Question
Hi Nancy,
I have six violets that I have managed to keep alive since my mom passed away in 1987. I love them dearly because they remind me of her everyday. They have been through some repotting because some have just snapped off at the base at times.  But they bloom and are gorgeous most of the time.  I have two plants that over the past couple of months seem to be trying to escape their pots.  The stems have twisted and contorted up and over the edge of the pot.  I have tried adding more soil to cover the stem, but it keeps twisting higher and higher and up and out of the pot.  I have repotted in larger pots to cover the whole stem, but they don't seem to do well in the large pots.  I can't understand why some of these plants do this.  Also, some of the plants grow with their leaves pointing up and some in a pretty outward fan.  They look like they have identical leaves, so I believe they are all the same type of African violet. Do you know why this different growth habit would happen?  Also, I have one plant that I started from a leaf. It is now about three years old and I realize it is actually multiple plants in the pot.  How can I separate them so that they both/all survive?

Thank you so much for your help and your wonderful website!
Happy gardening!
Diane~

Answer
Diane,

African violets prefer to be repotted about twice a year.  This provides fresh soil and nutrients.

If they are flowering well that is an indication that you have provided adequate light and fertilizer.

As an AV grows, lower leaves die off and must be removed.  This leaves an unsightly "neck".  

In order to get rid of this, you will need to cut off part of the root ball.  You need to scrape the neck like you would scrape a carrot in order the take off the hardened plant material and to stimulate roots to grow there.  

Place into a pot and replenish the soil which will cover the neck.  Remember to put a plastic sack over everything for at least two weeks so humidity will keep leaves from dying off and will help roots to form.

If the trunk of the plant is twisted, you may have to cut part of it off until you have a straight trunk of about two inches.  This should be scraped, then placed into a good AV soil.  Place plastic bag for at least two weeks or longer.

Plants with leaves that grow up are seeking more light.  Place this plant in a different lighting position.

Possibly you have one plant that is a trailer instead of a standard AV.

For the leaf that has become several plants, allow the plant to dry a little so removing plantlets will be easier.  Look for a crown or center of the plant--the four small leaves in the center.  Gather together all the leaves that go with that center and gently tug the plant from the others.  Place each plantlet into its separate pot.

Good luck!

Nancy