As with many plants, the African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is susceptible to numerous diseases if not properly maintained. These include crown rot, a disease that first affects the violet's crown and roots before other physical symptoms become noticeable.
As with many plants, the African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is susceptible to numerous diseases if not properly maintained. These include crown rot, a disease that first affects the violet's crown and roots before other physical symptoms become noticeable. Keep your African violets in environments that are sunny and dry to help avoid crown rot infection. The African violet is most typically grown as a houseplant.
African Violet Description
The African violet is a favorite houseplant as it is easy to care for, thrives in indoor environments and otherwise makes a beautiful addition to your home. Native to Africa, this violet comes in numerous colors despite its name, including red, lavender, blue, purple, pink and white. Bi- and multicolored African violets are also common. Blooms come in numerous forms, including star shapes with one layer of petals as well as double, ruffled and fringed petal varieties. Leaves are green and can vary in shape as well, including variegated, quilted, scalloped and ruffled foliage.
Crown Rot Description
Crown rot is one of several diseases that affects African violets. Also referred to as root rot, crown rot is the result of infection by the Pythium ultimum fungus. Such fungus occurs due to overwatering, which creates an overly damp environment in which the fungus can thrive. This disease can affect African violets at any stage in their development. Roots and crowns of infected violets become soft and dark, and leaves turn yellow, wither and eventually fall off. Crown rot affects many other plants as well as violets if the roots and crowns are watered too frequently.
Dealing With Crown Rot
If one or more of your African violets is infected with crown rot, the plants must be immediately re