There are a couple of fungal varieties that attack violets and I think that is your problem. Fungus attack the violets from the inside and there is very little, if anything, that can be done once your plant is affected. I would bet your violet had the beginnings of it when you bought it. Your leaves did not take because they were already affected except for the one that has rooted.

The only thing that can be done with fungal problems is to avoid them with good culture. You did nothing wrong but I would avoid buying from the same place again. It sounds as though they have a disease problem. ( The fungal spores can live in the growing area and infect new plants).

This has nothing to do with girl leaves just poor growing practices by the seller.

Linda

There is a way to predict rotting of AVs.

After watering, wait a couple hours, then, you touch the tips of the leaves and move them. If the leaves are very loose, can be described as really soft, then you need to immediately put the pot into airy location, raise temperature and use ample light continuously, until the leaves are firm again.

The correct leaves are quite firm. There is resistance to your attempt to move them.

Hmmm, a fungal issue sounds possible. And more likely than the theory that someone might have thrown it in the freezer for a bit (there'd be easier ways to ask for a divorce :-p )
I got two other violets from the same source and was not impressed with the soil quality. The first one nearly died until I repotted in a pot half the size of the original, the second was doing poorly when I bought it half off, then turned out to be the strongest of the three so far.
The only reason I keep buying there (if you call 3 purchases a habit) is because they have anthoflores as opposed to optimara varieties. Which means (IMO) more interesting foliage and different flowers.

But yeah, as spring approaches (ever so slowly), I am debating the sense of spending $4 on a NOID with questionable chances of survival, vs saving up for the avsc show or an online order...

It sounds as though they have heavy soil combined with irregular care. This will bring on a fungal infection quite easily. The spores are generally everywhere but can usually only infect a plant that is struggling.
Buying from the convention is the best, I think. Nice plants grown by knowledgeable violet people. Also, I know some people avoid E Bay but I have found some fantastic sellers there, as well. And if you are looking for more interesting plants, you will have to branch out from the grocery/big box stores!

Linda

This post was edited by whitelacey on Tue, Feb 18, 14 at 3:45

Frozen violets as grounds for divorce, Karin, you crack me up. Poor DH is probably not that nefarious!! Hope you get to your upcoming show, it sounds great!
Jo

Generally-a disease will kill any plant fairly quickly. Obvious damage to the plant-wilting, water-logged look, wobbly foliage, collapse-are disease related. Insects are more subtle. Growth will be slow, 'off', or misshapen.

Linda

After you repot - keep from watering the same as the rest. You need to keep it on a dry side. The larger is the violet - the more important is to baby it after repotting.

To be on a cautious side- there is rootrot and there is ROOTROT - that basically goes like a forest fire from plant to plant and devastates your collection in no time. Beware of the stuff your bring from a store. Keep it in another room for isolation for some time.

Posted by irina_co z5 CO (My Page) on Thu, Feb 20, 14 at 14:23

You are so right. My first AV grew marvelously. But after I repotted it, I watered it. That was right at the time when the heating ended. It rotted rapidly. When I noticed something wrong, the center had already turned into a tan color.

Gladly, I have never seen the ROOTROT disease. I have only a few plants and they are indoors.