Curled, Brittle New Growth on African Violets: Fungus or Nematodes?

Carol's African violets showed curled, brittle new leaves that died quickly, with deformed flowers. Most plants were lost. The symptoms suggested serious fungal infection or soil nematodes.

Diagnostic Steps

1. Check soil moisture—consistently wet soil promotes fungus
2. Inspect roots if possible: healthy roots are white/firm; infected are brown/mushy
3. Look for tiny worms in soil (nematodes) with magnification
4. Send photos to experts for confirmation

Urgent Actions

Isolate affected plants immediately. Fungal infections spread rapidly. Propagate healthy leaves from the best-looking plants as insurance. The African Violet Society (avsa.org) provides expert diagnosis—critical for this severe presentation.

Prognosis

Advanced crown/root infections are often fatal. Focus on saving clean propagations. Sterilize all tools and pots before reuse.