For many years I've noticed a strange phenomenon with several of my heaviest blooming violets. When they're young they're big and healthy and constantly blooming. But as they age at about the 3 year old mark they begin to shrink in size to about 1/3 – 1/4 of what they were. This is with regular repotting and good care. I've recently noticed a common denominator that isn't there in the non-shrinkers. The photo shows a large fleshy section of root that extends from just below the neck of the plant all the way to the bottom of the pot. They're big. Every bit as big as the shrunken plant. They seem carrot like to me. My theory is that these enlarged roots are what's sucking the life out of the shrinking plants. What I've done here is to slice the root off in a kind of modified decapitation leaving a disk of roots around the stem at the bottom of the cut. I hope this helps them. We will see. Any of you long time AV growers have any insight for me here?
by ComfortableBug9558
3 Comments
Oh, I should mention that this has been stripped of the finer roots and rinsed so you can see it. The plants are very well rooted with the fine roots extending to the sides and bottoms of the pots.
No clue what is happening. An African Violet can live for 50 years. Why your’s start to fail at 3 years is a mystery to me. Best of Luck.
Is it smooth and uniform like a carrot or Is there little bead-like growth around that thick stem?