Saintpaulia or Uzambara violet is a low-growing herbaceous plant of the Gesneriev genus. In the wild, it is found in the mountainous regions of Kenya and Tanzania near rivers and waterfalls.
It became known in Europe in 1893, when a flowering plant was grown from seeds sent from East Africa. Saintpaulia violetflower received its name in honor of its discoverer, Saint-Paul Illaire. It is a perennial plant that forms a rosette with green velvety leaves with pointed tips. Saintpaulia flowers range from 2 to 5 cm in diameter.
There are
several types of flowers:
- simple;
- terry;
- corrugated.
With proper care, violets can bloom up to 8 months a year. But sometimes, for no apparent reason, Saintpaulia begins to fade. At this moment, it is important not to overlook the problem and take measures to save the plant. Otherwise, the flower may die or stop blooming.
Wilting should never be ignored.
Features of violets
In nature, violet grows on poor, loose soil in the shade of tall trees, in conditions of long daylight hours. This must be taken into account when growing it in an apartment. The lush bloom of an indoor flower pleases only those who respect its natural habits.
Violets naturally grow in the shade of trees.
As the violet grows, the lower leaves gradually:
- Turn yellow;
- And they fade.
To maintain the decorative appearance of the plant, they must be removed periodically. But in some cases, the process of leaf wilting gets out of control and affects the entire plant.
In this case it is important:
- Establish the correct reason;
- And try to save the plant.
Insect pests
There are quite a lot of pests that parasitize violets .
Thrips
Very small and fast arthropods, they attack the ground and can live on flowers.
Thrips eat and spoil violet leaves.
The first sign of thrips appearing on violets:
, moving thrips will definitely be .
Mealybug
It feeds on juices, inhibiting plant growth. Causes leaf wilting and poor flowering. Parasites are visible to the naked eye. When they appear :
The damaged plant's roots and rosettes often rot .
Cyclamen mite
Microscopic arthropod, in its presence :
The cyclamen mite is very small.
Forms the thinnest threads of a white web on:
It forms colonies on the back of leaves and buds, feeds on plant sap,
as a result :
To prevent pests, you need to regularly inspect the plant .
Care errors
If violet leaves become soft and limp, and the stems curl, then in 90% of cases the reason lies in care errors. Unfortunately, no one is immune from such troubles. Most of these reasons can be easily dealt with if you start fighting to save the flower on time.
Insufficient lighting
Violets require good lighting for full growth and development; they need at least 12-14 hours of daylight. In summer, natural insolation is enough for the plant, but in winter the flower requires additional lighting. Typically, special LED or fluorescent phytolamps are used for this. Experienced gardeners recommend giving preference to the first option, since in this case the air near the flower does not overheat, and much less electrical energy is consumed.
When choosing a suitable model, be sure to take into account the spectrum of the glow; it should be yellow, as close as possible to the sun. However, if you don’t have a special phytolamp, then the most ordinary fluorescent one with white light will do, just try to have it with a lower glow.
Keep in mind that excess lighting also negatively affects the condition of violets - scorching direct sunlight often leads to burns of leaf blades and drying out of the rosette. That is why try to avoid placing the flower on southern windows, and if there are no other options, then be sure to cover the window with tulle or cover the glass with reflective film. If the reason for leaf wilting is related to lighting errors, then you should simply carefully cut off all damaged leaves and create optimal light conditions for the plant.
Irrigation violations
As a rule, violets are buried quite close to the surface when planting, so irrigation should be carried out extremely carefully and delicately. With strong pressure from the water jet, the roots begin to become exposed and dry out, as a result, the plant does not receive enough nutrients, and the leaves begin to fade
Watering should be regular, but moderate. Any waterlogging of the soil has the most detrimental effect on the condition of the flower. In this case, it is necessary to remove the plant from the pot, cut off all the rotten roots and plant it in new soil.
At the same time, violets do not grow or produce flower stalks in an overdried substrate, and the leaves dry out and wither. In this case, it is very easy to fix the problem - you just need to add water to the flower pot. The violet should be watered 2-3 times a week in the summer and once in the cold months.
Incorrect feeding
Everyone knows that a lack of nutrients worsens the condition of a flower, but it should be borne in mind that an excess of mineral components causes them no less harm. The plant is demanding of fertilizers, especially in the spring, when the active growth of green mass begins and the flower is preparing for budding. Usually, after transplantation, the violet is not fertilized for about a month, and the rest of the time, fertilizer is applied twice a month from March to October, and during the dormant period - once every 30 days.
For fertilizing, ready-made complexes specially formulated for violets are used. During the period of bud formation and flowering, preference should be given to preparations without nitrogen. Otherwise, the leaves grow unnaturally, but at the same time become loose. In this state, any violation of the conditions of the flower causes the leaf blades to wither.
If the grower knows that he missed applying fertilizer, he just needs to add it. But when a plant has become a victim of oversaturation with minerals, it can only be saved by replanting it in a fresh substrate with a slightly acidic reaction. To do this, turf soil is mixed with compost and peat or rotted pine needles are added, and a little vermiculite or perlite is added to make it loose.
Air parameters
Violets require maintaining normal room temperature at 18-23 degrees, and the optimal humidity level is 60-70%. At the same time, violets can tolerate slight waterlogging, but dry air is destructive for leaves, so you should not place flowers near a radiator or other heat sources. It would be a good idea to turn on a humidifier or indoor fountain from time to time.
Why violet leaves wither: reasons, how to save the plant, video
Any indoor plants require attention, care, and proper care, and violets need this more than others, since they are very susceptible to external conditions.
If a violet withers, its leaves droop, it means that it doesn’t like something, but finding the reason for this state of the flower is extremely difficult, because there can be many factors.
Still, let's try to figure out what could be the matter if Saintpaulia suddenly shows signs of wilting or illness, and how to restore health to your favorite flower.
Why does violet disappear at home?
When growing Saintpaulia, everyone can make mistakes. Sometimes there may be problems that do not depend on compliance with all the rules of care, location and growing conditions of Saintpaulia.
If the violet disappears, the reasons for this may be the following:
- hypothermia or temperature changes;
- waterlogging or lack of moisture;
- sunburn;
- rot;
- parasites;
- poor soil;
- infections.
Every problem has a cure; if you don’t manage it in time, you have to resuscitate the flower.
Root rot of violets
The peculiarity of violets that makes them so popular is their long flowering period - up to 8 months a year. A healthy flower has succulent, hard leaves and many inflorescences. A violet affected by rot will not bloom.
Root rot is a fungal disease of plants that causes the leaves to dry out, darken and fall off.
The petioles become soft and liquid, and the trunk becomes bare. The development of infection is facilitated by excess moisture in the pot as a result of abundant watering. If the drainage hole is small, the water constantly stagnates in the flowerpot. In this case, the disease quickly spreads to the entire plant and can completely destroy it if urgent measures are not taken.
“If you poured a violet”
From this video you will learn what to do if you accidentally spilled a violet.
If it is too late to take treatment measures, all that remains is to revive the dying violet . How to revive violets at home depends on the problem that is causing the plant to die, on the experience of the grower and the materials available.
- how to save a violet if it has been flooded;
- what to do if a violet burns in the sun;
- how to save a violet that has lost turgor and in other difficult situations.
Let's save the flooded violet!
Flooding with water is a common cause of death of violets. The waterlogged substrate begins to rot, infecting the roots with this process. The leaves of the plant lose their elasticity, become limp and drooping.
Also, excess moisture entails fungal diseases and bacterial infections.
In this case, it is completely pointless to spray or water the violet with healing solutions; this cannot save it from flooding.
If you have flooded your violet, you can save it by following the steps below.
First of all, you need to remove the violet from the pot. If it smells like damp earth, it will be enough to remove excess moisture.
To do this, the earthen ball together with the plant must be placed on a cotton cloth, toilet paper or paper towel, folded several times. They need to be changed as soon as they get wet.
This needs to be done within 24 hours, after which you can return the violet to its original pot.
Causes of wilting and death of Saintpaulias in the apartment
The main factors leading to the death of a flower consist of errors made in care, diagnosis or treatment . If we talk about mistakes that can be made in indoor conditions, the main ones are the following three.
