Indoor violet care at home propagation. Recommendations for caring for violets at home

The violet has taken its rightful place not only on window sills. There is a club of lovers of these plants who breed fabulously beautiful hybrid specimens, organize exhibitions and share their experience of caring for violets at home. The species range is represented by thousands of varieties, registered and still in cultivation, many known, but not included in the register. Often these are hybrids resulting from random selection.

Varieties of violets

Violets or Saintpaulias are a rosette of leaves without a central stem, with a large number of medium-sized flowers with simple and fancy shapes. The color of flower petals and leaves is varied. The shape of the rosette varies from simple to strongly terry. Patterned lace plants are decorative not only on window sills. They create compositions based on kitchen apron, shelving. Provided proper care, the plant will decorate the most modest home.

Violets and related beliefs and folk signs

When growing violets at home, it is believed that these plants strengthen the material condition of the inhabitants and their health.

Violets are credited with the ability to expel ants from homes. They also create a field of luck in the house and calm unbalanced people. If a violet dies, it is believed that it has taken on the owner’s illness. And if one of the household members is sick, then the violet also withers, sharing the person’s torment.

Such signs make it important to care for a plant that has settled in the house, since a blooming violet will be an indicator of a healthy family.

The color of the inflorescences also matters:

• purple flowers are an indicator of love and understanding;
• blue flowers thrive in a creative atmosphere;
• Reds warn against excessive commercialism;
• White color brings harmony, removes negativity and suffering;
• A pink flower on a lonely person's window calls for a couple.

A delicate flower requires a caring attitude towards itself, not only to poke your finger into the ground, but to stop, talk, and lovingly touch the leaf. An unloved flower will wither and die from the lack of a simple morning greeting. Rid the flower from negative energy you can by turning the pots with the other side towards the light from time to time.

Violet planting and care at home

If you decide to have a violet, then you should take into account its preferences. The flower loves bright light, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Violet loves moist soil, but without stagnant water, does not like excessive air humidity and does not tolerate spraying of the leaf blade. It can only be cleaned in the shower, but after rare procedures the plant should be taken out dry, without droplets of water on the leaves. Water for irrigation should always be warm and settled. Moderate through a tray is considered convenient and beneficial for the root system.

The violet does not like drafts from the window as much as warm air from the heater, fan. She cannot stand the lack of love and peace in the house and inattention to herself. If the desire to have a violet has only strengthened, then we are preparing to welcome a new family member.

Soil requirements

Caring for indoor violets begins with preparing the correct substrate and container for the plant. For planting, an acidic composition is taken, including peat, dried sphagnum moss, leaf soil sand and charcoal.

Moreover, moss and coal should not make up more than 10% of the total composition of the main ingredients:

• – 3 volumes;
• leaf soil - 5 volumes;
• coarse river sand – 1 part.

Experts advise adding perlite and vermiculite to peat, which help retain moisture in light soil. A poor composition requires the addition of nutrition during growth. Once a year, add a solution of humate in winter, do it in spring and autumn mineral supplements special liquid fertilizer for Saintpaulias. The condition is to avoid overfeeding; the soil should always remain thin.

Containers and timing of transplantation

Growing violets at home has no details. In order for the lump of earth not to turn sour, it must be sufficient for the development of roots, but without excess. So, for an adult plant, a glass with a height and diameter of 10 cm is quite enough, and half of its lower part should consist of drainage filling.

Bye root system does not fill the pot with soil, the plant will not bloom. For dilution, the first container can be 6 cm in diameter. The drainage hole must be large enough everywhere. The plant is replanted once every three years, and it is not necessary to change the container of the pot; you can only change the soil, carefully cleaning the roots as much as possible.

Propagation and transplantation of violets

Planting and caring for violets at home begins with obtaining a young plant. Reproduction can be carried out:

• leaves;
• cuttings;
• seeds;
• rooting of flower stalks.

The simplest and most frequently used method is rooting the leaf. Before rooting, the cut of the resulting leaf should be renewed, making it diagonally across the leaf with a disinfected tool and lowering the cut into water until callus and roots are formed.

With a root length of 4-7 cm, the leaf can be rooted, covered on top from excessive evaporation and wait for the results to appear. The small plants that appear are seated in separate containers as they grow. Such plants will bloom when good care in a year.

Hybrid violets, called chimeras, can only be propagated by stepsons and peduncles that transmit maternal qualities. The stepson can be separated from the main outlet using an awl and rooted immediately in a peat tablet.

When replanting plants, you should ensure the health of the root system. The roots of the plant are white, alive and completely fill the container. When removed from a conical pot, it retains its shape. This is the basis of one of the methods of watering a plant, for which an external cushion is created, soaked through a filter. To do this, a well-designed plant is placed in a larger pot with a moist substrate in a special nest.

An audit of the root system involves removing all brown dead roots. Only light, living, healthy roots are left. With this treatment, the plant can be washed in water, and the roots can be straightened and planted in a prepared pot. If the rot has eaten the root, strip the plant down to living tissue, sprinkle it with activated carbon and dry it, and then re-root it in water or in moss, which has bactericidal properties.

Plants feel good in summer at temperatures up to 25, in winter at 18-20. Air dryness should be about 50%. The plant requires a year-round day length of at least 10 hours, and during flowering periods, local illumination with fluorescent lamps.

If watering is carried out through a pan, then excess water should be drained. When watering the pot, do not wet the leaves. In summer, water a little every day, in winter - 2 times a week. The young plant will bloom in a year, not earlier.

