One of the most beloved home flowers is undoubtedly violet. Its popularity is due to its compact size, unpretentiousness and long flowering. On one sill will enter quite a lot of pots with violets of pink, blue, white and many other colors. Even a beginner florist will be able to cope with their care and reproduction.

Flower violet - description

Violet is a low bush with fleshy leaves and a very short stem. The plant blooms in small flowers, which are assembled in brushes. Today there are a large number of their colors. They can be both monophonic and variegated:

  • fringed violets   have a bright border along the edge of the inflorescence;
  • exist fancy colors , on the entire surface of the petals of which dots or specks of a different color are located;
  • violet chimera   differ in a bright line in the middle of a petal.

These home flowers are distinguished by the structure of the flowers. They can be simple, semi-double and terry. In the latter, the petals are arranged in several rows, thus forming rather large inflorescences.

Violet room - care, photo

It is best to place these unpretentious flowers on the northern, western or eastern windowsills. From exposure to direct sunlight, their leaves are burnt, stained and not restored.

Air temperature and humidity

Violets room, care and reproduction   which does not cause difficulties, to temperature conditions are not choosy. The optimum air temperature for them is - + 20C ... - + 24C. Adult plants bloom for a very long time at this temperature. Sudden temperature drops are harmful to them. The leaves in this case can start to rot, and the flowers fall off.

Watering

How to grow a home violet to make the plant look beautiful? To do this, special attention should be paid to its irrigation, which can be done in several ways:

The lower irrigation method for violets is preferable. In this case, the water does not exactly fall on the point of growth, and the soil absorbs the necessary amount of water. But this method can only be used if the pot in which the violet grows has good drainage holes below.

Watering should be carried out only after drying of the top layer of soil - approximately once every 7-10 days at room temperature. If it is hot in the room, watering may be more frequent.

Soil for violets

Flower shops sell soil mixtures for Saintpaulias, into which our violets can be transplanted. You can prepare the soil yourself from the following ingredients:

  • leaf earth - 2 parts;
  • sod land - 0.5 parts;
  • humus - 1 part;
  • sand - 1 part.

In the prepared mixture, you can add a little bone meal and 1 tbsp. spoon superphosphate. It should be a slightly acid loose soil in which violets will grow well and bloom beautifully. At the bottom of the pot should put a drainage layer.

Fertilizers for violets

The first few months after transplanting into a new soil, there is no need to feed the plant. Then, during the period of increasing the green mass, the flowers every 10 days are fed with complex fertilizers. To do this, use special fertilizers for Saintpaulia or violets. You can apply and universal feeding, but their concentration should be two times less than that specified in the instructions.

Transplanting violets at home

The annual transplant has a beneficial effect on the growth and flowering of the plant. It allows you to replace depleted soil and hide part of the stem that has become bare from the bottom. The fact that the flower requires transplantation is indicated by the following signs:

  1. Entwined with roots earthen room.
  2. White coating on the ground surface.

Violets should be transplanted in the spring or after the plant has faded. To do this, take a little more than the previous capacity and strictly follow the rules for transplanting violets:

  • it is recommended to replant in plastic pots, because the soil dries out quickly in clay and ceramic vases;
  • drainage of expanded clay or sphagnum moss is placed on the bottom of the tank;
  • the soil should be designed specifically for violets and be well moisture and breathable;
  • in the process of transplanting, an adult plant must be rejuvenated by cutting off large leaves for this and reducing the root system;
  • the root system is carefully inspected, and if there are bent roots, the ground is shaken off, and rotten parts are cut off;
  • if the roots were cut, then these places before planting the violet in the ground are sprinkled with crushed wood or activated carbon;
  • if your violet is not even three years old, then it should be transplanted by transfer, because young plants do not tolerate what their root system disturbs;
  • the pot is filled with soil so that up to one centimeter remains to the top of the tank - in this case, when watering, water will not flow out of the pot;
  • strongly deepen the bush should not be.

Transplanted bushes do not water. They are covered with a transparent plastic bag, due to which moisture and good survival are ensured.

If you do not need to update the plants, the transplantation can be carried out by transfer. Most of all, this method is suitable miniature varieties. During transshipment, old soil is shaken off only partially or not shaken off at all. In this way, you can transplant flowering specimens, if they require an emergency transplant.

Nip

How to grow a home violet to get a beautiful and lush bush?   Experienced flower growers recommend pinching. The lower leaves take power from the flower and eventually fade, so they need to be torn off with cuttings. You also need to get rid of yellowed ugly foliage and sluggish inflorescences. Since, over time, the stem of the plant after pinching from the bottom is exposed, it is transplanted with deepening.

To grow a bush evenly, the plant should be regularly rotated in a circle.

Reproduction of violet leaf

This breeding method has two options:

For breeding you need to choose healthy large leaves from the middle row of the bush. From one leaf you can get a few outlets.

