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: 5/30/2008 Subject: blooms are drying & dying
Question I recently took over my Mother in law's African Violet. It had not been watered hardly at all & the soil was very dry & crumbly to the touch. It was doing very well tho. I watered it from the bottom with water that I had set out for a couple of days. I have done this a few times & the soil is still very dry. Also there are new buds but a lot of the blooms are drying up & dying.
It sits in a south facing window & I move it when the temperature here gets hot.
Should I continue to water it until the soil is no longer dry?
Answer It sounds like the peat moss in the soil never really got damp. I would take a knife and cut off about two inches from the bottom of the plant. Then you can either add in fresh soil which contains equal parts of peat moss, perlite (drainage) and vermiculite, or just set the plant back in the same size pot and add a bit of soil to the top of the root ball.
Water from the bottom or from the top. That old peat moss must get thoroughly damp or it won't drain work at all.
Buds drying up is usually a lack of humidity. You can spray the plant with hot water (water cools in the air, test with your hand).
A south window is relative. If you live in Montreal, like me, a south window is all right. But a south window in Florida or Texas would be pure torture before death.
The plant needs bright light but no direct sun.
That original peat moss was probably never dampened and has never really be wet. Water from the top of the root ball, make sure the rootball is thoroughly wet then be careful about watering the next time. Take ten days if necessary.
