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Violets, African/Questions Answered by Expert Patricia

SubjectDate Asked
blooms+african violet2/2/2012
  Q: Patrician, how can I get my standard size african violets to bloom? they bloomed one time several ...
  A: I always tell folks violets NEED three things to be healthy: 1)Water; 2)Light; and 3)Warmth. These ...
ivory spots on African violet plant1/30/2012
  Q: I just read a question that Brenda asked about white spots and your answer but I don't believe my ...
  A: So glad you sent the photo. I have had violets with similar looking spots on them. They are caused ...
Dying violet12/12/2011
  Q: I have two violets. Both close to 18 years old. Both in direct light. Both in violet pots that ...
  A: Julia, Even though the roots are don't appear too wet it could still be a fungus. Go ahead and ...
Dying violet12/10/2011
  Q: I have two violets. Both close to 18 years old. Both in direct light. Both in violet pots that ...
  A: Julia, I completely understand. Having a plant that old is longer than some people have had ...
white spots on flower petals9/4/2011
  Q: These spots are not powdery. The leaves are healthy and the plant blooms almost constantly in a ...
  A: Dorothy, A photo would certainly help, if you could get me one. White spots can mean several things. ...
dead flowers!7/28/2011
  Q: I have read so many things to do I need clarity!! the dead flowers, do you cut them or pinch them ...
  A: Sharon, don't make things so hard on yourself! If a bloom is dead or dried up, then just pinch it ...
plants7/13/2011
  Q: I have a green plant my sun brought home from preschool when he brought it home it had a purple ...
  A: Is this indeed an African violet? I only specialize in them. However, it sounds like white flies ...
blooming6/22/2011
  Q: Some of my nine African violets have not bloomed in two years. They did bloom for several years ...
  A: This happens frequently. You will find lots of information on websites and books which discuss ...
blooming6/14/2011
  Q: Some of my nine African violets have not bloomed in two years. They did bloom for several years ...
  A: Don't get rid of them. If they appear healthy, the foliage green, putting out new leaves, etc. they ...
Leaving turning yellow but weren't that way before6/8/2011
  Q: I have an African violet that normally has green leaves. I was away for awhile and when I returned ...
  A: It almost sounds as if your violet is a variegated type with the yellowing. I would much rather see ...
African Violet repotting5/10/2011
  Q: My next door neighbor of 30+ years passed away recently and her children, after cleaning out the ...
  A: Steve, I'm happy to help you with your "many" questions. My hat is off to you for nurturing these ...
Leaving turning yellow but weren't that way before4/14/2011
  Q: I have an African violet that normally has green leaves. I was away for awhile and when I returned ...
  A: The main question I would ask you is, how long were you away?? A violet's leaves shouldn't become ...
Violet question4/8/2011
  Q: I restarted a violet and all of the new leaves are growing in yellow. They are totally healthy and ...
  A: Deb, That is strange indeed! I can't begin to say what is causing this. Possibly a lack of some ...
Leaves on repotted AV went limp3/18/2011
  Q: I just purchased an AV from the store. It came in pure peat moss which I deemed too wet. It was ...
  A: Helen, I don't want to give you bad news, but I feel that you may have killed your violet. You ...
leaves are turning yellow around the edges3/10/2011
  Q: All of a sudden all my african violets the leaves are turning yellow around the edges of the leaves. ...
  A: Debbie, I was so glad you included a photo. After looking at the leaves, I'm wondering if this ...
African violet mold?2/11/2011
  Q: I have attached a picture of the problem. Can this violet be saved or re-rooted? Thank you Marje ...
  A: I'm so glad I checked my email. I'm getting ready to leave town for the weekend. Anyway, yes white ...
African violet mold?2/11/2011
  Q: I have attached a picture of the problem. Can this violet be saved or re-rooted? Thank you Marje
  A: Marje, These look like white flies to me. Besides the telltale white specks, white flies like to ...
bottom water containers for my violets2/4/2011
  Q: What do you think about the bottom watering systems where you fill the container and put he ceramic ...
  A: Peg, You ask a good question, because just lately I've been reconsidering my potting technique for ...
african violet2/3/2011
  Q: Patricia, I have had this african violet for about 12 years. I water it about once a week from the ...
