Question
I HAVE A VIOLET THAT IS IN A COFFEE MUG AND LOOKING GREAT UNTIL IT SET IT'S BLOOMS.  IT HAS TONS OF BUDS BUT THEY ARE TURNING BROWN BEFORE THEY OPEN AND NOW THE BOTTOM LEAVES ARE TURNING PALE.  THERE IS ALSO A WHITE DUST FORMING ON THE LEAVES AROUND THE BLOOMS THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE BUDS THAT DO OPEN.  SOME OF THE BUDS ARE DRYING OUT BEFORE THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO BARLEY FORM.  CAN THIS BE FROM UNEVEN MOISTURE AND FROM BEING IN A TOO SMALL CONTAINER (PLANT STICKS OUT AT LEAST THREE INCHES OVER CUP.  I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE THE MASSIVE SET OF BLOOMS BUT IT IS NOT HAPPENING.  WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG.

Answer
Strange...

The reason the blooms are drying up is due to a lack of humidity.  Setting the pot on a bed of pea gravel with a little water in it should fix that problem.  This keeps the plants micro climate humid.  Make sure and do not  let the pot sit is water though.

Next the rule of thumb for african violets and their pot size is ...the pot should be 1/3 the size of the plant.  Unlike other houseplants they like to be pot bound and bloom best when they are.

The white stuff.  Well it sounds like that is powdery mildew to me.  And this is strange because it is caused by stagnet air in a humid environment.  If you have it in a humid enviornment then the blooms should not be drying.

Spray a very light mist of Lysol on the plant.  This should help to clear up the mildew problem.

Next do the first 2 things I suggested and maybe add a light fan in the room to help keep the air circulating.  This should fix the problem for you.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

Happy growing
Kristina