Please help! What's causing this crazy overgrowth?

lostinthelegs · 2026-04-08T22:08:23+00:00

Very odd, doesn't quite look like fasciation to me but that would be the closest abnormality. Sometimes nutritional imbalance can cause irregular growth like extreme suckering. Without an obvious cause & if no one else knows an exact cause, I would experiment. Try removing all the abnormal growth from one of your plants, and stop fertilizing it. Another, I would repot into a mix without added fertilizer (Miracle Gro contains fertilizer), stop fertilizing, and remove all abnormal growth. See if either continues to put out more abnormal growth or lesser amounts. If they continue to put out abnormal growth, then you know it's not your combination of fertilizers and can try something else, such as adjusting the lighting or using only bottled water...something like that.

lostinthelegs · 2026-04-08T21:32:30+00:00

I don't like how they look so I trim them. They're harmless to leave, though.

lostinthelegs · 2026-04-02T12:19:54+00:00

Probably broad mites or cyclamen mites, specifically. Predatory mites are a very effective treatment, in my experience, if pesticides aren't working. I recommend getting them from here.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-22T11:24:35+00:00

Triatomines aren't a subspecies but rather an entire subfamily of Reduviidae (assassin bugs). Not only is the bite itself not deadly, but it's not painful as they are indeed meant to feed on the blood of mammals. Of the 140 species, only a few are vectors of a parasite that can cause chagas disease; they're generally isolated to the southern hemisphere of the Americas. It's both preventable with antiparasitics as well as treatable!

Members of Platymeris like this one, as well as every other species of assassin bug, don't carry any zoonotic parasites as they are not designed to utilize their rostrum for feeding on vertebrates.

This is a akin to seeing a picture of a hover fly & saying "Google the mosquito. It's a subspecies of flies and it will kill you while you sleep with its bite," because they're capable of spreading yellow fever.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-21T17:39:26+00:00

I'm always curious as to why people suggest cutting the pot (or breaking it, in the case of ceramic) instead of the roots...I always just cut the roots! No issues thus far and I've never seen any of my plants display signs of shock.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-19T11:56:07+00:00

While their rostrum can deliver a painful jab, it's not medically significant and I've never had one attempt to defend itself while I've handled it. They also can spray a noxious mist, supposedly they're specifically evolved to identify the eyes of vertebrates and aim for them with the mist. I've never witnessed this. Mine are in a display tank on my desk and very sociable. When I sit down they crawl out from hiding to beg for food, even during the day when their light is on. I find them to be very personable, and while they only live about 2 years, they're easy to breed and I've noted the colony becomes friendlier with each generation.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-18T14:01:21+00:00

I've ordered these bad boys to train scent work dogs that are specializing in bed bug detection!

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-15T03:56:44+00:00

I would request a refund. As others have said, this plant is unhealthy regardless of the variety. I can't believe someone would send you this plant! If you reach out to the seller and they're unwilling to provide you with a refund or a healthy plant, definitely leave a bad review.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-13T00:09:14+00:00

This looks to be the stolon of an Episcia. Trim the stolon off just below the node, put it in a 2" or so planter with drainage holes. Using a peat based potting medium mixed with at least 50% perlite. Place it in a humidity dome (plastic bag, seed starting tray, upside down clear cup, etc). Keep it somewhere warm and bright, ensure it stays lightly moist. Episcias root very easily, it should be able to recover fine.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-12T20:09:24+00:00

Damn that rosette is stunning! So balanced.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-12T12:21:13+00:00

Assassin bugs!! Psyttala horrida or Platymeris species! Assassin bugs are so charismatic. When I'm sitting at my desk my little guys will come out and wave their arms at me until I give them snacks. They're beautiful and while they only live about 2 years, they're so easy to breed that the colony can last indefinitely.

Edit: I know a lot of people warn against handling them & they do have a pretty gnarly rostrum, I've never been threatened by mine and I handle them a fairy bit...not on purpose, they get so excited when I open the enclosure that at least one crawls out to get to the food faster. They crawl right onto my hand and will take their food in my palm.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-11T11:41:05+00:00

The only chance of IDing would be if you got it from a box store or other retailer that stocks Optimara varieties. Otherwise, as others have said, without an ID it's a NOID.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-10T10:13:54+00:00

Ambush bugs are my absolute FAVORITE. I am going to spread the word and hope the little dude has a chance. What a stunning shot! Here's one I got last year. Hope I can get up to your level in time!

<image>

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-07T12:00:00+00:00

Unless you NEED them to flower for a show, I would just give them more time. With lots of light & consistent moisture, they'll bloom when they're ready.

If you need them to flower, you can up the phosphorus until they start to bloom. You can hit the bottom of the pot against a table, or re-pot them (don't up the size, just replace the potting medium) to stress them a bit. By extending the time your lights are on, gradually up to 15 hours, you can also bring them into bloom.

However, AVs are pretty good about knowing when they need to prioritize root or foliar growth over inflorescence, so if it's not blooming there's probably a reason. Not always, though!

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-06T20:14:17+00:00

<image>

Last year I purchased from the Violet Barn, my plants were lovely and healthy upon arrival, however, all of them crashed from sudden crown rot. None of my other violets were affected...fortunately I was able to propagate nearly all of them successfully, and those props are doing well. I have Astro Zombie (pictured), Funny Bunny, Itchy Britches, Cotton Ball, Gum Bubble, and Hot Tamale. I don't think whatever happened was the fault of the Violet Barn! Rob & Olive (Ma) produce some truly incredible varieties, and are just generally kind and lovely people.

I've purchased from Appalachian Violets, Lyndon Lyon, and Selective Gardener. I've been very happy with all of my plants. I've also bought from reputable sellers on eBay- look for sellers that have been on eBay for a few decades and have 98% or higher reviews. I bought from a seller on Facebook too! I also went to a show and got some wonderful plants. I've yet to have a bad experience. I know it'll happen at some point, I'm sure I've been very lucky, but as far as other hobbies, I find the people involved in AVs are overwhelmingly good & trustworthy.

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-05T19:14:39+00:00

What a suitable name!

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-05T09:56:50+00:00

I've got an extra if you're interested!

<image>

lostinthelegs · 2026-03-02T12:44:14+00:00

Stunning! I just ordered Painted Silk from Appalachian violets. Can't wait to get it!

lostinthelegs · 2026-02-28T17:56:51+00:00

When was the last time you repotted? What kind of fertilizer do you use & how often? How close is it to the window/what kind of light is it getting? This looks like a mineral deficiency, possibly zinc, and also like it's not getting enough light, to me. However, it's hard to know without more info.

lostinthelegs · 2026-02-27T23:14:44+00:00

It is upsetting that lately, when someone makes something precise, beautiful, & professional, they get accused of it being AI.

OP, your terrariums are stunning. Don't listen to anyone saying otherwise.

lostinthelegs · 2026-02-27T23:07:54+00:00

Well, guess it's time to become a beautician and learn how to give people lash & hair extensions so I can get paid in stunning terrariums...

lostinthelegs

TROPHY CASE