Violets attracted attention due to the charming appearance and variety of bright colors. Wild violet has a small flower of bright purple color, but its rich and pleasant aroma does not leave anyone indifferent.
The homemade varieties of this plant are practically odorless, but the flowers are larger, colorful and diverse. Homemade violet flowers will delight you with a bright color throughout the year with proper care.
How to grow violet at home. Plant characteristic
Room, home violet, which also bears the name of Uzambara violet, belongs to the genus of herbaceous flowering members of the Gesneria fauna. Such plants are very popular in indoor floriculture.
In the natural realm, violets grow in East Africa. They choose places near ponds, rivers and waterfalls.
Experts allocate more than 20 varieties of ambient violet. The representative of the noble bloods of Adalbert Walter Radcliffe opened the world for violet in the distant 1892nd year.
After buying a home violet, this plant will decorate any room for a long time. This is a long-term, evergreen representative of the plant world. Violet has a low growth and basal rosette.
The leaflets of the room variant of the above plant are covered with numerous villi. The base of the leaves is heart-shaped, and the tip can be round or pointed, depending on the growth of the plant.
Room violets are distinguished not only by the color of the flower, but also by the height and shape of the leaves. Photos of violets clearly demonstrate the beauty of this unique plant.
Color colors can be varied. From light to saturated and thick shades. Some varieties can combine multiple colors. If properly care for violets, the plant will bloom throughout the year.
Plant Care
Home violets can not without light, however, from direct sunlight they must be hidden. The best light for these plants is soft and diffused. The optimal day length is 13-14 hours. At a time when the day is short, no extra lighting is needed.
The optimal temperature regime is from 18 to 24 degrees Celsius above zero. Abrupt changes in temperature and drafts affect the plant.
Violets like high humidity, but the water and the foliage should not get water.
Room violets are not large in size, so the pots for them should also be chosen compact.
It is worth noting that the plant begins to please with abundant flowering only when the root completely fills the pot.
For young plants, the optimal pot size is about 6 centimeters in diameter. The best material is plastic.
For home violets, a standard terra-vita class primer is perfect. The stores sell special land for each type of plant, but experience has shown that not always purchased soil is ideal.
How to transplant violet
To make the plant feel good, you need to change the substrate in a pot once a year. If you notice that the violet began to look worse, the leaves began to fall off and the flowers have lost their brightness, then the pot needs to be picked up more.
It is necessary to carry out the procedure of planting home violets as carefully as possible so as not to damage the plant and the root system, which is covered with an earthy ball. At the end of the transplant, it is necessary to water the flower well.
Reproduction violets
Indoor violets breed in several ways: seeds, leaf cuttings and children. Experts recommend vegetative breeding methods.
Reproduction with the help of kids. Periodically, violet bush releases sockets-kids. When they grow in the same pot with the main plant, they become cramped and have to plant the violet.
Using the sheet. This method of plant reproduction is the easiest. To do this, separate the healthy leaf from the second tier of the outlet and put it in the water. As soon as he takes the roots of it can be transplanted into the ground.
Photos of home Violets
Violet belongs to the genus Violet (Violaceae). This is a small plant with velvet, round leaves, with a low point of growth. Flowers of classical violet also have a velvet texture, the color is varied: from white to bright purple. This plant grows mainly in the northern hemisphere, in the mountains. Violet prefers a temperate climate. In modern floriculture, this plant took one of the first places.
This is not by chance, because few people can remain indifferent in front of a small, velvety, sweet flower. In the world there are more than 500 species of violets. Passing through the window with a copiously blooming violet florist - for the amateur is almost impossible. Violet is an unusually romantic, touching flower, suitable for refined, subtle nature.
Violet: care
When choosing a location for violets, it is necessary to give preference to well-consecrated windows, but in no case should direct rays fall. It is detrimental to the plant, leaves can get burns from direct rays.