Conditions of detention
Improper care is the most common factor leading to disease and death of violets.
Some gardeners are careless when choosing soil and plant their Saintpaulias in an unsuitable substrate. The consequence of such a decision can be root disease, and when the problem is started, rotting begins.
It is very important to choose the right soil for violets.
Hypothermia and freezing
The most dangerous periods for this problem to occur are spring and autumn; under certain conditions, this can happen in winter:
- spring: when the heating is turned off, the temperature in the house may drop sharply, pots located on the windowsills may freeze from the window, especially if the leaves touch it;
- Even if the heating has been turned off for a long time and the temperature is suitable, there is a risk of spring temperature changes if the cold spell for a long time leads to problems.
- autumn - unexpected frosts, late heating, or simply a temperature below 16 degrees in the house;
- winter - in cases of cold window sills, low room temperatures or heating shutdowns, the plant can become very cold and get sick.
Even a short-term drop in temperature can harm the plant , especially if it is accompanied by an increase in humidity. In such conditions, fungus or rot can form and quickly develop.
Important! A draft, especially in cold weather, can lead to severe hypothermia, and is the beginning of a flower disease.
Solar influence
Violets and sunlight are one of the stumbling blocks for beginning gardeners. On the one hand, violets need a lot of bright lighting , and on the other hand, they do not like direct sunlight , as they quickly get burned and this leads to the death of the plant.
You should avoid placing flowerpots on southern windows , and if there are no other options, then they need to be shaded.
There is also a risk that Saintpaulia will get sunburn even on western or eastern windows. This is possible in summer, when the sun is active, or in winter, if the windows are on the first floor and there is a lot of snow outside.
How to save and revive a violet?
Reanimation of a plant can vary greatly depending on the cause. If the violet disappears due to factors related to the conditions in the room, then resuscitating them is quite simple, but it is important to follow all the rules.
Hypothermia and freezing
What to do if the violet is frozen depends on the area affected by the cold:
- leaves and stem (with growth point affected) : remove all affected leaves. If Saintpaulia is frozen at the top, cut off the top with the growing point to the deciduous rows that are not damaged, or not severely damaged. The sections are treated with activated carbon;
- the flowerpot is moved to more comfortable conditions;
- caring for a reanimation plant is no different from caring for healthy plants, but watering must be reduced slightly;
This is what frozen leaves look like. - to speed up the resuscitation process, you can water the flower with the addition of fertilizers every week;
- after some time, stepsons form on the stem, near the axils of the leaves;
- If possible, the violet is deepened so that the soil and stepsons come into contact. Under such conditions they can form roots before separating from the mother plant;
- when the children grow to a size that allows them to be rooted separately, they are removed;
- subsequent care corresponds to the care of young violets.
- root system: take the frozen violet out of the pot, inspect the roots, cut off the damaged ones;
Advice! You can root the upper part of the violet in sphagnum moss, hydrogel and peat. You can also use Kornevin to speed up the process.
Sunburn
With the harmful effects of sunlight, only the upper part of the violet suffers. Ways to revive an indoor violet depend on the severity of the damage:
- A few sun-burnt leaves can simply be removed ;
- If the core is damaged, the violet must be completely revived : Cut off the entire affected top, be sure to leave a few leaves, or their healthy parts. All cuts are sprinkled with coal;
- Care is the same as usual, except for the amount of moisture, it is reduced;
- After some time, stepchildren appear;
- After the children grow up, they are placed in separate containers, having previously been rooted.
Sunburn on leaves.
Why does the violet wither?
Violets are very beautiful ornamental plants, but at the same time they are also very capricious. Any disturbance to their habitat can affect the appearance of the flower. They are also susceptible to pests, especially fungi. Let's look at the most common reasons why Saintpaulias may wither.
Lack of light or excess of it
Violets need to receive at least 12 hours of daylight per day. In winter, when the days become short and cloudy, they may lack light. In this case, they must be illuminated with artificial lamps.
An excess of light radiation also negatively affects their well-being. In addition, they do not tolerate the sun's burning rays at all. As soon as the plant stands on the windowsill in the summer, on the south side, after a few days you will notice that the leaves begin to turn yellow and wither.
Why do the leaves wither?
If violet leaves become soft and droop, the reason may be their natural aging and death. In this case, only the bottom 1-3 sheets are subject to changes.
Diseases affect the entire plant at once: the lower leaves wither, and the middle and upper ones are curled, their leaf blades become smaller, their petioles are shortened, and spots or plaque appear. A bush that bloomed profusely before stops flowering or forms too long or shortened arrows with a minimum number of buds.
Lack of light
Among the reasons why violets wither is insufficient lighting. For good growth and abundant flowering, the plant needs about 12 hours of daylight. In winter, it is advisable to illuminate violets with phytolamps or fluorescent lamps.
A sign of lack of lighting is excessive elongation of petioles and peduncles. Sometimes they are more elongated on the side away from the window, and the flower looks skewed. With a prolonged lack of light, the leaves lose color, become yellowish, and often begin to wither.
Improper watering
When combined with low temperatures and insufficient lighting, it becomes especially dangerous. Under unfavorable conditions, the flower goes into a dormant state, but it continues to be watered as abundantly as during active growing season. Because of this, stagnation occurs in the soil and the violet withers, which prompts the owner to increase watering.
The result of such a mistake could be the death of Saintpaulia. When water stagnates in the soil, the roots of the flower begin to rot. External signs of this are:
- withered leaves throughout the plant;
- cessation of normal growth and development: leaves in the center of the rosette become small, with short petioles;
- cessation of flowering.
If measures are not taken to save the flower, it may die.
The symptoms of overwatering are similar to the signs of lack of moisture when the flower dries out: in both cases it lacks moisture and nutrients. Lack and excess of moisture are equally harmful to Saintpaulia. You can distinguish one condition from another by soil moisture.
Lack of fertilizer or satiety
With a lack or excess of minerals, the plant acquires a characteristic appearance:
- lack of nitrogen compounds leads to pale leaves, they lose turgor and droop;
- excess nitrogen promotes the formation of rough, dark leaf blades;
- deficiency of potassium and phosphorus causes the cessation of flowering: flowers and buds fade even on formed arrows, and new ones are not formed;
- Excess of these substances can resemble signs of nitrogen deficiency.
Deficiency of microelements (iron, sulfur, magnesium, etc.) often leads to discoloration of leaf blades, curling and deformity, and shredding of leaves and flowers.
Unprepared soil
Drooping leaves may be a sign that the soil is not meeting the requirements of the violet. The plant prefers acidic, moisture-permeable, light soil, which contains many nutrients and retains moisture well. When purchasing a flower in a store, it is best to replant it at home in Saintpaulia soil. If it is impossible to buy a ready-made mixture, then a good replacement would be a mixture of equal parts of leaf soil, peat and fine river sand. From such soil the plant can easily obtain the necessary nutrients.
Influence of pests
A common reason why violet leaves become soft is insect damage. Among indoor pests, thrips are the most dangerous for violets. They can be found on the soil surface - they are small, white, mobile creatures. They are sucking pests and, in large numbers, can cause the plant to wither.
If the air is too dry, violets are also damaged by spider mites. It is easier to detect small pests and their webs on the underside of leaves.
Fungal and bacterial microflora leads to the formation of spots and plaque of different types and colors. Sometimes the leaves become limp and take on a translucent, watery appearance, and over time begin to rot at the base. If signs of pests or diseases are detected, urgent rescue measures must be taken (how to save a violet is described in a separate chapter).
Air temperature and humidity
The temperature range acceptable for growing Saintpaulias is small. When it drops to +15°C, the plant stops growing and stops blooming. The upper limit of the interval is +25°C. If the room is too hot, the plant loses turgor and withers.
Sudden changes in temperature are undesirable. In the room where Uzambara violets grow, it is advisable to maintain a constant temperature at +18... +22°C. Air humidity should be about 70%. To maintain it at a normal level, place wide containers filled with water near containers with flowers.
Save Saintpaulias from withering and dying
How to do this in a more gentle way? It all depends on the degree of damage to the roots.