If proper care is taken, a photo of violets at home will be a reward.

Plants usually bloom for about 2 months, while flowers that have faded and have lost their decorative effect need to be plucked out.

How to grow violets at home - video

Violet (Saintpaulia) is probably one of the oldest garden crops. The inhabitants of ancient Rome and Greece also used this truly luxurious flower to decorate banquet halls during holidays. In our time, about 450 varieties of violets have been recorded, which grow in different climatic latitudes. At the same time, all violets prefer shaded and moderate wet places with light, loose soil.

It is probably difficult to find a gardener who has never thought about growing violets at home. Many varieties of violets have flowers of different shapes and colors that will not leave indifferent even experienced indoor plant lovers.

In the article we will look at the varieties and classification of violets, care at home.

In its natural environment, the plant mainly grows in mountainous areas with a special microclimate. Therefore, if a decision has been made to grow Saintpaulias in an apartment, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for this, otherwise they will simply die.

Currently, many gardeners grow violets not only as a garden plant, but also in an apartment or private house. Initially, approximately 20 domestic varieties of violets were recorded. Today it is the number has increased tens of times. Moreover, the entire variety of hybrids can be classified according to the following criteria:

• coloring of Saintpaulia inflorescences;
• plant foliage shape;
• size and shape of the inflorescence.

The colors of flowers are so diverse that they simply amaze any person. In this case, the inflorescences can be either monochromatic or multi-colored; the color can have a border along the edge of the petal or a simple pattern. Special attention deserve hanging violets, which are distinguished by their branched stems.

Pots and soil mixture for growing violets

To grow violets at home, it is advisable to acquire a kit standard plastic pots . This will make it much easier daily care, growing and propagating plants. According to advice experienced flower growers, it is better to purchase plastic pots with a diameter of 5 to 10 cm and an appropriate height.

It is very important to understand that the size of the pots must directly correspond to the type of plant. Young, immature violets are planted in small containers. After 3–6 months, the plant is transplanted into a medium-sized container, and large, formed violets are placed in wide pots with a small height.

To grow flowers of this type in a city apartment, it is very important to create conditions that are as similar as possible to the violet’s natural habitat. As mentioned earlier, the house violet prefers loose nutrient soil. The soil composition for the flower is obtained by mixing leaf soil or chernozem with peat and river sand in a 5:3:1 ratio.

Before replanting the plant pot equipped with drainage from expanded clay granules or pebbles, which will prevent stagnation of water, which leads to the formation of various diseases. Additionally, the substrate can be enriched with wood ash and moss.

Transplanting indoor violets

Young plants, as they grow, when the size of the foliage significantly exceeds the diameter of the pot, and the root system begins to break through the drainage hole, tightly entwining the earthen ball, are transplanted by transferring the flower to a more spacious container.

During the transshipment process, it is very important that the earth ball adheres well to the root system, which will allow the plant to quickly take root in a new place without experiencing severe stress.

According to the advice of professional gardeners mature plant needs to be replanted at a minimum once a year. This is due to the fact that over time the soil composition in the pot loses all nutrients.

The optimal time for planting or replanting violets is considered to be mid-spring - early summer. In winter, transplantation is possible only if there is additional artificial lighting.

Transplant method

Immediately before transplanting, the lump of earth should be moistened so that it sticks to the roots, but does not stick to your hands. I would like to note that immediately after watering the violet, it is not recommended to transplant the flower. Otherwise, the foliage can become very dirty. If the soil is too dry, this will lead to damage to the root system.

When planting or replanting a plant, the petiole of the lowest developed leaf should be located slightly above the surface of the soil or lightly touch it. If the plant is too deeply buried in the soil, then during watering water and soil particles will fall on the foliage, causing the formation of rot on it, and rust may appear in the center of the rosette, leading to blackening of the stem and, as a result, the death of the flower.

In turn, if the violet is planted too high, the plant will be unstable. Young seedlings with underdeveloped stems especially suffer from this. Also, such a landing can have a negative impact on the further development of the plant.

To secure a newly transplanted plant, a layer of special moss is laid on the surface of the ground, which may slightly overlap the petioles of the lower leaves.

Caring for homemade violets - proper watering

One of the main, if not the only, causes of plant death is rotting of the root system due to stagnant moisture. Violets are watered moderately throughout the year, settled water room temperature. This means that watering should only be carried out if upper layer The soil in the pot will dry out well, but the soil inside will remain moist.

There are several methods for watering violets:

• watering into a pan, after which after an hour the excess water is drained;
• method of immersing a flower pot in water;
• standard watering from above, which is only possible at a room temperature of at least +22 °C.

Violet prefers to grow in conditions high humidity , but spraying it at temperatures below 25 °C is contraindicated. If you use cool water for spraying, light spots may form on the foliage. The leaves become thin and lose their decorative properties.

It is better to moisturize the plant, place it on a tray with wet sand or expanded clay, or place any convenient container with water in close proximity to the flower.

The violet tolerates drought even worse; when the soil dries out, most of the plant’s leaves wither, they droop, and the soil with roots lags behind the edges of the pot. If this has already happened, then to save the flower, together with the pot, immerse it in a container with warm water for 30 minutes.

After this, the violet is placed to a dark place and covers plastic film until the elasticity of the foliage is restored. In most cases, a plant does not bloom for a long time after stress from drying out or waterlogging.