Well suited northwest windows. If there is no choice, and you have all the windows in the south, it is necessary to cover the violets during the midday solstice.
The optimum temperature for the content of violets is +20, +24 degrees.
The plant blooms throughout the year, and there are practically no breaks in the bloom of the violet. With proper care, it will delight you with abundant blooms all year round. Faded flower stalks should be removed so that they do not take away nutrients from the plant and do not spoil the decorative appearance of the violet.
Violet: watering
When caring for violets, watering should be given special attention. This process is far from how many other indoor plants. It is very important that the watering of the violet is carried out from below.
Water from above, like ordinary flowers, this plant is impossible. Otherwise, the violet will simply start to rot. Water should be warm, 28-30 degrees, and well-settled.
If the water is at room temperature, it should be slightly heated, for example, using a microwave. Water is poured into a deep bowl or tray, and the pot with violet is lowered into it by 2/3, but in no case should water overflow the edges of the pot.
When the flower is saturated with water, the ground will become wet, take out the violet from the pan.
Such manipulations should be carried out no more than once a week and after the earth dries.
Violet: transplanting
Transplanting is necessary with the choice of a pot. Violet loves small, low containers, but in too small pots the violet leaves will be very small.
The optimal size of the tank is 10-12 cm in diameter, and 10 cm in height. Violets require good drainage, it should take at least 1/3 of the pot. The land can be used as special for senpoly and violets, as well as usual with the addition of a small amount of charcoal.
Violet requires an annual transplant. It is necessary to change the ground once a year, but you can plant in the same pots where it grew earlier.
It is better to transplant when the plant is in a dormant period, without flowers.
But a good strong plant will survive the transplant in flowering form.
Violet: fertilizer
So, since the violet blooms almost all year round, fertilizers must be applied every 2 weeks. If the plant is still at rest, fertilize enough once every 4 weeks. Fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation. You can take a universal fertilizer for flowering plants.
Violet: breeding
Mostly violets are propagated with a leaf. This is quite simple.
It is necessary to choose a healthy strong leaf, cut it with a sharp knife, so that the stem is 2-3 cm, plant it in a separate pot.
A violet leaf can sit in the ground for a long time, maybe even the leaf will dry out, but it's not scary.
Some do not plant a leaf directly into the ground, but at first they keep it in a jar with water until the roots appear. Both the first and second method is quite effective.
The mountain beauty Saintpaulia (indoor violet flowers), better known as indoor violet, has long won the hearts of gardeners with its color variety and originality.
Saintpaulia is a genus of herbaceous rosette plants, which is known for more than 20 species. Each year the number expands due to the replenishment of new breeding individuals. Uzambarskaya violet, the second name of Saintpaulia, a native of the mountainous places of tropical Africa. However, she very successfully settled down in our apartments, thanks to the competent care of the owners.
Saintpaulia violet
Perennial with short stem and leaves, collected in a kind of rosette. On long legs - dark green above and pinkish below leaves, wavy on the edges, with a small edge. Flower up to 5 cm in diameter, each separated from each other. Divided into simple and terry. More than one and a half thousand species of violets differing in color and degree of flower terry are studied.
At home, the most popular for breeding are the following types of violets:
Amaranth - traditional violet with simple purple flowers.
Blue sky - terry large flowers of sky-blue shade.
Double Pink Giant - double pink flowers.
La fam - large double flowers of bright pink color.
White lady - violet with simple white flowers.
Natalie - terry, wavy petals at the edges.
With proper cultivation and care, Saintpaulias are able to bloom a year up to 9 times. Traditionally, flowering lasts 2 months.
Basic principles of care
Maintaining consistency of conditions - the guarantor of a healthy plant. For violets, the northern or western side of apartments is considered most favorable.
It grows well in artificial light.
The temperature varies at 22 degrees. Do not allow sudden temperature jumps. Draft does not like.
