plant in a clean pot that has bottom drainage holes. A potting mix formulated for African violets drains freely and contains chunks of bark, which allows air around plant roots. The keyword to keep in mind when choosing soil and pots for your Money Tree is drainage. The soil should mostly consist of well-draining materials with a dash of organic material. Your pot should have multiple drainage holes to keep the roots dry.

And remember, when repotting, find a container that is a similar size to your current pot or invest in a slightly larger sized pot. The vast majority of potting soils are created from a peat moss base. Peat moss is easy to find and also retains a bit of moisture for the roots. Once there are some roots, transplant each leaf into a pot with soil. The leaves should be planted at a 45-degree angle.

Depending on the size of the pot, you can plant them either one or two per pot. Some people prefer to skip steps 3 and 4 and plant the leaf cuttings directly into the soil. This is an option as well, but it may be a bit boring for some people since you won't get to watch the new roots appear. Also, you'll need to be careful to not keep the soil too moist or it may cause the leaf to rot. Fiddle leaf figs can dry out and suffer permanent damage within just a few days in these pots, so don't wait to repot your plant. Share your succulent potting soil mix recipe in the comments section below.

Perlite retains very little moisture, prevents soil compaction, and helps add better drainage for succulents. In other words, it helps the soil drain faster which is exactly what we want for succulent potting soil. You can find these ingredients at any store with a gardening section. The right potting mix for African violets allows air to reach the roots. Typical houseplant soil is too heavy and restricts airflow because the decomposed peat it contains encourages too much water retention.

This type of soil can cause the death of your plant. Used potting soil can be rejuvenated, though there is an increased risk of disease if not done properly. If the mix smells bad or is moldy, spread it out in the sun and allow to dry in order to kill pathogens. Add fresh peat moss or coconut coir to make the soil lighter. Nutrient-rich additives can include compost, earthworm castings, bone meal, and kelp meal.

Used potting soil can also be recycled into flower beds, vegetable plots or the compost pile. Don't reuse soil from a container where a diseased plant has grown. I water from the top and regularly get water on the leaves.

I have some in the south-facing window and some in the north-facing window. I repot them with new soil every year or two; sometimes it's regular potting soil and sometimes it's African Violet potting soil; whichever I grab. I often forget to water them and then saturate them.

I've had mine 15 years and they're all doing fine and bloom regularly. Knowing when and how to water your African Violets is of prime importance. The roots of the African Violet need aeration, so keeping them moderately moist but never soggy is the key. Watering from the bottom so they can soak the water up, over an hour or so, will help to keep water out of the crown of the plant. African Violets like warmer water, around 70 degrees.

What Are The Current Va Mortgage Refinance Rates

Chart data is for illustrative purposes only and is subject to change without notice. Advertised rate, points and APR are based on a set of loan assumptions . Chart accuracy is not guaranteed and products may not be available for your situation. Monthly payments shown include principal and interest only, and , any required mortgage insurance. Any other fees such as property tax and homeowners insurance are not included and will result in a higher actual monthly payment.

Advertised loans assume escrow accounts unless you request otherwise and the loan program and applicable law allows. Should you choose to waive escrows, your rate, costs and/or APR may increase. Select the About ARM rates link for important information, including estimated payments and rate adjustments. The key to VA loans is the "basic entitlement" offered to most active duty, reserve or National Guard and veteran service members and even some surviving spouses. Veterans can borrow up to $417,000 without any down payment for a home so long as it is for their principal residence. (The median home value in the U.S. is currently $182,500.) About 90% of VA loans have no down payment, the VA says.

There's also no minimum credit score requirement for a VA loan, while most home mortgage loans require a credit score of at least 620 for conventional loans or 580 for most FHA loans. For one, loan origination fees with VA loans can be higher than some conventional loans, which typically are about 0.5% to 1%, according to Bankrate.com. The VA says the higher fees are needed because the loans don't require down payments or private mortgage insurance, though like other loans, the fees can be rolled into the monthly mortgage payment. The VA, however, won't allow veterans to pay any so-called "junk" processing fees by loan servicers or title companies.

