African Violets Brighten Winter
Gaining in popularity each year, these natives of the Tanganuika region are at home as indoor garden plants. Like all indoor plants, they can suffer from over-or-underwatering, insufficient light, insect and disease pests, and fluctuating temperatures. Spotted leaves can appear if water is poured over leaves, or plants are watered with cold (tap) water. Water by applying to soil in the pot. Too much water can cause root rot. Let soil dry out before adding water. Curled leaves usually are caused by fertilizer salts building up on the pot’s rim, chemically burning the tender foliage and causing the curling. Flower bud drop can be caused by dry conditions. Low temperatures can cause this problem. Scraggly growth or leaves that are elongated or “stretched out” indicates too little light. When a plant becomes lopsided, the cause usually is not enough even light over the plant. Turn any floppy leaves to the light. When growing a large collection of African Violets, it is advisable to invest in a fluorescent lamp.