When watering water is added to the pot tray. Do not hit the leaves of the plant. The soil should be constantly wet. However, modulations will not benefit the violet. Watered once in 4 days.
Spray violets can not be, because on the leaves appear burn-like wounds. The humidity in the room should be quite high. To do this, it is good to spray water a meter away from the plant, and put a glass of water next to the flower container.
Very carefully approach the issue of feeding. They are required only when the dishes for plants cramped. Abuse of fertilizer is fraught with the appearance of water spots on the leaves. With such a symptom of feeding should be urgently stopped.
You can replant saintpaulia no more than once every two years. With more frequent transplantation, foliage will actively grow, drowning out flowering.
We multiply at home
Violet breeds upper stems and leaf cuttings. Tearing away the leaf, rooting it in boiled water until the first roots appear. Next, root the plant in a special soil of chopped sphagnum, river sand and crushed charcoal in proportions 5: 3: 1. When the child leaves begin to appear, the violet is transplanted into a special ground that is sold in stores. The use of drainage is mandatory, but it is better to refuse brick dust. Some growers recommend covering the ground with moss. But this is as far as possible.
Violet - a symbol of tenderness and fragility. She expects the same care from her master.
Video: indoor flowers violets care and reproduction
Its popularity among gardeners for many reasons. This beautiful plant pleases with a variety of colors and shapes. In addition, violet unpretentious and with proper care grows well and multiplies. But, nevertheless, you need to know some of the subtleties through which you can grow this magnificent flower like a violet room. Care and reproduction, cultivation subtleties - even a beginning florist will be able to understand these issues, and the violet will delight him with its flowers almost all year round.
A bit of history
Africa is considered the birthplace of violets. But it received its name in honor of its discoverer, Baron Saint-Paul. He brought this wonderful flower to Europe and contributed to its spread. Initially, violet was considered a very capricious plant. But when it was studied and understood the rules of care and reproduction, the popularity of the flower has increased significantly. Today, home violet is found in many parts of the world. Many varieties of this plant have been developed, it is simply not possible to list them.
Types of violets
There are several species of this plant. Regular violet is the most common variety. This violet room (care and reproduction will be described below) has the usual petals arranged in one row. There are a lot of colors of this species. Many varieties were bred flower growers and are not registered, although they are particularly popular.
Terry violet has petals arranged in several rows. The inflorescences of this flower are quite large and very beautiful. Semi-double representatives of this family are distinguished by the presence of several underdeveloped petals in the middle of the flower. They add volume and make the plant even more charming.
Categories of violets
Depending on the color, there are several categories of this flower. Violet, the description of which is always done with an emphasis on color, can be monophonic. At the same time, its petals have a uniform, identical color. The next category is dominated by fantasy coloring. Over the entire surface of the petals there are spots or dots of a different color. If the violet has a bright border around the edge of the inflorescence, then it is called bordered. And finally, chimeras. A distinctive feature of violet is a bright line that runs strictly in the middle of the petal. All these categories are widely spread among flower growers, many of whom are engaged in breeding and collecting violets.
Popular varieties of violets
Violet room (care and reproduction are the same for any variety) differs not only in the color of flowers, but also in size. Mini Saintpaulias are very small plants. Their outlet may be no more than 6 centimeters in diameter. These are microminiature varieties. If the size of the violet reaches 15 centimeters in diameter, then it can be classified as miniature. These varieties bloom very abundantly and beautifully. It was derived domestic florist. The development of violets of these varieties is always very abundant.
They have large terry, white inflorescences. On the surface of the petals are purple or black spots. Leaf color is light green and not uniform. Saintpaulia "carnival" - different lavender inflorescences, which are very numerous. Each petal has a white border and a pattern in the form of a light mesh. These varieties have dark green leaves with wavy edges. Ampel violets have very long shoots. They are best grown in hanging pots, which will be located at some distance from the surface.