Features of caring for homemade violets

Growing violets is quite a fascinating process, and thanks to the high rate of survival of cuttings, this activity becomes accessible to a very wide range of lovers of decorative indoor plants.

With rational and skillful care, the plant all year round will last luxurious decoration any room, especially if it is complemented by the same decorative flowers.

I would like to note that even in the summer, it is not advisable to take violets out into the open air, and in winter, cold windows need to be insulated and the frequency of watering reduced so that the plant does not freeze and die from hypothermia.

Possible problems when caring for violets: errors, diseases and pests

Often inexperienced indoor plant lovers complain that home violets very rarely bloom. There are several reasons for this phenomenon - insufficient lighting, the plant is replanted too often or it lacks mineral fertilizers.

Trying to enrich the soil, flower growers make the mistake of transplanting the violet into a large flower pot, in which the plant mainly grows foliage and does not form inflorescences. The option of complete depletion of the soil, in which it is necessary to transplant the flower into fresh fertilized soil, is not excluded.

If the goal is to grow healthy, abundantly flowering violets, then due attention should be paid to this process. Violets, with proper care and timely feeding, bloom at any time of the year. Therefore, in order to avoid mistakes, you need to know about main problems problems that gardeners encounter when growing violets at home:

Don't forget about infectious diseases Saintpaulia. The plant is susceptible to late blight and gray rot. To prevent the spread of diseases after purchasing a new Saintpaulia, it is isolated in order to assess the condition of the flower. If the spread of infection cannot be avoided, the affected violets are quarantined and processed with special reagents, which are sold in flower shops.

Caring for violets at home in winter

With the arrival of winter cold, many ornamental plants They begin to wither for unknown reasons, and often simply die due to lack of proper care.

Violets are especially sensitive to seasonal changes and therefore require additional attention. In winter, the plant is sorely lacking daylight, so it is advisable to extend daylight hours with artificial lighting.

The frequency of watering should also be reduced with the onset of winter cold to prevent rotting of the root system. If the flower was too flooded with water, then in order to prevent it from dying, it is transplanted into dry soil and covered with a cut plastic bottle.

As soon as the first new leaf appears, the plant can be considered reanimated. In winter, it is better to keep the plant not on the window, but in close proximity to it, on a shelf or flower stand, protecting it from drafts.

Almost every home has indoor plants. They give comfort. Violets - a common species room type. Even the laziest residents breed them in their apartments. Special requirements There is no information on how to care for violets at home. They do not dry out if you forget to water them 1 or 2 times. But in order for the flowers to be bright and pleasing to the eye, it is still worth following a few recommendations for caring for them. This does not require additional time and effort.

The scientific name for violet is Saintpaulia. It belongs to perennial plants. Its stems are low and shortened. The leaves come off as a rosette. Based on the shape of the flowers, Saintpaulia is classified into several varieties - simple, double and fringed. Each of them has its own peculiarity. It is worth special mentioning the ampelous appearance. It differs from others in that the stem branches and creates several bunches of leaves. This looks somewhat unusual. The leaves of the ampelous species are small and sparse compared to other species.

The color of Saintpaulia petals can be monochromatic or multi-colored. Various patterns may appear on the surface. The most common colors are red (scarlet, burgundy), pink and white. There are Saintpaulias with darker colors, but they are considered rare and not so popular. The plant is grown not only at home. It can be found in open areas - flower beds, parks, squares, etc. The flowers are often used for cooking traditional methods treatment of skin and respiratory diseases.

Motherland

The father appreciated his son's discovery. Therefore, already in 1892, the find was presented at the international flower exhibition in Belgium. After this, the seeds were distributed throughout the world. They were most liked by Europeans and Americans. Gradually, breeders began to develop new varieties. Initially, the flowering color was blue, bluish. Then new varieties were developed. Their color became violet, red, purple.

Important! Collectors and lovers of flower breeding liked the violet so much that new varieties are still being developed.

Now there are more than 30 thousand varieties. According to statistics, it is most popular in America. Residents of the country decorate their homes, offices, and flower beds with it.

Types and varieties

Wild or adapted for cultivation in natural conditions types

There are no strict qualifications yet. Main types street flower considered to be velvet, Grote and blue-colored Saintpaulia. All of them in appearance resemble the primitive violet that was found in Africa.

Velvet - has medium-sized leaves, 3-5 cm long, with jagged edges. Their surface is covered with a characteristic fluff, which gave the variety its name. The back side of the leaf is dark red or burgundy. The flowers are small (1-2 cm), their color is blue with a slight purple tint.

Grote is a bright type who immediately attracts attention. Its leaves are round and large (length 6-7 cm, width 5-8 cm). Their color is light green on both sides, the surface is smooth. Grote flowers are small in size, collected in lush clusters. Their color is unusual - lilac.

Blue-colored - has large leaves, the length of which reaches 8-9 cm. The flowers are medium in size, 3-4 cm in diameter. The color of the leaves is dark green, the shape is heart-shaped. Stems slightly shortened. Saintpaulia of this type has a rich purple color with a pronounced bluish tint.

Indoor

Home flowerpots of this type commonly called - Pansies. They are distinguished by color - single and multi-colored. They all have their characteristics. To typical monochrome indoor Saintpaulias include varieties - Blue Teal Fly, Gillian, Pink Sensation. With polycolor - EK-Music of Rain, Chimpansy, Queen Sabrina. These are the basic varieties that are in greatest demand.

