AV 911! Rescue needed. Identify problem?

As you can see from the picture I am a total newbie on AV's and not very good with them (at least to start!). lol

Picked these up at HD on impulse and they were pretty for a week and then started to show these odd lines and markings on the leaves. Also dropped leaves...

So, I think I did so many things wrong, but I have made some corrections but the odd leaf markings are not going away and seem to be still coming on...

This is what I did in the beginning--

Watered from the top (with a bulb baster to keep the leaves dry) once a week with watered down Miracle Grow for Blooms. Too much H2O or MG?

Had them in a West window, but near a lamp. Too hot? Too much sun?

Window was opened once in a while when it was very cold (to feed the birds). Cold shock?

Bad/diseased plants to begin with? I did get them from HD.

Now I have them in my kitchen under the 'under cabinet flourescent light' and I water only when the top soil is dry. No drafts.

Have given up on the Miracle Grow.

I thought at first it was a case of TML (too much love) but since it's continuing on new growth, I'm not sure...?

Anybody out there have a clue?!

Thanks so much! t.

It looks a big like the spots I get occasionally from accidental contact with water, especially when temps are cool. I wonder if you could have been getting condensation on the leaves or some such in their original window location? I assume you've examined the leaves closely (upper & under sides) for any sign of bugs etc. Sorry to not have a more helpful answer, but I just wondered if water on the leaves was a possiblity despite your care in watering the plants.

thanks, critter., I just can't imagine that I got the leaves that wet, but, perhaps someone who was 'helping' me did...another thought might be that I used quite cold water once and may have damaged some roots giving that result...

I did look at the leaves carefully without a mag. glass, though, and did not see any pests...

The new leaves coming on seem to be better condition now, so maybe my new 'care procedure' is causing improvement...I will keep experimenting with light levels 'til I get it right, I guess.

AV's are beautiful, romantic plants, but very sensitive, I am finding.

Thank you for your observations. I appreciate your posts on the forum. t.

I'm glad your violet's new leaves are growing out well! Looking again at the pattern of discoloration, I'm still thinking water damage from condensation, rather than damage from accidentally watering the leaves, might have been the culprit near that window.

I do use AV food every time I water, as I think it helps encourage blooming.... not that mine are all blooming their little heads off at the moment! I'm using Schultz AV concentrate at the moment because I find the liquid drops very easy to use, but I don't think there's much difference between the brands. If you were using regular Miracle Grow, you might want to try a more dilute application, or just try some AV-specific fertilizer.

I love AVs! I grew them for several years back (waaay back) in high school, and I started again 3 years ago when we moved here. I'm certainly no expert, but I'm happy to offer whatever input I can from what I've read or what I've seen with my own plants. I subscribed in January, so I'm new to the forums. I'm glad if my postings are useful, as I've been learning something new from someone every time I log onto DG!

C. your answers have been very helpful and thank you for posting. I just joined DG this past year myself and am taking up gardening and plants again after a thirty year hiatus...so I am fairly ignorant although having fun researching (google-ing) all the different issues/topics/plant material and collecting lots of facts and a little experience while doing it...

Welcome to DG, and thanks again for sharing your observations. t.

HI T
Nice to met you . I just join DG in Oct. 2005 . I fount it by accident and love growing and sharing African violets !
Sorry there were not many people to chat with you last year. As always Jill is a big helper :))
But now you'll find a bunch of friends here to chat and help and share our African violets with you :))
Do you still have the same plants ? They look to me like they might have had a virus. Hard to say.
I don't use MG fertilizer as it has Urea and this can burn African violets tender roots. Also good idea to use 1/4 recomended amount what ever kind you use.
I use warm/hot water. Cold can hurt them but one short period of time I don't feel would harm them ?
Plants bought from Nurseries, Home depot, lowes and so on are grown under contril enviroments to grow and bloom fast. The soil is really heavy. Many do come along with pest, virus ..
When you get them home they look pretty for a couple weeks, month blooming then the trouble starts.
Being in your home now, they need a light -soil-less mixture , new pots. I like to take 99 percent of the heavy soil off , if the plant is in bad condition I even take roots off and dump soil and start new with crown, removing any flowers and dull or damaged foliage. If you leaves unhealthy foliage , bruised on your plants they will spend their time trying to heal. Then I re-pot it in a new bleach proper size pot in light soil-less mix. The lightest the best. I add 50-60 percent Perilite to what ever mix I use.
I like to wick. But what ever method of watering you like it great.
You may have to take the stressed plant and put it into a large gallon zip-lock bag blow it up and try not to touch leaves to bag. Keeping it in the bag for a few weeks will help and opening a little more each day to get it use coming out or if you see too much humditiy take it out and dry bag you don't want it to get to wet.
I don't bag anything but a lot of people do .
It's nice to meet you ! Were all happy here to share leaves and plants and answer any questions . Please post your pictures and share your knowledge and how you've been growing with us ! And we love pictures. We also now have two great stickys the first two threads on our African violet forum thanks to Laurie and others who helped her :))
Please post your smile too ! And hang out with us often.
Welcome ! Welcome !
Allison

LOL

Violet-- thank you for your kind message and all the good information about AVs. I'm surprised you found this old thread!

No, I don't have my old violets, but I will be sure to start some soon (now that I know how active this forum has become!)

Welcome ! I can send a welcome package of plants and leaves for postage if you like :))

Oh Allison, you are such a special lady!!!

You come to the right forum for help tobasco!

Joanne

As I was reading this, I thought Critter, just joined in January? Weird, she must have just done a paid subscription. Then as I got near the bottom, I read the date on the original post. Then knocked my own self on the head. 'I get it'

Well can you give us an update on those AV's Tabasco?

Yep, it was January of 2005 when I subscribed! I was a member before that, though, mostly to access Garden Watchdog (never checked out forums), so the date on my Garden Site page is earlier than that.

She did Laurie they died :( she has none . We will have to fix her up !!
She is the one that posted what's so great about AV's
the link you showed us, When she was interested in AV's before only Jill helped , Jill your wonderful ! So now we have so many kind helpers Tab is back to try Av's again !! SO happy to meet you !

You guys are too funny. You lured my thread out of obscurity to get another AV addict!

Yes, my AVs succumbed to my 'too much love' approach--too much water, too much fert., too much sun, etc. I will be more careful next time.

Thanks Violet for the kind offer and I will send you a D-mail.

It seems to me that Critter has been a member for years and years, too. Critter, in the beginning you gave me quite good help--I just couldnt get them to revive. You have quite a green thumb!

I will continue to watch the AV threads for ideas/advice. Thanks again. t.

Your welcome T ~ Welcome to the wonderful World of Gesneriads ! Just like Chips can't eat just one can't have just one ! So many kinds and colors shapes and sizes. I have never seen one I did not like ! Thousands and thousands of Named plants ! I love them all :)) Before you know it your windows will be full of blooming beauties :))