Purchase Saintpaulia
How to choose a good flower in the store? Violet, the description of which must provide the sellers, must have a healthy look. First of all, pay attention to the leaves of the plant. They have a light or dark green color, depending on the variety. They should not be yellow. If the leaves have spots or other signs of the disease, it is better to refuse to buy. Socket should not show signs of rotting. A purchased violet should be carefully inspected and all flowers and leaves that show signs of wilting or deterioration should be removed. The leaves of the plant can be washed with running water. This should be done carefully so that moisture does not get inside the outlet. Then you need to dry the soil and transplant the plant into a more nutritious substrate. Pot with violet is placed in a plastic bag, pre-sprinkled with warm water. After two days it is necessary to conduct a moderate watering. On the fifth day, you can remove the package, making sure that the violet has successfully passed the adaptation period.
Soil for violets
Violet is very demanding on the composition of the soil. She likes sour soil. Therefore, the basis of the substrate must necessarily be peat. Heavy, clayey soil can cause the death of a plant. Soil for planting should be light, airy, with good drainage qualities. This is important for a flower like room violet. Care and reproduction will be more effective if you observe all the details. The plant does not like swampy soils. But the peat itself has the peculiarity of quickly drying up and sour.
Therefore, baking powder is added to it, for example vermiculite or perlite. Their properties to absorb, retain and release moisture, saturating the violet root with oxygen, are very important. Sphagnum moss is also an excellent component for soil. It has bactericidal properties and absorbs water well. Supplements should be no more than 50 percent of the total mass. The substrate should not be very saturated. This will lead to the rapid development of leaves and poor flowering. It is better to buy ready-made soil, which will be optimally suitable for planting violets. For self-preparation of the soil should take three parts of leaf, two parts of turf and one part of coniferous and peat soil. Also add baking powder.
Pots for violets
How to grow a violet so that it looks very aesthetically pleasing? Everything is important here: proper care, lighting, watering and, of course, the right choice of a pot. Its diameter should be three times smaller than the outlet itself. You can use pots with a stand that will make the plant more resilient. Due to the small size and light soil pots with flowers easily turn over. Too large a pot can lead to the death of the plant. The root system will not be able to fill all the space and will begin to rot. Violet leaves will turn yellow, there will be no flowering and the plant will die.
A large adult plant can easily fit in a pot, the volume of which is equal to 200 gram glass. It should also be borne in mind that a quarter of the entire space must be given to the drainage. If the variety is large, then you can take a larger pot. There must be enough holes in the pots at the bottom to allow moisture to escape. Therefore, planting violets is usually carried out in plastic pots. Clay containers hold water, and there is a risk of mold. For drainage, you must choose a highly porous material that will provide sufficient air.
Violet roots
The root system is very important for any plant. Healthy roots are the key to good growth and development. Since the violet is very demanding on the ground and watering, the problems with this flower begin in this area. Planting violets should be carried out with a mandatory inspection of the roots. They should be white, with no signs of damage and rotting. In an adult plant, they completely fill the space of the pot, if it is selected correctly. Before you grow a violet, it is necessary to inspect the plant, excluding signs of diseases and pests. If the roots have an unhealthy appearance, then you need to hold a series of activities to restore them. The plant is pulled out of the pot and removed from the ground. Then wash the roots with running water.
Now we need to carry out preventive pruning. All black, rotten and old shoots are removed with sharp scissors or a scalpel. The base of the roots must be cleaned until healthy tissue appears. All infected areas are cut. Leave the violet in the open air for 40 minutes to dry. Clean dishes well washed, pour water into it and put the flower there. We put it on the bright window, not allowing the direct rays of the sun to hit, and wait for the formation of new root shoots. Water must be periodically changed and it should cover all the roots. In 2-4 weeks the violet will be ready for a new landing.
