From our perspective, the primary cause of crown rot is an environment that is fundamentally too wet for our roots to function. The fungus itself, often *Pythium* or *Phytophthora*, is ever-present in soil, but it only becomes a lethal threat under specific conditions. When you, our caretaker, provide too much water or our pot lacks proper drainage, you are essentially suffocating us. Our roots need oxygen as much as they need water; constant saturation drowns them, killing the delicate root hairs that absorb nutrients. This creates dead, decaying tissue, which is the perfect food source for the opportunistic fungal pathogens to invade and multiply.
Once the fungal spores find a suitable host in our weakened, waterlogged root system, they begin their attack. They germinate and send out filamentous structures called hyphae that penetrate our root cells. From there, the fungus moves upward through our vascular system, the plant's equivalent of a bloodstream, which transports water and nutrients. It systematically colonizes the stem base, or crown—the critical central point from which all our leaves emerge. As the fungus advances, it blocks these vital transport pathways and secretes enzymes that break down our cell walls, effectively rotting us from the inside out.
You will notice our distress through clear external signs. The first warning is often a sudden wilting or drooping of our leaves, even when the soil feels damp. This is because the rotting roots and stem can no longer draw up water. The crown and leaf petioles (stems) will become soft, mushy, and turn a brownish or blackish color. The leaves themselves may lose their firm texture, becoming limp and lifeless. Unlike a simple case of underwatering, providing more water will only accelerate the decay. The center of the plant, the crown, will collapse inward, signaling a very advanced and often fatal stage of the disease.
If you catch the infection early, there is hope for our survival. You must act with the urgency of a surgeon. First, gently remove us from our pot and carefully wash all the old, soggy soil from our roots. Using a sterile, sharp knife, you must cut away all brown, soft, and mushy roots and any part of the crown or leaf stems that show signs of rot. This is drastic but necessary surgery to remove all infected tissue. After the surgery, dust the remaining healthy crown and stem with a sulfur-based fungicide to protect the open wounds.
To give us a fighting chance, you must not return us to the old conditions. Discard the old soil and pot, or sterilize them thoroughly. Repot us in a brand new, clean pot with excellent drainage holes, using a light, airy, and fast-draining potting mix specifically formulated for African Violets. When repotting, ensure our crown is sitting just above the soil line, never buried. Water us very sparingly at first, only enough to lightly moisten the new soil, and do not fertilize until we show clear signs of new growth. Place us in a warm, bright location with good air circulation to encourage recovery and discourage any remaining fungal spores.
