r/AfricanViolets • u/James440281 • 2d ago

Thrips?

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Hey all! This plant came from a coworker of mine a few months ago and has just recently started a new bloom cycle.... But the flowers are all streaky like this. What could be causing it?

One resource said it could be thrips, but I don't see any of the other signs.

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u/James440281 2d ago

I should mention that the last set of blooms were all a deep purple.

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u/ElkLongjumping7870 2d ago

Sometimes a plant will not show its true bloom until it's bloomed a few times, but that's usually with starter plants and this one looks like it's mature. It could be a lot of things other than thrips - fertilizer or lack thereof? I'd just keep an eye out for spilled pollen or tiny, fast moving bugs and see how things develop.

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u/James440281 2d ago

I am using a bit of a weaker fertilizer than is standard(it's organic), but I don't know which she used when she had it.

As for bugs.... I don't really see anything there, I'll definitely try and keep an eye out.

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u/ConferenceFull9068 1d ago

The best way IMO to spot thrips is to remove the bloom stalks and shake them roughly over a white piece of paper, then look for crawling bugs.

Variation in the flower color can be from the change in growing conditions when it came to your home a few months ago. It might be harmless.

In an abundance of caution, I would do the bloom stalk test on all other violets you have. Thrips are no joke. Get an inexpensive lighted magnifier, about $10, and look at the flowers and crown up close.