Violet requires careful care. You must take care of plant leaves regularly to prevent African violet leaves curling upward or any other problem. Any deviation from the rules will lead to the death of the flower:
- Lighting;
- Landing place;
- Draft;
- Overflow;
- Over-saturation with fertilizers.
Why do African violet leaves curling upwards?
Feature of the variety
Before purchasing a violet, ask what kind it is. Some species tend to curl the foliage inward. Otherwise, this is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
Deviation in development
Deviations from correct development can be seen in appearance. It is worth paying attention to:
- Leaf color;
- Stem elasticity;
- Spotting;
- Surface deposits like dust;
- Slow growth.
Any of these symptoms are a signal that the plant is unhealthy.
Are you facing problem African Violet Too Many Leaves What To Do?
Causes of African violet leaves curling upwards (inward)
When a violet grows beautifully and the foliage curls inward unexpectedly, this is a “bell” that irreversible processes are taking place with the plant.
Before reanimating a flower, determine the reasons that cause this effect. This could be:
- Dry air;
- Draft;
- Excess moisture;
- Pest attack;
- Incorrectly selected soil;
- Oversupply of fertilizers.
Dry air
In the hot summer and during the heating season, dry air is observed in the apartment, which negatively affects the violets. The leaves begin to curl inward and wither. The plant looks dejected.
The moisture-loving varieties of Saintpaulia are especially affected. The stem becomes soft, the plant stops developing normally.
The optimum air humidity should be in the range of 45-50%. In summer and winter, care for violets should be especially careful. To determine the importance, you need to purchase a measuring device. It will be a good helper for growing violets.
Draft
Saintpaulias are considered clean and love fresh air. But during the procedures, the flowers are often under the thorough and cold air.
If the flower has slipped through, then the leaves turn black, stripes appear. The healthy color changes, the leaves curl.
Systematic waterlogging of the soil
Violets love moderate watering. The frequency of procedures depends on external factors:
- Humidity;
- Temperatures;
- Soil.
Irrigate violets only when the topsoil dries up. This can be 1-2 times every 10 days.
Watering is carried out with settled water at room temperature. You can also use melted snow when defrosting your refrigerator.
Water can be poured into a sump or soil.
Attention! If overhead irrigation is used, then you need to be careful. Moisture should not get into the outlet or leaves. This can kill the plant.
Pest infestation
The most dangerous pests for violets are mites. It is impossible to see them with the naked eye. For this, you need to have a microscope, a magnifying glass. During the laying of eggs, seals on the leaves are felt by hands. Symptoms are determined in the early stages of infection.
Old leaves of the flower are affected. If you look closely at the back, brown microscopic spots are visible. As if a sheet had been punctured by a needle. At first glance, the dust appears on the surface, which does not want to be washed off.
The appearance of red dots entwined with a cobweb indicates that a red spider mite attacked the violet.
The cyclamen mite affects young leaves in the outlet. They are deformed and slightly compacted in the center of Saintpaulia. Viewed yellow spots round shape, gray plaque.
It is dangerous because it affects the growth center. The leaves become fragile, twisted, growth stops, the flowers dry up. Cyclomenus ticks can kill a violet in a short time if you do not take action at an early stage.
The flat-bodied mite (false spider mite) has up to 40 varieties. Of these, the orange flat mite is the most harmful. It affects the lower leaves. The base is as if pierced with needles, and the edges dry out and twist inward.
Incorrectly selected soil
The reason for the curling of the leaves is the wrong soil. The root system is not getting enough oxygen. The earth gets lost in a com.
For the normal development of the root system, buy special soil for violets. Add a baking powder such as vermiculite, perlite, river sand.
For self-preparation, use a mixture of coniferous, peat, leafy, turf soil in a ratio of 1: 1: 3: 2. Also, add baking powder and drainage.
Excess fertilizer
Saintpaulias react positively to feeding. But it is not always good. An excess of nitrogen is a leaf rolling provocateur.
Fertilizers after transplanting into a new pot are not applied until 3 months. Since it is already saturated with useful trace elements. It is enough just to observe:
- Light mode;
- Temperature;
- Humidity;
- Watering.
As soon as the violet needs feeding, it is applied once a month. This is usually done during lush flowering. Moreover, the dosage described in the instructions should be reduced by 2 times.
Treatment for African violet leaves curling upwards
As soon as the reason is found out, it is necessary to urgently move on to the resuscitation of the plant.
- Adjust humidity in dry air ;
- Draft – rearrange a plant or close up windows;
- When overflowing, adjust watering or transplant the plant into new soil;
- Pests – fight with acaricides.
