African violets are afflicted by powdery mildew. In extreme circumstances, a powdery, white to light gray covering will cover the leaves. This disease, which starts with a few isolated leaf spots, spreads due to high humidity and poor air circulation. It is better to remove all of the leaves from the plant if powdery mildew has afflicted them all. Reduce humidity and congestion in the region if only a few leaves have become white. Remove the remaining leaves. Spray 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 litre of water on the damaged leaves and look for spots.
What does it imply when the leaves of an African violet turn white?
African violet plants that have white powder on their leaves have a severe fungal illness on them. Although powdery mildew on African violets seldom causes death, it can have a negative effect on the health and aesthetics of the leaves and stems, slow plant growth, and significantly diminish blooming. Leaves may dry out and turn yellow or brown if not treated. Are you unsure of what to do with powdery mildew on African violets? Looking for advice on how to combat fungus in African violets? Read on.
Why is the color fading on my African violet?
Probably the most well-known flowering house plant of all time is the African violet. They are readily available year-round, small, simple to grow, frequently bloom, and have an astonishing range of colors.
Basic Care
TEMPERATURES should ideally range from 65 to 70°F at night and be a little warmer during the day. The plant may fully collapse or the leaves will droop and curl if the temperature is too low. A plant may collapse due to excessive heat, dry, spindly growth, or withered, lifeless leaves.
Direct morning or late afternoon sunshine, extremely bright indirect LIGHT, fluorescent lighting, or grow lights are all preferred by African violets. Avoid midday sun since it might turn leaves brown. Too high light levels can result in overly compact growth, whereas low light levels make plants grow erect instead of flat and circular and with very long leaf stems. Plants should be rotated once every week to promote symmetrical development (unnecessary if light source is directly overhead). When cultivating miniature plants, fluorescent and grow lights should be placed no lower than 18 inches above the plant.
use a temperature of room When the touchable surface soil is dry, WATER. The majority of violet growers like to water from the bottom, however watering from the top is acceptable as long as you take care to keep chilly water off the leaves. Before exposing leaves to any direct sunlight, always make sure they are dry. Wicking or a “self-watering pot” are the two methods of bottom watering that perform best. If you decide to submerge the pot in water, remove any water that does not reach the root ball after 15 to 30 minutes.
You should occasionally flow water through the soil for several minutes, whether you top- or bottom-water. This will flush out any salts that may have accumulated from tap water or fertilizers. The most frequent cause of African violet death is overwatering. Too much water can cause plants to become limp, lose their leaves or flowers, and develop crown and stem rot. Lack of irrigation results in the plant losing strength and color, the roots shriveling and dying, and finally the plant collapsing.
African violets can endure indoor humidity that ranges from 40 to 60 percent. If your home is excessively dry, spritz your violets every day with room-temperature water, but never at night or in the middle of the day. Placing your violets on a tray with pebbles and maintaining water in the tray at a level slightly below the surface of the stones is another method to battle dry air.
Every time you water, apply a diluted, balanced FERTILIZER. The majority of African violets are fed often and grown in soilless potting mixtures. Be careful to dilute the fertilizer more than the amount suggested on the package (often 1/4 strength will do), unless the fertilizer is specifically created to be used with every watering. Violets won’t flower well if they aren’t regularly fed. An overabundance of fertilizer can burn the plant, resulting in dark leaf margins and tips. The majority of violet fertilizers contain phosphorus (P), the center of the three numbers on the label, in their formula (e.g., 15-30-15).
Remove wasted blooms and dead leaves to groom your African violets. Washing leaves every now and again with just warm water and blotting them dry. Violets have leaves with hairs that attract dust. Between baths, clean up the leaves with a gentle brush. Your violets’ symmetrical shape can be maintained by removing suckersplantlets.
Regularly check for PESTS and disease. African violets are prone to powdery mildew, a fungus that appears on leaves and blossoms as fine, white talcum powder. This issue might be avoided by providing plants with adequate air circulation. Two insects that typically affect violets are mealybug and thrips. On stems and leaves (top or bottom), mealybug appears as white, cottony spots. Thrips can be identified by their dark blossom margins, bent leaves, and pollen trails on petals. Affected plants should be isolated and treated as necessary. Your violets will grow healthier and be less prone to pests and diseases if you take good care of them.
