The best soil for violets. What kind of soil and container is needed for violets? What is pH and why is it so important to know it?

Uzambara violet is an incredibly beautiful indoor plant, with flowers of various shades and leaves, simple and unusual shape. IN indoor floriculture this is one of the most popular plants, but to achieve lush flowering it's not always easy for this we need to create suitable conditions for her. When grown at home Special attention and should be given to the choice of pot, soil and shelving.

If you want the plant to delight you with stable flowering, you will have to pay attention to it.

How to properly care for a pot so that the violet blooms

When planting a violet, you need to choose the right pot or flowerpot for it. It is difficult to achieve flowering at home in a container that is too spacious, since all the energy will be spent on the formation of green mass. In addition, the soil in a large pot does not have time to dry out, which causes rotting of the roots and root collar, and consequently the death of the plant.

Old leaves are removed. They not only spoil appearance plants, but also take away nutrients.

In addition, damaged leaves cause the spread of diseases. For lush flowering, remove faded flowers.

In order for growth to occur symmetrically, the plant is periodically rotated. However, when the buds begin to appear, it is better not to move them from their usual place. You can only move it temporarily, for example, if you need to decorate a holiday table.

The difference in caring for indoor flowers in summer and winter

This plant may continue to flower. up to 10 months, but this is subject to availability sufficient quantity light and suitable temperature.

in winter Still, it is worth giving the plants a rest so that next season the flowering will be abundant and the plants will not be exhausted. In the cold season it is important protect the plant from low temperatures and drafts. Violets are heat-loving and love comfortable conditions.

The soil should not be overcooled either, therefore, if the window sill is cold, it is better to make a heat-insulating stand for the flowers, for which polystyrene foam is suitable.

Dry air coming from radiators is also dangerous for violets. Since these are plants from wet climates, dry air will ruin their appearance and bud set will not occur.

IN winter time especially excessive watering is dangerous, something that novice gardeners without preparation usually neglect. The death of the plant in this case is inevitable.

In summer, the plant begins to bloom and grow actively. At this time it is required good watering, a lot of diffused light and a supply of nutrients.

Proper watering of the plant

Violet loves water, but does not like to be flooded. is important because either excess or lack of moisture will lead to problems in growing. At the violets The root collar rots easily. Water getting inside the outlet is especially dangerous.

When the soil on top dries, they begin to pour water into the pan. After some time, the top of the soil will become dark, which means moisture is moving upward. Another way is to dip the pot for a while in a large container of water just below top level soil, then allow excess moisture to drain. There must be water room temperature or a little warmer. It's better to take the settled one.

The best way for watering - from a pallet.

The need for watering is determined by the change in the weight of the pot - it becomes noticeably lighter, as well as the color of the soil.

Another convenient option watering – wick. It is often used for miniature varieties, when there are too many plants or you need to leave for several days. You will need a water-permeable tourniquet (you can take thick gauze). One end of the wick buries itself in the ground, the other goes down in a bucket of water. The water should be at a level just above the pots. Moisture gradually enters the ground through the rope, providing constant watering.

The flower is also demanding on air humidity. However, you cannot spray it - this will lead to the appearance of spots on the leaves. The best way to increase humidity is to place containers of water or special humidifiers nearby.

Ideal home lighting and temperature

Most optimal temperature– 20-22 degrees. In the heat, when it’s about 30, flowering may slow down. Bad for violets and low temperature air. Lighting required 10-12 hours a day, especially in winter and autumn, then the violet blooms actively and luxuriantly.

You cannot place the Uzambara violet in the open sun - the leaves get burned, turn yellow, die, and flowering is reduced.

The best location is north. The south window will not work; on this side the plant is placed in the back of the room. In the east and west, shade from direct sun should be provided; light curtains or blinds are suitable for this purpose.
Violet grows well under artificial light.

Backlight lamps usually use 36 or 40 W mercury lamps. Special lamps of the “flora” type are also suitable, containing the ultraviolet spectrum and having a pink glow, which is not always pleasant for humans, but useful for plants.

What kind of pot do you need?