  A: Marcia, It would take a true horticulturist to explain, or even to understand the reasoning behind ...
Artificial lighting.12/27/2010
  Q: I recently moved to. Oregon. Cloudy rainy winters.I need artificial light for my AV.I plan on using ...
  A: Jose, I'm not the best one to ask about lighting requirements, because I live in the southeast US, ...
blooms on starter plants12/6/2010
  Q: I purchased several starter plants in the past recent months, They seem to have double in size and ...
  A: It sounds as if they will soon. It also sounds as if you are doing all the right things for violets. ...
droopy african violet11/28/2010
  Q: I have a dozen or so african violets growing on west facing window sill.They are all doing very well ...
  A: Gloria, I'm sorry for the delay. Your question got "hidden" away in my inbox. Anyway, yes I do ...
disease of african violet new growth10/24/2010
  Q: Leaves of the new growth are curled, some are very brittle and some die as soon as they form. ...
  A: Carol, I don't suppose you could send me a photo? Anyway, when the new growth leaves start to curl ...
self watering pots10/21/2010
  Q: I use self watering pots for my violets. One plant's stems droop over the pot while the other plant ...
  A: Nancy, I also use these pots. The plant is watered by osmosis, sort of. You will notice that the ...
African violet, pots and potting10/14/2010
  Q: we have a violet that i have repotted three times and all looks great, good blooms and leaves. We ...
  A: I would suggest waiting until the present blooms fade to repot. In fact, I don't recommend repotting ...
White bugs in my african violets soil10/13/2010
  Q: I have this african violet plant and it sits behind my sink in direct light everyday, I had to move ...
  A: Lynda, The best I can advise is for you to go to a garden supply store and purchase an insecticide ...
The flowers on my violet are dying...10/5/2010
  Q: I bought a violet from Publix a few nights ago, and now the blooms are dying. Here's some backgroun ...
  A: There are some good fertilizers on the market. Optimara is a good one available online. I think ...
The flowers on my violet are dying...10/5/2010
  Q: I bought a violet from Publix a few nights ago, and now the blooms are dying. Here's some backgroun ...
  A: Kristen, The plant is not actually dying, the blooms are just fading. I think they're fading early ...
Is This Root Rot?10/4/2010
  Q: I have an African Violet passed down to me from my grandmother (I'm 35, and my grandma has passed ...
  A: Liz, This is not root rot per se, but I'm afraid you've done some damage to your plant. I have never ...
center leaves turning inward9/27/2010
  Q: Do the AV have a life cycle or blooming cycle? Do you keep moist or let it dry out?
  A: AVs do not really have a life cycle per se. They can live for years, or decades. (Longer than most ...
African violet pests9/23/2010
  Q: My African violets are in Walmart pots - a pot in a pot - and after 3 yrs., they are dying. I don't ...
  A: Pat, You are very welcome. I would bake it in the oven in a large container lined with aluminum ...
African violet pests9/23/2010
  Q: My African violets are in Walmart pots - a pot in a pot - and after 3 yrs., they are dying. I don't ...
  A: Pat, You've asked a question I've never heard before! Most definitely there is some kind of insect ...
african violet problems9/18/2010
  Q: HELP!!! After several years of beautiful, blooming African violets, two are failing fast. After ...
  A: Pat, I feel your distress over these plants. It sounds as if you have white flies or aphids, or ...
african violet9/16/2010
  Q: My violet is the largest I have seen. It is at least 18 inches across. It appears to be turning the ...
  A: This is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. I will answer on Sunday, 9/19. Sorry for the delay. Ok, ...
American hanging violets9/16/2010
  Q: I have unusually kept US hanging violets from an original cutting 30 years ago and live in the UK. ...
  A: This is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. I will answer on Sunday, 9/19. Sorry for the delay. ...
African Violet8/18/2010
  Q: I have had 2 cuttings of African Violets in the same pot, one of Violet color and the other pink. ...
  A: Wendy, You may have one for the record books! You have me stumped. I am experienced, but by no ...
dead bloom8/6/2010
  Q: Should I leave the dead bloom alone or just gently remove the bloom leaving the little spects of ...
