What's eating my miniature african violet?

The Miniature African violet 'Optimara Little Maya' is a compact Saintpaulia cultivar highly susceptible to cyclamen mites, which cause severe crown distortion in small plants. Mealybugs and thrips also attack flowers. Its tiny size means infestations can overwhelm it quickly — inspect the center rosette weekly.

Crown becomes a tight, hard, distorted mass; leaves are gray-green, thickened, and hairy; growth stops Remove and destroy severely affected plants; treat early-stage infections with abamectin miticide; never share pots or tools between collections

White fluff at leaf bases and stem joints; sticky honeydew; plant fails to thrive Apply isopropyl alcohol with a fine brush; follow with diluted neem oil; repeat weekly for three weeks

Petals show silver or brown streaking; flowers are distorted; tiny insects visible in blooms Pinch off and discard affected flowers; spray spinosad solution on plant and surrounding area; repeat twice, 5 days apart