Software
Houzz Logo Print
bloomnewbie

Damage to stems?

10 years ago

Recently my African violet began to wilt (again), only this time there seems to be damage to the stems of the leaves, however I have no idea where it came from? On another one of my violets I noticed this on one of the stems, and the leaf soon died. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

Comments (4)

  • 10 years ago

    I would surmise that the damage you are seeing is a result of the leaves resting on the pot edges or plain old age. I see nothing to be concerned about there.

    However, your plant is probably experiencing some root rot as evident by the droopy leaves. I suggest that you repot this plant into a smaller container and add extra perlite to your mix. Too much soil & a bit too much water often equals rot.

    Terri

  • 10 years ago

    Your plant is set too low in the soil. However, I have that brown spot/leaf/plant wilt occasionally also.

    Don't know if it is the same condition but I have leaves that seem to get brown cut-in spots. The leaf stem will be watery back to the plant stem while the rest of the leaf stem will be firm.

    I have taken leaves and cut up past the mushy/brown hole part. I have tried to root them. Some seem to do all right if the leaf hasn't already wilted.

    If you check the plant stem at the base where it comes out of the soil, is there a brown/black covering? It may look like soil crust or buildup but it is more of the rot, I think.

    If there are any firm leaves left, set them for mouse ears.

    If you repot the plant, scrape around the thick ball of root where the main stem goes into the soil to remove any brown or black rot. Scrape gently to the fresh green part. All you want to remove is that brown/black crust. I treat the scraped area with a light dusting of cinnamon and rooting compound. Repot in very loose soil, Be Very Careful Not To Bury The Crown Too Deeply.

    Dome the plant. It might survive but as wilted as yours is, it will be iffy. I usually treat my plants immediately when I see those brown holes in the stems. I save most of the plants that haven't gone into full wilt.

    I don't know what causes that. I do notice it happens with plants set low in the soil and top watered. I have stopped top watering except as an occasional flush or bath.

    Good Luck. I hope someone can identify that. I have only had it on a few, very few plants and I have saved almost all of them at least as leafs with mouse ears.

    I hope someone has more information about those holes. I haven't been able to find any information. It is not age because it happens on good, inside leaves that have never touched a pot edge.

  • 10 years ago

    ^whay happens to you lucky123 is exactly what happened to one of the stems in my other pot. I'll cut back on watering and salvage what I can. Thank you!

  • 10 years ago

    Too wet, too deep, soil needs more perlite, probably the cachepot sometimes hides water on a bottom that plant doesn't need - but nothing major. These lesions often appear on the older leaves - you can tell that the leaves are old by looking at the backs and the leaf stalks - they whiten up with time. If you repot it now - using all the good advice people gave you - the plant with catch up and recover. But do it now before it gets worse. After it starts growing again - you can remove the bottom row of old tired leaves.

    Good luck

    i.