Hi Sue,

Even though I have grown African violets for 30 years, I haven't had that happen to any of mine. Can you post a picture? In fact, I suggest you ask this question and post a picture over on the African Violet Forum of Garden Web. There are a lot of heads over there to work on your problem.

Larry

Sue, I mist/spray plants daily, that is, all but African Violets, and other fuzzy-leaf plants.
Increase humidity by placing humiditity trays under pots. You don't have to run out and spend a fortune. Use old bowls, deep saucers, anything that will hold small pebbles and water.

What type of fertilizer do you use? Try finding an AV fertilizer that doesn't contain Urea. There's a few brand names that doesn't contain Urea, but sometimes they're difficult locating and a bit pricier.
Are you following instructions since you fertilize every watering? Do you use full or half strenth? Some ferts are too harsh for AV's delicate roots, you don't want to overdo it. Overfertilizng will do more harm than good.
Read container instructions for dossage and times.

AV's can be given baths/showers every so often. But water has to be room temp or warmer. Afterward, gently tap leaves with soft cloth. Never place an AV in full sun after bathing. It's best showering early morning..but make sure leaves are completely dry before placing in the sun, otherwise leaves will burn.

Humidifers can't be beat..They're great for people, plants and pets.

For the time being, start with trays. Fill tray/saucer with pebbles. Fill tray with warm water. Don't let bottom of pot sit in water, water will absorb through drainage holes keeping soil soggy wet..
I don't recommend fertilizing from bottom saucers. Salt builds up, leaving rings of mineral deposits around inner pot.

Good luck, Toni

Hello again,

I am also suspecting the fertilizer, but I'm not sure. And because I'm not sure I am not going to make it a proclamation. This is not a humidity problem though. Again, I would ask your question over at the African violet forum and post a picture if you can. I have given you a link in my first post.

Good luck,

Larry

Larry, you've grown AV 30 yrs? That's great. Did you give it up or still collect?
Have any Large, 32" diameter+? That's my goal..just one and I'll be happy. Trying with Jean Pirre, Wrangler's Cowboy Blues and Fisherman's Paradise. Looking for Tiger.

Sue, Larry's right about the African Violet forum..They're experts..Toni

Hi Toni,

No I still collect. I have no desire to have a 32"+ violet. I don't have enough room. lol I would rather have 5 violets in the space that the one would take. I grow mostly miniature/simi-miniature trailers and small standards. I grow other gesneriads as well. Sinningias, streptocarpuses, kohlerias, columneas, alsobias and a chirita.

Larry, last summer someone posted an absolutely, gorgeous, I think 32" variegated AV on the AV forum. My heart melted. What a beauty!
Like you, I don't have the room, but one, just one large, variegated AV would make my day. Heck, my year. lol

Seems I have problems with Brass Band..are you familiar with this guy?
I have, one, Ember Lace, and one Alsobia. I think it was you who got me started on Alsobia..lol..Shame, Larry!
Two Lipsticks, one Columnea..that's it..no room for more.:)

You and I talked here on GW, a yr or so ago about your plants..Love to see pics one day..

I did, Toni,

Her are my pictures.

Have you checked for thrips? they can cause leaves to curl. They are the reason I do not grow AV's, nasty little buggers.

Can violets get spidermites too?
Please tell me no.
Is it possible that suefromuk has them? How she rid them without damaging the leaves due to spraying pesticides on the fury leaves? How do you even rid thrips? Is it possible?

Larry, fantastic!!!
Your Fluffy Ruffle, (sorry, that's the only name I know) Fern is so green and lush.
What's your Variegated Kalanchoe potted in? Looks like rocks?
I've never seen a Variegated String of Hearts, so nice! Where did you find it? Locally or online?

The others are doing fantastic, too. Have you noticed mini's have prettier flowers, and more varieties than standards/large?
Is the purple and white flower a Chimera? They're such beautys. I've placed bids on Ebay, but never won. lol
Larry, your plants are beautiful. Which are the older varieties? Very nice...Toni

I checked 3 times -- I don't see any variegated Kalanchoe. Toni - what are you referring to pls? -- there's a variegated Jade, but not a varieg Kalanchoe.

Mike,

Yes, it is true that African violets can get mites. It usually shows up in new growth though. Which is a good question. Are the curled up leaves on the edge of the plant or are they in the center? If it is in the center, it well could be mites. Again, a picture would be nice. I notice that you still have not put this question over to the African violet form.

Toni,

Thanks for the kind words!

The fern is a rabbit's foot fern. As is noted by Karen, it is not a Kolanchoe, but a crassula ovata tricolor. After being in the sun a few months it should start to turn red around the edges. I got the variegated string of hearts at a local nursery.

Yes the purple and white flowered African violet is a chimera. I actually think that standards have prettier flowers. At least they are more spectacular. But for me, anyway, I like the simplicity of single petaled African violet flowers that are mostly on miniatures. There are way more standards than minis. All of my violets are older varieties.

Larry

Hi Mentha,

Yes thrips can curl violet leaves, but would not turn them brown and crispy.

Larry

Mike I didn't answer your question. If is is mites. Spraying it is the only remedy. There is no natural remedy short of throwing it out.

Larry

Toni, I can't remember... do you have Frozen in Time? Mine is starting to get large, and it's beautifully variegated too. And hasn't stopped blooming in months. I don't know if it'd get 32 inches, but I think it's lovely.

Larry, it's usually cyclamen or broad mites that attack AVs and distort new growth, right? I've heard that those are difficult to get rid of, and you have to use a miticide to get rid of those. I dread the thought of those things...

Sounds kinda like too much fertilizer to me, too. Low humidity doesn't cause crispy edges for me, just droopy leaves. In fact, even severe underwatering doesn't cause crispy leaves for me, just droopy (well, droopier) leaves.

HI quinnfyre,

Yes, it is those two mites. My feeling is that if you have an infestation in a large collection, then it might be reasonable to spray with a miticide. Pesticides are messy and expensive. Much more expensive than buying a new collection in some cases.

The jury is still out for me, but I'm leaning towards mites here. Without a picture or anymore information it's really hard to say though.