  A: Nancy, I would love to see a photo of your plant just so I know I'm advising you correctly. However, ...
african violets7/12/2010
  Q: I have an african violet that has white flakes and or spots on the leaves. This appears to be ...
  A: Kimberly, Very hard to say without seeing the violets. It most likely is a fungal infestation. Do ...
propagating plants6/24/2010
  Q: I cut 8 leaves from a couple of AV plants that are doing quite well on a north facing window sill. I ...
  A: Polly, It was good that you started the leaves out in water. They do better when they are allowed to ...
African Violets6/17/2010
  Q: I have to transplant my violet to a larger pot, how do I do this.
  A: Make sure you don't use a pot much larger than the one you have. Violets need to be slightly ...
Re-potted African Violet - Not Looking Well6/6/2010
  Q: I had two potted African violets that turned into three. So I thought it was time to separate the ...
  A: Jerry, First of all, I have never had any luck with dividing violets, as you described. I know it ...
Re: drooping leaves on African Violet5/27/2010
  Q: I inherited my African Violets from my neighbor who had them for years and when she passed away her ...
  A: Dixie, It really sounds like crown rot. There is nothing can be done about this. It comes from ...
More flowers on African Violet5/11/2010
  Q: The flowers on my African violets, which are about one year old, died some time ago but the plant is ...
  A: Your flowers will come back. As long as the foliage is healthy and you keep the violet plant moist, ...
leaf problem African Violets5/7/2010
  Q: My African Violets are usually fine, now I have smallish brown patches on 2 plants on the leaves not ...
  A: Sandy, I will go with my original suggestion to you, that you consider them water spots. However, be ...
Water damage-- should I prune?5/4/2010
  Q: When I first got my African Violet, I admit I did not do very much research into the care, and as a ...
  A: Kathy, I like the way you describe the appearance of the leaves, a lovely mix of yellow, white and ...
inky spots on leaves and stems of African Violets5/2/2010
  Q: I suddenly have blackish/navy blueish/purplish spots on several of my African Violets. They are ...
  A: Jane, This is truly odd, and I've never seen it before. All I can suggest is that maybe it is a ...
leaf problem African Violets4/29/2010
  Q: My African Violets are usually fine, now I have smallish brown patches on 2 plants on the leaves not ...
  A: Sandy, First of all, THANK YOU for the nice words! I appreciate it when folks recognize that we are ...
trying to identify a plant4/22/2010
  Q: I received a potted plant from an employer. It looks like an African violet on steroids.Very large ...
  A: Laurie, The plant sounds like a cyclamen. They look very similar to violets, but are different in ...
stems of blooms droopy4/19/2010
  Q: i live in Jamaica in the Caribbean i have some African Violets they are doing well, except for one ...
  A: Simone, It does sound as if the blooms are weighing down the stem. I have a violet with the same ...
follow up4/11/2010
  Q: I agree that root rot is present but my current concern is with the whit spots seen. Is this another ...
  A: Do you see any movement at all, even small movement to indicate that the white spots are living? ...
sick plant3/30/2010
  Q: Please help me id and rx the problem pictured below.The plants are dying, looks like root rot but I ...
  A: Ellen, I sent you an answer previously, but to address the fungalIf you see no movement, even with a ...
sick plant3/29/2010
  Q: Please help me id and rx the problem pictured below.The plants are dying, looks like root rot but I ...
  A: Ellen, unfortunately, it does look like root rot. Do you use a self-watering pot? The rest of the ...
African Violet problems3/26/2010
  Q: I grow my AV in a pot made just for African Violets, with a porous pot sitting in a reservoir of ...
  A: Without seeing your plant, I can only guess that it COULD be root rot. You are right when you say ...
micro mini african violets3/26/2010
  Q: I just purchased several micro mini AV's and was wondering if you had any tips for the proper ...
  A: You handle these tiny beauties as you would regular violets, just be very gentle when handling them. ...
Violet with brown leaves3/22/2010
  Q: I bought my violet about two months ago and about a month ago I noticed these tannish- brown marks ...
  A: Jena, I think if you go to the African Violet Society of America website you'll find anything you ...
Violet with brown leaves3/20/2010
  Q: I bought my violet about two months ago and about a month ago I noticed these tannish- brown marks ...