It is difficult to achieve abundant flowering in a large container. Violet blooms well if it is a little crowded. For children, take a pot measuring 5-6 cm, for adults – 10-12 cm. This applies to varieties standard sizes. For a miniature one, even in adulthood you will need a small container with a diameter of 5 cm.

It’s better to take the pots themselves plastic, plants feel best in them.

Selection of land and soil

Stores sell ready-made soil for violets, but you can make it yourself.

If you take soil and sand from the street, they must be disinfected. To do this, the soil is calcined in the oven or spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

The soil should be loose, retain moisture well and be breathable. To create looseness, coarse river sand, perlite, fine expanded clay or vermiculite are added. The addition of coal is also useful - it additionally protects the roots from rot.

At the bottom of the growing container there must be drainage. Small expanded clay is suitable for these purposes.

Soil composition:

• Coniferous land
• Sod land
• Leaf ground
• Sand or other disintegrants

The soil should be slightly acidic. If necessary, you can feed your plant with fertilizers. The best indicator for violets is 5.5 – 6.5 Ph. You can find out acidity using indicators that are sold in stores.

What they love

Usambara violet is a plant that loves care and does not tolerate neglect.

How to prepare for winter

With the onset of cold weather, you should think about how to maintain the plants so that they do not die and open their buds in the new season.

• A place is selected where there will be no drafts, cold in winter and radiators.
• Additional lamps are installed if there is very little light in winter.
• Old leaves are removed.

It is necessary to decide Is flowering necessary in winter or should the plant rest?. The second option is better for more intensive planting of new buds.

What to choose from tools: shelves, racks

Professional flower growers keep Uzambara violet on special racks. This allows you to create ideal conditions, constant lighting and absence of drafts.

The shelving should be such that it is convenient to care for the plants, and the developing specimens do not interfere with each other. On each tier usually hanging fluorescent lamps or “flora”, since there may not be enough natural light in this arrangement.

Lamps should be installed so that they do not burn the leaves, but still have enough light. Depending on the power - 20 - 30 cm from the plant.

Putting violets Can also be used on regular stands for flowers. This location is convenient if the window is south. The stands can be purchased at the store – cast iron options are beautiful, or you can make them yourself from wood.

On the north window, if it is sufficiently insulated, you can attach several shelves. So no additional lighting will be needed; natural light will be enough.

How to prevent diseases and pests

Unfortunately, completely It is impossible to protect a flower from pests. Any new plant that is brought into the home is carefully inspected and quarantined for at least two weeks. They add it to the main collection only after they are confident that no insects were brought with them.

In addition to pests, viral and bacterial infections are dangerous. If rot or strange spots appear on any specimen, it should be immediately isolated from the main collection.

Violets react very sensitively to excess moisture, especially miniature varieties.

These plants cannot be flooded; a dying specimen, as a rule, cannot be saved.

Reproduction at home

Uzambara violet reproduces easily stem cuttings, leaf and stepsons.

Cuttings

The leaf is taken not young, but not too old either. A petiole 2-4 cm long is left on it, depending on the variety, the cut is made with a sharp blade at an angle.

The leaf is placed in a jar of water, but so that only the petiole is immersed.

The second option is to plant the root-treated leaf in perlite.

Another option is to sprinkle the cut with coal or “Kornevin”, plant it in sand, perlite or light soil to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. Cover the top with a transparent cap, which is periodically ventilated and wiped from condensation. Water the soil very carefully; humidity should be moderate.

Miniature varieties reproduce only by placing it in sand or soil– it is almost impossible to achieve root formation in water.

When new plants begin to form, violets transplanted to permanent place . In this case, you should not rush to remove the mother sheet, especially in variegated varieties. Babies appear in about a month and a half.

Stepchildren

For this type of propagation you will need an adult, well-grown specimen.

Over time, the violet develops stepsons, that is several small plants next to the main one. They are separated during transplantation and planted in a small pot. This method of propagation is faster than by cuttings.

Leaf blades

To reproduce this way use part of a sheet. The leaf blade is cut into fragments, and each piece must contain a vein, which will form the roots. The parts are dried in air for 20 minutes, then planted in light soil.

