Help with African Violets!!

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi, I am having some issues with my AV's--some have spots and light areas on them, many have short stems and they seem very tight. Some just seem to sit there not really growing. Many of them have flower stalks that have a curve to them instead of standing straight up. I have them on a shelf in a western window and the windows are new windows that do filter out some of the UV light. I have played with soils and fertilizer--I currently use Jacks 20-20-20 or Jacks AV food. I use reverse osmosis water--could that be the problem? I've attache some pics. I'm thinking of getting the Violet Showcase soil, the Oyama pots and Optimara food and just starting over with them. Can anyone help?

Featured Answer

fortyseven_gw

8 years ago

Yes, could be too much direct sunlight. It appears to have brown sunburn marks in several spots. It won't hurt the plant. You could try placing it in a bowl with a small amount of water for humidity. The plant is not in direct contact with the water. Joanne

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Comments (6)

alabamaav
8 years ago
First are they getting too much light? I used to grow with a Southwestern window back in KY and had blinds and a sheer curtain. You might try a sheer curtain if it is too much light,. Also, for fertilizer are you using 1/4 tsp strength? If so, reduce to 1/8 tsp for better results. Additionally, some leaves appear to have water spots. I have had this happen to me many times before because I usually top water. Make sure your water is room temperature and gently blot away any that gets on the leaves.
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pony500
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks guys--yeah, I have moved them more towards the back of the shelf so that they are more than a foot away from the window. The only time they actually get sunlight though is late in the afternoon and I have a blind in the window and I've been putting it down a little so it eliminates even more of the sunlight. I am trying some other changes as well--I'm sure they may not be getting a good amount of humidity either and I may change the way I water. I also do think I'm over fertilizing, so I'm going to try DynaGro Grow 1/8 tsp in a gallon instead of the Jacks that I was using (I messaged Irina and she gave me some tips too). Part of what I really like about African Violets is the challenge!!
fortyseven_gw
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The following You Tube video addresses your concerns. Https://youtu.be/AZo9rdZgFLI
pony500
Original Author
8 years ago
Your link didn't work--what is the topic and I can search for it.
irina_co
8 years ago
I think you are on a right track - you are adjusting your culture. Now they probably will start stretching up - and you can move them closer.

If you believe that you overfertilized them - do leaching. Use your RO water with several drops of the fish emulsion, get water to the room temperature or a tad more- and run several cups through each pot - in a sink - until the water run clear. Stack the pots on several newspapers until the extra water gets absorbed by newspaper and the drops on the foliage dry - and put them back.

It is like steering the ship - you overcorrect a bit to the right - you overcorrect a bit to the left - and the passengers think it goes straight. But you know better.