Correct watering
The flowering of violets is always a beautiful, eye-pleasing sight. But sometimes improper watering leads to the death of the plant. If there is a lot of moisture, then the roots of the flower begin to rot. Appear to turn yellow, inflorescences dry out and the plant dies. That is why correct and uniform watering is important. Its volumes do not depend on the time of year. Water should be at room temperature and must be separated. This requirement applies to many indoor plants. There are three methods of watering violets that are considered optimal for this flower. Very often, water is poured directly into the pot tray.
When through time the violet gets drunk, it is necessary to pour out the excess liquid in order to prevent waterlogging. In the second method, pots of flowers are placed in a container of water for a certain time, sufficient for the plant to be saturated with moisture. The third method is the traditional watering of soil in a pot. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that water does not fall on the leaves, flowers, and especially in the socket violets. They are very sensitive to excess moisture and may die from it.
Lighting
The violet plant is very light-loving. Coloring of flowers and their development depends on it. However, it should be remembered that straight lines are destructive for a plant. Literally in a matter of hours, violet leaves can burn out in the sun. Optimal for breeding windows are considered from the north, north-west and north-east side. There violets receive a sufficient amount of light without sacrificing appearance. You can use and artificial lighting. It is used to properly form the outlet. Ideally, it should be level on each side. Violets in March begin rapid development. If the light is irregular, the leaves will begin to rise and unfold towards the source of illumination. For the proper development of the top install lamp artificial lighting. So do all collectors, preparing violets for exhibitions. But for home breeding is quite enough and a simple window. It is only necessary to periodically turn the pot to the light source on each side.
Temperature and humidity
Proper care is needed violets throughout the year. Requirements are imposed on both temperature and humidity levels. Violets in March begin to develop especially rapidly. The result will be a long flowering, which lasts almost all year round. Air temperature should be at least 16 degrees. Otherwise, it will be impossible to achieve abundant flowering and good plant growth, even if all other requirements are met. Do not allow sudden changes in temperature, the plants do not like it. In natural conditions, violets grow near waterfalls and other water bodies. In such places, the humidity is quite high. To provide such a climate at home in several ways. The easiest is to put a container with water next to the flower. You can also install pots with plants on a tray filled with wet sand, pebbles or expanded clay. Also apply regular spraying. This method is effective at high room temperature, above 24 degrees.
Otherwise, white spots may appear on the leaves of the plant, which will spoil its appearance. If the plant has withered a little, its leaves have fallen, then it is necessary to conduct resuscitation. For this, the pot is placed in half in a container with warm water. From above the plant is covered with polyethylene and mixed in a shaded place. In a day, the state of the violet will improve and it can be returned to normal conditions. When placing it should be remembered that Saintpaulia does not like drafts. Therefore, we choose a warm, cozy place with a sufficient amount of light, avoiding direct sunlight.
Reproduction of violet leaf
Violet pink, white, blue, terry or simple, any kind of this plant, reproduces by leaf, cuttings, seeds or division of the bush. The first method has two options. In the first case, carefully cut the sheet is placed in a container (a small pot) with a nutrient substrate. Pot put in a bag of cellophane and tightly closed. Inside there should be enough air for leaf development. Thanks to the cutting will have enough moisture, and the temperature will remain unchanged. Periodically it is necessary to water the sheet, not allowing a strong waterlogging of the earth. When the first ones appear, the new leaflets must be removed, so that the plant can independently develop and adapt to the new conditions. Instead of a package, you can use a glass jar. The second breeding variant is simpler. The cut leaf is placed in a glass of water until the roots. When they reach one centimeter, you can plant a plant in a pot. From one sheet receive from one to several young outlets. It is worth noting that for breeding it is better to take large, healthy leaves of the middle row.