A mixture of perlite, sand, and peat is suitable. Lightly moisten the soil. Fragments buried half a centimeter. The top is covered with a greenhouse. It is better to make the lower cut straight, and not at an angle, so there is a greater likelihood that new babies will appear from each vein.

Large specimens are sometimes re-rooted if they have lost their appearance or the trunk has begun to rot. To do this, cut off the top with a sharp scalpel, sprinkle it with crushed coal and plant it in a hole where perlite is poured. Water carefully at first.

Transfer

Manipulations are done in the spring, before flowering begins.

• Holding the rosette with one hand, carefully pull it out of the pot with the other, tapping it if the soil has become dense.
• Pour into a new pot partially fresh soil, hold the violet over the center of the pot, gradually adding potting soil and shaking the pot.
• Water carefully.

Young rosettes are transplanted when their size reaches approximately one and a half diameters of the pot.

The new plant is planted in a container about 7 cm.

Violet – favorite plant many generations. It is a decoration for any room. It is also used on festive table instead of bouquets. Growing violets is not easy, but it rewards with its bright and unusual flowering, and there are so many varieties that the collection can be replenished endlessly.

Uzambara (Uzumbar) violet- a plant of the Gesneriev family, grows in the natural environment of tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Eastern Australia, South America and islands of the Indian Ocean.

Saintpaulia- a plant named after the Saint-Paul father and son, who brought a plant unknown to Europeans from the Uzambara district (modern Tanzania) in the 19th century, presented for the first time at the international flower exhibition in Ghent in 1893.

Indoor violet- one of the most popular plants in indoor floriculture since 1927. By 1949, more than 100 varieties were bred, and today their number exceeds several thousand.

Rooting- possibly in water, in substrate, moss.

Priming — purchased soil or a mixture of leaf, coniferous, turf and peat soil in a ratio of 3:1:2:1 with the addition of raising agents (perlite, vermiculite, river sand, crushed sphagnum moss.

Lighting— it is best to place flower pots on western or eastern windows. To ensure that the plant is evenly illuminated from all sides, the pots are periodically rotated. In winter, when daylight hours decrease, you can use artificial lighting - fluorescent lamps.

Care- real art and serious painstaking work at the same time, including watering, fertilizing, creating a favorable humid climate. Water Saintpaulias as the soil dries. The soil must be moistened regularly, but excess moisture should not stagnate in the roots. When watering, you must ensure that water does not get on the leaves. You cannot water the Uzambara violet. cold water. Feeding is carried out in a comprehensive manner mineral fertilizer once in two weeks. Saintpaulia reacts negatively to a lack of nitrogen in the soil. Optimal humidity air approximately 50%, temperature - 20-22 ° C, without sudden fluctuations and drafts. The leaves of the plant should not touch window glass. Removal of faded flowers and damaged leaves is carried out regularly.

Reproduction— planting a leaf cutting, part of a leaf, or a daughter rosette. The most popular method is rooting leaf cuttings. The formation of roots and the development of children lasts 4-8 weeks.

Pests- this is one of the problems of the gardener. There are many various types pests, it is very difficult to classify them. Among Saintpaulia pests, several groups can be distinguished: mites (spider mites, flat mites, transparent mites, etc.), insects (aphids, thrips, springtails, poduras, scale insects, whiteflies, scale insects, etc.), worms (nematodes).

Diseases- distinguish between infectious ( gray mold, powdery mildew) and non-infectious diseases (rotting of the stem and root, wilting of the lower leaves, yellowing, spotting of leaves, incomplete opening and premature drying, falling of flowers) of plants. The causative agents of infectious diseases are bacteria, fungi, and viruses. To prevent infectious disease You should strictly observe the regimes of watering, temperature, humidity, and illumination. Non-communicable diseases usually arise due to poor agricultural practices. They may appear in one instance and not spread to others.

Almost every housewife has violets on her windowsill in her house or apartment. Caring for these flowers is not at all difficult, as long as you follow certain recommendations. Sometimes beginning flower growers are faced with the problem of what kind of soil is needed for violets so that they feel great and develop.