LEAF CUTTINGS ARE USUALLY USED FOR PROPAGATION. Cut the stem of a good leaf to about 1/2 inch. Insert the stem into the cutting mixture while keeping the humidity level higher. New plants grow near the leaf’s base. Additionally, violets can be produced from seed and the leaf can be rooted in water.
Maintenance
To keep your violet looking good and to give it new growing material, REPOT it once or twice a year. African violets lose their lower, older leaves as they develop. This process results in the formation of the “neck,” a naked stem that is unattractive and increases the plant’s susceptibility to disease. You may maintain the lovely, rosette-growing habit that a newly purchased violet possesses by repotting.
Remove your violet from the pot and take off a piece of dirt from the bottom of the root ball that is roughly equal to the length of the neck if it hasn’t yet grown a very long neck. Replant the plant in its container and cover the exposed root ball’s neck with fresh medium. The neck will send out new roots into the media.
It is better to cut the stem and root the leafy part of a plant if the neck has been allowed to grow long and curved. A new root system will develop when this short stem is placed into brand-new potting soil. Till fresh growth indicates the emergence of strong new roots, keep the potting soil moist but not waterlogged. Trailing violets should be allowed to sucker and trail freely because they do not preserve a symmetrical rosette shape. A trailer can be pruned and new plants can be established from the stem cuttings if it loses too many leaves and starts to look unappealing. When allowed to spread in the pot, little violets prefer to grow freely and retain their attractiveness.
Violets should not be over-potted. Standard African violets thrive in pots with a 4 diameter and require only periodic repottings to maintain the proper neck length. Small violets grow best in three pots. For violets to blossom, the pots must be gently constrained. Flowers that are in bud or bloom may drop off or fade fast if they are replanted, as even careful transplanting stresses the root system.
Why did my violets that were purple become white?
Question:
My African violet plants have some white spots on their leaves. What exactly are they, and how can the issue be managed?
Answer:
Your African violets’ white stuff on the leaves is most likely powdery mildew. A fungus called powdery mildew frequently affects indoor plants including poinsettias, begonias, and African violets. Powdery mildew outbreaks on indoor plants often happen in the winter or early spring.
To prevent the fungus from spreading, pinch off and destroy any leaves that only contain a small amount of powdery mildew. Poor air circulation and high relative humidity encourage the growth of powdery mildew on indoor plants. The greatest method for preventing powdery mildew on houseplants is to modify the interior environment. By extending the distance between plants and turning on a modest fan, it is possible to increase air circulation and reduce humidity levels in the space.
How can I remove white splotches from African violet leaves?
Our African violets start to develop powdery mildew at this time of year. Because the spores are always in the air, this fungal disease is practically inescapable. However, you can lessen the impact the issue has on your plants. You will be able to identify powdery mildew when the leaves and flowers are covered in a white powdery substance, as in the pictures. On dark flowers, it consistently stands out more. Powdery mildew also affects many different plants, both indoor and outdoor.
When the nights are cool and the days are warm, it appears on the African violets’ leaves and blossoms. Additionally, when the humidity is low, you are more likely to observe it. The correct circumstances also seem to be created by stagnant air, therefore you might be able to increase ventilation by using a fan. There are particular plants that undoubtedly seem to be more vulnerable to powdery mildew and should be closely monitored. Whatever else you decide to do, it is important to cure it as soon as it shows up since, if you don’t, leaves could become scarred and blossoms could be ruined. If you can increase the humidity, do so, even if it just means keeping plants that are sensitive to powdery mildew in a translucent container that resembles a terrarium.
You’ll need some alternatives for addressing the issue whenever it manifests itself. Despite the fact that it is frequently simpler to use a prepared solution, you might avoid using chemical pesticides because powdery mildew only becomes a problem when the right conditions are present.
