Suffering Violet

I've had this violet for several months now, and it was so beautiful when I got it. It's a Rob's Boogie Woogie, to give you an idea of what it should look like! Unfortunately I put it too close to the stove early on, but it's been with my other violets for a long time now and still looks like this. It does have quite a bit of a neck on it, but I didn't know if I should repot it while it's sickly. May that help it? And is it normal for Boogie Woogie to have light-colored leaves like that? The leaves also have very short stems, but I think the newer leaves are doing a bit better. Also, since the leaves are so crowded, doesn't that mean it needs less light? I moved it to a slightly "darker" area than my other violets. Any ideas?

Here's another view that shows the droopy leaves, but they are turgid, so I don't think it's due to over/underwatering.

Thanks for any advice!

According to First Class 2:

"Rob's Boogie Woogie (8606) 05/31/1997 (R. Robinson) Semidouble medium shell pink pansy. Crown variegated dark green and tan-beige, pointed/red back. Semiminiature"

Photo on AVSA Site: http://www.avsa.org/Photographs/Rob'sBoogieWoogieLrg.jpg#http://../Photographs/Rob'sBoogieWoogieLrg.jpg#

I think your violet is exhibiting as it should!

=) MKJ

I agree with MK! That violet doesn't look like it's suffering to me!

Some violets do seem to have leaves that droop more than others, just in the way they're held. As long as they're turgid as you said & not floppy, that's fine. It's a semiminiature, so it may just be that the leaves are smaller & that's why they look a little crowded. From the way the center leaves are being held, I think it's getting about the right amount of light.

I'd go ahead and repot it before that neck gets any longer. And while you're at it, go ahead and take off the one leaf that's sticking way off to one side.... and pot it up so you'll have plantlets to trade! :-)

Ah, now THAT's a true AV enthusiast for you, Critter! lol "plantlets to trade!"

;-) MKJ

Yes, what can I say, I think I crossed the line into "obsession" with my AVs a while ago.... They're so much fun to propagate! I've given dozens of them away.

I hear you........I've done the same. "Are you SURE you don't want this plantlet too???" Luckily, my friend's husband loves them, AND trades me NASA lab-quality vermiculite. =)

MKJ

DH says I'm a "pusher" LOL! AV babies, herb divisions, tomato & pepper & basil seedlings..... Oh, just take one, or two, and maybe this one too, you'll like them! :-)

Okay, I'm feeling pretty relieved! I really like that one, and yes, it would be a good one to trade! However, I still think that the leaves have very, very short stems. The plant used to have a much larger diameter. Should I be worried about that? That long leaf used to be the norm.

I'll try repotting it and see if that helps. And of course I'll plant that long leaf. :)

I'll bet repotting will do it. Keep us posted!

Thanks! I'll let you know how it works. And I'll let you know when I have plantlets. :)

The long leaf may also have been a plantlet freshman? Often times, when a leaf has babies, and they develop into a plantlet, they'll put out a couple of long, rangy leaves. Then, as the crown develops, the longer early leaves need to be pruned out to form a good strong crown.

Just a thought.
=) MKJ

p.s. Critter the Plant Pusher. lol Too funny! My husband calls my violets "the tribbles," circa. Star Trek w/Cap'n Kirk. Weiner. =)

This plant has quite a neck, so I think the long leaf isn't one of the first leaves. (Is that what you mean?) And all the leaves used to be that long. I think the leaves on the top are getting longer, though, so maybe it is finally recovering. The whole diameter of the plant used to be much bigger-- I know the plant is supposed to be 3x wider than the pot, and now this is about the exact size of the pot! I'll repot it and watch it for awhile. Maybe it's starting to recover. :)