Most often, if we see that the leaves of a violet wither and die, this means that the fleshy rhizome has begun to deteriorate. At the site of its defeat, a soft, slippery brown rot forms.
1. First you need to cut off the lower soft leaves at the base of the “stem” and inspect it. If the process has gone far, rot is already visible at the cut sites. All that remains is to cut off the healthy top and root it.
2. If there is no external damage, you will have to dig up the entire plant and examine the condition of the root. It happens that the lower part has become completely soft. It is necessary to remove the damaged areas, cutting to healthy tissue with a clean, sharp knife or blade.
We update the cut until greenish tissue without brown appears:
3. Prepare loose soil with an acidic reaction, leave the violet in the air for 10 minutes, dip the cut (optional) in root or crushed coal, and plant.
4. Gently and lightly water along the edge of the pot so that water does not get inside the rosette.
5. To avoid severe loss of moisture, remove the lower leaves in sufficient quantities and place them together with the pot in a plastic bag. Ventilate daily.
It is known that it is easier to prevent trouble than to correct it later
Therefore, it is important to take preventive measures to ensure that the problem of violet leaves does not arise:
- Inspect the plant periodically whenever possible
- Periodically add phytosporin against rot to irrigation water.
- Avoid over-drying and over-watering
- Eliminate drafts
It is visually interesting and detailed about what to do if the leaves of a violet become limp, described in the video:
You may be interested in the following information:
Violet withers after transplantation
Often after resuscitation, especially if the Saintpaulia had to simply be transplanted, there may be no improvement or the flower’s condition may even begin to deteriorate. These processes are manifested by general lethargy, loss of turgor, and a change in the shade of the leaves. In this case, how to save a violet that is withering?
It is important not to panic and assess the condition of the individual, because it may simply be a slow improvement after an illness, or it may be an incorrect diagnosis and/or incorrect treatment. If the plant is just slowly recovering or there is no improvement at all, you should think about changing the method of resuscitation or just watch and wait
For example, if the rooting of the top is carried out in the ground, it is worth doing this in water. If Saintpaulia becomes worse, it is necessary to urgently inspect all parts of the flower for undetected problems and take measures to improve the condition
If the plant is simply slowly recovering or there is no improvement at all, you should think about changing the method of resuscitation or just watch and wait. For example, if the rooting of the top is carried out in the ground, it is worth doing this in water. If Saintpaulia becomes worse, it is necessary to urgently examine all parts of the flower for any undetected problems and take measures to improve the condition.
If the violet withers after transplantation, check whether your actions are correct.
Wilting can also begin due to improper care. If the reanimated plant is over-watered, then even if this was not the problem initially, the excess moisture will play a negative role in the treatment.
Attention! Having determined why the violet is withering and how to save it, you should immediately begin resuscitation efforts!
What to do if the violet fades
To find the cause of plant wilting, you will need to eliminate all factors one by one. We will have to reconsider everything: watering, maintenance conditions, fertilizers, and check the flower for pests.
Sometimes, after adjusting the care rules, the violet returns to normal. If, in your opinion, you are doing everything right, and the Saintpaulia continues to wither, replant it in fresh soil and a new pot.
Do not forget also that Saintpaulia needs annual replanting. If this is not done, it may stop blooming and will wither over time.
If the violet withers and no action can return it to its former healthy appearance, do not be discouraged. Remove all drying leaves and cut the rosette at the root. Place it in water and wait for it to sprout new roots, then transplant it into a pot. Perhaps this is how you will be able to save the plant.
Why do violets have soft leaves? This question often arises for many gardeners. The leaves suddenly begin to wither, curl, and sometimes become covered with spots, but the upper part of the plant may look quite healthy and even produce flowers. What becomes the reason in this case?
Why did the violet leaves become limp and soft?
refers to nonspecific symptoms
To make a diagnosis, you need to carefully examine the plant and try to understand where the mistake was made.
These reasons are universal and are suitable for most cases of leaf wilt, be it:
- Violet leaves wither during flowering;
- Either the upper leaves wither;
- Or the leaves wither in winter.
All these ailments have similar causes, which we will discuss below. But you need to remember that most often the lower leaves of violets wither.
Result of incorrect content
Not all beginners know why violet leaves wither: what to do about it? First on the list of mistakes when caring for violets is lighting. This plant does not like the scorching sun:
- North or east windows are suitable for cultivation;
- If the window is directed to the south, then it is better to place the violet in the corner or depth of the room. Exposure to direct sunlight causes burns and wilting of violet leaves.
Violet leaves wither due to improper care.
Low lighting and short winter days also contribute to leaf wilting, so the flower needs lighting during this period.
It must be remembered that the main reason for leaf wilting is inadequate care of the plant.
Temperature conditions
The wilting of Saintpaulia leaves is promoted by:
- Cultivation at low temperatures;
- Sudden changes in temperature;
- Excessive ventilation of the room in winter.
In conditions of low temperatures, it is necessary to sharply reduce the number of waterings, since a wet earthen ball contributes to hypothermia of the roots.
Excess or lack of soil moisture
The watering regime is very important for good violet growth; the plant should not be over-dried or over-watered:
- In winter, violets are watered once a week. Excess moisture is fraught with rotting of roots and wilting of leaves;
- Stagnation of water in the pan is not allowed after 30 minutes. after watering, drain off excess liquid;
- It is recommended to water only after the top layer of the substrate has completely dried.
In apartments with central heating, air humidity must be maintained at about 50% in winter. Due to poor humidity, the leaves become soft.
Pot size
- Too large a container contributes to waterlogging of the soil, rotting of roots and wilting of leaves;
- In a small pot, the root system is injured due to lack of space;
- The diameter of the pot should be three times smaller than the diameter of the leaf rosette.
The wrong pot may cause violet leaves to wilt.
It is recommended to plant violets in pots with a diameter of 7-10 cm made of plastic or other material that does not dry out the soil.
Top dressing
Often the leaves wither due to lack of nutrients, especially during the spring period of intensive violet growth
But it is also important to avoid excessive fertilizing, which can lead to:
- Root burn;
- And the wilting of the plant.
Soil composition
not optimal soil composition or acidity
- The soil should be loose, structured, with optimal acidity in the range of 6.3-6.7;
- Sometimes the soil for violets is not suitable in its general composition, so it is better to buy a ready-made mixture in the store.
Since the composition of the soil becomes depleted over time and its acidity changes, violets must be replanted annually in fresh soil.
Main reasons
Sometimes you can observe a situation when the lower leaves of violets begin to wither and disappear. Moreover, at a time when the lower leaves become limp and soft, everything may be in order with the upper part of the plant (sometimes Saintpaulia may even bloom). Why is this happening? There may be several reasons why violets disappear:
- various fungal diseases that can enter through the soil or through wounds that form due to mechanical damage;
- harmful insects sucking juices from violets;
- improper care of violets - non-compliance with temperature conditions, excess moisture or even root burns.
When violet leaves wither, you should immediately understand the reasons for this phenomenon, and not wait until the process goes too far.
Why do violet leaves wither, who is to blame and what to do
For example, you noticed that the leaves of the violet became soft, sank down the wall of the pot, and their edges began to bend inward. The plant is losing leaf turgor, but recently it was happy with flowering!
Most likely, leaf wilting is the result of improper care. Whatever they say - pests in the soil, little or much light, a viral disease - the main common cause lies in the well-being of the root system.
Why do the lower leaves of violets wither? - this is only the beginning of a process that starts from the root; if it is not stopped, the upper ones will also wither.
We made mistakes while caring for our charges, which means we must do everything possible for their recovery.
The specific reasons leading to violet root rot are as follows:
- Watering is done in the center of the bush from above
- The soil is too dense, causing water to stagnate when watering.
- A violet stands on a cold windowsill
- Small drainage hole in the pot
- The soil is neutral or alkaline, which promotes the development of root rot.
- Lack of drainage
- Depletion of soil in pots with old violets, alkalization and, as a result, the appearance of fungus on the root
- Root burn with concentrated fertilizer
- The temperature of the content is uncomfortable for the violet, it is below 18 degrees
- Pot too big.
