How do you experienced folks get rid of mildew on violets and keep it gone. I purchased a violet from a big box store (stupid me)and it quickly showed symptoms. Before I realized what it was I infected several more. I tried spraying with lysol and it would fix it for a bit but soon it would show up again, especially on the blooms. Finally just threw them all out. Don't want to go this again. Can anyone help?
I'm also wondering what success you've all had when ordering leaves by mailorder. Do they root well for you?
Help! Mildew!
Hi there,
I'm no expert when it comes to AV's.LOL. But you could try a older remedy for the mildew.
1/2 cup of water
1 tablespoon of milk.
Paint the leaves with the mix.I tried it on my violet and the mildew hasn't come back.It's been over a month.Do you have a fan running? Air circulation is a must and keep away from cold drafts.
I don't do mail order but I do trade and when I get leaves they root fine.
Jan, do you use whole milk?
I'll be watching for your reply,Jan, on the whole milk question, but thanks for the info. Now answer this, how do I keep my cat from removing the milk? Just kidding. Yes I do run a fan. I've had AVs for maybe 40 years and have never seen mildew on them before. If I ever get it again I'll know what to do.
It's good go hear that leaves get through the mail ok. There goes my $.
ghopper - I've ordered a lot of leaves thru the mail and they have a very good success rate, even the ones I got in January/February rooted fine (they were mailed with a heat pack)
~Michelle
Morning!
Yes the mix is made with whole milk.
LOL.What a funny picture I have in my head of a cat licking the milk off the leaves of a plant. ^_^
40 years of growing As! I love the AV's but they don't like to bloom a lot for me.What's your secret? We would love to see pictures for your blooming beauties! Have fun ordering leaves.Theres alot of good vendors listed in the AV stickies and others might be able to tell you which vendors are good and who is not.Have a good day,Jan
IF you have good circulation you shouldnt get it back and the milk trick or lysol trick does work,but i would rinse them then spray with lysol
make sure your water is room temp or the leaves will show brown spots, also keep them out of lights if your not sure until its dry
JIM
Thanks, everyone, for all the advice. As I said I dumped nearly all of them. There weren't that many just now. Spring finally came to MN and I'm just too busy now to spend much time on them. Hope to think about them more later in the year.
Mine seem to bloom best in an east window. I use standard potting mix, lightened with a bit more perlite. They get fert'd with an AV fert. I don't move them around at all in the house, they don't like that. Keep spent blooms removed. I'n not sure why, but for me they do better being almost rootbound rather than in a too big pot. And one more thing, I know the instructions say to keep evenly moist. Since I am an overwaterer, and tend to futz too much over them, they are happier for me if let them go a bit dry. Not bone dry tho. Rather than stick my finger in them to test dryness (and spread mildew) I now lift the pot to assess the weight. You will come to know how dry things are by the weight. And then some just bloom better than others..........for me. Since everyone's conditions are different, it's hard to give one pat answer on blooming. Hope this helps,Jan.