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African Violets

Newbie Question - How can I stop distressed plants from wilting

11 years ago

Hi, I recently was gifted a very large violet collection from a co-worker who was obsessed with growing violets in our office. A lot of the violets are looking distressed. Some of the leaves are limp and turning brown. I am not sure from under-watering and over-watering. I try to remove them as quickly as I can. I've also changed the soil on a few and started a wicking on some of them. I really don't see much improvement. Some plants are leggy, I moved them into a better light source but I am not sure what to do from there.

Could you tell me what I should do to make them happy and healthy? Or are they a lost cause? I thank you all in advance for your help! Nicole

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Comments (4)

irina_co
11 years ago
#1 - needs a bigger pot
#2 needs much smaller pot - remember pot diameter - 1/3 of the leaves diameter
#3 bad soil - probably it is your repotting - the soil on #4 and 5 looks OK.

nothing really bad on ##4,5,6 - some varieties hug the pots unless supported.

#4 has some mechanical damage and a bad leaf - remove it.

Do you use fertilizer? Get the one that is designated for AVs and use 1/8 of a teaspoon per gallon every watering.

Watering - water when the pot gets light and remove the run off in 15 min. Do not overwater #3, this is the one that can croak - it looks sad - either from repotting - or from rot from overwatering. Hard to tell. If it is rot - it is a goner, if it is stressed from repotting - it will recover.

#1 brown leaves - probably needs fertilizer. I woud say - leach the soil - sometimes old soil gets salty or acid - run water through it, let it dry - and start using fertilizer - ratio above.

Stop stressing - and either read whatever you can find - on this site, on AVSA site, on Rachelsreflections.org site, get a book in a library - or best of all - get yourself a buddy who can show you the ropes. Check on AVSA.org affiliate list if there is a club near you - and contact them. If there is somebody who lives near you - ask this person for help, show and tell - AV people are very generous with advice - and mostly are the nicest people of the town.

Good Luck

irina
Calisoul
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you Irina,

The plants are looking a little better due to your advice.

I do fertilize each time I water. I am currently using Optimara Violet Food, 14-12-14. Is this a good one? Also I leached some of the plants like you suggested. Hopefully they will be happy again.

One last question, during the week, my office is a little cooler than the plants would normally like. Any suggestions on how to increase the heat around the plants?

Again, thank you so much for all your help.

Nicole
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irina_co
11 years ago
Nicole -

Optimara is a very good one.

Cool - how cool? if it goes to 60 in a night time, it shouldn't harm them. If lower - then it can be an issue.

Good Luck

Irina
Honey_Bear
11 years ago
Hi Nicole -

By chance would you happen to be in California? (I'm just guessing from the name "Calisoul.") If so, there are many AVSA affiliated clubs here. Even if you don't want to/can't commit to being a member, they always welcome guests and many clubs put on a program (a talk or demonstration, etc) for the public once or twice a year. As Irina said, AV enthusiasts are some of the nicest people around. I've learned so much from the "expert" members in my club.

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