Saintpaulias are quite capricious regarding the composition of the soil, and if you take ordinary soil from the forest, then the violets will not grow and develop. Soil for Saintpaulias can be bought at a flower shop; for example, special soil “Garden of Miracles” or “Fart” is well suited for this. But if you don’t want to buy the mixture, then you can prepare it yourself, and exactly how to do this will be indicated below in this article.

Composition of soil mixture

Suitable soil for violets, for example, “Garden of Miracles,” which contains leaf and turf soil, various fillers and leavening agents, and also components for draining the substrate. Leaf soil collect on garden plot under the trees. This mixture is very loose and acidic because it contains many hydrogen ions.

In addition to these components, the composition of this soil includes the fallen foliage of linden or birch, which has lain under the tree for several years.

The turf soil contains rotted leaves and roots of plants. Similar soil is found in meadows and near country houses, as well as in special soil “Garden of Miracles”. Useful material contained in compost or humus (humus).

The fillers include components such as peat and forest litter from fallen pine needles. Expanded clay is used as drainage, it is well suited for indoor plants, and this material is also contained in the soil for Saintpaulia “Garden of Miracles”.

The substrate for violets "Fart" contains perlite, it is a leavening agent, which is presented in the form of light white silica.

In order to successfully grow violets or other indoor plants, there should not be a lot of perlite., both in floriculture and horticulture. It is best to use the rock not as a powder, but in grains.

Perlite can be found in hardware stores called "Agroperlite". For planting young plants, hydromica is used; it contains a lot of water.

Thanks to hydromica, plants do not rot and breathe well.

Sphangum is also included in the soil mixture for violets. Another component in the soil for Saintpaulias is sphagnum. It is an excellent antiseptic and perfectly increases the hygroscopicity of the soil. Sfangum moss should be placed in a vessel with violet and watered on top hot water, then dry and grind.

Whenever you plant violets, you must use charcoal. It should be placed at the bottom of the tank in large pieces, and the crumbs should be mixed with the soil.

Coal regulates soil moisture well and absorbs excess water from it. This component is certainly included in the “Garden of Miracles” soil mixture for indoor plants.

What soil mixture is needed for Saintpaulias? Sometimes dolomite flour is added to the soil for Saintpaulia, this is done in order to reduce the acidity of the soil at the right time.

Simple sand serves as a leavening agent; it is also included in the “Garden of Miracles” soil. In addition to sand, coconut milk is also present; it increases the looseness of the substrate.

Or other indoor flowers, the composition of the soil is very important, and the “Garden of Miracles” is suitable substrate for flowers.

It is necessary to take into account the fact that Saintpaulias grow well in soil with little acidity or in neutral soils.

If the acidity is not high (pH< 4), то ощутимо уменьшается поглощение азота и фосфора. Почки фиалок могут полностью не раскрыться и облетать, а lower leaves turn yellow.

The missing part of phosphorus and nitrogen can be replenished using crushed eggshells in a flowerpot with plants, or water the flowers with water mixed with ash (20 grams of wood ash per 2 liters of liquid).

If home flower placed in highly alkaline soil (pH greater than 8.5), the absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen by Saintpaulia will decrease significantly.

In such a situation, it is necessary to transplant flowers onto a substrate, which includes leaf and coniferous land or use a special soil mixture for violets “Garden of Miracles”.

In order to determine the acidity of the substrate, you should buy a special indicator. Thanks to it, you can easily determine what ailments a houseplant is experiencing.

DIY substrate

What kind of primer is required for indoor Saintpaulia so that it actively grows and develops? There are several methods for making a soil mixture for growing violets yourself in apartment conditions.

The composition of the soil should be similar to the substrate for Saintpaulia, like the “Garden of Miracles”; in order to prepare the necessary soil, the following methods must be used.

1. The first method: you need to take universal soil (1), peat (2 parts), perlite (1), sfangum moss (1), and mix all the components. Then use charcoal and add a little of it to the composition. This substrate is ready and can be used.
2. Second method: you need to take nutritious soil (6 parts), vermiculite and perlite (1 portion), sfangum moss and charcoal (one part each). Again you need to stir everything, and this soil is ready for use.
3. Third method: for this you need peat soil (3), nutrient soil (1), vermiculite and perlite (1) and charcoal (0.5). The result is excellent soil that can be used not only for growing violets, but also for other indoor flowers.
4. Fourth method: take peat soil (1), perlite and vermiculite (0.5), charcoal (quarter of the part), superphosphate (literally a few peas), and clay granulate "Ceramis" (0.5). The result is an excellent substrate for Saintpaulias.

