Saturday, I noticed a change in the size and color of the blossoms of one of my violets. The leaves and crown are healthy. I went to Dr. Optimira and I think the answer to the problem is fertilizer salts build up in the soil. I leached the plant today and cut off all of the bloom stalks with the exception of the three that are just beginning to form.
The plant is a Noid with single star blooms of light pink. The blooms are usually 3/4 to 1 inch in size and a large cluster of blooms per stalk. Now the blooms are much smaller and do not open all the way. The color is pink with a brownish tint.
Have any of you experienced this? Is my diagnosis correct? Is leaching the way to go?
I was also wondering how often repotting should take place if I am using a very light soil for wicking. The soil is at least 2/5 if not more perlite, 2/5 potting soil, and 1/5 charcoal. I've read that twice a year is good for standards and 3 to 4 time a year for minis and semiminis.
I wish I would have taken a picture of the blooms for I know that would have helped with the discussion. However, I didn't. Hope my description helps.
Nanna
Change in size and color of blossoms
One other bit of information. The plant is a succor from the mother plant and was potted about 4 months ago. It is not leggy and in all other respects seems very healthy.
Nanna
Mmm interesting Nanna... I would tend to agree with you as far as the bloom color, that fertilizer salts would be my first check. I'd leach my pot and as far as the bloom size then it maybe just the youth of the plant or the combination of both.
I know that humidity levels are important factors for blooms opening up and especially with the colder air if you've recently turned on the heat that might be a consideration, too???
The only other thing that I recall about "brown" on blooms & unopened buds is a dirty word called "thrips"?? But I hope not!
Keep us posted on how things go...
MsC
I would agree with all, Nanna and what MsC said. I would
put any plants with problems along with any new ones in instant Quarantine.
A few things I fount on Doctor Optimara
Flowers Smaller Than Normal: Possible Causes
Below is the complete list of problems which may cause this symptom.
Fertilizer - Potassium Deficiency
Fertilizer - Zinc Deficiency
Potting Soil - pH Imbalance
Thrips
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Flowers Smaller Than Normal
And then also have ;
Flowers turn brown or have brown spots on them
Can mean like MsC Dreaded Thrips. .
Please keep us posted. Maybe someone else on the forum has some help for you. Allison
I certainly hope it is not thrips. There was a huge article in the avsa mag. about that problem and how it wipes out intire collections. I think it was heat and lack of humidity. The plant is isolated. I will keep you posted. And, please give me any suggestions you can.
I did have a plant with mealy bug that I could not save. As soon as I found it I separated it from the rest. I soaped it down and removed everything I could see. Then, yesterday, as I was checking again I saw a live critter moving around. I noticed that even though it looked healthy the leaves were not crisp and wobbled when you moved them. I threw the plant away. It was Optimira Tradition. I do have some leaves growning and they are isolated from the rest of the leaves. I will check them frequently and hope that the soap has killed everything.
First time for a funeral. Very sad
Nanna
Oh, I'm sorry! It's so sad when you've tried absolutely everything and still lose the plant.
My 'Purple Ruffles' AV has been slowly declining for a year with droopy leaves that die and drop off.... I tried several different pots & watering techniques, but it remained unhappy. Last week, I took a teensy crown cutting from it, which was all of the plant that looked even halfway healthy. Talk about a last ditch effort! (But the cutting still looks OK, not great, but "not quite dead" either.)
Good Luck.
Nanna
Thrips are the reason my grandma doesn't grow AVs any more... :( She had such a beatiful collection, hundreds of plants... all lost. Over the years, through several different large collections she has thrown out thousands of plants because of the little devils ... such a bummer... but now she grows gessies for us ;)
Sarah
Oh Sarah, I hope my situations does not follow your grandmother's.
Nanna
Jeepers, my fingers are certainly crossed for you!
Nanna,
I'm sorry I alarmed you!
I wouldn't worry too much about the thrips... I think you are on target as far as the fertilizers are concerned.
You would notice markings of the leaves and "bite" marks on the leaf too...which you did not state.
I only added it because it was the only thing that came to mind about the brownish color of the bloom.
Just watch it carefully and back of on the fertilizer for a while... maybe switch it to a different type??
MsC
Thank MsC
Other than the change in the bloom, the plant looks perfectly healthy.
Nanna
*whew!*
Amen!
It could be accordning to Doctor Optimara also;
Below is the complete list of problems which may cause this symptom.
Fertilizer - Potassium Deficiency
Fertilizer - Zinc Deficiency
Potting Soil - pH Imbalance
But be careful it takes a long time before you see affects to your plants . Keep it along . Keep an eye on everything. Cold tempertures can also do this not just heat and humidity. Allison
Will do. Thanks