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supertinyviolet

Good and Bad News! Will my Baby Violet be Okay?

10 years ago

The good news is, my leaf has sprouted a baby! It's growing rapidly, and it's quite beautiful. It's even firm when you touch it. I first noticed it July 21st, and within a week I could see a nice crown forming. The original leaf propagation was very firm, and healthy.


I noticed that the original leaf had started to go limp. I thought maybe I had over watered it (and the glass doesn't have a drain hole. But the soil seemed fine. I didn't water it for a day or two in case it was an over-watering situation). This morning, the leaf looked practically dead. The sides are curling, and it's extremely limp. I panicked, gently pulled off as much soil as possible (I couldn't pull off the hunk of soil closes to the leaf and baby - it was too stuck, and I was worried about seriously hurting the plant), and washed out the cup. The soil seemed... "stale"? It was dry, and styrofoam-y. The cup also had big green splotches on the side (mold?). I washed out the glass, put in fresh soil, and planted the leaf. It doesn't seem to be doing any better, but the soil is a lot fresher. The baby is doing just fine though.


Is it normal for the mother leaf to wilt this early on? Will the baby plant be okay?

Comments (14)

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Aegis is correct. Don't worry about the mom. She's gone. This happens sometime. Other times you can use the original leaf more than once.

    But another point. Always use something with a drainage hole. That way if you should overwater it has somewhere to drain. Kcups are great little pots for rooting almost anything. Good luck with your baby! Let us know and post pix! Rosie

    supertinyviolet thanked Rosie1949
  • 10 years ago

    Aegis, your response was like poetry! Beautifully put, thank you!!


    Alright, great! I was worried I had done something wrong. Now, should I leave the baby on the momma until it gets a little bigger, or do I need to pluck it off? It's big, but it's still pretty small. I don't think it can survive on it's own, but I've never done anything like this before so I'm not too sure on how it works haha.

  • 10 years ago

    I have not had a baby on a leaf to pot for ages, but I think you should wait until there are at LEAST two sets of leaves.

    Someone jump in here if I misspoke! You want the babies to be large enough to handle safely, not so small that you don't get adequate roots or it may die.

    Good luck and let us know how it works for you! Pix also!!! Rosie

    supertinyviolet thanked Rosie1949
  • 10 years ago

    As long as it's okay to leave it on the momma, I'm fine with letting it get bigger. I think at this point, it's still wayy too small to stand on it's own.

    Will do! I'm so excited!! :)

    I'll post pics soon! My phone isn't charged at the moment, but once it is I'll probably flood my thread with the pictures haha.

    Oh, and I did take your advice on the K-Cups for other leaves! I love it. It works perfectly, and looks very nice. I put this one back in the glass without the drainage hole because that's where it seemed to be "happy". I figured if it ain't broke, don't fix it (even though the K-Cups are a much safer pot).

  • 10 years ago

    Sounds like a great plan! Would the kcup fit inside the pretty glass???? Just wondering.

    We love pix! Can't wait to see them! Glad you like the kcup idea. I use them for any cutting or leaf that will fit in them. They are great! Good Luck! Rosie

  • 10 years ago

    I wish! It's actually a wine glass (or maybe it's a mini margarita glass? I can't really tell lol). So the part with the plant in it is very short, but sort of wide (not TOO wide though).

    I think it's awesome! I've been trying to save all my K-Cups, but recently I bought this new kind of K-Cup that has no plastic at all. It's just a filter. Sounds crazy, I know. The coffee's delicious though. I think it's the Chock-full-o-nuts company? I'd have to double check.

  • 10 years ago

    click on my name above my post to "follow" me. Then private message me. Rosie

    supertinyviolet thanked Rosie1949
  • 10 years ago

    Is the parent leaf dead? If so, then cut it off. It is no longer nourishing the baby. Joanne

    supertinyviolet thanked fortyseven_gw
  • 10 years ago

    The parent leaf officially shriveled up, but I think the little guy is on his way out too. After I repot him, it threw him all off. The other baby is only just above soil, but it's mother leaf is dead. Will that one be okay, even though it's host died so early on?

  • 10 years ago

    It might! Just be patient it may continue to grow in spite of no leaf! Rosie

    supertinyviolet thanked Rosie1949
  • 10 years ago

    It has grown a bit more since I wrote, so I'm thinking it'll be fine :) I'll keep you updated!!

  • 10 years ago

    Great! And good luck!!!! Rosie

    supertinyviolet thanked Rosie1949
  • 10 years ago

    Thank you :)

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