I have never once counted how many leaves were on a plant when I was repotting - and certainly have never heard of limiting it to 10 - how odd! I just remove older leaves in the outside row that are beginning to look their age. I don't think having 16 leaves on that plant is an issue unless you lopped off a great deal of its roots. When you do major work on an AV, sometimes it helps to put them in a plastic bag or clear container for a week or two until they get settled back in with the changes you have made to soil, roots or leaves. You could still try that on your wilting violet - just don't put the bag or container in direct sun or you'll cook it!

I have to ask...how did you see the mites? Did you use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe? Not doubting you, but everything I've read says that the trouble with mites it that they are too small to see with the naked eye (I've never seen mites myself) and that we have to look for the symptoms. But the plants in your photos don't appear to have tight centers or curling under leaves. They look pretty good, in fact!

I agree wth AnneCecilia - whatever you saw - is NOT mites. Seems that the rest of your plants is happy and sturdy. The one in front - is definitely stressed. You take a couple of lower leaves - and pot them = I do not care if you stick them in water - or pot them in soil - but something happens to the mama plant - you have babies coming.

You cannot cut the rot out. If you had the stem rot - scissors will not help. You can take the sharp knife, get the healthy top off and reroot it.

Limit to 10 leaves... Some plants - minis - can live with small amount of leaves, some - larger plants - need more. Not everything that people write is a holy truth. It can be somebody's approach that kind of works for this person. But it probably would work even better without removing leaves.

What I can see - is you put a damaged plant - into a very large pot with way too much soil. Since the plant is not utilizing all the water you provide - soil gets waterlogged - and it promotes the rot. If the rot already in a tissue- and I think I can see the browning base of the leaf stalk in front - the damage contol would be put several leaves down for babies, the mama pot - keep it on a drier side.

The mites I saw with my naked eye. Barely. They didn't catch my attn but as I examined the routing stem, I saw the tiniest movement, then saw the bug. I call it a mite because it looks like a tiny brown version of the mites my old lizard had many many years ago. They are almost microscopic. They may not be mites, I'm still a novice, that's just what they look like to me.

The 10 leaves thing I read in a few places, including African Violet society website. And that's only for reviving a dying plant, not a simple repot. Do you guys think it's not necessary? It didn't feel right lopping off so many healthy looking leaves but I was trusting the African violet Society's advice.

Irina, I greatly appreciate your critique. I put it in 6" pot because the leaves extend about 1.5" past the edges of the pot. Is that too big? I thought 2/3 the diameter of the plant is best? This is 3 weeks after repotting btw. I did keep it in a clear plastic bag, indirect sun for 2 weeks before placing under a grow light, in hopes for healing. I do have 2 cuttings planted. But losing my late nana's original, having that empty spot on the window sill... I'm not ready to give up on mama yet.

If I removed clusters of suckers, should I remove all leaves below that level so I don't have bald spots on the neck? Or are bald spots on the neck ok?

Thanks again!

How i found the first plant that I lost- only the bottom 2 rows were wilting but I was pretty sure this dark brown, dried, crumbly stuff is rot. So I cut-

Ohhh, so sorry for your troubles. I understand how you feel.

BUT if I had the plant in the last photo, I would take off almost all of the lower leaves and just leave the crown and a couple top rows intact. I would then follow directions for rooting the neck.

If you have no roots or not very many (and according to the pix you don't) you don't need to leave a lot of leaves on the plant. Too many leaves and not enough roots make for one dying and eventually dead plant.

Then use 1/2 potting mix and 1/2 perlite kept barely damp. Baggie it if you have to, but watch for too much condensation. You can always open the baggie to let out some moisture.

Good luck! Rosie

It is not the kind of rot that is killing the plants. It is just too wet. You could scrape it slightly. Bad rot is BLACK and it spreads like a forest fire.

Now - use Rosie's suggestions - reduce the amount of leaves, keep the soil nbarely mois, and get the plant covered until it roots again.

i.