Why violets have soft leaves: main factors and plant treatment

Violet is the main beauty among all indoor plants in our country. Every housewife considers it her duty to have at least several types of this flower. But not everyone is able to grow it safely. And when a violet has limp leaves, not every owner knows what to do. Let's take a closer look at why this happens and what needs to be done to save your pet.

Features of the plant and methods of care

Saintpaulia got its name in honor of the discoverer, who back in 1893 introduced it to the wide attention of professional flower growers and the press. Saintpaulia quickly gained popularity and was in particular demand among breeders. Some of them devoted decades of their lives to developing new varieties.

Today they number tens of thousands of species with the most unimaginable colors. In addition, during the selection process, violets became more hardy and adapted to our climate. She is not too fussy about caring for her. In order for the flower to continue to delight with its blooming, you only need to follow a few rules. However, ignoring them leads to the flower quickly losing its strength, withering and ultimately dying.

Proper care should include the following points:

1. Air temperature is within 18–24°C.
2. Watering. Regular but moderate. Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. It is strictly prohibited to allow moisture to come into contact with the surface of the leaves. Water only the soil.
3. Location. Saintpaulia is afraid of aggressive direct sunlight, but needs sufficient diffused light. In winter, it may be necessary to artificially extend daylight hours.
4. Additional food. For full growth and long-term flowering, the violet should be periodically fed with special products that can be purchased at a flower shop. Superphosphates will enhance flowering, and a small addition of humus and humus will help strengthen the plant as a whole.

It should be remembered that violets need periodic replanting. It is recommended to do this at least once a year, since during this time the soil becomes depleted and ceases to fully nourish the plant.

Features of violets

In nature, violet grows on poor, loose soil in the shade of tall trees , in conditions of long daylight hours. This must be taken into account when growing it in an apartment. The lush bloom of an indoor flower pleases only those who respect its natural habits.

Violets naturally grow in the shade of trees.

As the violet grows, the lower leaves gradually :

• Turn yellow;
• And they fade.

To maintain the decorative appearance of the plant, they must be removed periodically . But in some cases, the process of leaf wilting gets out of control and affects the entire plant. In this case it is important:

• Establish the correct reason;
• And try to save the plant.

Leaf wilting is the result of improper maintenance

The first step when you notice wilted leaves on a violet is to analyze the correct watering. The plant is too sensitive to moisture, so it quickly reacts when feeling discomfort.

The main symptom will be curling and wilting of the lower leaves. The longer the violet is in a state of excessive moisture, the less chance of saving it.

For healing, you need to remove the Saintpaulia from the pot and examine the root system. Then remove the damaged part, rinse the healthy part with warm water, air dry and transplant into another container.

Another reason why violet leaves wither may be an unsuitable substrate. If it is too rough, thick and has high acidity, then the plant will not be able to fully feed and grow. An imbalance in the nutrient medium will affect not only the condition of the foliage, but also the nature of flowering. Most likely, Saintpaulia will stop this process altogether.

How to save your pet? Make an urgent transplant. The soil can be purchased ready-made, or you can prepare it yourself. To do this, pour boiling water over the material collected from the deciduous forest and let it rest for 2 days. After which you can start transplanting.

Excessive fertilization is not always beneficial. Excessive application of mineral fertilizers will cause burns to the root system. In this case, the plant will become very weak and lose its ability to grow and flower. Then the damaged parts should be cut off and another soil should be prepared. After transplantation, the plant must be provided with complete rest and protected from drafts and direct sunlight.

Why do the leaves wither?

If violet leaves become soft and droop, the reason may be their natural aging and death. In this case, only the bottom 1-3 sheets are subject to changes.

Diseases affect the entire plant at once: the lower leaves wither, and the middle and upper ones are curled, their leaf blades become smaller, their petioles are shortened, and spots or plaque appear. A bush that bloomed profusely before stops flowering or forms too long or shortened arrows with a minimum number of buds.

Lack of light

Among the reasons why violets wither is insufficient lighting. For good growth and abundant flowering, the plant needs about 12 hours of daylight. In winter, it is advisable to illuminate violets with phytolamps or fluorescent lamps.

A sign of lack of lighting is excessive elongation of petioles and peduncles. Sometimes they are more elongated on the side away from the window, and the flower looks skewed. With a prolonged lack of light, the leaves lose color, become yellowish, and often begin to wither.

Improper watering

When combined with low temperatures and insufficient lighting, it becomes especially dangerous. Under unfavorable conditions, the flower goes into a dormant state, but it continues to be watered as abundantly as during active growing season. Because of this, stagnation occurs in the soil and the violet withers, which prompts the owner to increase watering.

