Offering up a wilted, soggy African violet is a surefire way to induce a Plants vs. Zombies-style panic in any gardener. But before you race to the nearest nursery for a replacement, take a moment to see if your unwell violet can be revived. With the right treatment, your soaked plant can go from near-death to full bloom.
The best way to revive an African Violet that has been overwatered is to allow the soil to dry out completely and then water it thoroughly.
How do I save my violet?
To keep your plant healthy and thriving, give it good light, water it when needed, and regularly remove dead and dying leaves and blossoms. In another 6 months, repot it by removing a bit of soil from the bottom of the root ball and lowering the plant into the pot, adding fresh soil to cover the (small) neck. By following these simple care instructions, you’ll have a beautiful, healthy plant that will last for years to come.
If you find that your African violets are drooping, it is likely due to overwatering. Make sure to keep the soil moist, but not wet, at all times.
How do you revive a African violet leggy
The best way to combat leggy African violets is to repot them to give them a fresh space and fertilize with Espoma’s Violet! liquid plant food. This will help keep your plants growing new leaves to help keep them from becoming leggy and will enhance the colors of your flowers.
If your African Violet plant is suffering from root rot, there is a chance you can save it depending on how far along the root rot is. If it is in the early stages and only the smaller, outer roots are affected, you can carefully trim away the rotted roots with a sharp scalpel or scissors. This can prevent the root rot from spreading.
How do I know if my African violet has root rot?
If you notice that your African Violet is toppling over at the base, it is likely that the roots are decayed. You may also see yellow or yellowish-brown stripes on the roots, which is another sign of decay. If the top part of your African Violet separates from the root system entirely, this is also a sign that the roots are decayed.
African violets are loved for their ability to bloom nearly year-round with the right care. Each healthy flower will last two to three weeks, and a happy plant can continue producing new blossoms regularly for 10 to 12 months out of the year.
Should you let African violets dry out?
If you are overwatering your African violet, you are likely killing the plant. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. The fine roots of an African violet need air, which cannot penetrate a soggy wet soil mass.
It is obvious that a plant that is wilting and beginning to drown needs less water, so the first step is to stop watering it. Secondly, the plant may need to be moved to a spot with less light if it is currently in a bright window. If the plant is not in a bright window, check the drainage to make sure that water is not pooling around the roots of the plant and add air if necessary. The plant may also need to be repotted in a smaller pot with fresher soil. Finally, mist the wilted leaves of the plant and wait a week to see if the plant improves. If the plant does not improve, it may be necessary to dispose of it.
Should African violets be watered from the bottom
African Violet plants are best watered from the bottom up. Place the plant in a shallow tray of water for 30 minutes to allow the soil to soak up the water through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
If you neglect your African Violet, it can develop a long, thick neck (5-6 inches long). This kind of neck eventually tilts sideways due to the weight of the crown. This is known as a “goose neck”. A neck can also resemble a palm tree/coconut tree trunk.
Is it better to root African violets in water or soil?
Rooting African violets in water is easy and quick. All you need is a leaf from an existing African violet plant. You can even get a leaf from a friend’s plant. Simply put the leaf in water and wait for it to root. Once it has rooted, you can transplant it into soil.
African violet crown rot is a serious problem that can quickly kill your plant. The best way to control it is to catch it early and treat it immediately. The most obvious above ground sign of African violet crown rot is leaves that wither, turn yellow, and eventually fall off. This is unfortunate because it’s basically indistinguishable from the sign of an African violet that’s not getting enough water. If you see this happening, check the roots of your plant. If they are mushy or have black spots, your plant has crown rot. Cut off all the affected roots and leaves, and treat the plant with a fungicide. With quick action, you should be able to save your plant.
How do you salvage root rot
Root rot is a very serious problem for plants. If you think that your plant may have root rot, it is very important to take action immediately. The first thing you should do is allow the soil to dry out. If the root rot is not too severe, this may be enough to stop it from spreading. If the root rot is more severe, you will need to remove all browning leaves, old soil, and dead and decaying roots. You should then repot the plant with new soil.
It is not possible to reverse root rot, but the treatment of this disease involves removing the affected portions of the plant. Once the rotting or dying parts have been removed, they can then be repotted in fresh soil to give the remaining healthy roots a fresh start.
What is the lifespan of an African violet?
While African violets may be known for their long lifespan, it’s still important to repot them every few years. This will help them to stay healthy and bloom for years to come.
If your African Violet plant has been over-watered, the soil will retain too much water. This retention of water will cause the leaves and /or leaf stems to turn soft, limp or mushy.
Warp Up
1. If your African violet is wilted and the leaves are dropping, it is probably overwatered.
2. To revive it, gently remove the plant from the pot and discard any excess water from the saucer.
3. Allow the plant to drain for 10 minutes, then replant it in fresh potting mix.
4. Be sure to water your African violet only when the top inch of soil is dry.
If you have over watered your African violet, the best thing to do is to stop watering it for a while and let the soil dry out. If the leaves are wilted, you can try sprinkling them with water to revive them.