Propagation of violets by division

Overgrown adult bushes can be divided into separate sockets. For this, new small pots with soil are prepared, an expanded plant goes, and the sockets are carefully separated from each other. In this case, you need to make sure that each instance has several pairs of leaves and good roots. The bottom part must correspond to the top. If the roots are few and the leaves are many, then the extra leaves should be removed. Compliance with the proportion will help the plant to quickly adapt and take root in the new conditions.

Young sockets are planted in pots and covered with plastic or glass jar for several days. Every day they should be aired and checked soil moisture.

Violets can be propagated by seed, but this rather complicated method is almost never used. The best option is to reproduce the leaf and dividing the bush.

Violets of violets

The most common plant can affect:

  1. Spider and other mites. When small red dots, brown, eroded traces or spiderwebs are found on the leaves, the flower must be treated with special anti-tick agents (acaracides).
  2. Thrips eat both leaves and buds. When they appear, the flowers are cut, and the bush is treated with Aktar.
  3. On the violet can live shchitovki, get rid of which is quite difficult. They can be found on the back of the leaves, where they leave behind a sticky liquid. The plant needs treatment with Agravertin.
  4. The bush struck with non-methods starts to rot. In this case, the plant is destroyed completely.

Diseases of violets

Indoor violet, the care and reproduction of which you have already studied, is resistant to diseases. But more finicky varietal plants can be affected by some diseases:

  1. Mealy dew is the most common disease of violets. White bloom on the leaves is a sign of powdery mildew. You can get rid of it with the help of Bentlan or Fundazole.
  2. Gray rot on the stems and leaves of the flower forms gray spots. When they are detected, the diseased parts of the plant are cut off, and the bush itself is treated with a fungicide. It is recommended to replace the soil that can no longer be used.
  3. Late blight is a disease in which brown spots are formed on the foliage and the roots begin to rot. Sick plant and soil are destroyed. The pot is sterilized.
  4. Rust appears on the leaves in the form of orange spots. To get rid of it, use 1% solution of copper sulfate.
  5. Furazioz causes rotting of the stalks of foliage and stem. There is a disease due to an overabundance of moisture. The affected bush is treated with a fungicide.

Possible difficulties in growing violets

Beginner gardeners are most often interested in issues related to yellowing leaves, lack of flowering and leaf spot.

If the violet does not bloom

The reasons for this may be:

  • pests;
  • not enough humid air;
  • waterlogging;
  • overabundance of nitrogen supplements (phosphate and potash fertilizers are needed for flowering);
  • short daylight hours;
  • lack of light;
  • too dense substrate;
  • very large capacity (until the plant fills the pot with its roots, it will not bloom).

Spots on the leaves

Spots appear in the following cases:

  • if the bush is affected by diseases or pests;
  • from direct sunlight dry spots are formed;
  • spots on the edge of the leaves indicate the depletion of the substrate and the lack of potassium in it.

If leaves began to turn yellow

Possible reasons:


Knowing all the rules for the care of violets, and observing them, you can grow beautiful and long flowering bushes of different varieties. Especially since growing and propagating violets is quite simple.

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

Violet or Saintpaulia is a genus belonging to the family of the Gesnerievs. In the wild form grows in the mountainous regions of East Africa. It was discovered by the scientist Saint-Paul, after whom it was named. To date, many varieties have been developed from this plant, which are widely distributed in indoor gardening.


General information

Violet is a low perennial, with a very short stem and a large number of fleshy leaves. Flowers are small, simple, collected in a brush. Modern selection was able to bring varieties with the most diverse color and shape of the petals.

In fact, indoor saintpaulia is not a violet at all, it is so called because of its similarity with forest violet and tricolor - pansies, but in reality they are from different families.

The classification of Saintpaulia is quite complicated, so we will give only the general characteristics. The traits shared by violets are: the type of rosette, its size, the color of the foliage, the type of flower and its color, as well as the number of petals.

Most modern varieties are very different from the usual room violets, they have a different shape of leaves, and the petals are similar to corrugated or terry.

Among the varieties with high decorativeness are popular duchess , amadeus , frosty cherry , cinderella's sleep , isadora , angelica , lituanica   other.

But also a representative of violets, and not Saintpaulus. And alpine violet is actually cyclamen.

Violet care at home

Proper care of the violet will help to enjoy its flowering for almost the entire year.

Saintpaulias are very fond of light, but they should not be placed in direct sunlight. It's not scary if the light falls on them in the morning or in the evening, but if the sun is turned towards them at noon, the leaves will burn.

In order for the violet to fully blossom, it needs a light day at about 13 hours. If you follow this rule, you can achieve flowering, even in winter.