Blue Tail Fly is characterized by its bright blue petal flowers. The color is rich, clean, and attracts attention. The leaves are small, rounded, and have a fleecy surface. At first glance, Gillian resembles a miniature copy of a carnation. The petals, like the leaves of this variety, are relatively large, the stems are shortened. Pink Sensation has its own peculiarity. The shape of its petals resembles the outline of a star. The color is unusual - white-pinkish.

EK-Music of Rain – very beautiful domestic variety. It is white or flesh-colored, with bluish stripes clearly visible along the petals, and a lilac outline along the edges. Chimpansy has leaves small size with a deep green tint. The border of the flowers is white and the petals are pink with small blue drops. Queen Sabrina is a striped variety. The color of the petals has a bright purple hue. The leaves are dark green, small and fleecy.

Important! Properly placed indoor flowerpots complement the interior, its style and add coziness. The varieties are combined with each other, creating a festive atmosphere in apartments and houses.

Violets at home

Location and lighting

These indoor plants are placed on window sills, shelves, furniture sets. The main condition is bright light, but it does not like the influence of direct sunlight. In insufficient light it blooms poorly, 3-4 times a year. If it is abundant, yellow burns appear on the petals and leaves, which negatively affects the appearance.

To understand whether Pansies have enough light, you need to look closely at it. If the lighting is too bright and saturated, the leaves seem to hide from it and rise to the top. Then they stretch along, parallel to the vertical stems. When there is not enough light, the leaves “fall out” of the pots, trying to catch the deficiency as much as possible.

To achieve the desired flowering, Pansies need to receive proper light for at least 9-11 hours per day. That is, it is correct to place them on the sunny side of the house, but slightly in the shade.

Feeding and watering

Fresh soil has sufficient quantity microelements for nutrition. But only for a certain time - approximately 1.5 - 2 months. After this, it needs to be additionally fertilized so that Pansies do not lose their viability. Young Saintpaulias that have not yet bloomed must be treated with special nitrogen-based products. Those that are about to bloom need phosphorus and potassium. For watering Pansies use the following methods:

• through the pallet;
• immersion;
• drip.

The height of the tray should be 3-4 cm, and the diameter should be 2-3 cm larger than the diameter of the pot. For irrigation, use clean, settled water at room temperature. Fill the tray halfway with it. Then they put the pot there. For the soil to become saturated with moisture, you need to wait about 20-30 minutes. Then the tray with water is removed.

The immersion method is a little similar to the previous one. Here, instead of a pallet, they use a container that is larger in diameter and height than the pot. At home, an ordinary household basin is suitable for this. Water is poured into it (3/4 full), allowed to settle and reach the desired temperature, then the pot is immersed. They take it out in 40-50 minutes. The water should drain. This method of watering is usually used during severe drought, when the house is too hot.

The drip method is optimal for Pansies and convenient for the owner. For watering, use a special watering can with a narrow spout, a syringe (100 ml capacity) or a regular syringe. The soil is saturated with moisture, gradually, drop by drop. Watering lasts about 10 minutes. The water that has flowed into the pan under the pot is drained.

Attention! You need to water in such a way that moisture does not fall on the leaves and petals. This way it is possible to protect it from infection by fungus and mold.

Trimming

In order for Pansies not to grow too much, but to have a beautiful, neat appearance, they need additional care. Pruning is carried out using special-purpose scissors. The procedure does not take much time. When pruning, remove damaged leaves, excess shoots, faded old tops, as well as those parts that have lost their vitality in appearance (withered, dried out, turned black, etc.).

This treatment has several advantages. It stimulates the growth of new leaves and flowering, and also protects it from disease infection. If the trunk is very exposed during pruning, it is covered with new soil, and a little fresh soil is added to the container.

The cleanliness of scissors must be carefully monitored. They need to be washed warm water after processing each flowerpot. In this way, disease transmission from one plant to another can be avoided.

Humidity and temperature

At home, under normal microclimate conditions, pansies will bloom well, and you don’t need to take special care of them. Optimal humidity air - 50-65%, temperature - 22-24 C. A few recommendations for maintaining a normal microclimate:

1. It is better to place the container with Saintpaulia in a tray filled with slightly damp expanded clay or pebbles.
2. Make sure that the flowerpot is not blown with cold air from the windows, but when heating season– hot and dry due to the operation of radiators (if Pansies are on the windowsill).
3. Install an air humidifier near the pots (equipment type - room).

Important! Some housewives spray the leaves with water using a sprayer in order to saturate it with moisture. This should not be done, especially when indoors low temperature air. Leaves and petals moistened in this way quickly become infected with fungal microorganisms, rot and are not restored to their former healthy appearance.

Soil for violets

The soil in containers should be moderately moist. The soil needs to be loosened from time to time, then it will be saturated with oxygen. An important indicator For soil there is acidity. It should be between 6.3 -6.5 pH. If the soil is not sufficiently or too acidic, it will negatively affect the health of Saintpaulia. They stop receiving vital microelements from the soil, such as phosphorus, zinc, nitrogen, and iron.

To maintain good appearance Saintpaulia, as well as preventing its infection by various fungi and bacteria, the soil needs to be nourished with macroelements. There are quite a lot of ready-made special means for cultivating the soil, which can be found in almost any flower shop. Each manufacturer gives detailed instructions on their application. It should be strictly adhered to.

Attention! Saintpaulias are planted in small containers. The soil in them is depleted quite quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to replant them 3-4 times a year.