Why do the lower leaves of violets wither after transplantation, what to do at home
Most often, violets wither due to watering errors, but not necessarily. The loss of decorativeness usually begins with the lower leaves and ends with the bush dying. You can save a valuable variety by identifying the source of the problem, then decide what to do - replant the indoor plant, treat it, or urgently root healthy leaves.
Natural aging
In violets, with satisfactory maintenance, the plates function normally for about a year. Then, starting from the bottom ones, they gradually age, sequentially:
- change color;
- turgor worsens;
- yellow areas appear with signs of drying out or rotting;
- the plates wither and die.
If Saintpaulia is replanted at least once a year, the leaves will not wither due to old age - during the operation, the bottom row of plates is usually removed.
Improper watering
If the violet has soft leaves, first of all, the owners should reconsider watering. Inexperienced gardeners often think that vegetative organs can only wither due to lack of moisture; they give the bushes more water, as a result the roots begin to rot and the Saintpaulia dies.
The worst thing is that overwatering is really easy to confuse with overdrying:
- leaves lose turgor;
- wither;
- in advanced cases, they hang down.
The exact cause can only be determined by the state of the earthen coma. It needs to be taken out of the pot and examined.
Overflow
Droopy violet leaves often indicate overwatering. This is accompanied by:
- soaking and souring of the substrate;
- deterioration of aeration;
- rotting of the root system;
- cessation of nutrition and, oddly enough, absorption of water - the decaying sucking shoots cease to function.
As a result, the underground part may die completely. Treatment:
- in mild cases - drying the earthen coma;
- in case of strong overflow - transplant into a smaller pot and clean out the rotting sucking shoots;
- neglected situation - pruning and rooting of the top.
Sometimes the owners only have time to take healthy leaves for propagation. If the plate, and not just the petiole, has become soft and began to wither, it is too late to do this.
It is very easy to overwater violets in a large pot. The correct ratio of the diameter of the upper hole and the socket is 1:3.
Overdrying
The above-ground part of a drying bush behaves as if it were overflowing. If Saintpaulia constantly suffers from a lack of moisture or periods of drought alternate with normal or excessive watering, violet:
- develops slowly;
- the corollas do not correspond to the varietal description - they become pale and small;
- the plates turn yellow, and the change in color is not associated with their age.
Substrate:
- moves away from the pot, as a result, the moisture does not saturate the soil, but is immediately poured into the pan;
- the soil hardens, depending on its structure, turns into many dry lumps or a solid monolith;
- the root dries out and dies.
Treatment: you need to saturate the substrate with moisture using the immersion method, then inspect the underground part. Sometimes it is enough to cover the flower with transparent cellophane, and the turgor will be restored naturally. But if sluggish vegetative organs do not regain their elasticity within a day, they will have to be cut off.
Temporary overdrying is less dangerous for violets than overwatering.
Water has entered the center of the outlet
The leaves will certainly begin to wither when the owners are in a hurry, lazy, or do not consider it necessary to lift them during overhead watering. The liquid gets onto the base of the petioles or into the center of the rosette; due to the tight fit and pubescent surface of the vegetative organs, it evaporates slowly, and rotting begins.
Getting the violet wet at low temperatures or evening watering is especially dangerous.
Other care errors
Saintpaulia withers when the owners violate the conditions of detention:
- The temperature drops below 15° C or rises above 30-32° C. If the deviation from the norm is short-term, insignificant, turgor will return on its own. If the temperature is violated for a long time, the violet may die.
- The soil is damaged or was not initially suitable for growing the crop. Need an urgent transplant.
- Watering with cold water.
- Chemical burn of the root after fertilizing with dry soil or too concentrated fertilizer.
- Low air humidity. For violets, the acceptable minimum is 50%.
- There hasn't been a transplant for a long time. The operation should be performed at least once a year, preferably every 6-9 months.
- Hypothermia of the root in winter. Violets often wither after watering if they stand on a cold windowsill. It is recommended to build a protective screen, or at least place a piece of foam under the pot.
- Saintpaulia wilts when watered regularly with hard water.
- Drafts. The flower cannot be placed in front of a working air conditioner; it must be covered with newspaper or protected in another way when ventilating.
Violet leaves wither after transplanting
This sometimes happens even among experienced gardeners, especially if the operation was accompanied by stripping of the roots. It is recommended to cover the injured plant with a transparent cap - the violet will recover rather than fight for life, and turgor will return to the leaves faster.
Saintpaulia may wither after transplantation for other reasons:
- The timing was wrong for the operation. The crop can be moved to a new pot regardless of the season, but it is better to do this in spring or autumn. In summer it is too hot, although violet can withstand temperatures up to 30° C well, it is better that the first weeks after transplantation should not exceed 25° C. In winter, on the contrary, it is cold. Even at 18°C, proprietary varieties with damaged roots suffer; they need at least 20°C.
- The violet can be watered with water at room temperature. But after transplantation it is better if it is 5°C higher. Some gardeners generally advise raising the degree to 30-35. Cold water often causes rotting of injured roots.
- The same thing often happens with abundant watering immediately after transplanting. This does not mean that the violet should be left dry for several days - this way the leaves will definitely begin to wither. The substrate should be slightly moistened so that it sticks to the roots and fills the air pockets.
- Even when transshipping a violet, the underground part is injured. This is fraught with infection in the wounds, especially when making the substrate yourself. It is recommended to water the bushes with Fitosporin solution 2-3 days after moving them to another pot.
Stampings - industrial varieties tolerate replanting more easily than designer violets.
Diseases and pests
For these reasons, Saintpaulia rarely withers. The culture has excellent immunity, attracts little insects, and pathogens do not colonize the collection for years.
But sometimes they can get on plants:
- from clothes or dirty hands of owners, hair from pets walking on the street;
- after transplantation into a substrate containing contaminated garden soil;
- bring into the house with new plants, fruits, a bouquet of flowers, especially wild ones.
Pests of Saintpaulia
When attacked by insects or mites, the pests will first multiply so that they will swarm in the pot, on the vegetative organs. And only then the violets will begin to fade. Usually owners take action earlier.
The following require special attention and treatment with appropriate insecticides:
- cyclamen, spider, flat mites;
- white podurs (ground fleas);
- greenhouse aphids;
- mealybugs;
- thrips;
- nematodes;
- whiteflies.
Sciarides (fungus gnats) irritate owners more than they harm indoor violets. But if you don’t pay attention to them for a long time, the roots will begin to eat away and the leaves will begin to wither.
Infectious diseases
Pathogenic microorganisms pose a much greater danger than pests. To treat fungi, fungicides are used, and for bacteriosis, a solution of trichopolum is used. If viruses are detected, it is impossible to save the violet; it is thrown away along with the soil and the pot.
Infectious diseases of Saintpaulia, accompanied by wilting:
- Late blight - decomposition begins from the roots, then moves sequentially to the petioles and plates. It seems that the violet has not been watered for a long time.
- Fusarium - the leaves, starting from the lower ones, become soft, watery, then wither. The petioles turn brown and the plant dies.
- Gray rot - first dark spots appear on the vegetative organs. Over time, the affected areas increase in size, become covered with gray fluff, and die off.
- Wet rot - in heat and high humidity, rapidly growing dark spots appear on the plates. The above-ground part withers, then becomes soft and decomposes.
- Vascular bacteriosis occurs at high temperatures and proceeds quickly. First, watery spots appear on old, then young leaves and petioles, vegetative organs wither, become slimy, and die.
- Viral diseases can begin with changes in leaf color - mosaic, spots, rings, streaks. Violets wither not necessarily due to watering errors. But the loss of turgor is not just an alarming signal; it is often a late sign of a serious violation of agricultural practices or disease. You need to react quickly, otherwise the plant will die.
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Symptoms: white coating, leaf flaccid, may curl inward
When there is a great desire to have healthy Saintpaulias in the house, you should study the technology of cultivation and care so as not to harm them with your actions.
Many people are interested in the question: why can leaves curl? In addition to insects, viruses and fungi, other symptoms are present.
- Spots on leaves. They say there is a lot of moisture. Drain the soil. When watering, do not pour on sockets. Keep away from direct sunlight.