When a column falls on a thermometer below 15 ° С, the saintpaulia stops growing. In summer, the best temperature for a flower is 24 ° C. In winter, the temperature may drop slightly, but not below this point.

Also it is impossible to allow sharp temperature jumps and drafts. Because of this feature, it is better not to take a saintpaulia outside in the summer.

Violet needs a high humidity, but it is impossible to get water on the foliage and inflorescence.

Capacity for landing need to pick a small. If there is too much space in the pot, the violet will not bloom until it is filled with roots. For this plant, small plastic pots are quite suitable, the size of which should be 2-3 times smaller than the outlet.

Soil for violets

Regular room violets are not particularly whimsical to the ground, but for varietal, you should choose the right substrate. You can buy it in the store, and you can make it yourself by mixing half a share of sod ground, two leaves, and one each of humus and sand. You should also add a spoonful of superphosphate and some bone meal.

But the most important thing is that the soil is loose and slightly acid. At the bottom of the pot should be placed drainage layer.

Watering violets

When planting, the flower is placed in the center of the tank and gradually fill it with earth, so that there are no voids left. After planting, water the plant.

Water violets do not need often, about once every 7-10 days. It is best to use bottom watering. At the same time use defended, warm water.

Violets can be, and when the leaves are contaminated, it is necessary to spray and wash them. But before carrying out these procedures, the flower must be removed from the window sill. After spraying or douche, you should also not rush to put the violet in place - wait until it dries, otherwise spots will form on the foliage.

Fertilizer for violets

Also saintpaulia need to fertilize. To do this, take complex feeding, which begin to make in the period of increasing green mass. Fertilizer continues until the dormant period, the frequency - once every 10 days with irrigation.

It is advised to use a lower concentration of fertilizers than stated in the instructions.

Transplanting violets at home

Potted violets need annual transplants, because they deplete the soil in a year. In this case, it is necessary to replace the pot only if you observe signs that the flower does not have enough space (shallow foliage, weak flowering).

It is best to transplant plants in early spring by transshipment, so that the roots do not particularly suffer.

Pinching Violets

Violets do well in the bush, but in order to increase the decorativeness, you need to pinch them. This is especially true of the lower leaves. They can be torn off with petioles, because they quickly fade and only take power from the flower. You should also get rid of sluggish inflorescences and ugly and yellowed foliage.

Sometimes turn the plant in a circle so that the bush grows evenly.

Gradually, after the removal of the lower leaves, the trunk of the Saintpaulia will become visible and over time it will only become more noticeable. To keep the flower beautiful, as before, it can be transplanted by deepening the trunk into the soil or cutting off all the leaves, leaving only a couple of centimeters of the stem.

After this, the stump remaining after pruning is placed in the water before the root is formed and planted in the soil, thus another plant is obtained.

Propagation of violets by division

Propagated Saintpaulia can be seeds, rosettes and leaves. Seed method is practically not used due to its complexity, and also due to the fact that as a result, the flower will lose its varietal characteristics and you will get the usual violet.

If your plant has grown heavily and new sockets have started to form on it, then they need to be separated and planted in other containers. You can divide even during flowering.

Violets leaf breeding

The most common and easy way is to grow a violet from a leaf. To do this, take a strong leaf together with the stem and put it in water to form roots. But you can try to immediately plant a leaf in the substrate of sand, leaf soil and peat (4: 2: 1). This container is covered with glass and kept warm and with good lighting, but so that the direct rays do not fall on the container.

Sometimes the soil needs to be watered, but only so that they are slightly moist. It happens that the sheet begins to wither or does not change at all. If this happens, you do not need to hurry and throw away the material - sometimes it takes a long time to form a new plant.

If with the advent of young foliage, the old leaf is in good condition, then it needs to be cut off. After that, you can even try to use it for breeding again.

If you root a leaf in the ground, then you cannot observe the formation of roots, but the speed of their appearance and the chance to get a new violet increases.

Diseases of violets

Ordinary saintpaulias are fairly resistant to diseases, but varietal species are not so strong at all in this regard.

  • One of the most common diseases affecting violets is powdery mildew. She is manifested by white bloom on the leaves   plants. When a disease is detected, we recommend using Fundazole or bentlan.
  • Late blight leads to rotting of the roots and the formation of brown spots on the foliage . If the plant is sick, it must be destroyed and sterilized capacity in which it was grown.
  • Gray rot forms gray spots on the body of the plant . If they are found, they should be immediately cut off and processed with a fungicide. The soil in which the diseased plants grew can no longer be used.
  • Furazioz appears with an excess of moisture. is he leads to rotting of the stem and leaf stalks . If you notice these symptoms, treat the violet with a fungicide.
  • Rust appears as small orange spots on the leaves. . To cure a flower, use a 1% solution of copper sulfate.