The result of such a mistake could be the death of Saintpaulia. When water stagnates in the soil, the roots of the flower begin to rot. External signs of this are:

• withered leaves throughout the plant;
• cessation of normal growth and development: leaves in the center of the rosette become small, with short petioles;
• cessation of flowering.

If measures are not taken to save the flower, it may die.

The symptoms of overwatering are similar to the signs of lack of moisture when the flower dries out: in both cases it lacks moisture and nutrients. Lack and excess of moisture are equally harmful to Saintpaulia. You can distinguish one condition from another by soil moisture.

Lack of fertilizer or satiety

With a lack or excess of minerals, the plant acquires a characteristic appearance:

• lack of nitrogen compounds leads to pale leaves, they lose turgor and droop;
• excess nitrogen promotes the formation of rough, dark leaf blades;
• deficiency of potassium and phosphorus causes the cessation of flowering: flowers and buds fade even on formed arrows, and new ones are not formed;
• Excess of these substances can resemble signs of nitrogen deficiency.

Deficiency of microelements (iron, sulfur, magnesium, etc.) often leads to discoloration of leaf blades, curling and deformity, and shredding of leaves and flowers.

Unprepared soil

Drooping leaves may be a sign that the soil is not meeting the requirements of the violet. The plant prefers acidic, moisture-permeable, light soil, which contains many nutrients and retains moisture well. When purchasing a flower in a store, it is best to replant it at home in Saintpaulia soil. If it is impossible to buy a ready-made mixture, then a good replacement would be a mixture of equal parts of leaf soil, peat and fine river sand. From such soil the plant can easily obtain the necessary nutrients.

Influence of pests

A common reason why violet leaves become soft is insect damage. Among indoor pests, thrips are the most dangerous for violets. They can be found on the soil surface - they are small, white, mobile creatures. They are sucking pests and, in large numbers, can cause the plant to wither.

If the air is too dry, violets are also damaged by spider mites. It is easier to detect small pests and their webs on the underside of leaves.

Fungal and bacterial microflora leads to the formation of spots and plaque of different types and colors. Sometimes the leaves become limp and take on a translucent, watery appearance, and over time begin to rot at the base. If signs of pests or diseases are detected, urgent rescue measures must be taken (how to save a violet is described in a separate chapter).

Air temperature and humidity

The temperature range acceptable for growing Saintpaulias is small. When it drops to +15°C, the plant stops growing and stops blooming. The upper limit of the interval is +25°C. If the room is too hot, the plant loses turgor and withers.

Sudden changes in temperature are undesirable. In the room where Uzambara violets grow, it is advisable to maintain a constant temperature at +18... +22°C. Air humidity should be about 70%. To maintain it at a normal level, place wide containers filled with water near containers with flowers.

Diseases of violets

When answering the question of why Saintpaulia leaves wither, it is very important to be able to diagnose various diseases. There are quite a few of them, but the most common ones are:

1. Powdery mildew. The main symptom is the appearance of a white coating on the leaves. First it spreads on the stems, then moves to the leaves. To save, remove all affected parts of the plant. Then treat the violet with a very weak solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Fusarium. You can notice it by drooping leaves, although the disease affects the entire individual. For treatment, you need to remove it from the pot and check the root system. Roots affected by fusarium will have a dark color. The disease is very dangerous and can spread to neighboring plants. Leave only healthy roots and replant in dry soil. Then carry out treatment with special means.
3. Gray rot. The cause is too damp soil, which is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. The leaves quickly fade and become covered with small brown spots and a gray coating. When touched, the leaf appears watery, heavy, and soft. Gray rot is easily transmitted to other plants. Therefore, first of all, the soil into which the transplant will be made must be kept in the freezer for at least 24 hours. Then let it thaw and sit for a while. After which you can start transplanting. Keep watering to a minimum.
4. Rust. With this disease, the leaves quickly turn yellow and droop. Treatment will require the use of special means.

Remember, if the cause of problems with a plant is a disease, then you need to act immediately and be sure to check neighboring individuals. If there are no signs of damage on them, isolate them at a safe distance.

Main symptoms of diseases

Often leaf wilting occurs due to microbial disease or pest damage due to improper plant care. The source of infection can be :

• Another diseased plant;
• Fungus-infected soil;
• An infected tool used to transplant violets.

Powdery mildew

A fungal disease, powdery mildew can be recognized at the initial stage of the disease :

• A light white coating, like flour, appears on the leaves and petioles;

  
  Powdery mildew appears on violet leaves due to poor soil.

• Then the disease affects all parts of the plant with ulcers, the surface of the leaves becomes uneven;
• The violet stops growing, weakens and dies.

