Question
QUESTION: I have always had pretty good luck with my violets, but now a lot of them have very tight centers with little tiny leaves that appear, but just sit there and don't grow any larger. So basically nothing is happening - just a center of teeny tiny little leaves and no more blooms. Any suggestions?  Thanks so much - Mary

ANSWER: Mary,
I wonder what the leaves on the outer part of the violet look like?  If the entire plant is appearing tiny all of a sudden then it perhaps needs a different fertilizer, or perhaps that you need to "leach" it of salts by pouring lots of lukewarm water through the plant.  This clears the soil of accumulated salts and electrolytes..  However, if the outer leaves are normal in size it is less serious.  This would indicate that your violets are simply growing fast from the center out.  If you could email me a photo I'd be happy to examine it.

Let me know if I can help.  Send a photo if you can.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok I took a picture. I will try to attach it. If it doesn't work, can you give me a specific address to send it to? The thing is they just keep growing little tiny leaves and they never get any bigger. It is like they are stuck. They are very funny looking.

ANSWER: Mary,
I'll give you my email address.  I also have trouble uploading photos!  I'll be happy to look at them and see what I think.

send it to [email protected]

Hope to hear from you soon.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks - I just sent you a picture. If you didn't get it let me know

Answer
Mary, I got your photo FINALLY.  See, our hard drive is in the shop.  We will not get it back for several more days, thus the reason I didn't get back to you.  SORRY!  Regarding your violets, I stand by m previous answer.  They APPEAR to me to be healthy, but young plants.  This may not be the case.  However, the leaves are green, shiny and hearty looking.  It will take a while to bloom.  If I have not helped you enough, you should to the AVSA.org website.  They know what they're doing!
Thanks for all the emails!