Goner. Looks like something drastic happened. Seems that there is some life left in a stem ... but if you think that the soil got contaminated .. it will succumb too. I do not think you can save it. You can try - remove the dead leaves, and hope that it will resprout from buds... but it will take forever.

We lose Violets every so often - both newbies and experienced growers. The way to go on - would be try to figure out what caused it - and get another one.

I.

I agree with Irina. No worries, it's just a learning experience. :o)

Root rot is what takes them out if they are too wet - but it starts from the bottom and you see the the dead stem and the rot starting with the stem, not with the leaf blades. The plant looks more like scorched. Some other damage. But if you get the plant out of the soil and look at the roots and stem - may be it is rotten. Anyway - it is in a violet heaven.

While it has a sentimental value because it came from a good friend - but looking at the pot - it is a store bought mass produced African Violet you can replace. The soil is on a heavy side and is usually causes the demise in a long run because it gets waterlogged easily.

Good luck with the next one.

Irina

TIme to go Violet shopping ...

I'd be interested in knowing how a bowl can contaminate a plant? Sounds like a mistake I'd like to avoid.

I learned that if you don't disinfect pots between plants, old bacteria and fungi etc. can sit around. A lot of people use bleach in cleaning pots, I just use soap unless it's a new plant and a new pot. Maybe it's not necessary, but I like them to live in squeaky-clean houses. :o)