In addition to these recipes for preparing the soil mixture with your own hands, there are many more similar ones, but you just need to take into account that young plants need fillers and leavening agents, and adult flowers require nutritious soil (larger quantities), all these components are contained in the soil of indoor plants and violets "Garden" miracles."

Violets are popular beautiful indoor plants, the cultivation of which requires considerable effort from their owner. In order for them to please with their decorative effect, you need to create a favorable microclimate for them and place them in necessary conditions. Special requirements this flower moves towards the soil.

Features of growing and caring for violets

The main conditions that such flowers need to create are warmth, bright light, and high humidity. They should be placed in a well-lit place with diffuse lighting and at the same time protected from sun rays. Daylight hours should be 13-14 hours. In winter, additional lighting needs to be installed.

The optimal place for the flower to grow is north-eastern and north-western window sills. When grown on the south side, shading is needed.

Did you know?A collector from Odessa collected 3.5 thousand varieties of violets in his apartment, including those grown by astronauts in orbit. This is the largest collection in Europe. It takes a gardener 800 liters of water a week to water his flowers, and he spends $30–40 a month on lighting them.

The best decorativeness and stable growth are observed in those plants that are grown at temperatures of +20...+22°C. Violets cannot tolerate 3 mistakes in care:

• excessive and frequent watering;
• exposure to drafts;
• severe drying out of the soil.

Therefore, the flower must be protected from these factors.

Watering should be moderate and must be carried out in a tray or wick method(connecting a pot with a violet and a container with water using a cord, through which the water seeps). It is recommended to perform 1-2 moisturizations every 7 days.

For irrigation, use rainwater, filtered water, or water that has been left standing for 2 days at room temperature. After 30–40 minutes have passed after moistening, the remaining water in the pan must be drained. There is no need to allow it to stagnate - this increases the risk of root rotting.

The flower does not like spraying. To maintain the necessary high humidity air level, at a level of 60–70%, you need to install a humidifier, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, spray the air next to the flower so that drops do not fall on it, place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay.

Important! It is not recommended to water the violet from above. Drops falling on leaves and stems can cause the development of burns and rot.

During the growing season, flowers need to be fed. This will help preserve the beauty of the leaves, achieve long-lasting and abundant flowering, bush health. At a young age, more nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied, at a mature age - potassium and phosphorus. Use liquid root baits designed specifically for violets.
Violets degenerate very quickly and are usually renewed every 2-3 years. Transplantation is carried out once a year using the transshipment method.

These flowers can grow in any pots - plastic or ceramic. But it is important to select them according to the size of the plant, because in fairly large containers they will refuse to bloom, and in small containers they will grow poorly. It is also important that the pot has drainage holes.

In specialized stores you can purchase special pots for violets - they have a place for draining unnecessary water and a special hole for supplying moisture.

Required soil composition for violets

For normal growth and development of a flower, it needs a special soil - loose, light, with good air and water permeable properties. Its acidity level should be between 5.5–6.5 pH. Ignoring this indicator leads to the fact that the plant poorly absorbs nutrients from the soil and stops growing.

Changes in leaf color may also occur. Acidity is reduced by adding to the soil dolomite flour. Increase - by mixing peat.

The soil mixture for planting violets must include the following mandatory components:

• nutrient soil;
• fillers;
• drainage.

Nutrient soil

The basis of the soil mixture is:

• leaf soil;
• turf.

Leaf soil is collected under deciduous trees. Turf - in areas where they grow perennial herbs. Soil should be taken from clean areas, away from landfills, trash cans, and polluting enterprises.
Vermicompost and compost can also be considered as the main substrate.

Fillers

Fillers for soil for planting violets are:

• coniferous soil - it is extracted from the lower soil layer in areas where conifers grow;
• peat soil.

