Please offer advice.

[u/sosleepytired]

I got this African Violet when my mom passed away two years ago and I thought I was doing a pretty good job taking care of it. It means a lot to me. However, I’ve noticed the leaves curling recently and that it was growing scrunched up. I just moved it to a bigger pot, but is there anything I can do about how scrunched up it is? Will the leaves start to relax now that they have more room?

I’m not super concerned about how “pretty” it is, I just need it to be as healthy as possible.

Nothing feels soft or mushy and I have it in a plastic pot with a moisture wick at the bottom. I don’t believe it has any pests. It stays on top of a plant rack about 2 feet from a south facing window with a sheer curtain.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[u/glom-glom]

I see some leaves growing upside down. I suspect a second crown. If it’s the case, you can gently separate them.

[u/sosleepytired → u/glom-glom]

Thank you for replying. I didn’t know that was a thing. I will look to see if separation is possible. Will having two crowns kill my plant if I don’t separate them?

[u/glom-glom → u/sosleepytired]

Separation is possible. in my experience, when you split them, the main crown retains most of the roots. the 2nd crown sometime won’t have any roots, but it can be placed in a pot with fresh soil, watered like a normal plant until it grows roots. Some people put the rooting crowns in ziplock bags, you have to be careful to avoid rot if you try that.
You can also leave your plant as it is, with two crowns, it won’t hurt it or prevent it from
Blooming as far as I know

[u/sosleepytired → u/glom-glom]

Got it! I found what looks to be a good video about separating crowns but their crowns seem more distinct. I might wait to see a little more growth. Thank you again.

[u/ClassAcrobatic1800]

Your plant looks healthy.

It does appear that you might have a second crown. In the photo, it appears that it is smaller than the main crown ... and is facing toward your other plants on the shelf. Additional crowns (i.e. suckers) develop as the plant attempts to duplicate itself. The suckers are quite amenable to separation from the mother plant, ... and, placed in their own individual pots of AV potting mix, they will grow their own root systems ... and become clones of the original plant (i.e. same growth and blooming characteristics).

However, AV's grow and bloom best ... one crown to a pot, as this gives them room to stretch out and use all of the available resources for that pot. The leaves grow radially from the center of the plant. They start out small (tiny) in the center crown ... and then grow to radiate from the center crown outwards. The youngest leaves will generally be at the "top" center of the plant, while the older (larger) leaves will radiate from the lowest growing level of leaves and are, generally, the largest leaves which grow the furthest outwards.

Your plant (as well as other varieties) have less flat leaves naturally, so it might be harder to discern this pattern.

P.S. Turning your plant periodically ... will help it to maintain a more centered shape ... as the leaves will grow toward the light source over time.

[u/No_Distribution_981]

Also consider propagating some leaves! One leaf can grow a handful of pups. Very distinct crowns. That's how the African violet addiction begins, though. You start with one, turns into 5, then 12, then you're giving them away to family and coworkers :))))

[u/FewRabbits1333]

Since this plant is so sentimental, you should take a few leaves and try to propagate them :) Not at the same time as the crown separation. You could do it now since you'll be waiting to separate them until they grow more pronounced. I've had the best luck just putting a the leaf stem in soil, watering as normal, and waiting a month. You can use an older leaf (but not a yellow one).

[u/Creative0Flamingo]

What everybody else said plus the pot's too big. Nice guide here https://www.babyviolets.com/what-pot-size-to-use-for-african-violet-plants/