Question

african violet   QUESTION: Hi Ms Melissa,

 My African Violet has been growing reasonably well till last week when I discovered some rapid browning on its leaves. I didnt recall using any fertilizer and pesticide on the plant and only water sparingly. May I know what's the cause of the problem? Will attach more pictures for your examination."

ANSWER: Dear Alfredo, I've seen all three pictures, and you definitely have a fungus on this African violet.  You will have to remove all the brown you can (I noticed the plant is mostly all affected, so try to leave it a few leaves that aren't too bad.  Then spray it with a fungicide (NEEM oil might work, I'm not sure what is available).  On the last picture you can see the white hairs of the fruiting bodies, so I can identify this particular fungus as botrytis blight, a fungus that you will also see on overripe strawberries.  Dry it out and don't water until the soil is very dry, then when watering be sure to only water from the bottom of the pot, and remove the bowl of water once the top surface is damp.  Good luck.  I used to have terrible luck with African violets, but my grandmother had huge ones and rescued some of mine.  Melissa

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QUESTION: Thanks for your advice! I will try my best to salvage the plant. Btw I thought fungus thrive on damp conditions and I have ensured that the leaves are not wetted and soil only watered sparingly so how can it develop? Also, how I distinguish the hair of the fungus from the hair on the african violet leaves?

Answer
Dear Alfredo, You are correct that fungus thrive on damp conditions, but sometimes just the humidity in the air is enough to transmit fungus.  African violets are especially sensitive to this because the hairs on the surface of the leaf picks up extra moisture from the air.  A good way to help with this since you live in a higher humidity zone is to provide some breeze for at least part of the day.  The "hair" on the fruiting body of the fungus will generally be longer and whiter and be associated with the brown patches on the leaves.  Melissa