Propagation of violets

They are bred at home using several popular and simple methods. These include leaf, stepson, baby and seed. Each of them is held at a certain time.

Propagation by the leaf method is used in the spring, during the active growing season. The ideal time is mid-April - end of May. The first row of sockets is not touched. From the second, a healthy medium-sized leaf with a petiole length of 2 to 3.5 cm is cut out. The procedure is carried out with special scissors, carefully, without damaging the stems. The petiole of the cut leaf is rooted in fresh soil or water.

The stepson propagation method involves rooting a shoot, previously removed from the leaf axil, in a pot of soil. Next, the container is covered with film. This creates a greenhouse effect. After several stepsons grow up, one is left in a container, and the rest are placed one by one in other vessels.

Another method of propagation is to remove and plant the babies separately. These are shoots that have their own root system. Babies can appear already in the first month of the life of the flowerpot itself. To separate them from the “mother”, you need to wait a little for them to increase in size and strengthen. The children are cut off with special scissors and transplanted into a separate vessel with fertilized soil.

The seed method is considered one of the simplest. To plant Saintpaulia, prepare the soil - loosen it, fertilize it, and moisten it. Seeds are collected independently (if you are experienced or have knowledge) or bought in flower shops. It is correct to grow them in special containers. Seeds germinate in approximately 2-3 weeks. Then they wait another 10-14 days for everything to get stronger, and they are transplanted into separate vessels.

Conditions necessary for flowering

So, in order for the flowerpot at home to always maintain an attractive appearance, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Install optimal microclimate(temperature, air humidity, absence of drafts and direct sunlight).
2. Constant fertilizer (the soil needs to be fed with microelements and treated with bactericidal agents).
3. Correct selection of pot (it is allowed to use ceramic or plastic container small diameter and height).
4. Replanting the plant as it grows.

Pansies love attention and careful care. If you follow these recommendations, there should be no problems with flowering in the flowerpot. It will delight the eye throughout the year.

Violet and its transplantation

There are several reasons why the plant should be moved to another, larger pot. These include - poor growth, exposure of the stems, an increase in the size of the root system, the appearance of white salt residues on the surface of the earth. Young flowerpots are transplanted into larger pots. For adults, leave the diameter of the container the same and change the soil.

Transplantation is carried out in two ways. The first is to remove it from the pot without touching the roots. A small part of the soil remains on them. A layer of soil is placed at the bottom of the new pot, then the plant itself is carefully placed, and then sprinkled with substrate again. Then they water it and put it in its place. The second method of replanting is to take the violet out of the old pot and carefully sort it out, removing any remaining soil. Then place the Saintpaulia in a new pot with fresh, loose, moist soil.

Attention! You should not replant the flowerpot while it is blooming. During this period, he does not like any changes and is susceptible to various diseases.

Common growing problems

Even with constant care, various incidents arise. If Pansies wither, rot or dry out, the problem may lie in watering. Proper cultivation involves the use of high-quality water. It needs to be left for several hours or passed through a filter. Suitable for watering plain water from the tap. Its temperature should be 20-25 C. Pansies die with intensive or insufficient watering. Therefore, after moistening, it is necessary to observe how the soil absorbs moisture.

Another growing problem is the contact of leaves and flowers with other flowerpots or objects (walls, windows, etc.). The plant needs space. When in contact with other objects, the leaves curl and Saintpaulia does not receive enough nutrients. You should not place pots with plants on narrow window sills and shelves. Between flowerpots it is necessary to provide optimal distance(30-40 cm).

Why violet does not grow reasons

The most common problem in the growth of Saintpaulia is the rapid depletion of soil or its poor quality. Reasons that influence this:

• low or heat air - below 15 C or more than 27 C;
• large pot;
• there is no replenishment (especially nitrogen).

The quality of the soil greatly affects the growth and development of the flower. Do not collect soil in industrial areas or places with contaminated soil. Also, soil taken (sprinkled) from other flowerpots is not suitable for the flower.

It is important to know! The soil must contain optimal quantity sand or expanded clay, vermiculite, sphagnum. For growing, it is better to take soil from the forest or buy it in flower shops. The second option is better - since the soil goes through several stages of cleaning and replenishment in advance.

Violets dry out, leaves and their tips turn yellow. Causes and their elimination

Several factors influence the loss of attractive appearance of Pansies. The flowerpot dries out if the soil lacks phosphorus. To eliminate this deficiency, the soil must be saturated with this microelement. Flower shops provide a wide selection of phosphorus-based products for violet soil.

Another negative factor is direct sunlight on the flowerpot. Not all housewives may notice this, since they usually pay attention to the flower in the morning or evening. You need to select one sunny day and observe the flower, how it is illuminated. If there is a period when the rays directly hit the flowering or leaves, it is better to rearrange it.

Attention! The soil must not be allowed to harden. The soil needs to be constantly loosened. For this there is special tools. The hardened earth is quickly depleted and prevents the absorption of vital important components roots of the plant.

Indoor violets - diseases and pests. Treatment

Pansy is a delicate plant, sensitive to various negative factors. Most often she suffers due to illiterate care. Symptoms of the development of violet disease are poor elasticity of leaves (the appearance of cracks, wrinkles, scratches), blackening of flowers, disruption of natural color, rotting roots. Treatment is as follows:

• treating the plant with special-purpose agents (antifungal, antiseptic, disinfectant, etc.);
• reducing the frequency of watering (intensity remains the same);
• removing the infected pot from other pots;
• cutting off diseased leaves;
• removal of affected areas along with the soil;
• transfer.