Possible difficulties

The most frequent questions about indoor violets related to the lack of flowering, yellowing of foliage and leaf spot.

  • If your violet does not bloom , then, in addition to pests, this can be a number of reasons: lack of light, short light day, excess nitrogen supplements, excessive moisture in the soil, or lack of such in the air. Also, this problem is caused by a large growing capacity and an excessively dense substrate.
  • Yellowing of the leaves may indicate flower aging. . This also happens when placed in direct sunlight. This can be observed with a deviation of soil acidity from the norm, as well as with an excess of phosphorus dressings.
  • The most common spots on the leaves   are the result of pests and diseases, but sometimes they appear due to drafts.
  • Stains from the edges of the sheet   indicate a lack of potassium in the soil - it means that the substrate is exhausted and it is time to transplant the flower.
  • Dry spots   formed if the violet is in direct sunlight.

One of the most beloved home plants among gardeners is violets (Latin Víola or Saintpaulia). Their beauty attracts the attention of people even very far from floriculture, the violets on the windowsill look great. However, violet care at home requires careful, so it is considered to plant these indoor flowers is considered a difficult task.

Externally, the flower is a rosette of leaves. It can be simple or terry. A distinctive feature is the absence of a central stem. Bloom small flowers of different colors and shapes. The plant has a great diversity of species.

Homeland violets - tropical countries. Particularly scrupulous is the care of violets in winter - a time characterized by a lack of sunlight and an overabundance of artificial heat. For the right content, we have prepared the rules of care and reproduction.

Requirements for the conditions of the content of violets:

  • temperature condition: in the summer up to +25 C; in winter + 18-20 C;
  • humidity level 50%;
  • light level - daylight at least 10 hours a day
  • during the flowering period, additional illumination with fluorescent lamps is required.

In flower shops you can find seedlings of violets, as well as a large selection of seeds. Independent cultivation of violets from seeds is a fascinating process, but requires a certain amount of experience and knowledge, therefore, it is more suitable for experienced growers. For beginners, you can recommend to opt for the already prepared seedlings. First, you can immediately see the varietal quality: appearance, color, shape and size of flowers. Secondly, in specialty stores and flower markets, seedlings are sold in pots or phytocars, protecting the sensitive root system of violets from negative environmental factors.


Growing seedlings

You can grow planting material yourself from seeds. Advantage - the received copy may differ from the parent material, and for the better. This is a great chance to bring a new variety. The mistake of many inexperienced florists to orient themselves when choosing seeds only to the front of the bag. In fact, the appearance of the flower rarely coincides with the picture. For example, violet horned cultivation from seeds, which is practiced most often, is distinguished by a large variety of colors, even black flowers with bright spots.

Packaging must contain the following information:

  • name in Russian and Latin;
  • variety (exception if we are talking about a species plant);
  • shelf life;
  • germination;
  • the number of seeds in one bag (in pieces or grams);
  • description of appearance: the size and color of flowers.

Heterotic hybrids are highly valued among connoisseurs, i.e. hybrids with increased viability. Their names must contain the symbol “F1”. The cost of such seeds is much higher, but it turns out the most high-quality planting material.

Successful cultivation of violets at home begins with the correct substrate for growing seedlings. Its composition is:

  • drainage of ceramic shards;
  • river sand coarse fraction;
  • thin layer of sphagnum moss;
  • finally, the prepared soil: crushed peat (sifted through a sieve with a cell of 0.5-1 mm) and perlite in a 1: 1 ratio.

All fillers must be sterilized. Moss and soil are treated on a “steam bath”, shards and sand - in a hot oven.

Seeding is performed in a special phyto cassette with a lid on the surface of the moistened soil. Store in a warm place, protected from direct sunlight. Conditions of detention:

  • temperature regime not lower than +20 C;
  • sufficient humidity (it should not be allowed to dry the surface of the soil).

The predicted emergence of shoots - for 20-25 days, at a temperature not lower than +250 - shoots may appear already after 14 days after sowing.

Photo instruction on growing violets from a leaf








Seedling care

Secrets of caring for violets at the cultivation stage lie in the correct content of seedlings. The main fear of senpoly is the dry soil and the ingress of water on the leaves and basal neck.

After the emergence of shoots, the cassette cover is replaced with a covering nonwoven material (such as a spunbond) to eliminate the possibility of a cap-drop and improve air circulation.

Bottom watering or drip irrigation, when water constantly or through certain time intervals goes directly to the root system of each plant, which completely excludes the possibility of wetting the ground part of the violet.

With the advent of two full-fledged leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into individual pots.

Transplant of violets

Violets planting and care at home, which for most people is akin to the sacrament, delight their breeders with great color only if they are periodically replanted. Over time, the soil becomes clogged and its acidity changes, as a result of the deterioration of air exchange and a lack of nutrients. Replacing the pot during transplanting is not required. If the flower is not crowded, then you can limit the replacement of the soil.

