Question
Hi, Ms Hill,

 I have an African violet which has been doing splendidly for the two years I had it at home, but now that I have it in my dorm room, and it and my other plants have become my "pets", I think I've been a little too overzealous in its care.  

I was away for two days and when I came back today, I was shocked to find that nearly half of my lovely plant's leaves have turned all mushy and brown. The brown leaves are all one one side, the side that faced out the window, although the bottom leaves on the other side have developed yellow-brown rings and spots as well. Currently, the newest leaves are still okay.

I read your "previously answered questions" section, and now I'm afraid I watered it too much before I left.  (I was worried that my hot dorm room would dry it out while I was gone.)  

My question for you is, what shall I do now?  I don't know if I should cut off the brown leaves, or maybe that'll shock my plant even more.  I'd be so grateful for your advice in this matter.  Thankyou very much!

Emily


Answer
Emily:  You said the leaves turned brown on just the one side. Was that side next to window?  Did the plant get direct sun as well as the room being hot?  Direct sun could have caused the problem. Hot sun on the leaves can literally cook them.  They don't exactly like the heat but if you watered well that should help keep the roots cool. You might want to repot it in fresh soil. Take off the bad leaves and cut some of the rootball off on the bottom so you can put it down in the pot without it having a "neck". Don't use a pot that is too big and try to use very, very light soil. You can add some perlite to it. The soil and perlite should be available at Wal-Mart or any good nursery supply. Also, go to the African Violet Society of America web site and you should be able to find tons of info on repotting and watering and general care tips. After you repot it you may want to put a large baggie over it for a few days to create a mini greenhouse. In any case, go to the AVSA web site...some of the commercial members listed have web sites that have pictoral information as well. Good luck and let me know if I can help you further.  The AVSA web site address is:   http://www.avsa.org               Best wishes and happy growing.

Mary Hill, Tulsa