Still, the fee can be nearly 2.2% if the no-down-payment-option is used for the first loan, whether it is a purchase loan or a refinance loan. This information is being provided for informational purposes only and is neither a loan commitment nor a guarantee of any interest rate. If you choose to apply for a mortgage loan, you will need to complete our standard application. Our loan programs are subject to change or discontinuation at any time without notice. Refinancing to reduce total monthly payments may lengthen repayment term or increase total interest expense.

A VA loan could make it possible for you to buy a home with no down payment. If you can afford your monthly mortgage payment but simply lack the savings for a down payment, it makes sense to apply for a VA loan and see what rates you qualify for. Further, the funding fee that applies to VA loans can be rolled into your mortgage so you pay it off over time, rather than up front. You may also have the option to roll your closing costs into your loan so that if you're short on funds right now, you can still buy a home. Unlike conventional loans, VA loans don't impose private mortgage insurance -- a premium borrowers must usually pay when their down payment is less than 20%. That said, VA loans do come with closing costs and a funding fee, which varies depending on whether you're able to make a down payment and whether this is your first VA loan application.

As an approved lender for the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program, U.S. Bank can offer service members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses favorable terms on all types of home mortgage products. And if you don't meet the qualifications for a VA loan, FHA loans offer similar advantages, including lower borrower equity requirements. Contact a mortgage loan officer today for more information about VA home loans and current VA mortgage rates. These fees can include the lender's flat fee, the VA loan funding fee, discount points, and closing costs. The HomeBuyers Choice program is a fixed-rate 30-year loan with no mortgage insurance premiums and 100% financing. The Military Choice Mortgage has the same advantages as the Homebuyers Choice, but with special interest rates and origination fees for active-duty and veteran borrowers.

In both cases, the funding fee can be waived for a higher interest rate, reducing the cash needed for the closing costs. The vast majority of people who take out mortgages have to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 extra per month, on average, in order to pay for mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance is required for most people who have less than 20% equity in their homes, in order to protect their lenders in the case of default. Since the U.S. government guarantees a portion of every VA loan, private mortgage insurance - or PMI - is not required. This shaves a significant amount of money from the average monthly payment of those who participate in the VA home loan program. Department of Veterans Affairs that grants veterans, military personnel and eligible surviving spouses access to affordable home financing.

The VA loan program also extends beyond traditional home loans by offering VA loan refinancing programs. If you qualify for a VA loan but already have a conventional mortgage in place, you can refinance your home to take advantage of VA loan benefits. Alternatively, if you already have a VA loan but qualify for lower rates, you can streamline the refinance into another VA loan to take advantage of savings. A VA loan is backed by the government and is open to active and former service members and their surviving spouses in some cases. One can use a VA loan to purchase or build a home, improve and repair a home, or to refinance a mortgage.

Significant benefits include reduced credit score requirements, no private mortgage insurance, no down payment requirement, and competitive rates. These mortgage loans allow homeowners with a current VA loan to refinance into a more affordable mortgage. True to its name, this program has little paperwork and typically has no out-of-pocket costs at the time of closing. VA streamline refinance rates are the mortgage rates for what are known as Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans .

They are called "streamline" because the lending approval process is simplified to reduce paperwork and fees, and to save time for borrowers who already have a VA mortgage. While low average mortgage and refinance rates are a promising sign for a more affordable loan, remember that they're never a guarantee of the rate a lender will offer you. Mortgage rates vary by borrower, based on factors like your credit, loan type, and down payment. To get the best rate for you, you'll want to gather rates from multiple lenders.

Consider refinancing into a VA IRRRL also called the Streamline Refinance Loan. The VA IRRRL lowers your interest rate by refinancing your existing VA home loan. By obtaining a lower interest rate, your monthly mortgage payment should decrease. You can also often refinance an adjustable rate mortgage into a fixed rate mortgage. Additionally, if you have a conventional loan, you can apply to refinance through the FHA Secure program.

