Was it bone dry when you got it? Usually if it is absolutely bone dry I have been told it is best to water in small increments until it is hydrated again. I have lost a plant or two flooding it to get it good and damp again, but I don't know if that is because of the particular soil mix or some other reason. If you literally SOAKED it maybe it absorbed too much too fast? Kind of going to a Buffet when you are starving and you end up with a stomach ache after you walk out??? (sorry, only analogy I could think of) I am not really sure about hydrating slowly, but I do err on the side of caution and I would give it just some,,,maybe 20 min later a little more,,,,,etc. I might finish up the next day.

Did it come from a greenhouse? Big Box store? Online mail order? I really have no real reason for the result but I am not so sure it can root rot that quickly.

Here is what I would do. If you have a good sturdy leaf or two, cut them off NOW and start them for backup. If you don't have a non wilty leaf, I would let the plant dry out. If it is pot bound and you can take the plant out of the pot without it falling apart,,, do it and set the plant upright on newspaper and paper towels to "wick" away some of the water a little quicker than leaving it in the pot. Once it dries out some, gently put it back in the pot and very carefully start again.

Anybody have a better idea? This is all I have. Good luck!!! Rosie

Streps will melt in heat. The leaves will wilt and the plant looks like it needs water but usually it just needs cooler temperatures. First, feel the mixture and if it is damp, don't water. Try to find it a cool spot and hopefully it will recover.

Terri

Yeah, it was the heat. I moved it out of that window and it perked up overnight. Thanks to both of you, and I will remember the slow watering thing for any future plants I get :)

Wonderful,,,I am glad you identified the problem so quickly. Good luck to you and your new strep! Glad we could help.

FYI for future reference, I (and several others) actually grow streps on wick systems. Same as violets, same very porous soil mix, but geeze a lot less watering and fretting about how dry is dry. Just think about it for future reference. Rosie

Sorry I didn't see this before but Terri is right on. Streps are from the mountains and can't tolerate that much heat. They also can't stand to stay wet so if ever you are in doubt, stick your finger into the mix and if it's damp, do not water it again until it's dried out. They do belong to the 'resurrection' plant group of gesneriads so as long as you don't rot the roots, it's always easy to perk them back up even if they dry out too much for a bit. I do wick water mine but when it starts getting around 80 degrees and more in my studio, I have to take them off their wicks and keep them on my lowest shelves. Thankfully I'm about to move them to a basement where they will be a lot happier.