Over-watering can permanently damage African Violet roots and lead to the plants death. Make sure when potting the plant to put the crown … Arrow indicates a African Violet root that was infected with Phytophthora and has since died due to the infection. Botryis and Crown Rot flourish in poor air circulation. Phosphorus levels need to be high in order to get the beautiful blooms, so use something like a 12-36-14 fertilizer. Similar to pythium zoospores that are motile (can move) with flagella in water. A good guide is to water your African violet when the surface of the soil is dry. The older leaves droop, and the younger leaves in the center of the plant appear stunted, turn black and die. 13 years ago. African Violets need to be decapitated at the crown level when issues with the roots or soil arise. I prefer terra cotta pots for my African Violets because they dry out faster, and there is less chance for root rot to occur. This is unfortunate because it’s basically indistinguishable from the sign of an African violet that’s not getting enough water. And even more unfortunate, the most obvious above ground sign of African violet crown rot is leaves that wither, turn yellow, and eventually fall off. Learning to water an African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) properly is essential to growing a healthy, long-lived plant. Doing so will make the roots wet and drowned, which in turn can lead to root rot and fungal infections, causing your African violet to droop. Disease fungi may or may not be present for rot to occur. Roots and crowns of infected violets become soft and dark, and leaves turn yellow, wither and eventually fall off. For instance, when the potting soil is too dry, the leaves will droop because they aren’t getting enough moisture. They are microscopic spider-like pests and, next to Crown Rot, are the most serious thing that can happen to your African violet. There’s more at work than decomposition, however. In addition to the yellowing, root rot causes the leaves to droop and generally look unhealthy. Carefully remove the old, dry soil. Sign up for our newsletter. Due to overwatering, African violets usually suffer from some type of rotting: Crown rot, root rot, petiole rot, etc. African violets originally come from Tanzania, in East Africa. This rot is difficult to treat, but repotting may help your plant recover. Occasionally a single plant will have multiple suckers. Leaves of plants with rotted roots and crowns usually turn yellow, mushy, and fall off. Apply a fungicide to protect healthy tissue. An in-depth resource for taking care of and growing African Violet plants, www.babyviolets.com. Make sure when potting the plant to put the crown just above the soil line to prevent crown rot. Potting and Soil for Your African Violets. These suckers are found attached to the plant stem and not to the leaf stem. Q: I am hoping you can give me a diagnosis on my ailing African violets. However, it’s also easy to over-water your violet, which can rot its roots or its crown. All of them were doing fine and then suddenly last winter 90 percent of them developed something at the crown. This is also a good way to start a new plant that you might have purchased or recently received. Water African violets when the top inch of soil is dry. Crown rot affects many other plants as well as violets if the roots and crowns are watered too frequently. African Violets are most susceptible to Crown Rot when allowed to sit in In almost all cases, Crown Rot is fatal. When repotting, consider adding Diatomaceous Earthto your potting soil. African violets are very susceptible to crown and root rots that can occur when the soil is too wet. Symptoms Plants suddenly wilt and die. Blooms come in numerous forms, including star shapes with one layer of petals as well as double, ruffled and fringed petal varieties. To learn more about growing beautiful African violets, here’s a great book that can help you - The African violet Bible: How to Grow Saintpaulias that Bloom 365 Days a Year Root rot disease Root and crown rot is caused by Pythium ultimum - a fungus which … Due to overwatering, African violets usually suffer from some type of rotting: Crown rot, root rot, petiole rot, etc. The older leaves droop, and the younger leaves in the center of the plant appear stunted, turn black and die. When repotting, consider adding Diatomaceous Earthto your potting soil.