- White plaque. Indicates drafts. When you ventilate the room, check how much the air temperature changes. Sharp fluctuations are bad.
- Wilting violets. Cut off the shoot - the brown ring will tell you about the fungus, try to look for healthy shoots, root them. If there is no darkening, she is very sick. To avoid infecting others, throw it away.
- The leaves curl downward, inward. Diagnosis: overflow. Try to revive it: remove the roots from the damp lump, rinse in warm water, place in a small pot.
Do not lead to a painful state, do prevention:
- Bring certified products into your home.
- Inspect when purchasing. If you doubt the health of the purchased product, do not buy it.
- Once you buy it, put it in quarantine (it will take three weeks). Let him get used to it, and when you examine him, make sure he is healthy.
Caring for bright violets is not difficult. The species created by breeders are resistant to damage. It’s not for nothing that they occupy a leading position among indoor species. By following the rules, be sure to make friends with them.
Pests
Parasites, as a rule, live on the green part of the plant and in the root zone - in these places they receive a sufficient amount of moisture, so they can intensively develop and reproduce. The first sign of damage is wilting of the leaves, but if urgent measures are not taken, the flower will die in a short time, so emergency resuscitation is needed
If you notice that the leaves of your violet have wilted, drooped, become loose and darkened, then you should take a closer look at the leaf blades. Usually pests are clearly visible even with the naked eye, and even if the insects themselves are invisible, the damage they have caused is striking - such leaves are usually covered with eaten holes
Most often, violets are attacked by aphids, spider mites, scale insects and root scale insects. Aphids are the easiest to notice - they are quite impressive in size and visually resemble small midges. But it is not so easy to notice mites; they affect both leaves and roots, the violet becomes drooping, and small holes form on the leaves. The scale leaves a sticky coating on the leaf plate, in addition, many dark spots can be noted on the back side. To treat a flower, it is necessary to wash off the insects with a concentrated solution of laundry soap, then replant the flower in new soil and, if necessary, treat it with fungicides approved for use at home.
Diseases
There are several diseases that lead to the wilting of foliage in violets - late blight, fusarium and root rot.
Late blight
When infected with late blight, the above-ground part of the plant quickly loses its elasticity, becomes lethargic and becomes covered with rusty spots. What to do if the violet leaves become soft due to such a disease? The scheme of events is as follows:
- cut off all soft leaves;
- take the plant out of the pot, shake off the soil and remove all damaged roots;
On a note! Late blight is a fungal disease that affects not only the upper part of the flower, but also its root system!
- we transplant the surviving part of the Saintpaulia into a new pot, which should be slightly smaller than the previous one;
- lightly spill the soil with Fitosporin.
If the root system has been completely damaged, then you can cut the cutting and try to grow a new plant.
Fusarium
Fusarium is the most dangerous disease for violets. The picture of its manifestation is as follows: first, the rhizome begins to rot, then the petioles of the lower leaves and, finally, the leaf blades themselves. They wither, become watery and then die.
On a note! Unfortunately, with fusarium the plant dies very quickly, especially if it suffers from a deficiency of fertilizers and is kept at a temperature less than +16°C!
So, what to do if one of the violets has soft leaves due to Fusarium infection:
- it is very important to immediately remove the diseased plant away from healthy specimens;
- then we destroy it, along with the soil;
- disinfect the pot in which the diseased Saintpaulia was previously located with a solution of copper sulfate or any available fungicide;
- For prevention, we set up a watering regime and water the violets with Fitosporin once a month.
Root rot
The answer to the question of why violets have soft leaves may well be a disease such as root rot. The main symptoms: dull coloring of the above-ground parts of the plant and its sudden wilting. Moreover, if you remove Saintpaulia from the substrate, you will find that its roots have also softened and acquired a brown color.
On a note! In this case, the rhizome is affected by fungal spores, which multiply very quickly in a humid environment! If the acidity of the soil is low, the infection will dissipate quite quickly!
In order to help the violet, you need to do the following:
- reduce the frequency of watering, but rare portions should be plentiful;
- carry out root treatment of infected specimens with the drug “Fitosporin”;
- if necessary, replace the substrate with one that will not retain moisture for too long.
Why do violet leaves stretch upward?
Varietal feature
There are varieties of violets that do not have a strict rosette, and the leaves grow in different directions. These include trailer violets, which come in bush and hanging varieties. They are distinguished by an elongated stem and several growth points, which are located in the axils between the leaves.
Ampelous senoplias are distinguished by drooping stems, while bush ones form several shoots with leaves growing in different directions, including upwards.
Ampelous violet.
Bush violet.
ATTENTION! The growth of leaves upward is a varietal feature of ampelous, bush Saintpaulias.
Other reasons
Other varieties of indoor Saintpaulias involve the formation of a wide rosette of leaves. When they begin to grow upward, this indicates various errors in care, non-compliance with maintenance conditions or pest infestation.
Next, we will look in detail at the main reasons why violet leaves stretch upward.
Lack of lighting, uneven luminous flux
The main reason is lighting problems:
- when there is a lack of light, the leaves of the plant become smaller and stretch upward, trying to get more light;
- when there is excess lighting, the plant covers the growth point with its leaves, protecting it from burns;
- the flower may lift one half of the rosette if the light hits the plant unevenly. If the lighting is on the left, then the formation of a rosette will occur towards the light source, lifting up the leaves on the right.
Indoor air is too dry
Low room humidity can cause leaves to grow improperly. They grow upward, covering the core with the buds from drying out, creating more humid conditions inside.
Lack of humidity occurs during the heating season or hot summer. In this case, the soil dries out quickly, which can lead to another reason for improper plant growth due to lack of watering.
High air temperature
The optimal temperature for keeping a flower is between +20-24 degrees Celsius. Near heating devices the temperature will be greatly increased. In this case, the leaves will turn yellow, forming brown spots on them.
Violet is very sensitive to ambient temperature.
Another reason may be direct sunlight, then the leaves of the plant may receive thermal burns.
Frequent change of location
Indoor violet is a slow-growing plant. With frequent changes of location, she does not have time to adapt to new conditions and lighting.
Soil depletion
The plant is very demanding on soil nutrition. It needs to be replanted 1-2 times a year, and special complex fertilizers must be applied in a timely manner. One of the reasons for improper leaf growth may be a lack of nitrogen or other microelements.
Pest attack
This is one of the reasons for improper plant growth. In case of severe damage, in addition to improper growth, the leaves will curl and dry out.
The main pests include:
- thrips;
- aphids;
- spider mite.
CAREFULLY! Most often, indoor Saintpaulia is affected by spider mites.
All about why violets' leaves droop
The situation in which violet leaves droop down occurs quite often. At the same time, the leaves can both lose turgor and remain strong and healthy in appearance. This problem is difficult to cope with, since this phenomenon can be caused by various reasons , sometimes even opposite ones.
By incorrectly identifying the cause, you can worsen the condition of Saintpaulia, which in the future can lead to its death. If you find that your violet has dropped its leaves, what should you do? First of all, you need to determine the causes of this phenomenon and, based on the knowledge gained, apply one or another method of treatment.
Adjustment of care rules
If Saintpaulia loses turgor, you should go through all the points to understand why the violet withers in the pot. Violets grow well if:
- Located in a well-lit place, but not exposed to bright sunlight;
- There are no drafts;
- Watering rules are followed, the plant is not flooded with water and does not suffer from drought;
- The violet receives full macro- and microfertilizer;
- The temperature and humidity conditions are maintained at about 65%;
- High-quality soil is selected, which is changed once a year;
- Drainage is used;
- Select a pot of the correct size;
- Preventive measures are taken against diseases and pests.
But in some cases, the measures taken do not lead to the desired result. You can simply transplant the Saintpaulia into another pot, seating the children too.
The reason could lie precisely in the lack of nutrition, humidity, or light, if many daughter rosettes grew around the mother bush.
If the violet continues to wither, it is necessary to remove all the dried leaves, trim the plant at the root and place it in water for new roots to appear. There is hope that this method will revive the violet.