Why not employ one of these simple techniques:
Simply use a damp brush to scrub away the mildew, allowing the brush to dry after cleaning it in methylated spirits.
Cleanse the leaves with running, lukewarm water (only in the early part of the day). Remove any excess water by blotting it away from the plant’s center.
Simply heat some water in a mist sprayer, then sprinkle the plants until the water starts to flow off. Don’t leave water pools on the leaves, especially in their centers, once again.
Here are several straightforward organic sprays that are safe to use if you must spray:
One teaspoon of laundry bleach in one liter of water should be sprayed (kills the fungus spores). Many people use this control when growing African violets.
1 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda in 1 liter of warm water should be sprayed. By altering the pH of the leaf surface, the fungus is eliminated. Others advise adding half a teaspoon of insecticidal soap. Some advise using a few drops of liquid soap. This formula has been tried and tested both plain and with soap.
Spray with a milk and water mixture. The suggested strength ranges from a 10% solution to a 40% solution. Although I haven’t personally utilized it, I believe you’d need to do some testing. It was always believed that full-cream milk was necessary, but current thinking holds that proteins do the task instead. Natural enzymes create an environment where mildew cannot develop. Whether you use full-cream or skimmed milk is entirely up to you. I haven’t tried it since I’m afraid of the smell of sour milk, but others have and they say the smell isn’t an issue.
It is possible to combine the milk solution and bicarbonate soda to create a spray, though I’m not sure why you would since either is useful on its own.
Spray 1 liter of water with 1 teaspoon of vinegar. rumored to destroy the fungus and alter the pH of the leaves.
Sulphur preparations, including powdered sulphur, have long been advised, however African violets should not be exposed to residue on the leaves. Brushing the leaves with sulphur powder will at least temporarily solve the issue. It is a laborious task at best to keep brushing until all of the sulfur has been removed. Powdery mildew was once thought to be easier to manage if plates of powdered sulphur were scattered around around the plants. I’m not sure how much assistance it provides, but I still do it myself because it’s simple to perform and doesn’t hurt. It’s interesting to me how frequently tiny gnats and other unidentified flying creatures commit suicide in the sulphur.
Cinnamon is claimed to be effective against fungus. I believe it would need to be sprayed on the leaves, but the thought of having to remove it from the hairy leaves afterwards makes me shudder. worse than with sulfur.
There have been several more organic type restrictions proposed. Undoubtedly, a simple Google search would turn up a ton of them. However, it is important to keep in mind that powdery mildew appears to be caused by several fungal species in various plant types. With African violets, what works for one variety of plant might not (or might!) work. You could even develop your own organic powdery mildew remedy for plants. If so, give it a shot on a few violets. Some of those cited include: Tea produced from compost that has been soaked in water and then drained. It is thought to contain healthy organisms. Two whole bulbs of garlic should be grated, then the mixture should be strained and some liquid soap added. Per litre of water, use two to three teaspoons. I would once more be concerned about smell. Keep in mind that none of these sprays can guarantee a permanent solution to the issue. Include the stems and the area under the leaves while spraying the plant. Additionally, you should always test a new spray on a few test plants before using it on your entire collection. Spraying might be necessary every week.
Still intend to utilize a legitimate store-bought spray? Try neem oil diluted as directed. Do you only favor a true fungicide? I consider Yates Fungus Gun to be one of the greatest products now available for ease of use and successful results with African violets.
Keep in mind that African violet powdery mildew is a temporary but persistent issue. All will be well when the circumstances alter till the next time.
Brown Spots on Leaves
African violets should never have brown stains on them. By generating root rot, overwatering damages the root system and isolates the plant from the supply of nutrients.
If you do not provide magnesium or nitrogen, the leaves of your African violets will become discolored with brown and yellow blotches.
Edema, which is caused by the plant taking too much water, can occasionally result from overwatering. The African violet’s leaf cells are harmed by drinking too much water.
If your African violet has edema, you will observe brown, wart-like areas close to the base of the leaves.
Remove any leaves that have brown blemishes. Sadly, once brown patches form on the leaves, they are permanently damaged. Your African Violet will be able to produce new, healthy leaves more quickly if you remove them.