  A: Jena, Other than over-fertilizing and excessive sunlight, the only thing I can think of would be if ...
care of my AV3/16/2010
  Q: i have some drooping leaves at the bottom part of my av. Should i cut them off or leave them ...
  A: I can't tell from your question if they are drooping because they are in need of water, or because ...
leaves3/6/2010
  Q: First the outside leaves start to wilt, and the stems get very soft,i pinch them off then the second ...
  A: Tricia, This is an UPDATED answer: I found that you entered a comment that I had given you a wrong ...
I'm new at raising african violets any tips and advice would be appreciated3/4/2010
  Q: I tried raising african violets in the past and I tend to kill them with kindness. I thought I ...
  A: Judy, The main thing to remember about violets is they they have to have three things: SUNLIGHT ...
Sick African Violet2/26/2010
  Q: recently my plants leaves have been losing color around the edges. This has happened to most of the ...
  A: Robert, When my older established violets start losing color around the edges of the OLDER leaves ...
African violets appear to be dying2/25/2010
  Q: I've had one AV for at least 30 years, the other one for about 15. Until very recently they have ...
  A: With your plants being as old as they are, it sounds to me as if it could be a fungal infection or ...
My repotted African Violet2/15/2010
  Q: My beautiful African Violet divided itself into 2 plants. I carefully separated it and repotted each ...
  A: Marilyn, Wish I could give you a more positive answer, but many older violets often form two plants, ...
small tight center leaves2/9/2010
  Q: I have always had pretty good luck with my violets, but now a lot of them have very tight centers ...
  A: Mary, I got your photo FINALLY. See, our hard drive is in the shop. We will not get it back for ...
small tight center leaves2/3/2010
  Q: I have always had pretty good luck with my violets, but now a lot of them have very tight centers ...
  A: Mary, I wonder what the leaves on the outer part of the violet look like? If the entire plant is ...
potting and repotting1/12/2010
  Q: I actually have 2 questions. I have rooted some leaves and have the babies growing in a mixed ...
  A: Sandy, For the babies, you can successfully pot them up when they have several leaves, at least 3-4, ...
white powder on bloom1/7/2010
  Q: I have an African violet collection. I keep them in a north facing window which do very well. I live ...
  A: ADDENDUM to my answer I sent earlier: Holly, it is possible that what you see in the blooms is red ...
re-potting an old african violet1/2/2010
  Q: I have a 20+ year old violet, that I have brought back from death for the third time now. It has ...
  A: You sound like a miracle worker. Yes, it sounds as if the plant is ready to pot in soil. Use a ...
no blooms12/2/2009
  Q: My Violets are beautiful. They have bloomed lots in the past. Now they are thick with beautiful ...
  A: Joann, Your violets sound very lush and healthy to me. Keep in mind that they won't bloom all year ...
Help me regrow my African Violet flowers!11/7/2009
  Q: I have been reading the posts on taking care of my African Violet. Mine is in a small sized pot, was ...
  A: I think your main mistake is a common one. You repotted to a larger sized pot. Believe it or not, ...
Diseases African Violets8/31/2009
  Q: I have been growing African Violets for many years and have just discovered a leaf issue. They have ...
  A: Bonnie, You were smart to isolate the unaffected plants. Mealy bugs are very soft-bodied insects ...
African violets dense growth in center of plant8/18/2009
  Q: I have been growing African violets and recently have had a problem with dense, crowning leaves in ...
  A: Darlene, First, the white powdery substance is most likely powdery mildew. It often attacks ...
Five AVs all in the same window -- only one won't bloom.8/13/2009
  Q: I read with interest the question about why Cathy's AV will not bloom, and whether it was a problem ...
  A: Diana, I wanted to first thank you for the fine rating you gave me! Also, since they all came from a ...
africian violet self watering pots8/9/2009
  Q: I have several African violet self watering pots, which don't seem to be absorbing the water through ...
  A: Rose, I actually have had the same problem with my self watering pots. What I am answeing is only ...
Dying african violet hearts8/3/2009
  Q: My mom has been an avid african violet grower for many years. Over the past year, all her violets ...
  A: If your mother has successfully raised violets for years, it makes me suspicious of WHERE she is ...