When to repot violet?

The highest survival rate in the spring. It is not recommended to replant violets in the summer heat. If it is possible to compensate the plants for the lack of daylight, which is characteristic of middle latitudes in the autumn-winter period, then transplantation can be done almost all year round.

About souring is indicated by the formation of white plaque on the surface Air exchange is disturbed in the soil or excess minerals accumulate.

Flowering begins only after the root system fills the entire pot with the ground. Growing a pot requires a plant whose root system very tightly entangles an earthen ball. When choosing a container for a flower, we follow the rule: the flower must be 3 times the diameter of the pot. It is recommended to use plastic containers. In pottery and clay pots, the soil dries faster. Leaves of violets wither from contact with these materials.

Transplant rules

Violet transplantation can be done in three ways:

  • transplant with full replacement of soil (recommended for adult plants in case of stem stripping, with soil withering or acidification);
  • transplanting with partial replacement of soil (optimal for young plants of miniature varieties and in cases of changing the pot to a larger diameter);
  • transfer (for urgent transplantation or young children).

Transplant with a complete replacement of the soil makes it possible to clean the root system of harmful elements.

  1. Remove the plant from the pot. The healthy living roots of violets are white and fill the entire space of the pot. Brown dead roots are removed. Wash with water. If there is rot, the plant is trimmed to live tissue. Sections are processed with activated carbon and dried. With a significant damage to the root system, the plant should be re-rooted in sphagnum moss with bactericidal properties, or in the aquatic environment.
  2. Remove all yellow leaves and flower stalks.
  3. Sections are processed with a coal crumb.
  4. If as a result of cleaning the roots, their number has noticeably decreased, it is necessary to replace the pot with a smaller one in diameter.
  5. At the bottom of the drainage is laid, then a layer of soil on which the roots of the plant are laid out. From above, the ground reaches the level of the lower leaves. So that the soil is well laid down, knock on the walls of the pot.
  6. Transplanted plants do not water for 1 day. To provide the necessary level of humidity, it can be covered with a plastic bag.
  7. After a day, inspect the violet. If the leg is bare, you need to fill the ground.

Transplant with partial replacement of soil is carried out similarly to the previous method with one difference. From the roots of the plant is removed only the land that is easily shaken off. The advantage is minimal damage to the root system, because she remains in an earthen coma.

During transshipment, the violet is removed from the old pot along with the whole earthy ball and placed in a new container. If necessary, fill up fresh ground.

Soil for violets

Regardless of whether you are planting a new young plant or transplanting an adult, the quality of the soil is important for the success of the whole event. Violet care at home, for which it is very important, prefer an acidic environment with a small amount of nutrients. The ideal substrate should be very light, well pass through the air and moisture. Its composition is:

  • peat (3 parts, sometimes diluted with perlite or vermiculite, to retain moisture);
  • dried moss-sphagnum (not more than 10% of the total);
  • leaf earth (5 parts);
  • sand (1 part);
  • coal (not more than 10% of the total).

Soil for violets is poor. On the one hand, this is an advantage, since the plant does not tolerate overfeeding, on the other hand, feeding is required during the growth period. In winter, add a solution of humate (1 time per year). In spring and summer, special mineral fertilizers are introduced for violets.

Irrigation methods

Important! When watering, you can not pour the flower and allow water to enter the leaves (they are cleaned of dust with a damp cloth) and flowers.

Top watering. The most time consuming method. A small treat with a long nose or a large syringe to help you. The amount of water is determined visually. If moisture begins to drip through the drainage holes, watering is completed. The advantage of top irrigation is the washing out of excess salt from the substrate.

With bottom watering, the pot is placed in a container with water (water height ¼ of the height of the flowerpot) and left for some time until the soil in it darkens, indicating that it is sufficiently moisturized. Experienced flower growers, who know exactly how much water their pets need, are poured a certain amount into the pan and wait for it to be absorbed. You can not put in one tray several flower pots. This is an easy way to spread diseases. The disadvantage of this method is not the leaching of salts, as in the upper irrigation.

Wicky watering. We recall the capillary effect of the physics course for the 7th grade. Place the pot with violet on a container with water so that its bottom does not touch the surface of the water. In the role of the wick we use a strip of fabric or cord. One end of the conduct in the drain hole, the other - immersed in water. The flower will take as much moisture as necessary. Fit wicking is convenient in conditions of frequent changes in temperature and humidity levels. The amount of moisture consumed is regulated by the needs of the flower at the moment.

Despite the convenience, wick irrigation has a number of significant drawbacks. It is not recommended to use it for watering large plants (maximum pot size up to 8 cm in diameter). It is risky to use in the winter, because water temperature can drop significantly, and cold water is contraindicated for violets. Some varieties do not perceive watering through the wick.

