If the leaves are thicker than usual and brittle and the flowers are distorted or none, I would quarantine it, better still, throw it away. Wash and sanitize the container with soap/bleach. African violets are prone to microscopic broad mites, which are much smaller and nastier than spider mites. They don't just feed on new growth but inject poisonous substances that stunt growth, distort leaves to thick brittle stubs or leaves fold downwards, buds stop growing. They spread to any number of plants, essentially an invisible enemy that can be hard to eradicate. I ignorantly mixed the potting mix from infected African violet in my spare potting mix and I had an outbreak that I am still trying to eliminate. The list of plants that were impacted badly include peppers, dahlias, stocks, adenium, torenia, nemesia...

If it has developed multiple "necks" then you can separate them and plant them individually. Just be warned that when you do that, they usually will go through some shock, look pathetic, before they revive.

Can you post a picture of the underside of all those leaves?

I've had Broad Mite. This doesn't look like Broad Mite.

The plant looks healthy ... just growing in a funky way right now.

Could be overfertilization, ... or too much light. Also, I've had some plants that just grow that way, though they are few.

Hold off on the fertilizer, back it away from the light, isolate from other AV's ... and see what happens. If it doesn't shape up (or please you in some other way), ... replace it with another variety ...

looks like a whole bunch of crowns and underpotted...i would dump it out of the small pot and see if it is just full with overgrown suckers, if so separate them, pot individually, dome and there you go...it's my thinking that the leaves are distorted b/c of being so crowded...what's the name of this plant?...how long have you had it?...when was the last time it was repotted?...keep us posted...good luck

btw: i saw on linda rowe's site (bloominjungle) that you might want to turn the plant unside down, dump it out of the pot and the suckers/babies just all apart...well, i have tried it and it works!!!....the plants just separated beautifully...didn't have to break roots and each got the roots that were theirs!!...try it...

That will only work for suckers that come from the soil level or below. If the suckers have formed between the leaves and many of them do,,,,all you will do is break your plant to pieces. Proceed with caution. Yours are packed so tight I would just take your time and do a little careful surgery. Good Luck! Rosie

The leaves are all healthy. I had it under a grow light trying to get it to bloom again for the past 6 months. I've had it for 4 years. I think I reported it about this time last year (just changed the soil. I don't know the name of it. I'll see if I can repot the suckers. There seems to be at least 4-5 clumps.

At Irina_Co the middle could have had tremendous shock, my dogs took out 4 of my plants and demolished them to pieces and soil was everywhere. This was the lone survivor. I babied it back to health...well sort of I guess.

I think it deserves to live long and prosper after surviving this mischief.

Fun thread!!! Great advice, anecdotes, and input from everyone!

P.s. Linda Rowe was mentioned. I received awesome minis from Linda Rowe of Bloomin' Jungle.

I also mostly grow California-grown standard NoIDs now. They are truly thriving! Finally found my "niche." Locally grown, from a smaller, family-owned long-time grower.

LInda is super- I know her personally for many years. I have nothing but admiration to this lady.

LIfe keeps throwing lemons in her direction - and she just works harder, makes more lemonade - and comes on the top every time. Never gives up. Very dedicated to her AVs and her customers.

Irina,

You and Linda are both blest to know each other personally.

I recently "met" her from her FB page a few months ago. Then went to Ebay to purchase some plants.

Yes, she is a truly special, wonderful lady. I have been following her "adventures" on her FB page. So I know what you mean. Resilience!

Joanne

I wish to all of us a good chunk of this resilience.

Here are the pics for @Popmoma. I was able to clip off 2 babies and it looks like the crown was intact. so, now I have 3 beauties...Hopefully. 😁

Worked really well. I would recommend to drape the whole assembly with plastic for several days to help rooting.

My personal preference is not to use ceramic double pots, they are evil contraptions that kill more AVs than all other disasters combined. But if you keep the watering under control - means very sparsely for now, it will work.

i.

Nice job, DeziLo! Don't freak out if some of them start to look kind of sad after the transition. They will bounce back.