How to replant African Violet7/20/2009
  Q: I have a violet that I started from a little piece when I was working, it has grown so very well but ...
  A: Brenda, There are two schools of thought on repotting violets. I adhere to the one who says "Don't ...
My poor little African Violet... Help7/9/2009
  Q: I bought this little African Violet from the Grocery store and I am trying to save it. I read that ...
  A: I think your first mistake was to repot it as soon as you bought it. The nurseries grow the violets ...
Snipping back the dead flower7/4/2009
  Q: I just received an African Violet but I'm not doing a very good job taking care of it. My question ...
  A: Laura, Let me first apologize for not answering you right away. I receive so many newsletters and ...
knats and african violets7/1/2009
  Q: I have 7 African Violets in my office, and occasionally I have small knats flying around me. What ...
  A: The main thing with any insect is to keep your plants as healthy as possible and they will naturally ...
White leaves6/17/2009
  Q: I have had my African violets for about 8 years. I have repotted them at difference times and about ...
  A: Laura, This must be my week to get difficult questions! I actually have never heard of this ...
brown spots on white flower6/17/2009
  Q: I have a white flowered Av that when the flower buds open, the buds dont appear to have any marking ...
  A: I have had this happen to my flowers before, however, I can't tell exactly why. It usually has to ...
thin a.v.'s6/11/2009
  Q: i have 2 violets that has been with me for almost 3 years now. i was able to let 1 plant bloom. ...
  A: Katie, It took several days because I had to do some research. I have never been asked this before. ...
Execum plant7/1/2007
  Q: I live in New England and I just bought an African Violet plant. Can I plant it outside? Thank you, ...
  A: Donna, I really do not suggest that you plant your violet outside in New England. African Violets ...
White spots on African Violet6/2/2007
  Q: Some background on them -- I inherited these violets about 1-1/2 years ago when my mother died. I ...
  A: Brenda, I'm almost 100% certain what you have is POWDERY MILDEW. This is a very common problem ...
my new plant that came up is white5/28/2007
  Q: 3 months ago i put down a leaf of rob's shadow magic,well now it has a new baby but the new one all ...
  A: I have never heard of Rob's Shadow Magic, is it the name of a violet? Anyway, I do not know why ...
Droopy leaves5/18/2007
  Q: My plant appears healthy, blooming, etc. but the bottom leaves appear droopy. I am watering too ...
  A: Grace, Check the soil with your finger, and if it feels SOGGY WET then yes, you are watering too ...
African violet5/17/2007
  Q: I have an African violet that was in full bloom when i got it from the store. since i have replanted ...
  A: I think your first mistake was in reportting it after purchasing it. I don't believe in disturbing ...
African Violets Not Blooming5/11/2007
  Q: I fertilize as you have suggested. I have even repotted my plants about two months ago with African ...
  A: Karen, I need to first apologize for not answering you right away. I had gone into the AllExperts ...
Fluoresent lighting for african violets5/2/2007
  Q: My question is: I just started my african violet growing hobby in a window that gets light from ...
  A: Janice, I have been growing violets for most of my adult life, and have never used fluorescent ...
self watering pot4/29/2007
  Q: If using a self watering pot, how much water should be in container and should it be full or ...
  A: Cheryl, You can fill a self-watering pot as full as it will hold. If the pot is properly made of ...
mildew on blooms after a short time4/26/2007
  Q: I want to know how to stop mold/mildew on the blooms of my AFs. They are beautiful at first, but ...
  A: Janice, I've never seen powdery mildew affect only the blooms of violets, but the leaves as well. ...
Followup question to brown spots answer4/25/2007
  Q: I'm a newbie at African violets as well as houseplants in general, so there's a lot I could be doing ...
  A: Veronica, I'm always happy when folks send me followup questions, because I like to help as much as ...
leaves have yellow around the edges4/24/2007
  Q: My AV is growing and getting new blooms and new leaves but the older leaves have a yellow around the ...
  A: That still is not a lot of info, Bert! I will give it my best shot. Any time AV leaves have ...
newbie I am4/17/2007
  Q: Paricia: I am a newbiw at AV's. I have one...and I want more! Is there anyway that you or your ...