Root Rot And Foul Smell From Soil
If the soil does not entirely dry out between waterings or if the drainage system is not working properly, the fungus that develops will rot the roots.
Before replanting the plant, remove it from the pot and clear away any rotting dirt. Examine the stems and roots after that. To guarantee that your plants have robust, healthy roots, remove any brown or mushy ones.
After cleaning out the contaminated regions, disinfect the remaining roots by soaking them in a fungicide solution.
Your African violet has to be repotted in a fresh, well-drained bed of potting soil. (New soil is preferred, although cleaning the current soil should be sufficient if Root Rot is mild.)
Time is running out for us! Acting quickly will increase your chances of preventing root rot because it spreads swiftly.
It’s a good idea to remove any leaves that have brown patches on them. Sadly, the leaves won’t be able to recover once they start to show brown stains.
Your African Violet will have an easier time growing new, healthy leaves if you remove them.
Crown Rot
Similar to how Root Rot is identified and handled, so is Crown Rot. Where the rot has taken hold is what distinguishes them most.
Any of the roots could develop root rot, which could cause either mild or major damage. A condition called “Crown Rot” attacks the system’s top-most roots.
To treat Crown Rot, complete the Root Rot treatment procedures and apply a fungicide to the root system. Be mindful that your plant could not survive if it has severe Crown Rot.
Mold Growing on Soil
Mold in the soil is a certain indication that your African violet is receiving too much water. The top soil layer will develop moldy white specks.
Your African violet won’t be in danger from this mold (or your family). However, it is still crucial to get rid of it right away.
The mold may be completely removed if you scrape off the top layer of soil. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with a dilution can also be used to eliminate the mold.
Use five parts water to one part hydrogen peroxide. Repotting is necessary if the mold grows below the surface of the soil.
Shriveled Appearance and Mushy Stems
You are overwatering your African violet if the stems are mushy or the plant has become shriveled. A vigorous, vibrant plant will have solid stems and appear powerful and robust. When you squeeze them, if the stem gives at all, there is a problem.
A fungal infection brought on by an excess of water is indicated by mushy stems. Another indication that your African violet has perished is a shriveled appearance. In both situations, cut off the infected parts, clean the plant, and let it air dry. (Referring to Iowa State University)
Wilting
Three things can be inferred from an African violet that has withered. You are either not watering enough, watering too much, or there are bugs in your garden. Which one it is will be determined by the soil.
You are overwatering your African violet if it has wilted and the soil is moist. The African Violets can’t acquire the oxygen they require since this drowns the roots. After making any necessary repairs, let your African violet dry thoroughly.
Look for pests if your soil does not seem overly damp or dry. African violets are frequently attacked by mealybugs and cyclamen mites. Cleaning your leaves is necessary to get rid of bugs. (Source: University of Clemson)
Spraying neem oil or insecticidal soap on your leaves will smother the bugs.
If you have rubbing alcohol lying around your home, you can use it to clean each leaf of your African violet to get rid of mealybugs or cyclamen mites.
Yellow Leaves
Another indication of moisture stress from overwatering is yellow foliage. Remove any yellow leaves from your African violet plant before assessing the health of the remaining leaves.
You will need to take damage control measures if your leaves are yellow because it’s likely that your roots have rotted.
Wrinkled Leaves
Wrinkled leaves are a sign that your roots have been seriously harmed by over watering. If there are wrinkles, water cannot reach the plant tissue from the roots.
Examine your ancestry. White and hefty roots indicate good health. If your roots are mushy and brown, they must be removed. The majority of your roots may have decayed if the leaves are wrinkled.
It is worthwhile to clean and repot your roots if they are still healthy. Sadly, it is time to try again with a different African Violet if the roots all appear brown and mushy.
Curled Leaves
Overwatering is indicated by curled leaves. However, it’s also a sign that your African Violet is under stress due to the water’s temperature.
Your African violet’s roots will become chilled if you water with cold water. The leaves begin to curl downward as a result. The best water to use is at room temperature because it lessens the possibility of any temperature shock.