A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum African Violets

I have 3 African violets, 2 of which are now dying. I had not changed their watering schedule or where they were sitting. The leaves have gone limp and brown. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

even though you haven't changed their location, are they getting more sun due to the change in the season? are you careful of the temp of the water when you do water them?

Actually the only changes that were made was the fact that I was no longer in my apt much. I have had the violets for about 4 years and up until just recently didn't realize that I had to be careful of the water temp. I have those violet pots that are basically self watering and that is what I have used for the whole 4 years.

Greetings..African Violets are real drama queens. They prefer to be watered from the bottom and hate having their feet wet for a long time as well.

What I do in this case if any plant is too wet, I put loads of tissue or toilet paper underneath the plant pot and replace it immediately with dry paper when it is saturated. Within a day or so the soil will be relativly dry. Well, at least you mopped up the surplus.
Then dry out the soil while watching the plant. Watch the centre for new growth.Slowly water when the soil is very dry...from the bottom.

This may not have been the cause..however this tip of drying out wet soil may help you later.
Happy gardening, happy spring
Gabriella

I forgot, African Violets prefer rain water

i just use room water on mine and it blooms all the time

They also LOVE coffee. That is what I do with my left overs. I give it to my babies once a week.

I think repotting may be the answer. It doesn't sound like light or water should have suddenly gone haywire. I'll cross my fingers that you can save them.

Unfortunately when I went to try and cut off the dead leaves to repot they came off in my hand. :( So I am now down to 2 instead of 4, but thank you for the help, I really appreciated it. Cindy

I've had an african violet do this, and it was either from sunburned leaves or too much water and the leaves rotted. Also too-small of a pot could cause this, which a transplant would fix. I've had a pink african violet living for over 8 years now, still producing mass amount of flowers, they are very hardy!

Thiarella: Like Joclyn and Tammy said change your soil and re pot if root bound in a slightly larger pot if not same size but new pot. I find mine like to be root bound and I always use the pots where they water from the bottom. I think I have around 30 or 40 not sure. Mine are on plant carts that have lights on them so there lights and temps are regulated my lights are on timers. I mix my own soil I never use any soil straight out of the bag.

Thanks everyone for all of your help. I was only able to save one :( Another question though how do you get them to bloom?

If your plant isn't thriving, you want to save it at all costs, and it is a plant that can propagate by cuttings... (like african violets):

You can try a forsythe pot in hopes to salvage your plant before it's too late.

Just a thought... good luck on survivors! :)