For watering violets, you must use soft warm (room temperature) water. Cold water leads to the absence of flowering, rotting of the root system, until the death of the flower. You can soften and clean the water by boiling, using household filters or let the water stand for a couple of days.

If water of increased hardness after boiling add to 1 liter of 5 citric acid crystals or 1 tsp. vinegar. Watering with acidified water is recommended no more than once a month.

Important! For irrigation can not be used magnetized water and silver content.

Reproduction violets

Any floriculture forum will reveal all the secrets of growing violets. Having studied the opinion of their participants, you come to the conclusion that the most common and simple way of reproduction of violets is rooting of the leaf cutting in water or substrate.

The optimal time for grafting spring and summer. Choose the greenest and strongest leaf in an adult young plant of medium size from the bottom row, if there are several, after watering the flower.

Rooting in the aquatic environment

The leaf selected for rooting is cut off so that 3-4 cm is left up to the leaf plate. The cut can be at a right angle or 450. We use only a clean and dry tool with a well-sharpened blade. The sheet is placed in water. The process of rooting violet lasts from 14 days to a month or more, depending on the variety. When the roots reach 1-2 cm cuttings are transplanted into the ground before the appearance of the children.

If the leaf has faded (for example, during transportation) or has been torn from an unwatered plant, it is necessary to resuscitate in order to restore turgor: put the whole leaf in a weak aqueous solution of potassium permanganate. Water temperature is about 250. Hold for 2-3 hours.

If the process of rooting begins in the aquatic environment during rooting, the cut is updated on the healthy part of the leaf and treated with coal powder. The sheet is placed in a disinfected container with new clean water.

Dignity. Allows you to control the process of formation of the roots and not to miss the right time for further action (subject to the use of glass or transparent plastic vessel).

Rooting in the ground

Leaf stalk is placed immediately in the ground, bypassing the aquatic environment. Advantages of the method - the time of germination is reduced (the plant does not have to adapt first to one condition, then to another) and children appear faster. The forum of experts recommends this method for breeding miniature varieties of violets. For rooting, leaves are taken with cuttings of 1-1.5 cm.

Regardless of the breeding method, it is important to comply with the conditions of the cutting:

  • content in the greenhouse before the appearance of children;
  • stable temperature range 22-250 (without direct sunlight);
  • lighting 12 hours;
  • good air exchange in the substrate;
  • watering as the substrate dries out with prepared water.

Video about caring for violets at home

Violet or Saintpaulia is found exclusively in the Uzambarskih mountains located in Kenya and Tanzania. It is an evergreen short-growing plant with a shortened shoot and a dense rosette of succulent pubescent leaves on long petioles.

Flowers of natural species are small, pyatilepestkovye, painted only in blue or purple. They are rarely found in collections, as they are very decorative in cultural forms.

Varietal or hybrid violets are stunning beauty, a variety of colors and outlines of flowers. Their popularity is facilitated by the small size and ease of care.

Varietal variety of violets

The massive passion for violets as indoor plants began in the mid-20s of the last century.

Due to the fact that Saintpaulia is unusually plastic, and to bring out a new flower in a couple of years under the force of anyone, thousands of varieties are now created.

Their exact number is unknown, a single international classification does not exist.  Most often, violets are divided according to the following characteristics:

  • outlet size;
  • bud form;
  • color buds;
  • number of petals;
  • leaf color;
  • leaf shape.

In the catalogs published by different countries, one and the same flower can be found under different names. This is due to the fact that varieties are created extremely quickly and simply. Breeders independently produce very similar violets, and each gives them their own name.

Care after purchase

At the exhibition or in the store you purchased Saintpaulia and brought it home. What to do next?

  1. Look at the violet with the help of a magnifying glass - if there are no thrips or a mealy worm on it. If necessary, treat the plant with insecticide, so as not to infect the entire collection.
  2. Remove any dried or broken leaves and flower stalks.
  3. Immediately after buying a violet, it is better not to repot, but if it was grown in peat, it is impossible to delay.
  4. Watering a bush only if it is dry.

Correctly isolate the violet for 2 monthsso that diseases or pests that are not identified in time will not migrate to other plants. In practice, quarantine is rarely tolerated.

Important!  Place Saintpaulia separately from other flowers and watch it for at least two weeks. There were cases when even a shield was brought home with a purchase.

Growing conditions

Violet easily adapts to growing conditions and is easy to clean. With regular watering and minimum dressing she produces buds 2-3 times a year. But in order to get an exhibition copy with continuous flowering, you will have to pay more attention to it.

Temperature

Violet is an exceptionally heat-loving plant. It does not have a pronounced rest period and requires an even temperature throughout the year.