Like any cultivated plant, violet needs care and attention. If the owners often leave, during planting you can arrange a wick system for watering the plants. For this you need a synthetic cord. Operating procedure:
- A cord is placed at the bottom of the pot so that one end of it goes into the drainage hole;
- Light permeable soil is poured and violets are planted;
- Water is poured into a container with a closed lid (for example, a plastic mayonnaise bucket);
- A hole is made in the lid for the cord;
- A pot with a plant is placed on the lid;
- The wick is lowered into water, to which microdoses of fertilizer can be added;
- The wick watering device is ready;
- The water will rise up the cord and provide the violet with nutrition and moisture.
Violets respond well to wick watering.
Why does a violet in a pot wither?
Beginning flower growers are often concerned with questions about why violet leaves wither, what to do if the flower becomes ill, and how to save it from death. With proper care, a plant in good condition has thick, shiny leaves with well-developed pubescence. Their petioles are straight, of medium length and directed upward at a slight angle.
Why do the leaves wither?
If violet leaves become soft and droop, the reason may be their natural aging and death. In this case, only the bottom 1-3 sheets are subject to changes.
Diseases affect the entire plant at once: the lower leaves wither, and the middle and upper ones are curled, their leaf blades become smaller, their petioles are shortened, and spots or plaque appear. A bush that bloomed profusely before stops flowering or forms too long or shortened arrows with a minimum number of buds.
Lack of light
Among the reasons why violets wither is insufficient lighting. For good growth and abundant flowering, the plant needs about 12 hours of daylight. In winter, it is advisable to illuminate violets with phytolamps or fluorescent lamps.
A sign of lack of lighting is excessive elongation of petioles and peduncles. Sometimes they are more elongated on the side away from the window, and the flower looks skewed. With a prolonged lack of light, the leaves lose color, become yellowish, and often begin to wither.
Improper watering
When combined with low temperatures and insufficient lighting, it becomes especially dangerous. Under unfavorable conditions, the flower goes into a dormant state, but it continues to be watered as abundantly as during active growing season. Because of this, stagnation occurs in the soil and the violet withers, which prompts the owner to increase watering.
The result of such a mistake could be the death of Saintpaulia. When water stagnates in the soil, the roots of the flower begin to rot. External signs of this are:
- withered leaves throughout the plant;
- cessation of normal growth and development: leaves in the center of the rosette become small, with short petioles;
- cessation of flowering.
If measures are not taken to save the flower, it may die.
The symptoms of overwatering are similar to the signs of lack of moisture when the flower dries out: in both cases it lacks moisture and nutrients. Lack and excess of moisture are equally harmful to Saintpaulia. You can distinguish one condition from another by soil moisture.
Lack of fertilizer or satiety
With a lack or excess of minerals, the plant acquires a characteristic appearance:
- lack of nitrogen compounds leads to pale leaves, they lose turgor and droop;
- excess nitrogen promotes the formation of rough, dark leaf blades;
- deficiency of potassium and phosphorus causes the cessation of flowering: flowers and buds fade even on formed arrows, and new ones are not formed;
- Excess of these substances can resemble signs of nitrogen deficiency.
Deficiency of microelements (iron, sulfur, magnesium, etc.) often leads to discoloration of leaf blades, curling and deformity, and shredding of leaves and flowers.
Unprepared soil
Drooping leaves may be a sign that the soil is not meeting the requirements of the violet. The plant prefers acidic, moisture-permeable, light soil, which contains many nutrients and retains moisture well.
When purchasing a flower in a store, it is best to replant it at home in Saintpaulia soil. If it is impossible to buy a ready-made mixture, then a good replacement would be a mixture of equal parts of leaf soil, peat and fine river sand.
From such soil the plant can easily obtain the necessary nutrients.
Influence of pests
A common reason why violet leaves become soft is insect damage. Among indoor pests, thrips are the most dangerous for violets. They can be found on the soil surface - they are small, white, mobile creatures. They are sucking pests and, in large numbers, can cause the plant to wither.
If the air is too dry, violets are also damaged by spider mites. It is easier to detect small pests and their webs on the underside of leaves.
Fungal and bacterial microflora leads to the formation of spots and plaque of different types and colors. Sometimes the leaves become limp and take on a translucent, watery appearance, and over time begin to rot at the base. If signs of pests or diseases are detected, urgent rescue measures must be taken (how to save a violet is described in a separate chapter).
Air temperature and humidity
The temperature range acceptable for growing Saintpaulias is small. When it drops to +15°C, the plant stops growing and stops blooming. The upper limit of the interval is +25°C. If the room is too hot, the plant loses turgor and withers.
Sudden changes in temperature are undesirable. In the room where Uzambara violets grow, it is advisable to maintain a constant temperature at +18... +22°C. Air humidity should be about 70%. To maintain it at a normal level, place wide containers filled with water near containers with flowers.
What to do?
If you find limp lower leaves on a plant, try to find the cause. If the room is hot and the soil in the pot is dry, then abundant watering combined with sprinkling can help the violet. At home, the flower is placed in a basin and watered from a shower or watering can with lukewarm water, washing all the leaves. The pot is left in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes.
In order for Saintpaulia to finally get stronger, you only need to keep the soil moist, but if the plant suffers from wilting even after this, the cause can be determined by the signs accompanying undesirable conditions (pests, waterlogging or low temperature). Once the cause is discovered, proceed as follows:
- When the soil is waterlogged and too dense, the root system suffers greatly. In this case, it is recommended to remove the flower from the container, wash off the remaining soil from the roots and inspect them. Having found traces of rot, cut off the damaged parts and dust the sections with activated carbon powder. Transplant the bush into new soil in a small container (even a large Saintpaulia requires a container of about 1 liter).
- If the rotting process has taken over the stem, remove the lower flaccid leaves and cut the rosette down to intact tissue. Healthy pulp has a light, slightly greenish color. It is easy to root the rosette again by deepening the cut into the soil by 2-3 cm.
- If the wilting is caused by pests or diseases and proper care cannot help, the only thing you need to do if the violet withers is to purchase insect repellent, fungi or infection repellent from a flower shop. Spray the plant with the composition and keep it in a mini-greenhouse from the bag for 12-24 hours.
It is advisable to fertilize with mixtures specially designed for flowering plants, where all elements are balanced. Subject to simple conditions and dosages of the drug, violet will not suffer from an excess or deficiency of minerals.
Source: https://mostech-group.ru/nelzya/pochemu-vyanet-fialka-v-gorshke/
What to do if the violet withers?
If the violet has lost turgor, this clearly indicates problems - either with the conditions of detention or with the health of the plant. Next, we will look in detail at the reasons for flower wilting.
Adjustment of external growing conditions
For all its unpretentiousness, violet makes demands on:
- illumination;
- watering;
- temperature conditions;
- feeding;
- ground;
- the size of the pot.
Violation of any of these rules can lead to withering of the plant, loss of turgor by the leaves and even death.
Lighting requirements
Saintpaulias love light, but not direct sunlight. To feel comfortable and bloom, it must receive lighting for 12-14 hours a day.
The most suitable place for home violets is the southeast and southwest window sills . Morning and evening sun will only benefit the plant. A southern windowsill is undesirable for growing this flower. Under the blinding rays of the sun, the violet leaves will wither and burn. Temperatures above 25 degrees are uncomfortable for them.
Violets can get burned from too much sun.
If the violet begins to fade due to too bright sunlight, it must be dimmed using:
- blinds;
- newspapers;
- remove the flower from the windowsill.
Cold northern window sills are suitable for delicate southern plants if there are no drafts. At temperatures below 15 degrees, the flower stops developing. Violet can drop its leaves due to sudden temperature changes and does not like to stand near open windows in the wind.
Watering
Violets have special requirements for watering. Both a lack and an excess of water will cause the flower to wilt. An excess will entail:
- the appearance of midges;
- the occurrence of fungal diseases;
- Root rotting and plant death.
Water the violet with settled warm water if:
- the soil is 2/3 dry;
- When compressed, the leaves are soft and crumple; if the leaves are elastic, watering is not required yet.
The most preferable would be to water from below, when the flower is placed in a tray with water that does not reach slightly to the top of the pot. As soon as the surface of the soil begins to shine from the water that has come out, the plant should be removed from the pan and the excess moisture should be allowed to drain. The next watering is carried out after the earthen clod has dried, after 1-2 weeks .
