We started seven African violet leaves in an AeroGarden unit to see if we could successfully grow plants from leaves. Here are the results:
In the few weeks, we lost two leaves quickly to rot (Rob’s Seduction and Rob’s Shadow Magic). We suspect that the air circulation in the area of the AeroGarden unit is insufficient, leading to the loss of the leaves as well as the additional problems with powdery mildew, surface mold, and rust rot noted below.
At 4 weeks, the back leaves are bleached out from too much light, and Rob’s Seduction is rotting away.
Leaf rot.
Plantlets are beginning to show at the base of Shirl’s Hawaiian Lei leaf.
All the plugs are choked with algae and spotted with white mold.
At 60 days, the situation is worse:
Rob’s Slap Happy is prolific but bleached out and tinged with rust.
Rob’s Slap Happy
Rob’s Boondoggle is very susceptible to powdery mildew.
Shirl’s Hawaiian Lei is succumbing to rust rot.
Rob’s June Bug is choked with algae and not producing plantlets yet.
Our F2 hybrid leaf is bleached out, choked with algae, and spotted with white mold.
Leaf Experiment Unsuccessful
At 60 days, we deem the experiment less than successful. We’ll transplant the growing African violet plantlets, and start the next batch of leaves with better air circulation and less intense light. Stay tuned…
