About Nancy Expertise I can answer questions on the following subjects:
Pests, chemicals
Showing AVs
Sowing Seeds
Problems with plants
Basics of AV growing
Episcias
Streptocarpus
Experience I am an African violet Advanced Judge in US and Canada. I have written a book on pests of African violets called "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family" My articles appear in African Violet Magazine and Chatter as well as in other magazines.
Organizations AVSA
AVSC
African Violet Society of Greater Montreal
Saintpaulia Society of Montreal
Publications Book author: "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family"
African Violet Magazine, many issues
Chatter Magazine Many issues
Horticulture
Other Magazines
Education/Credentials University of Indiana Master's work (Music)
Awards and Honors Jr. Queen of Show (Pixie Blue) AVSC Convention Montreal
Approximately 100 blue ribbons
25 or so Best of Class
Past/Present clients I sell mostly leaves on Ebay. I sell plants at convention shows and local shows.
Expert: Nancy Date: 4/4/2008 Subject: white spots on my AV flowers
Question I have one AV here at work. It is in a north-facing window and has been thriving until recently. The leaves are still a beautiful green and it blooms almost constantly. I the last month,it has developed white spots on the blooms only. I am wondering what may be happening and if there is anything I can do for the plant. I water it with tap water. It blooms in spite of the fact that I have not fertilized it. I have several violets at home, which is where this place came from. They are all doing well and have no spots. They are in an east-facing window and are fertilized with Schultz AV fertilizer with each watering.
Answer White spots may be one of three things.
Powder mildew: Most often on foliage only. Paint with a solution of 1 part milk, 9 parts water.
Foliar Mealy Bug: Most often on foliage only. Scrape with Q-Tip dipped in Alcohol.
When it involves the flower only, I believe this to be a fungus called Botrytis. The only "cure" for this is to pinch off all affected flowers and allow it to flower again to see if it is again infected.
Botrytis is a fungus with spores which fly through the air that will infect your entire collection if it is in the same room, or reinfect this plant.
Removal of flowers may help. Otherwise you would need to buy and spray Benomyl. Personally if only one plant is infected the cost of the fungicide is more than that of a new plant. I would test its next bloom cycle or put this plant in the garbage and buy another.
Good luck!
Nancy
I advise you to take off all flowers, keep it away from other African violets and see if the next round of blooms come in with this.