Important! Diseases of violets spread quickly and lead to the death of the plant. The fight against fungi and mites should begin at the first sign of infection.

In case indoor flower can no longer be treated, it must be disposed of along with the soil, and the pot must be washed well using antiseptic agents.

Conclusion

Recommendations on how to care for violets different types at home, general ones are presented. Each plant has its own individual characteristics, so it deserves special attention. When it comes to care, the main thing is not to overdo it—do not over-water or fertilize. If you follow the rules for growing Saintpaulia, it is possible to create an entire greenhouse at home without special effort. Violets fit well into almost any type of interior and harmoniously complement the design. They are used as decoration for walls, windows, and balconies. For you, dear beginning flower growers, here is a video on the topic.

Regardless of this, violets should be cared for in the same way. It is not surprising that there is a club for violet lovers. They not only grow and breed these indoor plants, but also share their experience of caring for violets at home.

Description and symbolism

Africa is the birthplace of the violet. Saintpaulia is named after the man who discovered it - Baron Saint-Paul. Each indoor flower has its own influence on a person, on the room and its energy. It is believed that violets:

• improve health. If a person is very sick, then Saintpaulia may die. Having withered away, she also takes on the owner’s illness;
• improve financial condition;
• drive away ants if they live in the house;
• calm an unbalanced person;

The color of the buds also has its own symbolism:

• purple - love and mutual understanding;
• blue - for creative people;
• red - develop generosity;
• white - a symbol of harmony and compassion;
• pink - an incentive to create a couple.

It is important to treat this indoor plant with love, otherwise the flower will simply die or wither.

Planting and caring for violets

Planting violets and caring for them at home has its own nuances. Flower loves:

In order for the violet to bloom, it should also be fed several times a year, mineral fertilizers applied in spring, autumn, organic - in winter. In summer, the plant does not need feeding. Before feeding, the soil must be moistened and the fertilizer diluted in water according to the instructions.

To get a proportional, symmetrical plant, need to trim. The socket should consist of three rows. The center should not be clogged with leaves. All yellow and not quite alive leaves should be removed. It is better to cover the bare trunk due to pruning with earth. For final symmetry, turn the plant towards the light different sides. Not so capricious indoor violets. Caring for and growing Saintpaulia has its own nuances, the observance of which guarantees a healthy, beautiful flower.

Planting and caring for decorative climbing honeysuckle

Propagation and transplantation of violets

They will help you create a beautiful flower proper reproduction violets and caring for them. Propagation by leaves, cuttings, seeds, and rooting of peduncles, which is carried out in spring and summer, is permissible. Propagation by leaves is the easiest way. The leaf should be plucked from adult violet under the peduncle. It should be green, undamaged and not dry.

Using a knife, a leaf is cut diagonally, the length of the cutting is 4 cm, it is placed in water 1 cm. To prevent the cut of the cutting from rotting, you can pour activated carbon into the water. In case of rotting, you need to cut off the rotten part.

You should wait until the roots appear and then plant the leaf in the pot. Such plants bloom within a year.

Transplantation is done at any time except flowering. Before replanting, you should check the roots. They should be white and fill the entire container. Dead and rotten roots should be removed. Pour into the pot new soil, we plant violets. Young with partial soil replacement. Only the soil that crumbles is shaken off, and a larger pot is taken.

Diseases and pests

Homemade violet flowers and caring for them are quite simple, but despite this, the plant is susceptible to diseases and pests.

A sign of the disease is a change in the color of leaves, buds, and the entire rosette.

To prevent the plant from infecting other flowers, it must be quarantined away. And even then leave it there for two weeks. Saintpaulias get sick if they are not properly cared for: too much waterlogging, drafts, cold at the roots. Diseases of violets include:

• Powdery mildew. White coating appears on stems in low light, low air temperatures and dusty rooms. Treated with fitoverm.
• Gray rot - a fluffy coating on petioles and leaves that appears when watering cold water, frequent temperature changes. Fungicides will also help.
• Fusarium. Because of frequent watering The roots rot, the foliage turns gray and falls off. Control agents: foundationol, benomyl.

Lovers indoor floriculture More often they give preference to abundantly flowering and picky plants. It is not surprising that the most common and beloved “resident” of window sills remains the violet - caring for it at home is not difficult, and the flowering of an adult strong plant lasts most of the year.

Usambara violet, or Saintpaulia - beautifully flowering herbaceous perennial, belonging to the Gesneriev family. The plant's homeland is East Africa, namely the Uzambara Mountains. Some varieties are found in Kenya. Under natural conditions, violet settles along waterfalls and rivers: for full development, it needs conditions of suspended water and fog.

The indoor violet entered the world of floriculture thanks to Walter and Ulrich von Saint-Paul, father and son, one of whom collected the seeds of a strange and rare plant, and the other gave them to a botanist he knew. Its mass distribution began after its presentation at an international exhibition in 1893.

African violet is a compact herbaceous plant with a shortened stem. The leaves are heart-shaped, round, sometimes with a pointed tip, and may be serrated. The flowers are five-petaled. Additional petals can be formed from the stamens, creating a terry effect. Their size, color, and number of buds on the peduncle depend on the variety.

Varieties of indoor violets

At the moment, the number of varieties exceeds 32 thousand. Uzambara indoor violets are classified according to the size of the rosette, leaf characteristics, shape and color of the flower.

