As Sherry (and you) have correctly pointed out, ... the pot is too big.

Violets do best in pots that are no more than 1/3 the diameter of the plant diameter. So, ideally the pot should directly support the central 1/3 of the plant, while 2/3 of the plant projects over the pot edges, like the plant shown below ...

Now, it is very possible that the plant was ONCE large enough to thrive in this pot, but it has undoubtably declined over the last two years to the point it needs to be placed in a smaller pot.

Now, the good news is that you seem to have a plant with good survival characteristics ... which, though it is just hanging on now, would really thrive if it got the correct care. In fact, you could end up with 2 or 3 nice plants out of what you've got.

I'd suggest not letting temperatures in the growing area drop below 70 degrees. Also, as Sherry has said, check to see if your soil mix is too wet. If so, dry it out a bit using the method Sherry described. African Violet roots will rot if their soil is too wet. The soil should just be damp ... and only watered when almost dry. Make sure that your pots have drainage holes so that excess water can drain out of the pot ... and always discard the extra water.

This would be an ideal time to replace the current soil with new (unfertilized) African Violet potting mix. And get some Pearlite (available at Houseplant Supplies at your local LOWES or Home Depot) ... to lighten your soil some. The Pearlite will help your plant's roots to breathe.

Also, African Violets don't like drafts. The growing area should maintain a consistent temperature range between 70-85 degrees F.

It does look like you may have a sucker or two. In reality, suckers are virtual reproductions of the main plant. If separated and planted in their own pot, they will grow into full-sized plants. If left on the main plant, they will crowd and sap the water and nutrients available to the main plant, ... and all you will get is crowded leaves and no blooming. At some point, preferably after your plant has perked up some, I would remove these suckers. (There are a few decent videos on Youtube which will show you how to do this).

Finally, if the temperature is not too cool, the LIGHT in the area you described should be adequate for growth and bloom (as long as the plants are no more that a foot or so from the window). Of course, you will have to find an area where draftiness is not a problem. If there is less light in that area, you can supplement with a CFL in a normal lamp fixture. I use a lot of desk-lamps, but the bulbs used must be CFL (i.e. fluorescent), ... not incandescent. Once again, the plants should be no more that a foot or so from the light source.

The following link will give you more detailed information on keeping your African Violet healthy and happy ...

Good luck ...

Optimara's Violet Care page

Thanks both of you! I'll get on that right away :)

Yes, it has that 'too wet' look about it.

I'll try and dry it out

Rather than drying it out, it might be better to change your watering technique.

When a plant has been over-watered for a length of time, some of its root die and it then has trouble taking in enough moisture.

The best way to avoid over-watering is to follow a few rules:

* water thoroughly, so that all the soil in the pot is moistened, then allow to drain.

* Never allow water to sit in the saucer for any great length of time. I suppose half an hour is okay but not hours.

* Use the right size pot for your plant. Too big a pot will create problems - watering probems. Maybe not any other sort of problem other than asthetic ones.

I often see a potted plant potted in such a way that there is much space between the surface of the soil and the top of the pot. To me, this looks wrong because... well because I am a fuss-pot, let's face it. But it also isn't a good practise to pot that way. I would prefer to obtain the right size pot and fill it with enough soil to leave only about half an inch of space for watering and carrying of pots.

(I've also seen people pot up plants so that the soil came right up to almost level with the top of the pots. Drove me insane. For a time we had a raving nutcase in the nursery in which I worked and he was a bully who ruled the roost and controlled our supervisor. But then again, she was in the cot with him in various nooks and crannies of our large and sprawling workplace. Took me half and hour to find her once and when I did, she looked worn out. Anyhow, I digress. Back to African Violets.)

Interesting digression ...

Anyway, I've experienced that pot size will definitely affect your success with growing African Violets.

African Violet roots need for their soil to dry out some in order for adequate "root breathing" (i.e. taking in carbon dioxide), ... and, therefore, best growth and performance. When a Violet is placed in a pot that's too big, it takes too long for the soil mix to dry, which has a negative effect on the plant.

Also, African Violets make filling their pot with roots their first growth priority. When I repot AV's into larger (4" max diameter pots), I know that they will spend 3-6 months growing roots, as opposed to growing leaves and making flowers.

Out of approximately 100 plants, I ONLY have a couple (because of size) that I am considering repotting into a pot larger than 4" in diameter, and a 6" pot will be the absolute maximum for them.

