
November, 1949 
Dear Friends: 
We get more requests for bug letters than for 
any other topic so here goes. : 
FRET TROUBLES 
(Don’t worry too much 
about these) 

Ring Spots— One of the first ailments violet 
collectors learn about—usually the hard way. 
Cold water on foliage, cold drafts, sun shining on 
west foliage can all cause leaf marking. Don’t take 
an unprotected Violet to a sick friend on a cold 
blustery day. It'll be a speckled mess by the time 
you get there. 
Curling Foliage—If the leaves all over the 
plant are affected, suspect too strong light. If 
condition is accompanied by parched-looking 
blotches (burns), break the sunlight with a lace 
curtain or cheesecloth. If leaves only in the center 
of the plant show curling and thickening, see 
Cyclamen Mite. 
Rotting Outer Leaves—Collected mineral salts 
on the rims of pots can cause the decomposition of 
leaves resting thereon. Coat rims with paraffin or 
devise decorative pot covers with aluminum foil. 
If these leaves suddenly begin rotting at an alarm- 
ing rate, (one or two a week), it’s probably 
crown rot. 
Chewed-Looking Places—These will occur (or 
most probably will have already occurred when 
you buy the plant) down close to the crown on 
the stems. It’s caused by dead flowers dropping 
down into the plant. In the humid greenhouse 
atmosphere these decompose and sometimes rot 
out the delicate stems with which they come in 
contact. Very rarely happens in a home collec- 
tion where air is dryer and plants are spaced to 
allow free circulation of air. Rather unsightly 
scars but otherwise not important. Interesting to 
note that these scarred leaves are often variegated. 
Springtails—White, about the size of the tip 
end of a fine needle. Found on the bottom of the 
pot and in saucer. Float on top of water, jump 
and/or fly. Move so quick you can’t even see 
where they disappear to. Harmless. Water the 
plant with insecticide solution used for spraying 
to get rid of them. 
Black Flies—or gnats. Slightly larger than 
springtails. These definitely fly. Often present 
in manures and hence in some soil mixtures. Live 
on decayed matter. May indicate presence of 
crown rot. If their presence is accompanied by 
very limp foliage, better get busy. Treat these 
bugs same as springtails. 
Double Trouble—What causes double variety 
buds not to open? Latest dope: insufficient ferti- 
lizing. Doubles requires more than average, it 
seems. Shoot ’em a little extra goo. 
Copyright November, 1949, by Russell She 

