I transplanted them to new pots (Now I know wrong season) and then used too harsh a brush on their leaves to clean them of cat fur. They were healing and returning to their perky selves when shortly after were knocked to the floor by the cats to lay out of soil for several hours. They were also slightly chewed.

It has been several months since then and they are barely holding on. I went to an indoor garden store where I was sold a light that was supposed to help with flowering - thing is I need them to just grow, I'm not concerned about flowering now and I think the light is burning them as I've read they do not like direct sun....

I need expert advice.

Their roots look in good shape. No rot, no pests. I believe I need a different soil and to re-pot but what soil? Can I order one online?

Additionally - I've recently acquired two pots specifically for African Violets. The top pot is removable and there is a fitted bowl you can add water to through a hole in the bottom piece. Water soaks in through the clay pot. I could replant them in that? I think it's too big for how small they've become.

I know not to water leaves and I have a light fertilizer that lists African Violets specifically. I only have north or south facing windowsills where Cats wont knock them....

I'm so desperate for your advice and fully prepared to learn and keep these plants long term to honor my Grandmothers love for them, even if these specific plants are not salvageable.

Thank you for your time!

(Photo attached is of the best looking plant. The other is at half this size.)

Here are some suggestions:

First, get a bag of perlite and mix it 2 or more parts to 1 of your soil. Take the perlite outside and rinse until all the dust is gone; let dry and mix with the soil.

1. Take plants out of the pots they're in and put in pots 1/3 the diameter of the leaves. Small plastic cups (like the ones for the bathroom) work well. The pot this one is in is at least three times too big for the AV. Remember: Pots can never be too small for an African violet; only too big.

2. Cut a hole in the bottom of the plastic cup.

3. I don't know the correct term, but use one ply of a strand of yarn as a wick or a narrow strip of panty hose. Wet the wick.

4. Run the wick through the hole in bottom of pot to about half-way up. Fill with soil 2/3 of the way up and plant your AV. Finish filling pot.

5. You can make a reservoir out of a plastic tub with a hole cut in the lid for the wick.

6. Water plant from top until it runs out of the bottom. Place on reservoir.

7. Put them in the north-facing window to recouperate.

I, personally, don't care for the kind of planter you acquired; however, there are lots of people here who use them most successfully to grow gorgeous plants.

It doesn't matter when you transplant African violets. I do it whenever the mood and time strike be it July or January.

Good luck,

Linda

Linda - Thank you! These violets will be setup this weekend and I'll post photos as they improve. Out of curiosity - What is the purpose of the 'wick'? Is that to assist in water drainage or does it assist in bringing water up to the top? Thank you again!

I, like Linda have not had a lot of luck with the two part ceramic pots. I always seem to get the ones that the inside pot has been fired to long and therefore is to hard for the water to penetrate. But others do seem to have great luck with them. I wish there was a way to tell by looking at the pot if it is fired correctly. Anyone happen to know?

Good luck with your plants. Let us know how wicking works for you.

Good luck
Andrew

Linda

Tried the nylon stockings method but its too difficult for a mere male..

Andrew

The additional information on wicking will really help me succeed here. I'll post photos later today of the transplant and will keep you posted on the healing process.

Anyone know how long I should expect to wait before I start seeing happier plants? I'm not sure how quickly these plants bounce back and a time frame will help me keep their progress in perspective.

Thank you again for all the information and support! I'll post a photo of their progress once they perk back up.

To fill in the empty spaces,
I also have a few helpful suggestions.
Since you mentioned how you did damage to your AV's leaves using the wrong implament,
I thought I could be of some help to you there.
First, the best way to clean your AV leaves is to only use a thick artist's paint brush made of soft hair.

OR even better,

A thick blush brush used for applying makeup is perfect for cleaning AV leaves!
It's thick, soft, and easy to handle!

To clean a leaf, I (very carefully), with the leaf laying in my palm of my hand (palm up), While holding the leaf's stem very lightly between two fingers at the base of the leaf to be cleaned, I brush the leaf, starting from where the stem meets the leaf (between my fingers), and I lightly brush in one direction only, > To the tip of the leaf and lift the brush..
This will keep the leaf hairs going in their correct, and naturally growing direction. look closely at a leaf and you'll see what I mean.
So, make note, to always brush from the stem & leaf base to the tip of the leaf in one direction only, never the opposite way against the leaf's hairs! This will only break them, and cause the leaf to look like it's been sand papered.
Holding the leaf in the palm of my hand gives it a soiid surface to lay on while brushing, and holding the stem between my fingers to steady it also so, I don't break a stem, or snap off a leaf. And cuping my hand as needed also helps me to control the leaf from moving too much from the pressure of the brush while cleaning.
Short, quick, concentrated brush strokes for removing water spots, trapped pet hair, trash, fibers, etc. are also ok to use as long as all strokes are made moving toward the leaf's tip. Never the opposite way!
I carefully brush each leaf until it doesn't look dull anymore but, has a healthy, warm, shiny glow!
After brushing, the leaves will now get better light to it's surface, and brushing also unplugs the leaf's pores, which helps the plant breath better.
As long as you are careful, brushing with a soft brush will not harm the leaf.
I've also found that brushing clean a leaf before rooting will help it root much faster!
With a little practice, you can "blush brush" clean an entire plant in just a few minutes.
Especially, after the first time you've cleaned your AVs of most of their leave's dirty film. Try it! it works!
You'll love how healthy they will look!
(This is an old trick used by many old school AV show competitors)
You can almost hear your AV's purring while they're being brushed! :)
I wait until the smallest center crown leaves are big enough to hold in my hand, or at least I can balance on one finger before I will try to brush them if they need attention that badly But, in an emergency, I'll use a very thin, very soft haired art brush to very carefully fish out debree, as crown leaves are very, very fragile, and easy to break off, or damage by brushing.
It's best to just not touch them at all.
Brushing about once a month as maintanience is good for the plant's health.
It also seems to stimulate plant growth.