How is your violet doing? It should be plenty dried out by now. I took Aegis1000 advice and looked up videos on violets. Wow, lots of good info. Here is a link to one and then on the side you can see a lot more. Several good ones played in a row. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKa8H9WmVE 

Thank you everyone for your great advice! I'm having some trouble finding places that have a small clay pots in stock(home depot didn't) so I don't want to start anything before I can replant it. Tomorrow I'm going to go pot hunting :) (it's right around exam time so everything is a little hectic at the moment)

Hi Jocelyn ...

You really want plastic pots ... with drainage holes.

Clay causes a few assorted problems ...

- fertilizer salts crusting on the pot rims causes damage to the leaf stems

- difficult to clean and sterilize.

- porosity encourages the growth of algae

- porosity increases the rate of water loss

- heavy and easy to break.

Hmm, aegis, I will disagree with you that roots need carbon dioxide. They need oxygen. And I believe that their leaves need both oxygen and carbon dioxide. In any case, there is plenty to go around.

(Glad you liked the digression.)

Roots are capable of absorbing carbon dioxide as well as oxygen. Think about the plant as a whole, not roots separate, leaves separate - fertilizer is absorbed by roots, but photosynthesis - and generation of organic compounds happens in a green tissue of the leaves and young shoots. But green leaves as well are capable of absorbing fertilizer - think - foliar feeding. So - multitasking is not invented by humans, it is working in a plant word as well.

Jocelyn -

we have short but good FAQ here on Gardenweb http://faq.gardenweb.com/forums/african-violets-faq

I would say - read all the material that people recommended. Decide - if you can find a place in your room where the AV will be happy enough to bloom for you. If not - you will be better with something tougher.

If you want to try to grow AV again - I would recommend to start with a new healthy plant you can purchase in Home Depot. It will give you a good head start and you will be able to use your new knowledge to succeed.

The plant you have now is so weak - an experienced grower - like our Aegis - will be able to save it - but it will take 4 - 6 months of babying to bring it back to looking good and blooming.

All of us went through the plant killer stage before we learned something. Do not feel bad - improve your odds of success - start with a good plant.

I.

Alright, I'm renovating the outer wall of my room this summer so I'll likely get a new AV then when the temperature is warmer and there aren't anymore drafts in my room. For now, I'll see what I can do to save the plant I have. Just to clarify, do I want plastic or clay pots?

Plastic. Just be sure it has drain holes. One half Miracle Gro African violet potting mix plus one half perlite.

You need a small plastic pot - 2.5-3" diameter - you can use a Greek yoghurt cup - just punch the hole in a bottom. It will catch up - you can move it to a nicer one.

The video Sherry posted was very helpful. I'm purchasing Miracle Gro AV soil. I already have a liquid fertilizer that mixes with water. Would it hurt the plants if I kept using the fertilizer along with the fertilized soil?

Jocelyn you have received a lot of great advice here. With a little patience you should be able to save your plants. Yep plural. You have more than one in there. I would separate them carefully and repot in any small PLASTIC container with holes you can find. Again 1/2 MiracleGro and 1/2 perlite. Hold off on the fertilizer until you see good growth. Also you may need to put them in baggies til they recover if the roots are that small. Just don't overwater if you bag them. Just my 2 cents! Rosie

So I'm about to repot them, I'm all set to go and I have a clear splastic container for the plants to sit in. How much do I need to water the small plants?

Looks very good! Give then a little bit of water - like a teaspoon per pot - and get them covered. I presume the plastic pots have holes - so the extra water will run off.

Keep the container in a light spot but away from the direct sun for a couple of weeks, you probably do not need to water during this time - and they should show the sign of growth soon.

I.

As Irina said, cover them. Incubation time: That means, for me, a plastic zip bag. Seal it and it will hold in the moisture. After a few weeks, open the zip bag a little each day to allow the plant to acclimate, then remove from bag.

Take a straw and insert in the almost closed bag. Zip as far closed as you can. Blow into the bag and it will "puff out". Quickly pull out the straw and zip the bag shut at the same time. Instant greenhouse!

Looking goog Jocelyn! Check frequently that you don't have too much condensation within the baggie. If you do, open it up and let some evaporate then close it again after blowing air back into it! Rosie

OMG I just saw my typo! So sorry. Meant to say looking good! haha oh my,,,Rosie