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.
Question Please help me figure what is going on with several African violets whose foliage is bunched up, and many of the leaves reach upward. They receive plenty of filtered sunlight, and have buds on them at this time. My sister also has this problem, and together we just cannot figure out if there is a problem, maybe too much fertilizer? Too much light? We're confused! Many thanks in advance.
Answer When foliage bunches up, it is often an over abundance of light or fertilizer--or possibly an insect, mite.
Are you giving 1/4 teaspoon fertilizer in one gallon warm water, given approximately every 7-10 days depending on the humidity in your home?
I don't know if your plants receive light at the window or under a light garden. If it is the light garden, they should be placed 12 inches below the bulbs. The lights should be on from 10-12 hours per day.
Light flowered African violets need less light than darker colored violetes. Placement may be an issue if you grow under lights in a light garden. Lighter colored leaves and flowers should be placed at the ends of the light garden, darker leaves and flowers should be placed in the middle where light is more intense.
Variegated AVs need a lot of light but need to be cool so their best placement is in the middle of the lower levels of a light garden.