Moisture holders and leavening agents

The main mixture is supplemented with the following loosening components:

• vermiculite;
• perlite;
• charcoal;
• sand;
• sphagnum moss;
• coconut fiber.

Important for violets good drainage. It is necessary to drain water, prevent its stagnation and the development of rot.

Drainage is made from:

• expanded clay;
• pebbles;
• broken bricks;
• coarse sand;
• charcoal.

How to choose ready-made purchased soil

Soil for planting flowers can be purchased at a specialty store. On the package suitable soil indicated: “Saintpaulia”, “Violet”, “For sowing seeds and planting seedlings”.

The most popular manufacturers:

• ASP GREENWORLD;
• "Terra-vit";
• "Academy of Growth";
• "Bereginya."

The purchased substrate has one important advantage- it is already pickled and ready for landing. It does not contain bacteria, fungi, microbes, or pests, so it does not need additional processing, it can only be doused with boiling water - while hand-made soil is subject to mandatory disinfection.

The disadvantage of this soil is that it is very light: when watering, all the water passes through it without stopping and settles at the bottom. Because of this, many gardeners prefer to supplement purchased soil with various additives.

One option: mix 5 liters of prepared soil with 0.5 liters of vermicompost, 0.5 liters of perlite, 0.5 liters of vermiculite and 0.5 liters of finely chopped sphagnum. Such soil will have all necessary properties for comfortable violet growth.

Also, some gardeners buy a base for soil and add elements like the above to improve its characteristics. Usually the soil is taken from high-moor peat.

Did you know? Violet is valued for its delicate aroma. The violet scent is included in perfume compositions by famous perfume brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss, Elizabeth Arden, Gucci, Christian Dior.

How to make a substrate with your own hands at home

There are several recipes for making soil mixture for violets. Each violet owner can choose a ready-made one or create his own, combining the ingredients listed above. The main thing is that the end result is a loose, light, homogeneous substrate that can conduct air and water well to the root system.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with one of the most accessible recipes.

DIY soil mixture for violets: video

It will require:

• light loose ready-made substrate on high-moor peat containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and microelements - 10 l;
• crushed Activated carbon- several tablets;
• agroperlite - 1-2 pinches;
• vermiculite - 1-2 pinches.

All ingredients are combined in one container and mixed well.

Important! When working with components, it is necessary to protect your hands with rubber gloves, and your respiratory tract with a respirator. Dust from agroperlite microparticles can settle in the lungs and cause serious harm to human health.

What fertilizers do violets need?

Both purchased and home-made soil must be fertilized before planting. Charcoal and ash are used for fertilizing. It is also recommended to add crushed eggshells as a source of calcium and potassium.

If the above elements are difficult to obtain, then you can purchase ready-made mineral supplements and complex fertilizers in the store.

Earth laying technology

Do-it-yourself soil must be disinfected - poured with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate or calcined in the oven (microwave) at a temperature of +90...+100°C.

After the soil has been disinfected or spilled with boiling water, it must be left for a month to restore its properties. Then they fertilize it and begin the process of placing it in a pot.
The laying technology is as follows:

1. Place a drainage layer on the bottom, which should occupy 1/3 of the height of the pot.
2. Cover with a small layer of soil.
3. Set violet roots.
4. Cover with the remaining soil without compacting it.

When placing a flower in the ground, you must ensure that the growing point is not covered, the roots are not bent, and the lower leaves do not touch the ground. The first watering will need to be done after a week, and the first fertilizing will need to be done no earlier than 2 weeks later (if additional fertilizers were not applied during planting).

To summarize, we note that growing violets involves certain hassles. The most important thing is to choose for her right place With good lighting and soil recommended in composition, as well as ensure proper watering. But all the care efforts are more than compensated by the unique appearance of bright and abundantly blooming violets.

If you decide to plant an indoor violet on your windowsill, you need to know about all the intricacies of caring for this miniature flower, taking into account varietal characteristics(after all, it is varietal preferences that determine the specifics of plant care). One of important aspects- soil for Saintpaulias, the choice of which must be approached extremely responsibly. In this article we will tell you what kind of soil to plant violets in, and we will consider all the options - from ready-made soil mixtures to soil substrates prepared with your own hands.