Outlet Transplant
Separate the sockets from each other must be very careful not to damage the root system. Each specimen should have good roots and several pairs of leaves. The upper part of the plant should correspond to the bottom. These proportions must be observed. If there are too many leaves, they should be removed. This will help the plant to settle down better under new conditions and quickly adapt. It is better to replace young sockets in small pots. They should not be too deep or high. Good drainage is very important. In the first days you can make a small greenhouse from a bag or glass jar. Young violets should be regularly aired and watered. Other breeding methods, more complex, are available only to experienced growers. Therefore, one should choose leaf propagation or division of the bush. This is the best option that many growers use.
Diseases and pests
Like all plants, violet pink or other flowers has pests and is subject to various diseases. The main thing - time to identify the problem and fix it. The gall nematode is a disease that contributes to the rapid development of root processes in which worms appear. Method of dealing with this disease does not exist. It is necessary to destroy the plant, throw out the contaminated soil and rinse the pots thoroughly. When a spider mite appears, it is necessary to treat the plant with any insecticide intended for indoor plants. Thrips, insects with wings that infect domestic flowers, are destroyed by timely treatment with Inta-vir or Fitoverm. This will prevent the spread of insects and protect neighboring plants. Earthen mite leads to a change in the external and deformation of the outlets. Violet does not open the buds and ceases to bloom. In this case, it is necessary to treat the plant with an insecticide. Leaves affected by gray mold should be removed immediately so that the disease does not spread. Observing all the rules of care, you can grow beautiful, blooming violets of different varieties that will delight you all year round.
Violet, also known as Saintpaulia (from the Latin. Saintpaulia), or Methard Violet is an indoor plant that many people like to grow on their windowsill. It should be noted that she is not a relative of garden violets, known as "Pansies." The flower belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, a genus of flowering herbaceous plants. The homeland of violets is East Africa, where the flower grows on the mountain slopes near the water bodies. Today, more than 20 species of violets and over 32 thousand varieties are known, many of which are saintpaulia hybrids. The article will take a closer look at what types of violets are, what are the difficulties of care and the secrets of growing a little beauty.
Variety of species of violets.
The violet flower is a short plant, it has short stems, a rosette of small, rounded leaves. The plant is evergreen, perennial. The leaves are leathery, have villi and vary in color depending on the "gender". The “leaf-girls” have a bright spot at the base, the “leaf-boys” are completely green. The base of the leaf is not equal, it has the shape of a heart, the tip may be pointed or oval.
The flowers are collected in a brush, in diameter from 2 to 4 cm, single or two-color, in the form are:
- simple;
- corrugated;
- terry;
- bordering;
- star-shaped.
Fruits of violets - dense boxes with a large number of seeds.
Variety of species
Houseplant Violet is a great variety of species. In order to differ from each other, they all have certain specific features. It:
- The shape and surface of the leaves - elongated, with raised edges, corrugated, wavy, with teeth and holes.
- Socket size - subminiature (less than 7 cm), miniature (up to 20 cm), large - (from 20 to 40 cm).
- Flower shape - ordinary, semi-double, terry.
- The color of the leaves is variegated and green.
- The color of the petals is monotonous, bordered, fantasy, violet-chimera (with a central stripe).
- The number of petals in the flower.
Some varieties of violets, which are widely distributed among gardeners:
- "Macho" - flowers are large, half terry, purple with a burgundy shade and white border around the edge. The petals are wavy, the leaves are straight, green.
- "Caprice" - white flowers, terry, have a green rim. Leaves are wavy, motley.
- "Sea Wolf" - flowers are very large (up to 8 cm), blue with a pattern in the form of a net. The leaves are dark green.
- "Paris secrets" - flowers terry, large, lilac-black. Petals in the center are collected in a tight ball, resembling a head of cabbage. The leaves are green with white.
- "Max Black Pearl" - black petals with purple tint, the leaves are small.
- "Water" - the flowers are blue, on the edges of pink, terry. Leaves are light, wavy.
How to care for a plant?
With proper care, indoor violets can bloom all year round. An important factor is good lighting. The plant is afraid of direct sunlight, so keep it better on the north side of the room. If you provide access to the flower for 14 hours a day, it will bloom even in winter.
