I distinctly remember my first close encounter with a hawthorn.I was looking for the perfect pair of trees to hang
06.06.2023 - 16:21 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren
Reasons and Fixes for Long Necks and Leggy African VioletsAfrican violets are a treat when they’re happily in bloom. But when they’re unhappy, they can be downright strange looking.
They can grow long stems and long petioles that make the plant look like an entirely different species.
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There are ways to address the leggy growth that’s plaguing your plants.
But first, you have to determine the specific type of growth you’re facing and what’s causing it. Then, you can jump in with a solution.
Fortunately, neither type of problem is all that difficult to fix. Up ahead, we’ll go over the different types of leggy growth and how to remedy them.
Here’s what’s on the roster:
Before we dive in, let’s clarify a few things:
African violets can have long “necks,” or the leaves themselves can grow with long, extended petioles.
The petiole is the part between the main stem and a leaf. A neck is a trunk-like growth that forms at the center of the plant over time, as it ages and the lower foliage falls off.
These are two different types of unwanted growth, and they have unique causes. This guide will look at both.
What Causes Long Necks in African Violets?Necks develop on African violets over time as the lower leaves fall off. It makes the plant start to look like a sort of palm tree. But this isn’t always normal development.
A healthy, happy African violet will retain its lower leaves for years, but one that’s growing in low light, that receives too much water, or that’s struggling with pests or disease will drop its lower foliage more rapidly.
If your plants are five years old or older, a long neck is normal. If your plant is just a
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