Bottom leaves curl under

10 years ago

I have five violets, two minis and three standard sizes. One of the miniature ones and one of the larger ones appear healthy (no flowers though) but I'm concerned about the others. The bottom leaves get limp and curl under. I may be imagining it with the sick mini (the petiole looks like it rotted at a point just under the leaf on two leaves) but I've had one of the larger ones for a year now. Beautiful flowers at first, then nothing. And I keep getting those curled leaves. The centers seem healthy in all of them, it's only a few of the oldest leaves that do this. I don't see signs of rot on the sick ones. I bottom water whenever I remember to, I go to school full time so sometimes it slips my mind. I do let them dry out, though. But nothing fixes those leaves. I've gone though the soil with a magnifying glass and don't see any bugs. No bugs or damage on the leaves, either, just that curling. I removed the curled ones just now, but how do I fix this? They were on my kitchen table, but I've moved them to my south facing bathroom window. I know they like partial sun but I was hoping it would help them dry out and warm up. Should I put them on a heat mat for a while? I really don't want to lose these guys

Oh, the cultivars are

Noid purple

Optimara Isabelle

Optima Annabelle (healthy)

Teen bride (healthy)

Shinoda red wine

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Comments (8)

Rosie1949
10 years ago
Pix are always helpful. Can you post some so we can get a better idea? Thanks. Rosie
irina_co
10 years ago
Yup - post a pic.

Each leaf lives for a year and then dies. It is normal.

Do you fertilize them?

If you are comfortable - they are comfortable. If you can walk around in your place without wearing bunch of sweaters - they should be OK.

If they grow but not bloom - you should investigate why.

Pics-pics-pics!

Irina
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sorceresslelia
Original Author
10 years ago
Well, I pulled off the wilted leaves last night. I can post pictures of the plants later but I took the affected leaves off. My house is rather cold. I'll check my thermometer later, it's one of those galileo thermometerso so it only goes down to about 60 degrees before it's too cold to read. It's been too cold to read lately so I'm thinking it's cold. It may be watering too, the two that are healthy are in softer, moister soil. I'll see if any of the other leaves are showing it when I get home
irina_co
10 years ago
I think you nailed it - if it is below 60F - both you and your AVs are shivering. Keep them on a drier side.

How about cranking the thermostat up?

My dear friend killed every single AV she took from me - and she sure loves them large and in full bloom. She keeps saving on heating bills...
Rosie1949
10 years ago
Ohhh, you are making ME cold! Rosie
sorceresslelia
Original Author
10 years ago
my camera is messing with me. This is Isabelle, I held one of the curled leaves open so you could see.
sorceresslelia
Original Author
10 years ago
Definitely a bad picture, I'll try taking more tomorrow in better light. This is the shinoda, the one I'm most worried about. The petiole on the leaf at the bottom is limp a few millimeters down from the leaf (the bare spot had two more leaves that I removed yesterday)
irina_co
10 years ago
I think you are right - they are not happy - probably trying to hug themselves when it is cold.

I find that they really hate to be planted deep, soil should be on the level with the rim. Give Shinoda some more soil

If you already have a heating mat - put it under the tray - and get them covered - with a plastic drop cloth or a dome if you have one It will create a microclimate of warmth for them. The idea is to keep them barely moist and warm. With the cover - they will have an extra humidity. Regarding the light - probably kitchen table is OK, windowsill will be cold. Hanging a fluorescent light above AVs lets you choose the place for them where they out of drafts. Any horizontal surface, couple hooks in a ceiling and 24" 2 T8 fixture above your 5 AVs will produce good growth and abundant bloom year around.