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: 7/26/2008 Subject: Leaves are growing twisted
Question QUESTION: I have had them for about 10 years under the same conditions, but the last six months the new leaves are glowing smaller and buched up and twisted.
ANSWER: Mercedes,
Are the centers pale, brittle, twisted out of shape?
Are leaves excessively hairy?
It sounds like symptoms of cyclamen or broad mite.
If you have a large collection of African violets, it may be worth the money to buy chemicals to fight these insects. If you have only a few, less than ten, it is not worth buying chemicals. Because you would have to buy two different chemicals and each cost about $12.00 if you can find them.
If you have the symptoms listed above, don't try to save a leaf or a plant because the mites will reinfect though propagation of leaf.
It is best just to throw them away and start again unfortunately.
If you have a large collection and must save these treasures, buy Kelthane, Cygon 2E, Diazinon, Orthene, Malathion 50% or Sevin. Use one product, spraying carefully, then 7-10 days later spray with a second product. On the third week, spray again with the first product. It takes about three months for your plants to regain health after a mite outbreak.
This is another reason I am advising you to throw away all your AVs and any other susceptible plant. Mite is contageous and will come back if you don't get rid of all of them.
Very sorry I can give you better news.
Please make sure of your diagnosis, first before throwing away all.
Nancy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt reply.
No, the leaves are dark, in good shape, and a lot of flowers; however, the trunk of the plant itself is growing sideways, instead of straight upward. I have never changed the dirt nor repotted the plants, but I feed them with 10-15-10 liquid regular plant feed (not special African plants feed) in the water. I do this every two weeks from May through September.
Answer Well, hopefully you don't have the dreaded mite then.
A plant needs to be repotted about twice a year. Nutrients in the soil have to be replenished so maybe that would help.
The leaning neck is caused by the flower leaning toward the sun. You can correct this by turning the plant in the window ever three or four days so all leaves get the same amount of sun.
Fertilizer is good but if you could find one with higher first number this might help as well. The first number nourishes the leaves. I use 20-20-20 and it can be used all year although I do change sometimes.
I am happy you have diagnosed your plant as being bug free. Those things really make life miserable.
A repotting may make the plant much happier. Good luck!
