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Water Can Chill African Violets |
By Mary Small, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Urban Integrated Pest Management
If your African violet has developed yellow-white splotches and rings on it's leaves this winter, it is most likely due to watering practices rather than some strange disease.
The rings and spots probably are related to the temperature of the irrigation water. Its not unusual for African violets to develop these symptoms during winter because tap water is colder than during other times of the year.
African violets are sensitive to the differences between the air temperature and water temperature, and they develop spots when the water is colder than the air. You probably didn't notice the problem before because the difference in temperature between the two wasn't that great. From now on, use room-temperature water. Avoid splashing water onto the leaves. Even with the change in water temperature, the spots won't disappear, but leaves that develop in the future won't be affected.
Photo: Judy Sedbrook
For more information on African Violets, see: African Violet Society of America, Inc.
