Mini African Violet leaves fold up

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I have a mini violet "Thai show business" that does folds up like a prayer plant. My other mini does fine and blooms in my East window as well as my large ones. I have 25+ violets in total. They all get equal lighting and do just fine but this one.

I use A.V. potting mix any only water all when they feel dry. Just this one does it. I water all by soaking them in water from my fish bowl. I soak them until completely moist and then remove. The rest (including minis) love this, and thriving and blooming heartily, disease and insect-free.

Now, I admit, I've had A.V.'s for years, but I'm relatively new to the minis, but my other minis are doing just fine. It doesn't loose leaves any faster than any other and gets new leaves. I got all my minis about 9 months ago and it was just fine then. Just within the last few months it started folding up. I re-potted them this Spring. It was root bound in a tiny shot-glass sized pot and I moved it to a pot one size larger, planted the ball no deeper than it was originally in African violet potting soil. No changes have been made to the care and location. It just started doing this in the last few months.

I'm going to try putting it in a location in the window that gets the most light because the leaves are lighter colored, but, of course all violet leaves can vary in color in different hybrids.

Could this one just be fussier than the others? Any suggestions appreciated.

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Comments (5)

fortyseven_gw
11 years ago
Sounds like a response to too much light. Lighter color leaves or less fuzzy leaves require less light. The summer light can shift position during the day and be brighter intensity than winter. So your plant might be getting direct sun during the day without your realizing it. It could also be a reaction to too much product in the water. Try moving it into a spot where it gets only indirect light and give it plain spring water only to flush the soil. If possible, water from the top. Try to water when it is slightly dry, not hard-dry. Do this for three or four weeks to give it time to recover and improve. How is your humidity? Joanne
frankielynnsie
11 years ago
Do you have a picture? I am new at growing AV's and have never seen folded leaves. I also have started collecting minis and if you want to do a leaf exchange let me know.
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Terry Craig
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Joanne, I had read somewhere that lighter leaves needs more sunlight, I was given a large AV once that had turned white from the wrong lighting, the woman knew I could take care of it. For the record that was a mess. At first I thought it was diseased so I kept it away from my others and removed all the white leaves and by the time I got to the newest green leaves I had an small AV "tree" with the long leafless stem LOL . Then I figured out it was just a lack of sunlight. I ended up with a tiny top and just rooted it and placed it in the East window with my others.. It was probably the best thing for it.

The lighter green of mine made me question it and I just wasn't sure if it was a lighting issue. I can see what you're saying. I've rinsed it and placed it in my northern window (bright, indirect light). Funny how the growing conditions can vary from hybrids. My other 4 minis are all slightly darker in tone and has the heavier fuzz on them. They are already uncurling. Looks like you solved it! Thanks Joanne!
Terry Craig
Original Author
11 years ago
Sorry Frankie, I don't have a camera that works with my newer computer. I wish I could. They kind of curl up so the the outer edges meet giving them a tube like shape. That's the best I could describe them.
fortyseven_gw
11 years ago
Terry, The Annie podcasts, All About African Violets, have a lot of information on them. Her most recent one shows how to repot a plant that has what is referred to as a long neck.

Joanne