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Sudden Decline in 15-30 Year Old African Violets: Fungus, Parasites, or Overwatering?

A grower's 30-year and 15-year-old African violets suddenly wilted after repotting in the same pots with fresh soil. Standard watering didn't revive them.

Diagnosis for Mature Plants

Established, well-cared-for violets don't collapse suddenly without an organism involved. Likely causes:

Fungal infection triggered by overwatering (even slightly)
Soil parasites (nematodes, etc.)
Root damage during repotting allowing pathogen entry

Immediate Steps

Contact African Violet Society of America (avsa.org) immediately for expert diagnosis. They specialize in mature plant issues. Isolate plants from each other. Consider propagating healthy leaves as insurance.

Caution

Repotting old violets is high-risk. Many experts advise against disturbing established root systems unless absolutely necessary.

Violets: Getting African Violets to Rebloom: Fertilizer, Light, and Watering Tips; Yellowing African Violet Leaves: Natural Aging or Cultural Issue?; Moving African Violets: Managing the Transition to a New Light Environment; Mass African Violet Decline After Repotting: Fungal Infection or Cultural Shock?; Drooping African Violet in Cool Temperatures: Heat Requirements; Growing Micro Miniature African Violets (Sinningias) in Terrariums; Why African Violets Die at the Crown: Source Matters; Repotted African Violets Not Blooming: Acclimation, Pot Size, and Patience; Why Some African Violets Grow Long, Leggy Leaf Stems; African Violet Fertilizing: Why Osmocote 19-6-12 Is Wrong and What to Use Instead

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