It is possible to water violets from a watering can with a narrow spout under the root , avoiding water getting on the leaves and flowers, but in this case the soil is washed away and the roots are exposed, which has an undesirable effect on the development of the plant.
Sometimes, in order to wash off the dust from the leaves you can give Saintpaulia a shower , but in this case it is necessary to let the leaves dry completely and then return them to their permanent place of residence, otherwise sunburn may appear on the wet leaves.
If the soil in the pot is too dry, the thin roots of the violet begin to die. To restore the plant, you should not immediately water it abundantly, otherwise it may get sick.
The frequency of watering depends on the season . If Saintpaulia is placed on a windowsill located above a heating device, the soil in the pot dries out very quickly. The best option is to remove the flower to another place and use artificial lighting in the dark.
Top dressing
Throughout the growing season, in order for the plant to feel comfortable and gain strength for flowering, violets require constant feeding.
At the beginning of spring, plants weakened over the winter are given a complete complex fertilizer with microelements, with a predominance of nitrogen, so that the green mass grows. You can also use home remedies for these purposes, but complex fertilizers are preferable.
Try to use specialized products for violets.
Further, during the period of budding and flowering, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are required.
Air temperature and humidity
The optimal conditions for violets will be at an air temperature of 18-22 degrees. At lower rates they freeze and stop developing, at higher rates they fade.
Plants are also demanding on air humidity. It should be about 60-70%. Since dry air is harmful to violets, place a container of water next to the pot.
You should also avoid keeping plants near fans and running air conditioners.
Correct selection of soil
A limp violet indicates that its pot may have acidified and dense soil . Since the violet, which blooms for a long time, constantly needs nutrients, it receives them in 2 ways:
Therefore, it is necessary to replant the flower once a year due to the severe depletion of the soil in the pot and its compaction. When planting, it is necessary to take water- and breathable soil. A mixture suitable for this:
- leaf soil;
- turf;
- coniferous;
- high peat;
- sand.
The soil for violets should be very loose.
When adding vermicompost, you need to add raising agents:
- vermiculite;
- perlite;
- coconut fiber;
- sphagnum moss.
Expanded clay is placed on the bottom as drainage, then charcoal, you can add eggshells to reduce acidity, and a prepared or purchased mixture for violets on top. The correct approach when preparing the mixture and planting will ensure comfortable growth and flowering for the violet.
Selection of planting pot
Ideally, the violet rosette should be 3 times larger than the planting container . The roots of Saintpaulia are close to the surface of the earth, so the flower does not need a deep pot.
When planting a plant in a large container, it will not bloom for 2 years, and will devote all its energy to developing the territory and increasing the green mass.
Soil that is not mastered by roots begins to deteriorate and turn sour, which leads to illness and the appearance of fungal diseases. The plant loses turgor and withers.
Diseases
Violets wither due to the following diseases:
Diseases usually appear in late winter or early spring, when the plant is weakened.
Downy mildew can be recognized by yellow, brown spots on the outside of the leaf, and a gray coating appears on the inside. A sign of powdery mildew is a white powdery coating on the surface of the leaves. They fight the scourge with the help of folk remedies and fungicides.
Rust appears as rusty spots on the front of the leaves. Colonies of yellow fungus are visible on the inside.
In 75% of cases, the cause of wilting of violets is root rot . To check this, you need to dig up the flower and examine the roots. The absence of white roots confirms the disease. The cause of root rot is increased watering of the plant after a prolonged drought.
Pests
pests of violets are:
The tick is so small that it is impossible to see it with the naked eye. But if a cobweb appears on the flowers and leaves and the plant begins to wither, a tick has attacked. They drink plant sap and, if timely measures are not taken, the flower will die.
Aphids can be recognized by the yellow trails they leave on the leaves and by scattered pollen.
The mealybug settles in buds and young leaves.
Pest and disease control
Traditional methods of combating diseases are effective in the initial stages. If the flower is seriously damaged, then fungicides should be used.
In case of root rot, cut off all diseased areas of the root to healthy tissue (it has a purple tint). If the entire root is damaged, the violet must be destroyed. If healthy tissue remains, you should tear off the lower flowers, treat the cut with a fungicide or potassium permanganate solution and place it in water or damp to form healthy roots.
To remove pests, you can wipe the leaves with a soap or alcohol solution. If it doesn’t help, only the chemicals “Aktara” and “Karbofos” will save you.
Adjustment of care rules
If Saintpaulia loses turgor, you should go through all the points to understand why the violet withers in the pot. Violets grow well if:
- Located in a well-lit place, but not exposed to bright sunlight;
- There are no drafts;
- Watering rules are followed, the plant is not flooded with water and does not suffer from drought;
- The violet receives full macro- and microfertilizer;
- The temperature and humidity conditions are maintained at about 65%;
- High-quality soil is selected, which is changed once a year;
- Drainage is used;
- Select a pot of the correct size;
- Preventive measures are taken against diseases and pests.
But in some cases, the measures taken do not lead to the desired result. You can simply transplant the Saintpaulia into another pot, seating the children too.
The reason could lie precisely in the lack of nutrition, humidity, or light, if many daughter rosettes grew around the mother bush.
If the violet continues to wither, it is necessary to remove all the dried leaves, trim the plant at the root and place it in water for new roots to appear. There is hope that this method will revive the violet.
Like any cultivated plant, violet needs care and attention. If the owners often leave, during planting you can arrange a wick system for watering the plants. For this you need a synthetic cord. Operating procedure:
- A cord is placed at the bottom of the pot so that one end of it goes into the drainage hole;
- Light permeable soil is poured and violets are planted;
- Water is poured into a container with a closed lid (for example, a plastic mayonnaise bucket);
- A hole is made in the lid for the cord;
- A pot with a plant is placed on the lid;
- The wick is lowered into water, to which microdoses of fertilizer can be added;
- The wick watering device is ready;
- The water will rise up the cord and provide the violet with nutrition and moisture.
Violets respond well to wick watering.
Useful videos
Watch a video about why violets wither: Detailed video on how to properly care for violets:
below talks about common pests of violets: This video is dedicated to common diseases of violets:
Source: https://100-cvetov.ru/komnatnye-tsvety/fialki/pochemu-vyanet-fialka-v-gorshke
Violet resuscitation
Before saving the violet, you need to find out why the leaves of the plant have become limp. It is not recommended to revive violets without finding out the exact cause. By your actions you can harm the flower. So study the issue carefully and eliminate the cause, not the symptoms. So, what to do if your violet has limp leaves?
We save from diseases
Death of the lower leaves of violets can occur due to a number of diseases. These include late blight and fusarium. Both of these diseases are extremely dangerous for the plant, so if you don’t take timely measures, you can say goodbye to the flower.
With late blight, the leaves become limp and lose their elasticity, in addition, rusty spots appear on them. The reanimated plant should be immediately rid of soft leaves. In addition, since fungal bacteria affect the root system, it is necessary to remove the flower from the pot and remove the damaged roots.
After the surviving part has been removed, transplant the Saintpaulia into a new pot and lightly water it with phytosporin. Select pots for replanting that are slightly smaller than the previous one. If the root system has been completely destroyed, you can cut the cutting and try to grow a new plant from it.
When violets are affected by fusarium, the leaves wither, turn brown and fall off. A characteristic sign of this disease is the darkened roots of the plant. You can try to treat your pet in the same way as for late blight, but you should not have high hopes for the flower’s recovery. In most cases, Saintpaulia will die.
Getting rid of pests
When a violet withers, this may be a consequence of the harmful activities of insect pests that parasitize the plant, sucking out the beneficial substances from it. Naturally, if your pet has been attacked by bugs, this will be the easiest thing to establish. Many of the parasites can be detected by taking a good look at the flower, and if they have managed to multiply, you can even notice them with the naked eye.
Most often, Saintpaulias suffer from attacks by root scale insects, nematodes and thrips, but there are many other insects that pose a danger to your flower garden. They are usually gotten rid of with the help of special preparations – acaricides. But it is worth remembering that they settle mainly in the soil. Therefore, in order to protect the flowers, it is recommended to transplant them into a new pot with a complete replacement of the soil.
