Is it getting direct sunlight? If so, I had one that got sunburned, and after a bit of regular indirect sunlight it came back with healthy green leaves. Also, maybe the pot has been getting too small for it, you might want to try re-potting but only if you want to. I can't really tell from this picture, but if it has small leaves in the center, then it is doing fine and the bigger leaves are just cycling out. Hope all goes well!

It does get some direct light but only first thing in the morning... . I wondered about repotting it but I thought I read that it needed to be pot bound to bloom so I was hesitant to do that.

Maybe it's supposed to be this strange color green and not that "normal plant green" like the streptocarpus? It's called Bob Serbin.

I'll check to see if it's growing new leaves in the center.

It looks sunburned. Bob Serbin requires lower light, away from the window. It can't take any direct light. It grows large. Yes, repot. You can probably go right into a 4" pot. Use good quality potting mix.

You do NOT have to remove the browned leaves until new leaves grow out. The center looks scrunched. Could be another sign of too much light. The center leaves are mormally dark green and loose. Summer light is much stronger. What about heat?

AnneC's advice is great. I suggest using a high Nitrogen (first number) fertilizer and focus on restoring the foliage for several months before allowing it to bloom again. The fertilizer needs to be free of urea

Once it recovers, and starts to bloom, you can eventually move it to a 6" pot. This one will give larger blooms as the leaves get larger. It is a great AV to grow. It grows fast

Joanne

Thanks so much for all the tips. I never thought about too much light. I grow these directly in little window suction cup shelves because I don't really have any other bright areas. I guess it's getting fried there. I'll try to move it away from the window and see if that, along with repotting helps.

Growing them at first seems almost counter-intuitive. In nature, they like partial shade. Most homes do not have bright natural light. That's why they make good houseplants. Joanne

Streps thrive on twice the light AV need. SO if you streps are happy - it is too much for an AV.

Thanks everybody! My streps are very happy so the poor violet must have been really struggling. I'm so glad I thought to check with you guys, this is a great group!

So I've had this AV (Bob Serbin) sitting on the table near the window instead of the suction cup shelf that is directly on the window... It's been two weeks since I've reduced the direct light (east facing). I'm noticing that the leaves are all sort of starting to lift upwards. It's that ok?

Aha - it finally reacts to a low light - after hugging the pot for the dear life on a high light. You do not want them stretching up - or hugging the pot - you want them somewhere in-between.. You can start gradually moving it towards a better light until you find a sweet spot.

Good Job.

i.

Its a wonderful plant. It does tend to grow upward, so you have to experiment with the light level some. It is one of my best performing plants and propagates very easily. Here is mine.

I'm glad to hear that this variety naturally points up some because I don't have a good spot to put it other than where it is now. I'm hoping it likes this spot because it is starting to flower.

I noticed know that the plant feels a little wobbly in the soil... I feel like it shouldn't move so easily, makes me think maybe the roots aren't very deep. Maybe i should repot it.

I got mine from a friend growing it in natural light, when I got it home I put it in an east window which got more natural light than where she had it. It started laying down more. But too much light isn't its preference either, so move yours around and see what it likes. It may outgrow being wobbly.

It could be developing a neck. Iy can get top-heavy with bloom and large leaves. You could try loosening the mix and lowering it in the pot. Or placing a paper collar around the base of the leaves for support. If you have Pauline Bartholomew book, she has illustrations. Joanne