Question
Hi!  I have a poor african violet that is struggling to survive.  It is hanging out of the pot to one side.  The bottom leaves have fallen off so the stem is long an leggy and hanging over the side.  Is insufficient lighting the problem? Thank you!
Debbie  

Answer
Hi, Debbie:
It sounds very much like the bottom leaves are shriveling up due to being too dry. I know it can be like walking a tight rope when watering violets! I once had the same problem with mine. If you have a lot of violets, like me, it is almost a part-time job to care for them. Just this year I started using 'Violet Pots' for all my violets. It is a great system, as the plants absorb only as much water as their roots and soil need. These are sold at garden centers for around 5-8 dollars. I don't have to water mine any more; I only have to make sure the outer pots are filled about once every 2-3 weeks. PLUS, my violets are healthier and are blooming better.
Like yourself, I have also had violets that seemed to grow "upward" and had a lot of stem sticking out of the soil. The basic treatment for this is "top dressing". As long as the violet has been watered properly and has enough light you can do this. What you do is add new healthy soil to the TOP of the plant. (Before you start to top dress you should remove up 1-2 inches from the BOTTOM of the plant soil, preferably with a sharp knife.  This will also make more room for the fresh soil.) Cover up the stem part with new soil completely, and don't forget to fertilize. African violets often grow in the same pot for years and years, because they do not like to be transplanted. For this reason their soil can become depleted of nutrients. There are good fertilizers you can buy cheaply. Peter's Special is a good one. Make sure you buy the one specified for violets. Also, Optimara is an excellent brand.
I do want to cover LIGHT with you, too. Violets love light, but they cannot tolerate direct sunlight, ever. A sunny windowsill is perfect, especially an east window. They like to have sunlight filtered through a sheer curtain. If leaves develop large, pale yellow spots that is a sign of sunlight too strong. And, in summertime do not set violets in a west window; the afternoon sun is too strong that time of year for them.
I hope I have helped answer your questions. Let me know if you need further help. I would really like to hear back from you in a few weeks as to how your plant is.