Was hoping one of the experts would answer you right away...someone will soon, I'm sure.

My best guess is that your violet is in WAY too big a pot, which keeps the soil too damp and will cause rot sooner or later. The standard ratio is the pot should be 1/3 the diameter of the violet. It also looks like you may be using a clay pot, which is another no-no (collects and hold mineral deposits, which will burn the stems and leaves where they touch) A plastic pot is preferred. You can always drop the plastic pot into a decorative pot if "pretty" is important to you (is to me!) I have all of my plastic pots sitting in ceramic flower pots or cache pots.

On the other hand, a lot of people wick their violets, have them on mats, in oyama pots, etc. There are many ways to do it. Any way that you prefer is fine, just so long as the violet doesn't stay too wet too long (especially in a heavy soil)

To me, it seems if it takes a week and a half to 2 weeks for the pot to dry out, it is just proof that it is staying too wet too long.
In a north window the plant can't make use of water as fast either. Takes longer to bloom in a north window too.

Many people on this board recommend Dyna-Gro 7-9-5 (no urea) Just bought some recently after reading lots of old posts.

I don't know anything about the soils that you are using. Many people recommend 1 part perlite, one part vermiculite, one part spaghnum moss(or AV mix).
With a troubled violet like yours, I would up the perlite to 50% to help the roots to get more air. An airy mix seems to work best.

I hope you can rescue your baby! Good luck!

hear, hear!

Bunnycat is 100% right. It is severely overpotted and suffering from too heavy soil in too big of a pot. Move it temporarily in a much smaller pot and mix our soil with 1:1 perlite. When it catches up - you can move it to a bigger pot, preferrably plastic - just as Bunnycat recommended.

Good Luck

Irina

Well, Bunnycat, for not considering yourself an "expert," you certainly gave expert advice.

Don't underestimate your contributions to this forum.

Best,

Linda

I agree, too big a pot and too heavy of a soil mix. Wet for too long.