wilting african violet

i have an african violet in a self watering pot that is wilting. the outer leaves look limp, as if they need water, but the amount of water in the pot is fine...and has been. none of my other african violets are doing this. no sign of any infestation....what could be going on?
thanks

I don't grow in self watering pots, so I can't help you much, but the first thing that comes to mind is that it is possibly overwatered. Often, when they look like they need water, but you know they're getting enough, they're actually overwatered. How long has it been since it was repotted? It could be that it needs to be repotted and any old, dead, or rotten roots trimmed off. That's what I would do, and while you're at it, remove the outermost leaves and pot it so that part of the neck is covered by potting mix so it can put out fresh new roots from there.

Whether it's time to repot or not, I would take it out of the pot to examine the roots, just to see what's going on before any more of the leaves are affected. If it turns out that the roots have rotted, you could cut off all the roots and remove a couple rows of leaves and reroot the crown. It would be like a brand new plant!

You might want to wait to get other opinions before you follow my advice, though. Like I said, I don't grow in self watering pots, but I know some here do, and AVs are the one plant in the Gessie family that I have the most trouble with.

Good luck and please let us know what you find and how it turns out! :o)

Yep, AVs are tricky that way... too much water, and they look just the same as if they're dying of thirst!

I just put a couple of tips on self watering pots here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=4650760

I agree with too much water. I use the self watering pots and sometimes have to take the plant out of the self waterer for a couple of days because it is taking up way too much water and I find the outer leaves limp with kinda soft soggy stems. I remove the limp outer leaves and let the plant sit to dry out a little. I need to repot the few AV's I have to a lighter mix of soil because they seem to be staying way too wet.

I have been lurking on a lot of gesneriad sites and am finding that some of the pros use only 1/4 pro mix, 1/4 vermiculite and 1/2 perlite on their wicking mixes.

I think vermiculite must vary... I've tried that proportion, and it seemed to hold even more water than 1/2 pro mix and 1/2 perlite. So if I want an even lighter mix, I just use more than half perlite.

I quit using vermiculite over a year ago because I was having a problem with the mix staying too wet. For African Violets and Gesneriads I use a lot of perlite in my mix, about 1/2 potting soil, 3/4 perlite. I can't find any of the specialty soils in my area so I just use Miracle Grow. For all other plants I use about 1/2 potting soil and 3/4 orchid bark for a chunky well draining mix. I've been thinking of repotting some gessies with the bark too, just to see if they do any better. I have a couple of AV's that are still staying too wet, even with the wicking so I know the soil is still a bit too heavy.

Lin, you are using Miracle Grow soil=less mix I am assuming because that potting mix is too heavy even for outside plants in pots........

I find that I have to water my self watering pots once in a while. I just give them a go drink and sit them off of the water pot for a day or so and then put them back.

thanks to everyone for all the replies. i think the wilting is from overwatering. i have been ignoring it (it warmed up here and i started working in the outside garden!!) and it hasn't gotten any worse. i took it out of the pot this morning and will let it dry a little and see what happens.