Cyclamen Mites
Steneotarsonemus pallidus)
Also known as Tarsonemid Mites
Description
http://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/cyclamenmites.html
Cyclamen Mites pictures and good read.
When reading ptimara will have other areas of inteest and revention to mouse on good to rea it all.
ne thing they say ~
Sterilizing Pots
Disinfecting African Violet pots is vital, especially if you have one that has already been used. But even for new pots, disinfection is highly recommended. If you do not disinfect your pots, you run the risk of exposing your African Violets to a number of deadly micro organisms. The process is easy. Simply soak them in a 10 percent bleach solution, i.e., one part bleach to nine parts water. After soaking, rinse them with plain water.
http://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/botrytis.html
Also while things like Powedery Mildew , fungus , algea, green stuff might not kill your plants reason you have these problems may. Powdery Mildew can be confused with Botrytis is a fungus. The damage caused by Cyclamen Mites is compounded by the fact that some mites are carriers of Botrytis. Cyclamen Mites are considered to be the most dangerous among those mites which attack African Violets.
Understand all areas and isolating all plants and leaves will help you to understand and keep your plants healthy !!!
In our home if it grew outside it does not come inside.
I pulled a crown leaf off of 3 plants that looked like mite problems,pulled them apart so I could inspect every nook and cranny,upper and lower parts of the leaves and the stems w/ magenifying glass,poked and prodded every suspect spot w/a toothpick and found nothing. Here's hoping my problem was not having heater on a few times when it was cold. Also,I calculated when I was turning lights on and off,discovery I was actually leaving them on like 16 hrs a day most of the time.
P
Well now after what happen to Maureen plants best to have a couple plants sent off and checked. Mites move fast and lay a lot of eggs and go thru stages of life.
Rob had a answer about cold
Question: The leaves of my violets are curling downward and center growth appears very crowded. There is no evidence of mite, and I suspect it may be the cold temperature in my growing area.
ANSWER ; http://www.robsviolet.com/faq_page_5.htm#temperature
Good LUck !