"AL" wrote in message
ups.com...
Received my first AV about 6 weeks ago
Was in full bloom-had just been watered-3-4 days later flowers began
dying-but there were
new buds.

Iwatered it from the bottom til soil was damp-about 30 minutes-new buds
blossomed while older ones still died off-I watered it again about 5
days later from top-avoiding leaves-seemed to do better-until this past
week--

Watered about 5-7 days after previous watering from bottom like
before-about3-4 days later leaves were drooping around eges of plant
-some flowers dying--

What am I doing wron --it's in North window-Iwater with room temp
water--Help!

AL


Stop bottom watering. Water from the top until some drains out the bottom.
Then, take the pot off the dish and dump the excess water. The only
exception to this is if you've let the soil get REALLY dry and the plant is
drooping. Then, some potting soils need to soak before they'll accept water.
Here's more from Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses, which specializes in gesnariads:

WATERING - Improper watering is one of the most common reasons for failure
of African violets. Always use room temperature water, watering only when
the top of the soil feels slightly dry to the touch. Use water that is fit
for drinking. Never use water that has been through a softener. Watering may
be from the top or bottom, by wicking, or you may wish to choose one of the
many self- watering pots available today. Never allow plants to stand in
water after the soil has taken up what it can hold. After 15 to 20 minutes
pour off any water that is left in the saucer. Violets do not like wet feet!
About once a month water should be generously run through the pot
from the top to flush out accumulating salts. After this is done, put your
plants on several layers of newspaper to absorb the excess water, preferable
overnight.

There's more at www.lyndonlyon.com. On the left, click "Hints". This company
is about an hour West of Albany NY. If you have an African violet addiction
and you visit this place, bring a friend to help you limit what you buy.
Seriously.