The most comfortable conditions - 20-25 degrees. It is absolutely unacceptable to lower the temperature to 15, and at 30 and above, the saintpaulia becomes sluggish, stops flowering, stops growing.

If you have an extreme temperature regime for violets - it is cold or too hot, there is a way out. Choose the best leaves and grow your own plants from them. Saintpaulia is very plastic, and already the next generation will be better adapted to your conditions.

Important!  What the violet does not tolerate at all is the temperature difference. No efforts will make it bloom and look attractive, if in the room where it grows, it will be cold and hot.

A flower cannot be carried out in the summer on a street or a balcony; even the slightest draft will harm it.

Air humidity

In the homeland of Saintpaulia, in the Uzambarskih mountains, it rains daily, hence the requirements of the plant.

Of course, you will not be able to create conditions for it with 95% humidity, as in nature, but it is simply obligated to provide 50-70%.

Soft pubescent leaves can not be sprayed - they simply rot, you need to raise the percentage of water in the air in other ways.

If you have a large collection of violets, it is wise to buy a humidifier. Put a single plant on a pallet with wet expanded clay or sphagnum moss, just do not forget to pour water there. You can place cups of liquid between the pots or spray air next to flowers several times a day.

Flower lighting

At home, Saintpaulia grows close to the equator, where the whole year round a day is equal to night, to her you need lighting 11-13 hours a day.

On the other hand, it is not located in an open area, but under the protection of trees and shrubs. So the lighting of violets should be long, but not too intense.

Saintpaulia is one of the cultures that feel great in artificial light. If there is little space on the eastern and western window-sills, or you have collected a large collection, flowers can be grown on racks using fluorescent or phytolamps.

In order to illuminate a shelf of 50x130 cm, 2-3 lamps with a power of 40 W, located at a height of 20 to 35 cm from the tops of the plants, are sufficient. Incandescent bulbs to highlight violets unsuitable.

Signs of a lack of light are raised up leaves, with its excess rosette, on the contrary, becomes flat.

Important!  You can not highlight the plant around the clock or in pieces. In the dark, the leaves accumulate hormones responsible for the creation and development of buds. If you do not create violet rest at a time more than 6 hours a day, flowering will be incomplete.

In order for the violet standing on the windowsill to be evenly illuminated, the bush 2-3 times a week should be rotated 30-40 degrees.

Home Accommodation

So, violet is best placed on the eastern, western window-sills or racks with artificial lighting.

South windows require easy use, and north windows - lights. The flowers should have access to fresh air, but they cannot be placed under the window, as in other places where the plant will suffer from drafts. The temperature should be flat throughout the day.

You can not put violets close to each other - this will lead to the deformation of the bush. In addition, if one plant is sick, in the cramped there is a high probability that it will infect a nearby flower.

Photos of different indoor violets


Grade LE "Mistress of the Copper Mountain"


Sort “Yan Sultan”


Grade RS “Grafigna de Monsoreau”

How to care to bloom?

With proper care, Saintpaulia can bloom without interruption for a year, but in order for it not to be exhausted, we need a two-month break. In all its glory, violet will show itself if you provide it with:

  • sufficient, but not excessive lighting;
  • correct watering;
  • regular feeding;
  • draft protection;
  • timely removal of faded peduncles and leaves of daughter rosettes that appeared in the axils;
  • transplant 2 times a year;
  • a cramped pot, as in a spacious one it will not bloom at all or will give few weak peduncles.

Do not forget that Saintpaulia is a short-lived plant and is considered old at the age of three.

Seasonal care on the windowsill

As such, seasonal violet care does not exist. You decide when the plant will rest.

At this time, feeding is stopped, lighting and watering are slightly reduced. With a large collection it is convenient to allocate a separate shelf for plants “on a well-deserved rest” plants.

If your flowers are on racks, they are looked after equally the whole year round. For violets grown on window sills during the heating season, you must follow these rules:

  • be sure to provide light - at this time the sun is not enough plant;
  • place the pots so that the leaves do not touch the cold glass, otherwise they will freeze and disappear;
  • do not place heating devices in close proximity to plants;
  • if the batteries are located under the window sill with flowers, they should be shielded using foil or other means;
  • increase the humidity in the room - in winter, when the heating is on, the air is very dry, which negatively affects the state of violets.

Transfer

Adult violets are transplanted 1-2 times a year, young ones - as the roots take over the planting capacity.

Healthy plants roll over, trying not to disturb the fragile roots. The soil should be loose, slightly acidic.

Experienced lovers of violets make up planting mixes on their own; beginners buy special soil in stores. Drainage must be present at the bottom of a cramped pot; its absence is a sure way to destroy the plant.

It is possible to replant Saintpaulia at any time of the year, but during flowering it is better not to touch it. If there is an urgent need to move the plant to a new pot, be sure to tear off the flower stalks.

