I usually just leave em where they are. If they get a big haircut during repotting time, I have to replant them anyway so their neck is once again in the soil and not hanging above it, but.... I dunno, I consider it an extra unnecessary step for regular pruning. They're usually content to resume their growing in their original pot size.

But--if I'm ever pruning it so much that I need to replant it, it's because something was wrong with the leaves I took off and I had to take a lot. Usually that's when I accidentally drop a plant, or drop something on it, or it's a new bent up plant from Lowe's. Most violets don't need hard pruning the rest of the time. Regular pruning can halt when all the spent/pale leaves and bloom stalks are taken off--no more, no less.

So, you can leave them in a smaller container for a while, but they'll probably want to spread their feet pretty soon anyway, because they were adult plants to begin with. Slow growth might be an indication that they want a regularly sized pot back. Dusty leaves can also deeply affect plants that are trying to reestablish themselves.

No they are still in decent size pot for them.. But thinking of putting them in smaller. I usually prune a lot so they grown symmetrical. So they are pretty small after.. They always seem wonky from box stores.

Hmm I did repot 5 Noids last night to see if they would like the smaller (well.. I haven't reported since their purchase.. Dislike the soil they come in). I have a few that have been pruned but not grown much but they are in the cups.. I think I just made this more confusing lol

It's hard not to dump them out of their pot 20 minutes after you bring them home. I had to remove leaves down to a crown of about 12 for a violet I got last month too (left that in a 4"). I guess leave them where they are for now, and if there's some new growth you can put em back over in a reg. sized pot. That way they won't be stressed too much. But they're probably Optimaras, so they'll forgive learning. :o)

Mine always have peat on the leaves. The UPS crew don't ever seem to notice the boxes up arrows.

i may of had a moment because I had repotted a few avs in a yogurt cup..(wide mouth then tall)..so i thought while washing the cup out to see how many oz of water it carries..and it was 6.6 when i stopped and wasnt at the top..so then i realized maybe my brain is trying to think more by weight then inches..so maybe what i'm using isnt really all that small..what i have most of my avs in is a 9oz cup...and thought maybe some that dont seem to be growing to put them in the yogurt cup thats around 6-7oz.

with that said..i have 4 or 5 named violets coming my way...and picked up 3 noids at the store...i should start asking santa for another shelf...lol

Heather, before you go madly removing leaves, remember that there is a root to leaf balance that must be maintained. If you remove too many leaves at once, the plant will not be able to maintain its roots and they will begin to die off. Not good. The same goes for root removal which doesn't happen much because we can't see them and are not trying to make them pretty. If you remove lots of leaves you must also remove roots. Removing leaves is best done gradually so the plant can adjust to its new leaf count.

Linda

I'm confused because I posted about this before on my pruning and the advice was given that there was a few more that could be taken off.. None of them have ever had just one or two leaves left.. They've all had the same amount in the end. There is 2 or 3 I have that I'm letting get bigger before I clean them up because they are sparse and a bit wonky. I do love the symmetry once they start growing in. I'm confused with the response that now I'm doing something wrong?

Just an admonition to take into consideration moderation in leaf removal.

Anytime you modify the plant itself, ... removing leaves or roots, ... you are affecting the ability of the plant to sustain itself. Healthy leaves contribute to the ability of the plant to feed itself through photosynthesis (i.e. using LIGHT to produce FOOD for itself).

Also, ... you want to avoid SHOCKING the plant with too much loss at once.

You always want to leave enough for the plant to go/grow on ...

I also note that there are varying opinions on what may or may not be ... too much ...

In my opinion, if you are only removing one row or less of spent leaves, you're doing a healthy minimal amount of removal. Don't sweat it. They'll be fine. Violets can be very forgiving if one mistake isn't repeated several times in a row. And hey, if you're not sure, wait for a new row to grow in, then start pruning.

One row of leaf removal is not a problem. I think the idea is not to be at it all of the time. Plants grow leaves because they need them. If you want to shape your plants, do it gradually.

Linda

I am fortunate enough to have a grower/hybridizer extraordinaire in my violet club. Pat Hancock, who is the breeder of the Buckeye series, recommends removing the last row after they have sent up their blooms. They will not send any more from this row. This would consist of THREE leaves as violets grow three leaves to a row.

Linda

Yup.. Can't win for tryin

As Marina stated, removing a row of spent leaves is not a problem, Spent leaves, no matter how many, should always be removed. Anything that is yellowing is not producing for the plant and is a drain on its resources. Caution should be used with healthy foliage.

Linda

Hear, Hear!