I have been trying for months to get this Pink Patches to perk up. Moist or dry soil,it always feels as limp as it looks.Doesn't grow but it's not dying either....??? I re-potted it in June. It started out so pretty....????
Hopeless
It almost looks like the pot may be too big for the plant . . .
I would pot it down-- but then I am the AV death knell.
Remember the rule of 3. The diameter of the foliage should be 3 times bigger than the pot it is in. The roots can't possibly be comfortable any other way...........
When you do repot make sure to water carefully at first to avoid rot.The roots are probably damaged and can't use as much water right now.
Have you checked the roots to see what it is doing? I would take it out of the pot and check the roots. There is an insect that attacks roots, called the root mealy bug, different than the ones that get on the leaves. These look like small rice and there may be spider webby like areas in the soil too. You don't want this to infect all your plants, they are very had to get rid of. If it is not this insect and the roots are not rotted, I would take the lower limp leaves off and repot the plant in a smaller pot and cover it with some humidity. See if it recovers.
I didn't have the heart to mention mealy bugs, Lilypad! People keep saying you can use Bayer's Advanced Tree and Shrub or the Rose one for a systemic treament. I use Malthion 1% or Pro Admire.
Bigred - it looks like the AV is in a 4" pot (of course, it's hard to tell in a pic). If it is, repot it into a 2 1/2" or 3" pot. You'd be able to tell at that point if there are any mealy bugs in the soil.
I am almost (LOL) afraid to mention this,but back when I was growing 300+ AV's and Gessies,I used a bleach and water solution to kill any soil insects.1-2 tablespoons of bleach to a gallon of water.If you have a prized plant and are afraid to try this,fine.Try it on an extra.
I also used to dip them all in a weak solution of Malathion (SP?),let in run down in the soil,let them dry for awhile and carefully dry every plant using a small paintbrush to get into the crevices.
I know now that this is not environmentaly friendly and can even be harmful to you if you are not extremely careful,but I never lost a plant to soil bugs or cyclamen mites.
I think bigred should take the AV out of the pot and inspect the roots/soil, before taking such drastic measures. Why put a plant thru all that if it is not necessary? Of course, if there ARE any insects, then you do what you feel is necessary, bigred . . .
I only have the granules of Malathion..........what would I buy in the store to do exactly what you are talking about...Ibrabec?
If it is soil mealy. another way to go is to cut off the roots, remove the bottom leaves...swish the plant around in a weak bleach solution, rinse off with warm water and dry it off some on a paper towel. Re-root the crown by scraping the neck and putting it down to re-root. It will need a humidity cover or plastic bag and damp but not wet soil, vermiculite or whatever you choose to use. It's drastic, but it often will work. These are insects are really really hard to kill off, most violet growers would toss it and buy a new one to protect the rest of their plants. Would really need to watch the other plants that might also be infected. I used marathon granules in my soil. The plant is quite limp and if it is the soil mealy, it might not live thru systemic treatment...it needs to absorb the chemicals to kill the insects. I would re-root the crown. tish
I am learning from you tish already!
i would pot down,and take off the leaves that arent looking good,check for insects
remember these are amazing plants,with the right care,that plant will be looking great in a few weeks,
JIM
It was bigger but the lower leaves had died off so I removed them. I'll knock it out and see what's going on.
I would do the above suggestions first to see if you do have root insects or just rotted roots.If you do use Malathion,use liquid and a weak solution.Wear gloves.After dipping,make very sure you get any moisture out of the crown.Use a cotton swab or small paintbrush.
I don't have any Malathion. Hvae to see if I can some at this podunk town's Wally World
If your WW is like ours-- they have cleared out the garden stuff to make way for christmas---good luck on your hunt!!
bigred,
I would be very hesitant to dip an already wilted plant in anything.I would want to keep the leaves dry until the plant has firmed up and started new growth.Dips are preventative or treatment measures for healthy plants.I would knock it out of the pot,remove all excess soil,check the soil,the roots,and underneath the crown for insects or rot.Trim any damaged roots,repot in fresh soil in a smaller pot,and water carefully until you see new growth and the leaves have firmed up.
Lynn
Lynn,
will do
Gran,
our WW is probably worst than your's. We had a small one a bit over a year ago they built a super-size and you still can't find anything in it. This town up is eat up w. seamstress,quilters and crafters yet other than scrapbooking supplies,there is NO other carft supplies nor nary a scarp of yardgoods. They have a small section of sewing assecories but that's it.
Peggy
I live in a small town with nothing here but two banks, a Dollar Family Store and a small (horrible) grocery store. I have to drive at least 30 minutes (minimum) just to get to a good grocery store, so I am used to having to drive a distance to get anything. I don't even think anything about it anymore.
OUr WW is the second ever built (store #002) they have managed to put all the mom & pop "dime stores" and fabric stores out of business. You have to drive to springfield Mo--or Fayetteville for craft & fabric supplies. Since they super-sized it, there isn't a decent grocery store either Now we have a Home Depot and the big local home owned hardware is close to closing. I can't even find a bag of perlite in that town!
I order my perlite and vemiculite in giant bags from any grower you know. I have several sources who will order the giant bags for me........
I saw a huge back of perlite at a nursery here in town a few months back . . . I mean, it was HUGE - twice the size of the 40lb bag of dog food . . . didn't ask how much it was, 'cause I don't think I'll ever be able to finish. Now I'm curious, though . . . maybe if I can find the time during my "busy" schedule this weekend (LOL!), I will swing by just to see . . .
There is a wholesale nursery supply in Springfield Mo, (Hummerts) about 90 miles from here--I will be going up there in a month or so-- the giant bags of vermiculite & perlite run between $12 & $14. I am planning an overnight trip up there and I will stock up on that, Metro-mix & Baccto. I will also get to shop at REAL nurseries and eat at restaurants where you can order wine with a meal!! I still have vermiculite-- but have been doing lots of hypertufa so it will be gone by then. I was able to pick up small bags of perlite locally to tide me over--well in Harrison (50mi round trip)--but WW & HD are not stocking it now, the last little bags came from Lowes--merely a 100 mi rt.
Hillbilly, when I worked in a nursery we always used Metro for everything, but I haven't seen it around here. My friend can order it but I still have a lot of bags left of soil less mix.
Those large grower bags of perlite and vermucilite at the wholesaler I use, charge anywhere from $18.00- $21.00 a bag. I have to make about a 120 mile round trip to pick it up.I haven't looked but I may be able to get it shipped from Park Seed Wholesale.....but I'm not real happy with them at the moment. I ordered variegated daylily "Secure Border" from them last June for fall delivery. Paid $15.00 plus s/h. I just recieved it last week and I can tell you...I've thrown away daylily rhizomes this small from my divisons before. I still need to email them my complaint. I've been doing retail and wholesale w/ them for over 20 yrs. and I've never gotten anything as pathic as this from them.
bigred-- try hummerts-- they ship
will do