According to the size of the socket there are:

1. Standard – the diameter of the rosette of an adult plant is from 20 to 40 cm; Most modern varieties belong to this group.
2. Large standard - more than 40 cm. These include varieties Ward Brown or Louisiana Lullaby.
3. Semi-mini - from 15 to 20 cm. For example, Aca’s Eloise, Emerald Pink. Examples of varieties of domestic selection include AB-Favorite Toy, BR-Provence.
4. Miniature form - from 7 to 15 cm. For example, LE-Princess Leia, N-Aurora.
5. An ultra-miniature form, it is sometimes called a “micromini”. The rosettes of these Saintpaulias do not exceed 7 cm in diameter. Among them are varieties such as Lil Periscope, N-Kapelka.

Modern breeding work is being carried out towards reducing the size of the rosette. Trailer violets have become popular recently. They are distinguished by an elongated stem and form many stepsons.

Violet leaves are distinguished as follows:

• boy – regular flat plain;
• girl – plain flat sheet with a lighter spot at the base;
• variegated - with a variegated color (spots or a border of white or yellowish-green);
• spoon – the edges of the sheet are curled upward;
• holly – with scalloped bends;
• serrated – serrated edge;
• lance - an elongated leaf.

Violet flowers are divided into:

1. Non-double: 5 petals, the lower three larger than the upper two.
2. Star-shaped: 5 petals of the same size.
3. Semi-double: Some of the stamens develop into additional petals, but the anthers are still visible.
4. Terry: more than 10 petals that completely cover the anthers.
5. Frilled: The edges of the petals are ruffled or fringed.

Based on color, violets can be single-colored, bicolored, or multicolored. In this case, additional colors can be located on the main background in the form of a border, prints, strokes or spraying. Chimera violets stand apart. This variety has a stripe of contrasting color running down the center of each petal. This color is obtained due to the presence of two layers of genetically distinct cells in the petals. Chimeric coloring is rare and is transmitted only when propagated by stepsons or peduncles, so the cost of such violets is higher.

How to properly care for violets

Caring for violets at home is not difficult - it is not for nothing that this plant is considered one of the most “tenacious”. But if you want to get a beautiful lush rosette with “cap” flowering, you should follow a number of simple rules of agricultural technology.

Lighting and feeding

Saintpaulia needs bright, diffused light. That is, windows of western and eastern orientation will be optimal for it. On the north side, the petioles of the violet will lengthen, the leaves will lift up; There will either be no flowering at all, or it will be scanty. If there is no other place for the plant, provide it with additional lighting.

Direct Sun rays violets are contraindicated: they leave burns. Even with shading, there is too much light on southern windowsills, causing the leaves to begin to fade. To avoid this, the flower is placed 1-1.5 m from the windowsill.

For full growth of violets you need to feed every two weeks. For children and starters, use universal fertilizers. Mature plants, flowering or preparing to flower, need mixtures with a predominance of phosphorus and potassium.

Caring for violets in winter differs depending on whether you have additional lighting. If Saintpaulia is illuminated for 12 hours, care for it in the same way as in the warm season. In natural light in winter, violets are watered less frequently, and fertilizers are applied only once a month.

Temperature and humidity

The optimal temperature range for growing violets is from 18 to 24 degrees. Saintpaulia can withstand lower temperatures (10-12 degrees), but for a short time and under the condition of a dried earthen coma, otherwise the roots will begin to rot. At 30 degrees and above, the process of cell death begins, so in the heat, violets are removed from the windowsills and moved to a cooler place. You can lower the temperature by spraying the air near the plants. The violet categorically does not tolerate drafts; it cannot be taken out into the open air or left near the windows, especially in winter.

Violet is quite suitable for the humidity level of our apartments; it does not need additional spraying. There is an opinion that water procedures are contraindicated for an African beauty - this is not entirely true. The leaves can and should be occasionally sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle, cleaning them from accumulated dust. Again, wet treatment of the leaf is mandatory when fighting mites. After water procedures, it is enough to blot the growing point with newspaper or a cotton pad to remove large drops of water and allow the bush to dry in a dark, warm place without drafts.

How often to water a violet

Saintpaulia requires moderate watering with drying of the top layer of soil. Excess water leads to rotting of the roots, and its lack leads to loss of appearance. It is impossible to say with what intensity the violet will drain the earthen ball - it depends on the size of the pot, the composition of the soil and the characteristics of the root system. Saintpaulias require an individual approach in terms of watering; two bushes of the same size and age will draw water at different rates. Therefore, be sure to test the soil before watering.

Watering violets can be done:

1. Through the pallet. In this case, the plant is given 15-20 minutes to “drink”, and the excess water is drained.
2. Above. In this case, use a watering can with a thin long spout to prevent drops of water from falling on the leaves.
3. Through the sand. If you bury the pot 1/3 in sand and keep it moist, the violet will draw out required amount moisture on its own.

In any case, only water that has been settled and heated to room temperature is used. Another method is wick watering of violets. When planting, a nylon cord is placed in the pots, part of which is brought out through drainage holes. The pot with the violet is placed above a container of water so that the cord is immersed in it. With wick watering, the substrate should be lighter than with regular watering.

How to propagate violets

Breeding violets at home is a simple and exciting process. For propagation, leaf cuttings, daughter rosettes, and seeds are used. Violet lovers prefer the first method: young plants obtained from a leaf, as a rule, transmit varietal characteristics maternal rosette and bloom within a year to a year and a half.