Moreover, those with FHA or conventional loans can apply for an FHA 95% cash-out refinance and withdraw a portion of their equity. When comparing VA and FHA loan options, lenders will often accept borrowers with lower credit scores for FHA loans while most want to see at least 600 to 620 on VA loans. When it comes to the lowest interest rates, the lowest up-front costs and the lowest cost for insurance premiums, VA loans take the cake.

If you can qualify for VA loans, this type of loan is usually the better route to take. When refinancing a VA loan, you can choose to refi to another VA loan with new terms or refinance a conventional loan into a VA loan. The biggest benefits of VA loans is that they come with low interest rates, no required down payment and no requirement for mortgage insurance. This one-time fee helps to lower the cost of the loan for U.S. taxpayers since the VA home loan program doesn't require down payments or monthly mortgage insurance. Your lender will also charge interest on the loan in addition to closing fees.

Borrowers may also experience a higher payment if an adjustable rate mortgage is refinanced with a VA IRRRL. No more than 28 percent of gross monthly income should be for the planned mortgage payment, including property taxes and homeowner's insurance. The United States Department of Agriculture also offers a lineup of refinancing options, including a streamline refinance for borrowers with existing USDA loans for refinancing without a new appraisal.

There is a guarantee fee that's similar to the funding fee for VA loans and it can also be rolled into the loan amount. While this program is beneficial for those with USDA loans, there is no cash-out option and the rates are often higher than VA loans. A VA loan is almost always the better choice if you're eligible. By comparison, VA loans have a one-time funding fee but no ongoing mortgage insurance costs.

A Cash-Out Refinance is a mortgage refinance that allows you to access equity in your home. And instead of adding another monthly payment to your list, you'll only have to make one — your regular mortgage payment. Freedom Mortgage's VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan program, also called a streamline refinance program, is also available. The benefits of a VA streamline refinance include lower rates, better terms, low funding fees, no income verification, and no home appraisal. Savings will depend on your current interest rate, the new interest rate, the closing costs and more.

The lender also offers VA energy efficient mortgages, allowing veterans to borrow additional money to pay for qualified improvements like solar heating, cooling systems and storm or thermal windows. If you're a member of the military community, the VA loan refinance program can potentially save you a substantial amount of money over the life of your loan. VA refinancing loans are backed by the government so private lenders are able to offer more favorable terms to VA borrowers, but each lender is different.

If you think you may be able to save by refinancing or want to cash out some of your equity, compare at least three VA loans to find the best deal. It's not only easier to buy a home with a VA loan, it's easier to refinance a home with one, too. VA loans don't require borrowers to buy mortgage insurance and have lower interest rates than conventional mortgages. If you're considering a refinance on your current VA loan, you'll want to make sure to do your homework and look for the best lenders for your specific situation. To do this, you should weigh each lender on a variety of different factors, including origination and other fees, repayment schedules, interest rates, customer satisfaction and what the lender offers.

VA loans are home mortgagesbacked by the Department of Veterans Affairs . With a VA loan, eligible service members and veterans can refinance a home with little or no equity to get cash out or to lower their monthly payment. Lenders nationwide provide weekday mortgage rates to our comprehensive national survey to bring you the most current rates available. Here you can see the latest marketplace average rates for a wide variety of refinance loans. The interest rate table below is updated daily to give you the most current refinance rates when choosing a home loan.

APRs and rates are based on no existing relationship or automatic payments. For these averages, the customer profile includes a 740 FICO score and a single-family residence. Your actual rate may be higher or lower than those shown based on information relating to these factors as determined after you apply.

The fee varies depending on several factors, including whether the loan is for a home purchase or mortgage refinance, the down payment amount and whether this is your first VA loan. VA streamline refinance rates are mortgage rates for Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans . These mortgages are also known as VA streamline refinance loans because the lending approval process is simplified, saving time, paperwork and fees. Only select VA borrowers are eligible to have the funding fee waived. It's typically worth refinancing your mortgage if you'll save more money in the long run than you spend upfront in closing costs.

