Rhonda, you likely have root rot. If so, you have no choice but to jump in and do it. Check Rachel's site for clear instructions and pictures to walk you through it. It's really not that bad. Just make sure when you cut the rootball off, to trim the neck to healthy tissue.

Good luck.

Korina

Here is a link that might be useful: Rachel's long neck

Rhonda:
Korina is right...you just have to push up your sleeves and cut the neck! Believe me, it will hurt you more than it will your plant. I put it off until I had one violet with a 1 1/2 inch neck - it looked hideous. But I went to Rachel's site, and followed her directions step by step. After the operation, I put a baggie over my violet, and within a few weeks I could see little roots growing out of the stem. It was a succes for me and now I wonder why I waited so long!