>> Last year, African violets that I had enjoyed for several years slowly
>wasted away, with no apparent culprit except a fuzzy white mould on the
>soil.
I have discovered a similar white substance on my soil too but it goes away
when water hits it. The plants continue to be healthy and blossoming freely.
That would make me think that maybe the mold and the violets dying didn't have
anything to do with each other.
Which brings up a good question: does an AV have a "lifespan"?
SilkEyed