  A: Mike, I went back and re-read your question, and realized you are asking for some actual leaves. I ...
white spots on african violets4/15/2007
  Q: My mother in law is having some issues with white spots on the leaves that she says is not mildew. ...
  A: Rick, I remember answering your question this past weekend. I am unsure why you didn't receive it. ...
Leaves turning brown and soft and wilt away4/13/2007
  Q: I have AV in my office (10 pots at the moment). They have been blooming happily for ~5 years except ...
  A: Teresa, If I am understanding you correctly, you are describing a leaf rot problem. It indeed ...
propagation of violets4/13/2007
  Q: i love growing african violets but usually after they bloom they wilt and die so ive to cut some ...
  A: Do you mean the entire violet plant wilts and dies after blooming? That sounds unusual, because ...
Brown spots on the edges of my leaves4/3/2007
  Q: I have 4 african violets and three of the four have brown spots on the tips of the leaves. looks ...
  A: I wonder if ALL the leaf tips are brown and dry? This would definitely indicate a problem, most ...
AV went from white to purple3/20/2007
  Q: I bought an AV about 18 mos ago, it has bloomed only 3x since then. I am not sure if that is normal. ...
  A: Jill, let me first apologize for the delay in answering you. Your question was a difficult one, ...
please help me!2/21/2007
  Q: I am growing African Violets but some have a green color on the back of the leaf and some are purple ...
  A: Jacob, If you are describing a green back as well as purple colored backs to leaves from the very ...
flowers & leaves2/5/2007
  Q: The flowers are disappearing except for the yellow part. Some stems look like they have been broken ...
  A: Brenda, Your question is not entirely clear to me. You did not mention if you have a pet in the ...
A V color change in the flowers.1/31/2007
  Q: Two of my A V; bi-color red and white have changed colors to nearly all white. Both plants are ...
  A: Joe, Let me apologize first of all for the delay in answering your question. I applaud you on ...
white spots on leaves1/22/2007
  Q: I have a large AV that is about 15 years old. I lived in Mobile, AL until June of 2006 when I moved ...
  A: Leslee, I want to applaud you for thinking to use something like milk on your leaves. It might not ...
flowers1/8/2007
  Q: We have several African Violet plants. They sit side-by-side in south facing windows in our kitchen ...
  A: James, I have had this problem. It seems to only affect older plants. Sometimes there are violets ...
African Violet1/8/2007
  Q: I have an African Violet that got knocked over and now it looks bad, the whole plant came out of the ...
  A: Melanie, I do apologize for the delay in answering you. I have had this little accident happen to ...
Where leaves touch pot12/22/2006
  Q: ..I'm at a loss. It's not a problem with over feeding. The plants are healthy, growing, blooming ...
  A: Cherri, You are quite welcome. I am at a loss, too. Both of the texts that I checked stated what I ...
Where leaves touch pot12/18/2006
  Q: I have grown africian violets for many years with no problems. Now my leaves are dying from where ...
  A: Cherri, The reason I took so long to get back to you was that I needed to check a few books. I have ...
Help!12/13/2006
  Q: My african violet plant has recently developed brown/black wilted edges on its leaves (even ...
  A: I am perplexed by your question. Usually, when a violet has brown or black leaf edges it indicates ...
african violet soil12/2/2006
  Q: the soil of my violet smells moldy - the plant looks fine. Anything I can do except repotting with ...
  A: Louise, I am wondering what makes you think the soil is moldy? Are there any other indications ...
Dead Flowers11/21/2006
  Q: After my violets bloom, do I cut off the dead flowers or just leave them alone?
  A: Thomas, it is always best for the health and vitality of the violet to pinch (or cut) off any ...
Brown unopened flowers10/30/2006
  Q: I am an AV newbie, and my African violets have been very happy in my new place with the filtered ...
  A: Bonnie, I can't be absolutely certain, but your problem sounds two-fold. First, it sounds like the ...
Plants "upward"10/27/2006
  Q: My african violets (I'm quite the amateur)have become heavy with growth and they seem to be reaching ...
  A: Bonnie, This is a common problem. In fact, I myself have several violets that are doing this very ...
