White Bugs in African Violet Soil: Identification and Treatment

Dealing with White Bugs in African Violet Soil Discovering tiny white bugs in your African violets soil can be alarming. These pests are often whiteflies or spider mites, with whiteflies being more common. While less des

African Violet Repotting: When to Repot and Pot Size Guide

African Violet Repotting: Timing and Pot Size Essentials African violets are beloved for their vibrant blooms and fuzzy leaves, but they can be particular about their growing conditions. A common question among growers i

Self-Watering Pot Problems: Drooping Stems and Fertilizing Methods

Nancy used self-watering pots for her violets. One plants stems drooped over the pot rim while its companion thrived. She asked about the pot systems suitability and how to fertilize through the reservoir. How Self-Wate

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

Carols 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 Check soil m

Drooping African Violet in Cool Temperatures: Heat Requirements

Glorias Antique Tapestry African violet drooped (leaves and flowers) while a dozen others thrived on a west-facing windowsill in Maine at 63°F house temperature. Temperature Sensitivity 63°F is too cool for African viol

When Will Starter African Violets Bloom? Patience and Proper Care

A growers starter African violets had doubled in size with abundant new leaves but no blooms yet. They wanted to know the typical timeline to first flowering. Blooming Timeline Starter plants typically bloom within 6-12

Fluorescent Lighting for African Violets in Cloudy Climates: Setup Guide

Jose moved to Oregon with cloudy, rainy winters and needed artificial lighting for his African violets. He planned to use 48-inch, 40-watt fluorescent tubes and asked about optimal tube combinations. Lighting Requiremen

African Violet Flower Color Change: Genetic Expression in Hybrid Plants

Marcias 12-year-old African violet, previously blooming in pink shades, produced an all-white flush after a heavy blooming period. The plant was otherwise healthy in a west window with bottom-watering and occasional fert

Self-Watering Pots for African Violets: Pros, Cons, and Blooming Issues

Peg used self-watering double pots for 3-4 years but noticed reduced blooming and increased multi-crown growth. She wondered if the system was problematic or if she should switch to traditional pots. Self-Watering Pot I

Whiteflies on African Violets: Identification, Treatment, and Prevention

Marjes African violet showed white specks on leaves and pale green foliage. Photos confirmed whitefly infestation—tiny insects that suck sap and excrete sticky honeydew. Identifying Whiteflies Adults are tiny white flyi

Yellow Leaf Edges on African Violet: Likely Natural Variegation

Debbies African violets suddenly developed yellow edges on all leaves. A photo revealed the plant appeared to be a variegated variety—where multicolored foliage is a genetic trait, not a problem. Identifying Variegation

African Violet Collapse After Repotting: Root Disturbance and Fungicide Damage

Helen repotted a new store-bought African violet from wet peat moss into a 50/50 violet mix/perlite blend, washing roots thoroughly, spraying leaves heavily with Captan fungicide, and delaying watering two hours. The pla

New African Violet Leaves Growing in Yellow: Nutrient Deficiency or Variety Trait?

Deb restarted an African violet (possibly from a cutting) and all new leaves emerged completely yellow but otherwise healthy. The cause wasnt immediately clear from the photo. Possible Causes Yellow new growth typically

Yellowing African Violet Leaves After Neglect: Causes and Recovery

A grower returned from a four-week absence to find their African violet with yellow-edged lower leaves and yellowing in leaf creases, though new center growth and blooms appeared healthy. The plant sat in a double pot wi

Inherited African Violets: Repotting, Propagating Leaves, and Long-Term Care

Steve inherited several African violets from his late neighbor and kept two. He needed guidance on repotting overgrown plants, managing low-growing vs. upright habits, and propagating leaves hed started in water. Core C

African Violets Not Blooming After Repotting: Pot Size, Soil, and Division

A grower with nine African violets hadnt seen blooms in two years despite previous regular flowering. Plants were repotted in commercial African violet soil and kept in their usual location. The issue likely involves pot

White Fuzzy Growth on Plant Stems and Leaves: Likely Whiteflies, Not African Violet

A reader described a plant from their childs preschool—initially with a purple flower, now flowerless for two years, with white fuzzy deposits on stems and leaves that wipe off with a damp towel. The plant may not be an

Deadheading African Violets: Where and How to Remove Spent Blooms

Sharon was confused about deadheading: pinch or cut? At the flower base or stem base? The answer is simple and forgiving. Simple Deadheading Technique For individual dead flowers, pinch them off just below where they at

White Spots on African Violet Flowers: Variegation, Cold Water, or Pests?

Dorothy noticed white spots on her African violets flower petals—non-powdery, on an otherwise healthy, constantly blooming plant in a west window. Several possibilities exist. Natural Variegation Some African violet var

Reviving an 18-Year-Old African Violet: Root Rot, Fungus, and Leaf Propagation

Julias 18-year-old African violet suddenly declined—limp leaves, only 10 remaining, no new growth, and dry soil despite bottom-watering. Its companion plant thrived under identical care. The diagnosis pointed to fungal i