Restarting an infected African Violet

[Izzie]

I have a treasured AV that has been fighting a losing battle with downy mildew for months now.
I've repotted, I've drenched, I've soaked, I've sprayed, and I'm saying enough is enough. (first tried neem oil, then sulfur, then Physan 20) It's lost all the leaves on the top of the crown, and no matter what I do, any new leaves up there get mildewy and die.

So I'm restarting it. I'd toss the whole thing, but my mom and I both are really attached to this guy. Maybe the pictures will clue you in to why- it's always been spectacular when in bloom.


Can I restart from this diseased plant? If I just cut off a few of the healthiest leaves, will it be okay?
Planning to just root them in water. I also have some leftover peat plugs which I might toy with.


Here are some photos from it's hey-day.

[Izzie]

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've read up on AV's a little in the past. AV's have their origins in South Africa.

Guess what...

That's Disa territory. Where there's Disa and Satyrium, I'm on it like bees to nectar.

Try growing in a mix of crushed sandstone or crushed granite and some organic mix. Maybe a 50/50 mix, or a 2 - 1 mix.

[Izzie]

I have good AV mix. I'm just hoping that the downy mildew won't tag along in a rooting leaf.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

More air circulation?

[Izzie]

Perhaps. It's been in a room with a ceiling fan going all day.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Have you tried growing outdoors during the summer?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The only way I can think of to "save" this plant is using tissue culture techniques.

There are tons of info on the tissue culture of AV's.

[stefpix]

What about putting them in the sun outside with air circulation? leaves may get some sunburn damage but will grow back. But sun and breeze most likely will kill the mildew...

[stefpix]

yeah and repot first. maybe you could boil / bake the current medoiim if you do not want to throw it away...