The temperature in the room should be moderate - in the range of 19-24 degrees in summer and winter. Violet is afraid of drafts and a sharp temperature drop, so even in summer it is necessary to take it to fresh air carefully, only in calm weather.
Humidity also needs to be kept high. Do not forget about hygiene - if the plant is covered with dust, it can be carried to the bathroom and throw shower. The main thing is to give it time to dry completely, and only then return it to the window sill.
How to water?
The main rule when watering is to avoid water droplets on the leaves and flower petals, because if moisture remains on the leaves and light enters, dark spots are formed. You can water the violet in three ways:
- Bottom watering. The most preferred method. In a deep bowl or pot tray water is poured. The plant should stand in it until the top layer of the earth becomes wet. Then you need to remove the pot from the water and allow the primer to dry. The following watering is done only after complete drying of the top layer of soil. Water should be warm and defended.
- Wicky watering. A rope is passed through a hole in the bottom of the pot and lowered into a container of water. One edge is in the ground, the other is in the water. The bottom should not touch water.
- Top watering. The most difficult and painstaking method. Water should be poured gently to the edge of the pot. It is better to use a syringe or a watering can with a thin spout.
If the leaves are on long petioles, they can be judged on the need for watering - when the leaves are leaning toward the ground, violet needs moisture.
How to fertilize?
Violet is not very hardy flower, so it needs regular feeding, starting from the growing season and until the rest period. Use better liquid fertilizer for flowering houseplants. You can add them to the water for lower watering every 7-10 days. It is important to take into account the concentration of fertilizer applied - it should be 2 times less than indicated in the instructions.
How to trim?
Ideally, the plant should have three tiers of leaves. For the formation of a beautiful rosette violet may require pruning. To a bush looked aesthetic, from time to time you need to pick off dry and yellow leaves, if they appeared at the base. The same is done with lifeless flowers. In general, pruning is done in the following cases:
- When old leaves die off.
- When you need to rejuvenate the old violet, she cut off the top. In the resulting hemp, babies germinate over time, which are used for breeding.
- When you need to make a bush more lush, pruned leaves that interfere with flowering.
With frequent cutting of old leaves, over time, a dense stem is exposed near the Saintpaulia, which does not paint it. To get rid of it, you can simply transplant the plant, deepening the trunk into the ground. Another way is to cut off the entire outlet, place it in a container with water and wait for the appearance of new roots.
How to plant and transplant?
Repot violet need annually, preferably in the spring.
First of all, you need to think about choosing a pot. It should be small - from 5 to 11 cm, depending on the size of the plant. The roots of violets do not like a lot of space and fill all the free space. Only after this saintpaulia begins to bloom.
The choice of soil is also important. The soil mixture for violets sold in stores is not suitable for all types of plants. It is better to use universal floral soil, such as "Terra-Vita". You can prepare the soil yourself from:
- sod land;
- leafy ground;
- sand;
- humus
All components are mixed in a ratio of 0.5: 2: 1: 1. It is also desirable to add 1 tbsp. l superphosphate. The result should be loose soil, which passes water and air well.
Planting rules are simple - pour a layer of drainage into the pot, then a layer of soil mix. Place the plant in the center, fill the soil along the edges, periodically shaking the pot so that there is no empty space left. Press the soil layer up a little, then the violet should be watered.
It is necessary to replant a plant annually, it is best in March. This is done very carefully in order to cause as little disturbance to the flower as possible. Pot when transplanting can not be changed. Violet carefully removed from the pot with a clod of earth, trying not to damage the roots. Then, in the usual way, a new layer of drainage is poured, a flower is placed on it and the space is filled with fresh soil mixture.
Growing from seed
You can grow a violet from seeds collected by hand or bought in a store. For planting capacity filled with wet loose substrate. The seeds are laid out on the surface, then the container is covered on top with glass or plastic film and a white sheet of paper. The temperature is maintained at a level of 17-20 degrees, the tanks are periodically aired.