Excess nitrogen in the soil provokes the appearance of powdery mildew .

Fusarium

Fusarium causes wilting , browning and leaf drop.

Fusarium is a disease of the roots of violets.

This fungal disease is characterized by darkening of the roots. In most cases, the treatment is ineffective and the violet will die.

Gray rot

Usually affects dying parts of the plant. The mycelium of the Botritis fungus begins to germinate in the area of ​​the rosette, then rises higher:

• Flowers and buds are covered with gray mold, this causes the death of the affected areas;
• Small brown spots of various shapes are visible on the stem and leaves;
• The tips of the leaves turn brown.

Over time, the spots grow and become covered with a gray fluffy coating .

Rust

A fungal disease that can be treated well in the early stages. Its signs :

• Small yellowish spots appear on the outside of the leaves;
• Yellow pustules form on the back of the leaf - these are colonies of the fungus.

  Violet leaves can become the color of Rust.

After the pustules rupture, the spores spread throughout the room , infecting other plants.

Insect pests

An insect attack on a violet can be determined visually. The plan of action will depend entirely on the type of infestation. In case of severe damage, the use of chemicals for treatment is strictly necessary.

Violets can be the target of attack:

• aphids. This is a very small midge that hovers around the entire plant. As an ambulance, you can use a soap solution. Use it to gently wipe the plant and let it dry thoroughly;
• scale insect When touching the leaves, sticky marks are felt. In this case, in addition to processing, a change of soil will be required;
• ticks. Their impact is reflected in the appearance of small holes on the leaves, after which the plant begins to wither. Strong and toxic chemicals are used to get rid of them.

Thus, if your violet suddenly stops blooming and drops its leaves, it means that it urgently needs help. Timely identification of the cause of the problem and correctly selected control measures will allow you to quickly rehabilitate the plant.

How to prevent leaves from wilting after transplanting a plant?

Watering violets in small portions every few days will protect the plant from :

• Root rot after transplantation;
• Or a forced long-term drought until the flower adapts after suffering stress.

If the violet is provided with optimal conditions and care, this flower will thank you with long flowering .

Useful tips. Light spots on the leaves are a clear sign of excess light; if they are brown, it means watering was done with too cold water.

Why do violets' leaves droop?

Improper watering leads to problems with roots. If the soil is too dry, thin roots die , which leads to the fact that the root system cannot absorb water. Otherwise, if the earthen ball is over-moistened, the roots may begin to rot . In both cases, the leaves droop and lose turgor.

CAREFULLY! Particularly dangerous is first overdrying and then overwatering the plant. This happens when, having discovered an overdried violet, abundant watering is carried out. In such a situation, the root system cannot cope with a large amount of water and the process of rotting begins.

A pot that is too small or too large will also cause drooping leaves:

• When growing Saintpaulia in a pot that is too small, timely watering is very important, the plant dries out very quickly , and the process of roots dying begins;
• otherwise, if there is a large container, the roots cannot cope with the volume of water. The soil remains wet for a long time, the roots cease to function fully. And as a result, the leaves of the plant drop.

For violets, the size of the pot is very important.

Hypothermia and very high temperatures have a detrimental effect on Saintpaulia:

• hypothermia most often occurs in the fall when the house has become cold and the batteries have not yet been turned on, or in the spring in a similar situation when the batteries have already been turned off. Also, a sharp drop in temperature occurs during ventilation. In this situation, the root system suffers;
• overheating most often occurs on the windowsill, the sun's rays penetrating through the glass intensely heat the violet, it begins to rapidly lose moisture, the leaves become sluggish, lose turgor, and droop. The more humid the room, the easier the violets tolerate overheating.

The recommended maintenance temperature for Saintpaulia is 20-22 degrees ; at night the temperature should not drop sharply, by no more than three degrees.

In the case when the lower tier of leaves begins to fall, a possible reason may be the venerable age of the violet . In such a situation, if nothing is done, the lower leaves will gradually die off. The violet will look like a “palm” on a curved stem. The root system will not cope with its functions and the leaves will shred and wither.

Drooping leaves may also indicate that the pot contains heavy, compacted soil. This situation occurs most often among beginners when purchasing purchased soil and using it without raising agents.

Such soil becomes dense over time; when watering, water sits on the surface for minutes without being absorbed. In such soil, the roots of violets cannot breathe and develop.

ATTENTION! To diagnose the problem, you need to carefully examine the plant and the soil and pot. To identify the cause, you should also remember what has changed in the conditions of detention recently.