My second suggestion, is to put a little activated carbon in your wick's water container.
This will keep the water in the reservior from getting stagnant, and nasty too quickly especially in warm weather, which can cause root rot.
You can get activated carbon at any store that sells aquarium supplies. About a tablespoon full per quart of water in the reservior will work just fine.(or 2 tsps per pint, etc.)
Activated Carbon is used in aquarium filters, and drinking water filters, so, it's not toxic. Replace with new carbon about once a month.

To fill in the empty spaces,
I also have a few helpful suggestions.
Since you mentioned how you did damage to your AV's leaves using the wrong implament,
I thought I could be of some help to you there.
First, the best way to clean your AV leaves is to only use a thick artist's paint brush made of soft hair.

OR even better,

A thick blush brush used for applying makeup is perfect for cleaning AV leaves!
It's thick, soft, and easy to handle!

To clean a leaf, I (very carefully), with the leaf laying in my palm of my hand (palm up), While holding the leaf's stem very lightly between two fingers at the base of the leaf to be cleaned, I brush the leaf, starting from where the stem meets the leaf (between my fingers), and I lightly brush in one direction only, to the tip of the leaf.
This will keep the leaf hairs going in their correct, and naturally growing direction.
So, make note, to always brush from the stem & leaf base to the tip of the leaf in one direction only, never the opposite way against the leaf's hairs! This will only break them, and cause the leave to look like it's been sand papered.
Holding the leaf in the palm of my hand gives it a soiid surface to lay on while brushing, so I don't break a stem, or snap off a leaf. And cuping my hand as needed also helps me to control the leaf from moving too much from the pressure of the brush while cleaning.
Short brush strokes for removing water spots are also ok as long as all strokes are made moving toward the leaf's tip.
I carefully brush each leaf until it doesn't look dull anymore but, has a healthy, warm, shiny glow!
After brushing, the leaves will now get better light to it's surface, and helps the plant breath better.
As long as you are careful, brushing with a soft brush will not harm the leaf. I've also found that brushing clean a leaf before rooting will help it root faster!
With a little practice, you can "blush brush" clean an entire plant in a few minutes. Especially, after the first time you've cleaned your AVs of most of their leave's dirty film.
(This is an old trick used by many old school AV show competitors)
You can almost hear your AV's purring while they're being brushed! :)
I wait until the smallest center crown leaves are big enough to hold in my hand, or at least I can balance on one finger before I will try to brush them if they need attention that badly But, in an emergency, I'll use a very thin, very soft haired art brush to very carefully fish out debree, as crown leaves are very, very easy to break off, or damage by brushing.
It's best to just not to touch them at all.
Brushing about once a month as maintanience is good for the plant's health. It also seems to stimulate plant growth.

My second suggestion, is to put a little activated carbon in your wick's water container.
This will keep the water in the reservior from getting stagnant, and nasty too quickly especially in warm weather, which can cause root rot.
You can get activated carbon at any store that sells aquarium supplies. About a tablespoon full per quart of water in the reservior will work just fine.(or 2 tsps per pint, etc.)
Activated Carbon is used in aquarium filters, and drinking water filters, so, it's not toxic. Replace with new carbon about once a month.

The only bright side is that one had been recently repotted so didn't have flowers and the one that got knocked on its head was due for a repot - so I just removed the damaged flower stalks and leaves and repotted it. Poor babies, but at least they seem to have forgiven me with no lasting ill-effects.

Now I know if I'm that tired, I should just stay in bed.

Ha, I usually have pretty good balance and reflexes after years of avoiding suddenly appearing kitties and stepping on Legos and lifting my foot up before I put all my weight down. ;)

It has been some time and I meant to post sooner. One of the violets made a FULL recovery and is looking great. See attached photo. The other did not make it. When I added it to compost over the weekend, the root was hollow. It was long gone.

I am VERY happy to have this one so strong and really hope to have it blossom this year as they never have in the 3 years I've had them.

I've also moved and now have a proper window for the survivor plant.

THANK YOU TREMENDOUSLY FOR ALL YOUR GREAT ADVICE AND SUPPORT!!! I would have lost them both without your help. THANK YOU!!!!!

I'm a sponge. If you have any more tips for me I'll soak them up!

Thanks again! :)

Now you need to get another one - so it will have company.

I.