After the appearance of the first leaves, the seedlings are dived, then covered again and grown to a size that allows the plant to be planted in a separate container.
What diseases can hit a flower?
These species of plants are very resistant to various diseases and are practically not affected by pests. However, there are many types of violets, obtained by crossing. They are already more vulnerable and may be affected:
- Powdery mildew The flower is completely covered with white bloom. Treat with a spray solution of "Fundazol" or "Bentlan" every 10 days.
- Late blight. It is characterized by the occurrence of brown spots as a result of the lesion of the root neck with a fungal disease. Treat it does not work, it remains only to destroy the plant and sterilize the pot.
- Fusarium. Signs - the stalks turn brown, the leaves begin to fall, the roots darken. You can cope with the disease by spraying the plant with fungicides.
- Rust. This is a fungus that looks like yellow-orange spots and bumps on the outer and inner surface of the leaves. For the fight using fungicide solutions.
The reason for the main problems in the cultivation of violets is improper care.
For the prevention of any disease you need to follow the rules of care - do not fill, keep out of the scorching sun, monitor the temperature of the air.
In addition to diseases, violets can be threatened by various pests, such as:
- nematodes - suck the juice from the roots, and affect neighboring plants;
- mites - pubescent leaves with cobwebs, as a result of which they become brittle;
- aphid - drinks juice from a plant, petals dry, the flower stops growing;
- flies and mosquitoes - eat the leaves and stems of the plant.
For pest control use special solutions and preparations, as well as aerosols.
Other problems
When growing room violet flowers, there may be other problems, the causes of which need to be sorted out.
- Lack of flowering. A common occurrence that is a consequence of errors in care. The appearance of flowers is inhibited, if the violet does not have enough light, the room is cold or low humidity. Also affects the quality of the soil - if it is too heavy or there is a lot of nitrogen in it. Another reason may be disproportionately large pot.
- The leaves turn yellow. This mainly occurs if the plant is no longer young. The leaves become dry and fall away themselves, or they must be removed manually. Another reason is exposure to bright sunlight.
- The appearance of spots. Spots can be of various shapes and sizes, they almost always indicate the presence of a disease or damage by pests.
Reproduction violets
The easiest way to reproduce violets - leaf.
It is customary to propagate violet in three ways: by leaf, by children, by stepsons.
Violet leaf reproduction
The easiest, but also the most effective way. The leaf is rooted immediately to the ground or pre-soaked in water. Over time, the leaf may wither, but the most important thing is that it develops a root system and young leaves soon begin to appear. Sometimes during the reproduction of violets by a leaf, several outlets can develop at once. In this case, you need to wait for them to grow up and only then divide them and plant them in different pots.
Children
One bush of violets can form several outlets, which are called babies. For breeding take only kids who have 3-4 pairs of leaves. To separate the baby from the mother bush, you can:
Carefully remove the entire plant from the pot, clean the roots from the ground, then manually separate all the children and the stalk from each other.
Do not injure the plant, and wait for the children to grow up. Then cut them with a sharp knife and put them in the pot. This method is considered the most preferred, because the root system remains intact and the bush can give some more babies.
Seedlings take root well, even if Saintpaulia blooms.
Breeding stepsons
Ascends are called child rosettes that appear in the leaf axils. They look ugly, so they need to be pinned at the growth point. Then they wait until 4 leaves appear, and only after that the stepson is carefully cut out. After that, the outlet rooted in a separate container and cover with a film.
Regardless of which method you choose - to multiply violet with a leaf, stepsons or children, the result will certainly please, because the plant almost always takes root well.
Flower cost
Buy violet can be in any flower shop or order via the Internet. Price per sheet starts from 120 rubles, for a child - from 230 rubles, depending on the variety and type of plant.