African Violet10/26/2006
  Q: I purchased a violet is "need" at my local grocery store. Transplanted it and was thrilled to see ...
  A: Jane, I found your question very interesting. Before I try to help could you answer me back and ...
African Violets10/20/2006
  Q: We have some plants that are growing tall and leggy instead of compact and low. Suspect that the ...
  A: FOLLOWUP: Jim, I wanted to get back to you about your "leggy" violets. As I told you, I myself am ...
Insects on African Violet10/20/2006
  Q: This morning while preparing my AV's for watering, I noticed some very small black insects on my ...
  A: Norma, First let me apologize for the long wait in answering your question. I actually had to do ...
Light for African violets10/19/2006
  Q: I usually get florescent tubes cool white 34 or 40 watts. I noticed the store where I buy tubes has ...
  A: FOLLOWUP: Nancy, I have been unable to locate much info that would help you. However, from what I ...
African violet leafs10/11/2006
  Q: the leaves are on different plants. some plants the leaves grow vertical like there reaching for the ...
  A: Sandy, I don't know exactly why this happens. It seems that some varieties of violets have this ...
African violet leafs10/11/2006
  Q: Some of my violets leafs grow flat. and some grow tall.Can you tell me why this is ? what I need to ...
  A: Sandy, When you say "flat" and "tall" I imagine you mean the leaves are kind of drooping downward, ...
yellowing of leaves10/10/2006
  Q: I have a yellow violet that has bloomed all summer. Now all of a sudden the once beautiful green ...
  A: Bonnie, You say all of the leaves are turning yellow? I have never really seen or heard of that. ...
African Violets9/26/2006
  Q: I have a purple AV that I have had for the past 27-26 years could you tell me approx. how long do ...
  A: Kate, I have never had an African Violet last 27 years, so I think you actually answered your own ...
lowest temperature for african violets9/18/2006
  Q: what is the lowets temperature african violets can support in an outside terrace?
  A: Judith, African violets are one of the few plants which must have warmer temperatures to not only ...
violets9/14/2006
  Q: what months of the year do violets bloom inbp
  A: Mike, African violets can bloom any time of the year. They are indoor plants, and as such, are not ...
water on leaves...good or bad?9/13/2006
  Q: after setting my African Violet out side in a warm summer light rain, I was told by my friend that ...
  A: Debra, What a beautiful picture you described-- violets sitting in the warm summer showers! I am ...
No Blooms8/22/2006
  Q: I have had an african violet for about a year now. It has its own little self-watering pot. I keep ...
  A: Cathy, You know, now that I think about it I don't think I have any SOUTH facing windows either! Oh ...
African Violets8/20/2006
  Q: One of my African Violets looks very healthy but has always had its leaves growing up from the pot. ...
  A: Pat, You are finding out just how cantankerous violets can be when they don't get what they want! ...
Repotting probelms8/16/2006
  Q: I just repotted several african violets 2 nights ago. One is angry about it! It was in a TINY pot ...
  A: Heather, I want to ask you, is the "angry" plant a MINIATURE African Violet? The reason is ask is ...
Watering8/8/2006
  Q: I fertilize my plants about every two weeks and when I water them from the top the water when it ...
  A: Patti, It is quite normal for the drained water to be discolored, even brownish, but the part that ...
Long, ugly stumps on my violets8/7/2006
  Q: Why do my African Violets have long, ugly stumps growing from the pot? I water from the bottom or ...
  A: I think I know what you are talking about. You mean the actual STEM from which all the leaves ...
Toxicity of African Violets6/30/2006
  Q: We have a five year old granddaughter living with us and my wife had heard that the leaves or ...
  A: Darl, Please accept my apology for not answering you sooner. I was poring over my books to find ...

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Violets, African

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Patricia

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PLEASE LIMIT QUESTIONS TO AFRICAN VIOLETS. I will accept any question or problem relating to African Violets and their care. If I do not know the answer, I will research it for you. PLEASE NOTE: I DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SAT NIGHT AS THIS IS THE JEWISH SABBATH.

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I learned about African Violets at the knee of my grandmother, who was born in 1895. I have been raising violets for nearly 30 years, and have helped friends and relatives with growing as well

Education/Credentials
At the knee of my grandmother.

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