Eliminating the consequences of improper care
Despite everything, the most common reason that a plant becomes lethargic is still improper care. What are you doing wrong?
Lack of light. Flowers often disappear due to the fact that they were not provided with enough light. They need it for 12 hours a day, so in winter, when natural light becomes insufficient, it is recommended to replace it with artificial light. Excess light. In this case, the leaves may get sunburned and quickly turn yellow. To restore the flower, you need to put it in a place where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight. Incorrect watering. Excess or lack of moisture is equally harmful to Saintpaulias. Due to excess water, its roots may begin to rot, and in this case it is recommended to remove the flower from the pot, remove the rotten roots and replant it in new soil. If the plant suffers due to lack of water, then you can simply water it (but be careful not to flood the flower)
It is important to water the plant correctly. Some people do it wrong, watering Saintpaulia from above - the water needs to be poured into the pan. Excess or lack of fertilizers
Typically, the plant becomes lethargic due to a lack of potassium or nitrogen. If in this case it will be enough to compensate for the lack of nutrients by applying fertilizing, then with an excess of fertilizers the situation is much more serious. It is necessary to transplant your beauty to a new place, and continue to monitor the amount of feeding. Bad soil. Saintpaulias prefer slightly acidic soil, so if yours is not so, you need to change it by replanting the violets. Poor water quality. Water for irrigation should be settled (at least a day) and warm. Cold tap water causes significant damage to the flower. Failure to comply with temperature conditions. The optimal temperature for Saintpaulia is 18–25 degrees. If it is too low or too high, the flowers begin to fade. Move the Saintpaulia to a warmer (or cooler) place. Do not leave the flower in a draft or near heating appliances. Untimely transplant. Remember to repot your plants once a year, and also replant newly purchased Saintpaulias in new soil.
What to do if the violet withers?
If the violet has lost turgor, this clearly indicates problems - either with the conditions of detention or with the health of the plant. Next, we will look in detail at the reasons for flower wilting.
Adjustment of external growing conditions
For all its unpretentiousness, violet makes demands on:
- illumination;
- watering;
- temperature conditions;
- feeding;
- ground;
- the size of the pot.
Violation of any of these rules can lead to withering of the plant, loss of turgor by the leaves and even death.
Lighting requirements
Saintpaulias love light, but not direct sunlight. To feel comfortable and bloom, it must receive lighting for 12-14 hours a day.
The most suitable place for home violets is the southeast and southwest window sills . Morning and evening sun will only benefit the plant. A southern windowsill is undesirable for growing this flower. Under the blinding rays of the sun, the violet leaves will wither and burn. Temperatures above 25 degrees are uncomfortable for them.
Violets can get burned from too much sun.
If the violet begins to fade due to too bright sunlight, it must be dimmed using:
- blinds;
- newspapers;
- remove the flower from the windowsill.
Cold northern window sills are suitable for delicate southern plants if there are no drafts. At temperatures below 15 degrees, the flower stops developing. Violet can drop its leaves due to sudden temperature changes and does not like to stand near open windows in the wind.
Attention! When growing violets with artificial lighting, you should turn the flower from time to time to the light source in different directions to avoid bending the rosette.
Watering
Violets have special requirements for watering. Both a lack and an excess of water will cause the flower to wilt. An excess will entail:
- the appearance of midges;
- the occurrence of fungal diseases;
- Root rotting and plant death.
Water the violet with settled warm water if:
- the soil is 2/3 dry;
- When compressed, the leaves are soft and crumple; if the leaves are elastic, watering is not required yet.
The most preferable would be to water from below, when the flower is placed in a tray with water that does not reach slightly to the top of the pot. As soon as the surface of the soil begins to shine from the water that has come out, the plant should be removed from the pan and the excess moisture should be allowed to drain. The next watering is carried out after the earthen clod has dried, after 1-2 weeks .
It is possible to water violets from a watering can with a narrow spout under the root , avoiding water getting on the leaves and flowers, but in this case the soil is washed away and the roots are exposed, which has an undesirable effect on the development of the plant.
Sometimes, in order to wash off the dust from the leaves you can give Saintpaulia a shower , but in this case it is necessary to let the leaves dry completely and then return them to their permanent place of residence, otherwise sunburn may appear on the wet leaves.
If the soil in the pot is too dry, the thin roots of the violet begin to die. To restore the plant, you should not immediately water it abundantly, otherwise it may get sick.
The frequency of watering depends on the season . If Saintpaulia is placed on a windowsill located above a heating device, the soil in the pot dries out very quickly. The best option is to remove the flower to another place and use artificial lighting in the dark.
Top dressing
Throughout the growing season, in order for the plant to feel comfortable and gain strength for flowering, violets require constant feeding.
At the beginning of spring, plants weakened over the winter are given a complete complex fertilizer with microelements, with a predominance of nitrogen, so that the green mass grows. You can also use home remedies for these purposes, but complex fertilizers are preferable.
Try to use specialized products for violets.
Further, during the period of budding and flowering, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are required.
Advice! Only if the plant is fully supplied with macro- and microelements will the violet delight with green foliage and bright flowers. But excessive application of fertilizers will also lead to either too rapid growth of foliage or its wilting.
Air temperature and humidity
The optimal conditions for violets will be at an air temperature of 18-22 degrees. At lower rates they freeze and stop developing, at higher rates they fade.
Plants are also demanding on air humidity. It should be about 60-70%. Since dry air is harmful to violets, place a container of water next to the pot.
You should also avoid keeping plants near fans and running air conditioners.
Correct selection of soil
A limp violet indicates that its pot may have acidified and dense soil . Since the violet, which blooms for a long time, constantly needs nutrients, it receives them in 2 ways:
- from fertilizers;
- from the soil in which it is planted.
Therefore, it is necessary to replant the flower once a year due to the severe depletion of the soil in the pot and its compaction. When planting, it is necessary to take water- and breathable soil. A mixture suitable for this:
- leaf soil;
- turf;
- coniferous;
- high peat;
- sand.
The soil for violets should be very loose.
When adding vermicompost, you need to add raising agents:
- vermiculite;
- perlite;
- coconut fiber;
- sphagnum moss.
Expanded clay is placed on the bottom as drainage, then charcoal, you can add eggshells to reduce acidity, and a prepared or purchased mixture for violets on top. The correct approach when preparing the mixture and planting will ensure comfortable growth and flowering for the violet.
Selection of planting pot
Ideally, the violet rosette should be 3 times larger than the planting container . The roots of Saintpaulia are close to the surface of the earth, so the flower does not need a deep pot.
When planting a plant in a large container, it will not bloom for 2 years, and will devote all its energy to developing the territory and increasing the green mass.
Soil that is not mastered by roots begins to deteriorate and turn sour, which leads to illness and the appearance of fungal diseases. The plant loses turgor and withers.
Diseases
Violets wither due to the following diseases:
- powdery mildew;
- root rot;
- rust;
- bacteriosis
Diseases usually appear in late winter or early spring, when the plant is weakened.
Reference! To prevent fungal diseases, water violets once a month with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Downy mildew can be recognized by yellow, brown spots on the outside of the leaf, and a gray coating appears on the inside. A sign of powdery mildew is a white powdery coating on the surface of the leaves. They fight the scourge with the help of folk remedies and fungicides.
Powdery mildew.
Rust appears as rusty spots on the front of the leaves. Colonies of yellow fungus are visible on the inside.
In 75% of cases, the cause of wilting of violets is root rot . To check this, you need to dig up the flower and examine the roots. The absence of white roots confirms the disease. The cause of root rot is increased watering of the plant after a prolonged drought.
Pests
pests of violets are:
- mites;
- aphid;
- thrips;
- mealybug.
The tick is so small that it is impossible to see it with the naked eye. But if a cobweb appears on the flowers and leaves and the plant begins to wither, a tick has attacked. They drink plant sap and, if timely measures are not taken, the flower will die.
Spider mite.
Aphids can be recognized by the yellow trails they leave on the leaves and by scattered pollen.
The mealybug settles in buds and young leaves.