Can't identify issue with African Violets

8 years ago

Hello! New to the forum!

Have been keeping African violets for ~4 years and love these little plants!

Recently, several of my violets have developed clear spots on the edges of the leaves, and a few violets have been growing deformed leaves from the crown. It seems to start with the spots, and then, after about 6 months, the leaves start to grow deformed. The plants continue to flower, and the flowers are normal.

We do not top water the violets (we water from the base), and the spots can be found on several of our violets, all clearish and close to the edges. There are no signs of pests and the leaves feel turgid (there's no softness, smell, or browning).

Do you have any ideas about what we have going on? Any insight would be a great help! We use weak fertilizer weekly when watering.

Thanks so much!

-Mariana

Featured Answer

aegis1000

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

You might want to check out the following possibilities ...

* How is your fertilization ... Are you fertilizing consistently with a mixture that works for you ?

* Is it possible that your plants need repotting ? Plants should be repotted about once a year at a minimum.

Over time, the potting mix for AV's can turn sour, and the PH and the nutrient mix get off. Fresh potting mix will solve many issues.

Welcome to the forum ...

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Comments (11)

Mariana Martins
Original Author
8 years ago
Another photo:
Mariana Martins
Original Author
8 years ago
I tried reaching out to the folks at violet barn (where I originally got my violets) and they are stumped too...
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Rosie1949
8 years ago
Mariana, looking at your pix I see a white speck. Mealy bug? or piece of perlite? See it just below the top set of leaves? If it is just a speck of perlite or something then all I can say is that I have had that on occasion, not as many as your plant, but it doesn't seem like anything. Rosie
Mariana Martins
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Rosie - thanks for your quick reply! That is just a spec of perlite - not a bug. I've inspected the plants thoroughly, and no signs of bug infestation... This is very saddening because it seems like the issue is spreading and several of my plants are now deformed. :( The folks at violet barn thought maybe it could be a virus or maybe something genetic, but I can't find any information online. Hoping someone else on the forum has seen a similar issue and can weigh in!
Mariana Martins
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Aegis - thanks!

I have long suspected that it's something to do with soil PH or fertilization. Unfortunately, have not been able to find any supporting evidence of this online...

I am using Jack's African Violet fertilizer (12-36-14), 1/4 tsp every other week - same as I have been using for years. No sign of salt build up.

In terms of repotting: I repotted them about 11 months ago. I already have the materials to repot this year, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I am using repotme dot com's African violet mix, which is a mix of coir, vermiculite, and perlite.

I'm currently trying to decide whether to dispose of the affected plants.

Do you have a sense of whether the crowns are ruined forever on the deformed plants? If so, I may try propagating from a non-affected leaf before throwing them out.
Mariana Martins
Original Author
8 years ago
Doing some searching online, and seems like maybe copper deficiency:

https://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/copperdeficiency.html

Does anyone have experience with this? Sounds like I definitely need to repot, but also may want to switch my fertilizer...
irina_co
8 years ago
Out of the blue - do you spray something nearby? Like spray the windows with Windex to give them a light cleaning - or spray the furniture with polish?

Are all affected AVs grow together - and not affected - in a different room?
Mariana Martins
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Irina - nope! All violets are in the same spot, and we clean the shelf they sit on only when I've pulled them all down to water. Thank you!
Rosie1949
8 years ago
I don't think this is a "throw the plants away" issue. I think it will right itself. If you give it a try, let us know how it works out. Rosie
dbarron
8 years ago
Yes, it looks less worse than the violet that accidentally fell into the flour while I was seasoning some meat. Of course, it took months to grow out new non-spotted leaves.