Looks like crown rot to me. I've never seen the threads, but the book "Insects, Pests, and Diseases of the African Violet Family" says the following ...

"When fluffly white threads, called mycelium, of the crown rot fungus are present on rotted tissue and soil, it can easily spread to other parts of the plant."

I didn't see the long thin hair until after I took the photo. That might be one of mine. Or it might be part of the white garlands

However, those white garlands are long, thick and visible to the naked eye.

I thought something like a ball of cat hair or some confetti had been dropped into the center of the plant. On closer inspection, it is thick, long sticks of something, fungus, mold.

I did look up crown rot but I didn't see anything like this. I wonder if it is a local spore?

just get rid of the plant and material in the pot. sterilize the pot if you want to use it again. do not try to save a leaf. better way safe. add more perlite … yes even more … to your av mix to make it drain.

Ohhh too bad for the little plant. Sorry for you also. Aegis is right, it does look like crown rot. I do think you have lost this plant unless there is a leaf you can salvage above the mushy parts. Sorry. Hope the rest of your violets are ok. Rosie

It does not look like any crown rot I have seen. I disposed of the plant/soil immediately. So far all the plants near this one are doing well. It might be a mold or fungus from the soil. I am not certain if the mold is part of the demise or something that only grows on necrotic tissue.

I would not save a leaf from a plant covered in exotic fungus. I did wash the pot and the growing area around the plant with a strong solution of Clorox.

No other sign of the garland mold yet.

Are any of your other plants affected? Sounds like to took appropriate steps. Good luck! Rosie

All the plants that could possibly be infected are fine so far. I have most of my collection in isolation at the moment being mostly leaves and small plants.

I have never seen the likes of that mold before. I can't find anything on the net that looks similar. It may be something from the potting soil mix as I used a bit of commercial compost. Anyone seen that mold in a compost pile?

in the compost pile, it is usually a sign the pile needs more moisture ...

Thanks bragu

That looks like the stuff. I doubt the plants need more moisture but I believe that the plant disintegrating and the mold are two separate issues. I had recently repotted that small plant and I think it didn't recover from the shock.

Then again, the original death of the plant could very well be due to crown rot. It has a grey mold in addition to the garland mold.

Thanks for all the imput. "ppreciate it!