Now about each case individually.
If the air in the apartment is dry
Violets are best kept in the kitchen, where fumes are emitted during cooking. They contribute to a favorable microclimate for flowers.
There are several ways to reduce dry air:
- Humidifier. This is the most expensive but effective method;
- Installation of containers with water near flowerpots;
- Moving pots to a pallet with wet expanded clay, moss;
- Spray. Spray the air near the violets.
Carefully! Do not aim the stream at the violet leaves.
Protecting from drafts
Violets thrive on the western windowsill. Fresh and clean air is essential for normal development. The Saintpaulias are afraid of the draft.
Open the window several times a day. If flowers are on the windowsill, set them aside during the procedure. With a large number of plants, cover them with paper, film.
In winter, old wooden windows must be glued. Since the air through the cracks will harm the leaves. An alternative option for Saintpaulias is to remove them from the windowsill. If there is a lack of light, use a backlight.
Violet stands with built-in lighting are now on sale. You can place them in the apartment in any convenient place. The draft problem will be solved by itself. Thus, decorate the interior.
How to restore a violet after an overflow?
There are several ways to reanimate a violet from waterlogging:
- If the overflow is of a single character and the putrefactive processes have not affected the plant, then put the flower in a warm place and do not water until the soil is completely dry;
- If the leaves become soft and curl inward , a plant transplant will be required . Remove the flower and examine the roots. Rotten roots should be removed. Sluggish leaves are also removed. Since the rosette is smaller, choose a smaller pot for it. Use new soil with drainage and loosening agent.
How to deal with pests?
Getting rid of ticks is very difficult, and sometimes impossible. But if you follow some of the requirements that prevent infection, Saintpaulia will always be healthy:
- When purchasing a new copy, do not rush to put it in a row with other colors. The violet should acclimatize within 2 weeks;
- Eliminate withered, yellowed, rotten leaves in time; check detial guide on African Violet Leaves Turning Yellow.
- Don’t keep cut roses in the same room as violets. Ticks always accompany them;
- Place flowerpots at a short distance from each other. Then it will be more difficult for the pest to move to another bush;
- Bathe flowers in a dry hot summer with warm (40 degrees C), running water. Perform the procedure with your hands. Do not use a washcloth. Do not allow water to enter the center of the outlet.
Ticks attack in dry, hot weather. Therefore, maintain the temperature of the content 18-22 degrees C.
If the violet was attacked by ticks, then in the fight against them use acaricides. Dilute the drug strictly according to the instructions and spray the plant. If the fight started on time, then after the first treatment, the ticks will disappear.
During the period of infection, isolate the flower from its neighbors. After the procedures, transfer small specimens to a warm place without a draft. To do this, use a lamp. Keep at a safe distance to avoid scalding plants.
Attention! It is impossible to cover violets with a film, as they will rot.
What if the soil is not suitable?
As soon as water remains in the pan during watering, this is a signal that the flower is not using moisture for its intended purpose.
In this case, you need to pull out the plant, inspect the root system. Remove rotten roots and transplant the violet into purchased soil or made yourself.
When replanting, pay attention to the size of the remaining socket. Saintpaulias love cramped pots. Perhaps the flowerpot will need to be replaced with a smaller volume.
What to do in case of an excess of fertilizers?
In the fight against the oversaturation of fertilizers, there is only one way of transplanting the plant into the new soil.
To do this, remove the plant and rinse the root under running water. Treat the pot with boiling water. Install drainage, soil with baking powder, and repot the plant. From this minute until full flowering, the plant will not need feeding. If purchased soil for violets is used.
we also prepared a guide on African Violet Leaves Curling Down.
Reconstruction of the leaves plate
During an emergency transplant, the leaves of the lower layer are all removed, whether they are curled or not. Dry, rotten specimens are also removed. This will enable the plant to recover quickly.
When to expect african violet blooming?
Usually, violets bloom 9 months after resuscitation. Provided that all growing rules are followed. The following factors play a role here:
- Pot size;
- Illumination;
- The soil;
- Watering;
- The energy of the grower :).
Conclusion
For all novice florists, I would like to note that the process of growing violets is very long. Especially if propagated from a leaf. For a plant to bloom, you need to have patience and care for African violet leaves curling upwards or inward.
Follow simple requirements:
- Do not overfill the flower, irrigate only when the soil is dry;
- Use purchased land and add baking powder;
- Take care of drainage, the soil must have a high flow rate to supply oxygen to the roots;
- Love flowers.
Then the violet will surely thank you with amazing flowering.