The key to success when cutting is to choose the right leaf. It must be intact, without damage or yellowing; torn from the central part of the socket. The petiole is shortened to 2-3 cm. The cut is made with a sharp knife at 45 degrees, sprinkled with crushed charcoal. For planting, choose a tight container and light, breathable soil. You can use a mixture of lowland peat and perlite. After planting, the cuttings must be placed in a greenhouse for a month until roots appear. Water if necessary; greenhouses are ventilated daily.

Another month after rooting, babies begin to appear. When the leaves of the young grow to 1 cm, they are seated in separate containers. Use plastic glasses or pots with a diameter of 5 cm. After planting, they are placed in greenhouses for another 2 weeks. Young plants are transferred into large containers as the rosette grows.

The propagation of violets by daughter rosettes follows the same principle:

1. The stepsons are disconnected, being careful not to damage the growth point, when their leaves reach 1 cm.
2. Place in a previously prepared container with a light substrate without deepening it.
3. Keep in a greenhouse until roots appear.

Plants grown from stepchildren develop and bloom faster.

Violets are rarely grown from seeds at home: varietal characteristics are not transmitted using this method. But you can try to develop “your own” varieties by pollinating different plants. Saintpaulia bears the testes for 6 months. During this time, the bush is not replanted and protected from any stress. After ripening, the seeds are sown in a mixture of peat, perlite and sand without sprinkling. The containers are placed in a greenhouse and, if necessary, moistened with a spray bottle. Seedlings germinate in the 3-4 leaf phase, and when they reach the size of a standard seedling, they are planted in separate containers.

How to replant a violet at home - step-by-step instructions

Violets are transplanted at home every year in the spring. If there is lighting, the procedure can be carried out in November, then the rosettes will bloom in March-April. The soil for Saintpaulias should be loose and breathable. A mixture of sheet soil, peat, sand and perlite (4:3:1:1) is ideal. Chopped sphagnum moss (no more than 10% of the total volume), crushed charcoal, and vermiculite can be added to the substrate in small quantities. It is important to consider the acidity of all components in order to ready mix had Ph 5.5-6.5.

The pot is selected so that it is approximately 1/3 of the diameter of the rosette. In wider containers, violets “fatten”, gaining leaf mass to the detriment of flowering; the root system is more susceptible to rotting. Drainage is required.

If the rosette has grown and you need to transplant it into a larger pot, remove the plant from the old container, place it in a new one and add soil to the sides.

If there is no need for a larger pot, proceed as follows:

1. Remove the plant from the pot, cut off 1/3 of the earthen clod along with the roots with scissors or a sharp knife.
2. Remove the lower tier of leaves (two if necessary), sprinkling the sections with crushed charcoal.
3. The pot is thoroughly washed or taken new one same size.
4. Place a layer of drainage and fresh soil on the bottom, install the plant so that the bare stem is below ground level.
5. Water the violet and place it in a greenhouse for several weeks.

This procedure helps to rejuvenate the rosette and the appearance of new roots. Violets on a wick are transplanted according to the same principle.

Problems during cultivation

Growing violets is not without difficulties caused by violations of agricultural technology.

External manifestations	Causes	Remedies
Yellow spots on leaves	Exposure to direct sunlight	Move the Saintpaulia to a more suitable location
Brown spots	Appear on leaves after watering with cold water	Use water warmed to room temperature
Yellowing leaves	The lower leaves of Saintpaulia turn yellow as a result of natural dying. If the process affects the entire outlet, the cause may be excess power or improper watering.	Follow agricultural practices
Droopy leaves in wet soil	Most likely, root rot has begun, caused by excessive watering or low temperature.	If the leaves at the growth point have not lost turgor, the plant will be helped by resuscitation. The roots are completely freed from the soil. Lateral roots are easier to remove; the central root is examined for the presence of rotten areas and cut down to healthy tissue. IN advanced cases When the rot has already begun to rise up the stem, you have to remove it along with the leaves. The remaining part of the plant is treated with a fungicide and planted like a stepchild. If the leaves at the growing point are limp with signs of rotting, the rosette is thrown away. It is better not to take leaves from it for cuttings - they will rot.
Saintpaulia does not bloom	There may be several reasons: lack of lighting or nutrients, low air temperature, too big pot.	Follow agricultural practices

Most problems when growing Saintpaulias can be avoided by strictly following the care rules.

Diseases and their treatment

Among violet diseases, the most common are those caused by various fungi: gray and root rot, powdery mildew, fusarium. Their appearance immediately affects the condition of the leaves: they lose turgor, may acquire an unnatural color, and become covered with damp, rotten spots or a whitish coating.

Treatment of such diseases is reduced to treatment with fungicides, for example, Fundazol. Violets grown without violating the rules of agricultural technology get sick less often. It is useful to treat rosettes with Epin before the onset of winter cold or summer heat: it will help plants survive the unfavorable period more easily.

Pests and their control

Saintpaulias are affected by leaf and flower thrips, cyclamen and false mites, and mealybugs. When a cyclamen mite appears, the center of the rosette thickens, and the villi on young leaves lengthen. The flat mite (false mite) “gives” itself away by bites on the leaves. Acaricides, for example, Kleschevit or Fitoverm, will help get rid of them. Carry out 2-3 treatments at intervals of a week, thoroughly wetting each leaf on top and bottom with a spray bottle.