Before going on to describe the various soil mixtures, denote General requirements to the composition of the soil for violets. What kind of land do they need? miniature plants? The soil for violets should consist of leafy soil, which, due to its characteristics (it is very loose), perfectly allows air and moisture to pass through. Rotted fallen leaves are called leaf soil. Next, the composition should include turf. It, like leaf soil, makes up upper layer soil and is in close proximity to the roots of Saintpaulia.

The best fillers are coniferous soil (also characterized by good looseness) and peat. High-moor peat is perfect as a base for soils for violets; it also adds looseness to the soil and supplies it with useful substances.

It is high-moor peat that is most often the main component in soils for indoor plants found in flower shops. Peat perfectly nourishes the flowers at first, however, as mentioned earlier, peat mixture alone will not be enough - it needs to be supplemented with other elements.

Besides, in Lately In order to improve air and water permeability, coconut fiber is used in the soil composition. However, no beneficial properties This component does not possess anything other than those indicated, since it cannot provide the plant with any nutrients.

In small quantities, vermicompost can be used in the soil for violets. Although it is very heavy and unable to provide good water and air permeability, it provides the plant with the necessary substances. If you use vermicompost, it is best to add raising agents: high-moor peat, perlite, vermiculite.

Baking powder is a must, because soils without it turn into a frozen lump of earth, and the roots quickly rot. Perlite (small white balls), vermiculite (if this is not available, sphagnum moss can be used), and peat are often used. River sand will perfectly protect your soil composition from dehydration.

To ensure good drainage, first lay out a layer of expanded clay, and on top of it - charcoal (the presence of charcoal will ensure good absorption). Expanded clay and charcoal need to fill the pot to about half - the rest of the space is intended for the substrate.

If these elements are present in the soil, your violets will feel great.

Ready-made soil mixtures

For those who do not want to prepare soil for violets at home, manufacturers have prepared a variety of ready-made options. You can choose a mixture called “For sowing seeds and planting seedlings,” which includes sand, peat and coconut fiber.

You can also choose Saintpaulia soil - a mixture for violets, to which you need to add baking powder and fertilizers.

“Bereginya” soil is also suitable for violets, or you can choose soil called “Flower Happiness. Violet" - both from the manufacturer "Fasco". Their composition is not very different.

If you want to purchase an excellent peat base, and then supplement it with the necessary components, you can choose a mixture from Tera Vita. But this is suitable for those who are ready to additionally improve the soil for Saintpaulias, and not buy a mixture that can be used right away.

You can also choose a professional mixture for violets “Classman”. To use in "Classman" you just need to add perlite. Judging by the reviews, this option can be called the best for your indoor violet. The only downside is the purchase. You need to purchase “Classman” directly from the distributor, and this is a rather lengthy and expensive process.

Remember that no matter how good the soil purchased in the store is, it must be steamed with boiling water before use. After this procedure, you do not need to immediately use it and plant flowers there. It is necessary for it to completely restore its microflora (this takes about a month), and it is also necessary to fertilize it during this time if there is a lack of nutrients.

Making your own substrate

You can please your indoor flowers by making a substrate for violets with your own hands. There are several recipes for substrate for violets, but which one is right for you can only be decided through experience. So, what are the rules for composing a soil mixture for your indoor plant?

1. We take universal soil (or one specially designed for violets), mix it with peat (we stick to a 1:2 ratio). Next, add one part of perlite to this composition (can be replaced with moss or vermiculite). Finally, you will need half a batch of charcoal. Throw your violets into such a substrate.
2. Mix nutrient soil, perlite, sphagnum moss and charcoal in a ratio (6:1:1:1). Violets will also grow well in this composition.
3. Supplement peat and nutrient soil (in a ratio of 3:1) with vermiculite (one part). To this mixture you need to add half a portion of charcoal, and it will be suitable for use.
4. In four parts peat soil You will need one part sphagnum moss and half a part perlite (or vermiculite), as well as coconut fiber. A small amount of charcoal can be added to the resulting soil mixture to improve its properties.