Wrong choice of soil

When inspecting the soil, you need to pick up the pot and estimate its weight. If the soil itself is light, the soil is dry, light to the touch and lags behind the walls, then this is a case when the soil is overdried. If the pot is heavy and wet to the touch, you need to remove the earthen lump from the pot and inspect it.

Signs of rotting of the root system are the appearance of a smell of rot and mold , dark brown or black color of easily detachable roots. Healthy roots are white or light brown in color, quite strong and elastic. If the soil looks like one lump, the finger enters it with difficulty, the water does not absorb for a long time - this is a case of heavy, compacted soil.

When inspecting the rosette, you need to compare its diameter with the size of the pot. The rosette should be three times the size of the pot . If the pot is different in size, then it is small or too large for the plant.

The rosette should be larger than the pot.

The age of the violet should be assessed; if it grows for more than three years, it is considered old.

Hypothermia or overheating

Hypothermia or overheating should be assessed by the external conditions in which Saintpaulia is located. You can put a thermometer next to the pot; the window sills can be warmer or colder than the temperature in the room.

It is necessary to remember whether ventilation was done when the air temperature was low outside, and whether Saintpaulia was standing too close to the radiators. In case of hypothermia from drafts, specific spots appear on the leaves. When overheated, the violet becomes lethargic, with drooping leaves and there may even be burns on the leaves.

IMPORTANT! After diagnosing the problem, take a series of measures to eliminate it. They are naturally different in each situation.

In case of hypothermia, it is recommended to re-root the plant , place it in a warmer place or on a heat-insulating stand and avoid direct flow of cold air.

If the leaves droop due to overheating, what should you do? To begin with, you should try to first put the plant in a greenhouse , watering moderately as necessary.

If leaf turgor does not recover within 2-3 days, the plant should also be re-rooted .

In the future, you should move the violet to a cooler place or shade it from direct sunlight.

Overdrying

If there are signs of soil drying out, it is necessary to determine how long the Saintpaulia plant has not been watered. If one watering is missed, you can moisten the soil as usual . However, if it is very dry, you need to water the plant very little , about one spoon of water and put it in a greenhouse.

Over the next two weeks, watering should be light so that new thin roots grow and the leaves become elastic. If turgor is not restored, it is necessary to re-root the plant.

Overmoistening

When over-watering, it is necessary to remove excess water as quickly as possible ; for this, use napkins or newspapers. You can wrap them around a ball of earth or place a pot on them and change them as they get wet. Next, you need to dry the soil and inspect the plant:

• if the bottom row of leaves begins to rot, you need to remove them and cut off part of the trunk . If the cut has no signs of rot, you can plant the violet in a suitable-sized pot with loose, fresh soil. If the cut is brown, you need to cut it back to healthy tissue . It is also recommended to root the leaf;

All rotten areas of a flooded violet must be removed.

• If there are no signs of decay, it is recommended to transplant the violet into fresh soil . Experienced collectors, as a rule, immediately re-root the violet without expecting further problems.

Wrong size pot

If the pot size is not suitable, it must be replaced. The size of the pot should be three times smaller than the diameter of the rosette . If the pot is changed to a larger one, you can replant the plant by transshipment. If it is smaller, the transplant is carried out as usual. If there are a large number of roots, you can partially remove them.

Other reasons

If the plant is old, you should estimate the length of the trunk; if the length is short, you can simply remove the bottom row of leaves and deepen the trunk. If there is a palm tree, it is necessary to re-root the plant by cutting off the trunk to a length of no more than two centimeters and peeling it like a carrot.

ADVICE! If you use unsuitable soil, you should replant the plant in light soil with the addition of baking powder.

Sometimes a situation arises when the leaves are healthy, strong and turgor, but for some unknown reason they hug the pot. The reason for this may be excessive light; the leaves try to move as far away from the light source as possible.

In this situation, you can shade the plant from direct sunlight by gluing parchment paper to the glass or moving it away from the light source on a shelf.

You can also cut a circle around the diameter of the rosette from plain white paper and place it on top of the Saintpaulia.

It is also worth noting that different varieties of violets require different amounts of light , so lighting conditions should be selected for each individually, depending on the behavior of the leaves.

Main reasons

Sometimes you can observe a situation when the lower leaves of violets begin to wither and disappear. Moreover, at a time when the lower leaves become limp and soft, everything may be in order with the upper part of the plant (sometimes Saintpaulia may even bloom). Why is this happening? There may be several reasons why violets disappear:

• various fungal diseases that can enter through the soil or through wounds that form due to mechanical damage;
• harmful insects sucking juices from violets;
• improper care of violets - non-compliance with temperature conditions, excess moisture or even root burns.

When violet leaves wither, you should immediately understand the reasons for this phenomenon, and not wait until the process goes too far.