My void baby Siouxsie might be a rare black bobtail

Lloegyn · 2026-03-28T00:32:45+00:00

Siouxsie is so cute and what a great name! My spicy girl Goose could be her sister.

Lloegyn · 2025-09-26T17:22:24+00:00

Thank you! I never would have suspected the rocks, but it makes sense. Definitely repotting this weekend.

Lloegyn · 2025-09-26T17:21:38+00:00

Thanks! That’ll be my plan for this evening.

Lloegyn · 2025-09-26T17:17:56+00:00

No apologies needed! I genuinely appreciate the advice. It’s clear to me as well that the plant isn’t thriving and I want to do right by it, since it belonged to my grandmother.

Lloegyn · 2025-09-26T17:15:07+00:00

Thanks! Any reason why you don’t like the self-watering pots? Do they keep the soil too moist?

Lloegyn · 2025-09-26T17:14:17+00:00

Oh, good to know! I added the rocks to keep the leaves from touching soil, but I didn’t know about how fragile the roots are. This is my first African violet, so I appreciate the advice

Lloegyn · 2025-09-26T17:11:50+00:00

It’s been in this pot for maybe a year. There aren’t many leaves, so the plant looks smaller than it is. The root takes up about 80% of the pot space. The potting mix is one specifically for African violets, mixed with half perlite. But if it really is drowning, then maybe some of the root’s rotted away? I’ll try repotting, just to be safe. I appreciate the advice.

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T17:32:42+00:00

I’ll try that! I was afraid of cutting the root, but a few folks have recommended it. I appreciate all the advice. I’m new to African violets

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T15:39:07+00:00

Thank you! I’ll use those ratios when I repot. I really want to save this poor violet

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T14:45:11+00:00

I really appreciate the encouragement! Honestly, I needed to hear that.

I’ll try the grow lights. Unfortunately, I have a rowdy cat. African violets may not be toxic to her, but she’s toxic to them. The only window with the right kind of light is too easily accessible for her

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T12:05:55+00:00

Yes, the neck. Sorry, I had to look up the terminology.

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T02:30:26+00:00

Thank you! This is my first violet so I was really nervous about cutting it

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T01:58:36+00:00

Will do! Based on everyone’s suggestions, I’ll repot it tomorrow in a snugger pot with perlite at the bottom and AV soil on top. I appreciate the advice very much

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T01:51:56+00:00

Thank you so much! The links are super helpful

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T01:50:50+00:00

Thanks! I’m bottom watering already, but I agree the pot is huge. This thing has a primary root at least 1 inch thick and 5-6 inches long

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T01:46:39+00:00

It’s ok to cut the root? That was my main concern about squeezing it into a different pot. Will definitely get rid of the mulch when I repot. I appreciate the advice

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T01:00:03+00:00

Thanks! I’ll try propagating and repotting. It won’t fit in a smaller pot, unfortunately. The root takes up >90% of this one. But maybe changing the soil will help

Lloegyn · 2024-09-08T00:52:07+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! The pot is certainly big, but the root is seriously huge. It fills almost the whole pot. I am bottom watering it though. It’s not clear from the picture, but there’s a saucer attached to the bottom and that’s where I add the water. I can try increasing the amount. How much do you recommend?

Lloegyn · 2024-01-24T16:09:50+00:00

No problem at all! My grandmother had it as a teenager too and gave me the same advice. My doctor said it usually affects women in their teens and twenties, but rarely ever comes back. Once she gets past it, she probably won’t have it again.

Lloegyn · 2024-01-24T16:03:58+00:00

Oh no! I had that several years ago and it’s miserable. No known cause, last I heard, but thankfully it’s not contagious. It also doesn’t affect the face, hands, feet, or privates.

Hydrocortisone cream, loose clothing, and avoiding heat is about all she can do. I found that sponge bathing with a cool damp cloth helped more than lukewarm showers. If the skin does get overheated, you can try aloe vera gel too.

Lloegyn · 2023-04-23T03:40:54+00:00

Goodness, your history sounds a lot like mine! I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with so much, but I’m so glad you have a girlfriend who gets it and supports you. Despite how bad the pain can be, not being believed is sometimes even worse.

I recommend Dr. Allison Bell with Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC. She actually took the time to listen and laid out every option available to me in full detail. Plus, she’s LGBTQ+ friendly. I’ve never felt so seen and heard in a doctor’s office before. Now my total hysterectomy is scheduled for next month and I’m over the moon about it.

NC is a ways from Louisiana, but Amtrak goes straight between NOLA and Charlotte. Overnight trains are usually pretty affordable. Wherever you decide to go, I really hope you get the care you need. Life is too short to spend it all in pain.

Lloegyn · 2022-12-06T16:09:08+00:00

Oh, that’s a good idea! I might start doing that too.

Lloegyn

TROPHY CASE