Landing

The diameter of the pot for planting violets of ordinary varieties should not exceed 9 cm. The plant should be cramped in it.

Flowering will not occur until the root system has completely mastered the ground.

Only the largest specimens are planted in containers with a diameter of 10-11 cm, for trailers and miniature varieties using 3-4 centimeter flowerpots.

Reference!  The outlet diameter must be three times the size of the pot.

Breeding

Seed propagation of violets is difficult and is used only by breeders when creating new varieties.

Plants are bred vegetatively, rooting leaf cuttings or daughter rosettes. To do this, they put in the water, planted in a light soil, perlite or peat tablet.

The same leaf can be rooted several times. In especially valuable varieties, they even cut a leaf plate and plant it in a peat-sand mixture using phytohormones. Trailers propagated by stem cuttings.

The resulting kids are seated in a separate container only when they grow to 3-5 cm.

Correct pruning and rejuvenation

In Saintpaulia, it is necessary to remove all faded flower stalks and yellowed lower leaves, not waiting for them to wither.

You can rejuvenate violet. To do this, cut the stem at ground level, clean it with a sharp sterile knife, sprinkle it with a mixture of crushed activated carbon and heteroauxin, allow to dry from 6 to 12 hours. Then it is placed in water or planted in light ground for rooting.

How to water?

Saintpaulias watered only with warm settled water. The surface of the soil should be slightly wet, it is unacceptable to overfill or overdry earthen coma.

But if you are in doubt whether it is worth wetting the violet, it is better to refrain - a short-term lack of water is less dangerous than its excess.

Experienced growers even wait until the top layer of the substrate dries out a bit, and the leaves start losing their turgor.

Caution!  Never pour liquid into the center of the outlet - the violet will rot and die.

It is difficult to care for a large collection of hundreds of copies, it is better to arrange drip irrigation.

Top dressing

Violets need large doses of potassium and phosphorus, but it is better not to get carried away with nitrogen (this does not mean at all that nitrates should be excluded from the diet of saintpaulia).

Every 2 weeks they are fertilized with special dressings for violets dissolved in water according to the instructions. For kids and starters take half the recommended dose.

Violets planted in the purchase of the soil, do not feed 2 months - the soil mixture already contains fertilizers.  Sometimes half doses of nutrients are applied with each irrigation. In the period of forced dormancy violets do not feed.

Diseases and pests

Almost all diseases of violets are caused by improper care.

Most often they suffer from late blight, powdery mildew, and gray rot, the pathogens of which fall on plants with poor ventilation, along with dust or overflows.

To save senpolias from diseases, they are treated with fungicides.

Of the pests the most dangerous are aphid, nematode, springtail, mites, thrips, whitefly. Suparids (mushroom mosquitoes) appear at elevated soil moisture or fertilizing with organic matter. They are not dangerous for the plant. To get rid of pests, violets are treated with insecticides, plants that are affected by a nematode are thrown away.

Frequent mistakes

When growing violets, growers most often encounter such problems:

  • development slows down, and stalks are drawn out and grow vertically due to lack of light;
  • development slows down, the leaves turn yellow, and the socket becomes flat with excessive light;
  • spots on the leaves appear due to watering with cold water, sunburn, drafts, or because in winter the leaves were pressed against the cold window glass;
  • edges of sheet plate are bent at low temperature;
  • stems rot from overflows.

Properly care for violets - this will eliminate problems or minimize them.

Answers to popular questions

From time to time all flower growers face problems. We will answer the most frequently asked questions when growing violets.

Why is it growing poorly or slowly?

Saintpaulia can grow poorly for the following reasons:

  • too low or high temperature - bring it back to normal;
  • lack of nutrients - feed the plant;
  • depleted soil - transplant violet;
  • plant over 3 years old - root a leaf or rejuvenate a bush.

Why does not bloom?

Flowering may be absent:

  • if there is a shortage of potassium and phosphorus or an excess of nitrogen - use only specialized feedings intended for saintpaulia;
  • in the wrong light - insufficient or without a 6-hour break;
  • the flower is hot or cold, the difference between day and night temperatures;
  • if the violet grows in too loose a pot, transplant it into a tight container until the roots have mastered the whole earthen room, there will be no flowering;
  • if buds appear, but then fall off or dry - perhaps low humidity;
  • flower over 3 years old - root a leaf or rejuvenate a bush.

Violet will not bloom if you decide to get the seeds or simply do not tear off the old flower stalks.

Why only leaves grow?

If the leaves grow well and the flowering does not occur, then there may be several reasons:

  • excess nitrogen fertilizers;
  • the absence of a mandatory daily 6-hour dark period;
  • lack of light.

Useful video

Learn more about caring for violets from the video below:

Conclusion

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in the care of violet - you just need to know some simple rules and strictly follow them.