VA borrowers may have even more incentive to refinance than most since current rates for the VA program are so low. If you're not sure whether a refinance is worth it, a loan officer can help you understand the upfront cost and potential savings to make an informed decision. Yes, VA loans have closing costs just like any other mortgage. Unlike other loan types, the VA caps lender origination fees at 1 percent of the loan amount. If you choose to pay the VA funding fee upfront instead of rolling it into the loan amount, this will increase your closing costs. Money's daily mortgage rates show the average rate offered by over 8,000 lenders across the United States the most recent business day rates are available for.

Our rates reflect what a typical borrower with a 700 credit score might expect to pay for a home loan right now. These rates were offered to people putting 20% down and include discount points. The VA loans typically have lower interest rates than conventional mortgages, allow for higher debt-to-income ratios and lower credit scores, and they don't require private mortgage insurance.

"If you can qualify, the VA loan is the best program out there," said Darren Ferlisi, a loan officer with Integrity Home Mortgage Corp. in Frederick, Md. Depending on your financial situation, it may make sense to switch your current mortgage to a different type of loan. Still, some lenders will provide more competitive interest rates to borrowers with higher credit scores. You can improve your credit score by reducing your debt and by always making payments to creditors on time.

Rates and program information are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Rates on this page are based on the purchase of a single-family, single-unit, detached, primary residence located in Richmond, VA . Rates also assume a 30 day lock for purchase and 90 day lock for refinance, and are subject to change without prior written notice. All rates are subject to length of lock, pricing adjustments for credit score, loan-to-value, property location and additional factors based on loan program. If you or your spouse is a veteran of any branch of the United States military - or if either you are actively serving right now - then you should find out whether or not you qualify. If so, a VA home loan is more than likely going to offer you the most competitive benefits out of any other mortgage product that's currently available.

Funding Fees - Down payments are not required for VA home loans. However, if you make a down payment of at least 5% of the purchase price, you can avoid funding fees. For those who make no down payment whatsoever, the funding fee is going to be around 2.15%. It should be noted, though, that this fee is rolled into the overall loan and isn't due upfront. Veterans who are receiving VA compensation for service-related disabilities, for instance, may not have to pay these fees. However, you should plan on paying them and should include them in your calculations when planning to purchase a home through the VA home loan program.

If you have the option of a VA home loan, you should seriously consider taking it. VA loans come with many great perks and benefits that other kinds of mortgages simply do not. For one thing, lenders who offer VA home loans cannot require private mortgage insurance, or PMI. For another, interest rates for VA loans are extremely competitive when compared with many other mortgage products. Finally, relaxed qualification standards make VA loans accessible to many people who otherwise wouldn't qualify for a mortgage - or who would have to pay exorbitant rates to get one. Homeowners with an existing VA loan may qualify for a streamlined refinance program called the Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan .

This program has a simple application process and it often can lower the borrower's monthly payment. It also has a lower funding fee than a cash-out refinance — 0.50% vs 2.15% to 3.3%. Veteran loans are loans for veterans and active service members to use to purchase a home to live in as a primary residence. These loans are affordable, come with little to no down payment, and no private mortgage insurance.

For purchase loans with a zero-down payment, the VA funding fee is 2.3% of the loan amount if this is your first VA loan. It can be lower for some refinances and can be waived for disabled veterans and some surviving spouses. Active-duty service members who have received a Purple Heart are exempt from the funding fee. You'll also be responsible for other closing costs, such as appraisals and inspections.

The VA IRRRL lets veterans and service members refinance their current mortgage loan to a lower rate and monthly payment. These mortgage loans are available to qualified service members, veterans or spouses who currently have conventional loans, FHA loans, USDA loans or VA loans. That allows qualified borrowers to get cash that can be put toward other expenses including debts, education costs or home improvements. How much cash you can get depends on how much equity you have in your home, among other factors. All VA refinance loans that aren't IRRRLs are considered cash-out loans, regardless of whether borrowers actually increase their principal balance. While the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of mortgage, consider a shorter-term loan like a 15-year loan or an adjustable-rate mortgage.