Prepare soil for violets at home. Required soil composition for indoor violets

Violet (Saintpaulia) is not an easy-to-care plant. One of the main conditions that must be met for the normal functioning of Saintpaulia is properly selected soil. It must be balanced, contain nutrients, have the desired structure and acidity. Flower care is no less important.

Modern gardeners often use ready-made soil that meets all the necessary parameters. But it does not always turn out to be of high quality, so you need to know what kind of soil is needed and is most suitable for violets.

You can prepare it yourself, knowing which components must be included in its composition.

Soil for the plant

The soil must have certain characteristics so that violets can bloom normally in it.

In this regard, land taken from the park is not suitable for growing Saintpaulia. local area etc.:

• Acidity. The soil should be neutral, and its optimal acidity is from 6.5 to 6.8 Ph. If this indicator is lower, the plant will not receive all the necessary nutrients, which could lead to his death. At increased acidity don't get violets required quantity phosphorus, which causes them to become depressed and lethargic;
• Breathability. The plant must be planted in loose soil that allows air to pass through well.

Compound

How well the flower will take root and whether it will be healthy directly depends on it.

As a rule, soil purchased ready-made contains peat. After a few months, it hardens, air does not penetrate through it well, so the plant cannot stay in it for a long time.

In this case, you will need to replant the flower.

Therefore, it is better to prepare the soil with your own hands by adding the following components:

1. Leaf humus (birch leaves are usually used);
2. Perlite. This substance is small white balls. They have a shiny surface and are added to the soil to loosen them. You can buy perlite in the store;
3. Vermiculite. It is often used in conjunction with perlite, but you can use this baking powder alone. The substance has the ability to retain moisture, which the plant needs, and allows air to pass through well;
4. Turf. It’s better to go to the grove for him;
5. Sphagnum moss (they often replace vermiculite). It can be found near bodies of water, in damp forests, and in swampy areas. Not only fresh moss is used, but also dried moss. Some gardeners prepare sphagnum for future use by simply freezing it in freezer in order to, if necessary, prepare the soil for the plant with your own hands;
6. River sand. Its main task is to protect the soil from dehydration. For the mixture, ordinary sand taken from the river bank is suitable.

Peat is also added to the mixture in small quantities, which gives the flower required amount organic substances and minerals. If all the components of the soil are correctly selected, it will not dry out.

It is better to prepare all the components in advance if you are going to replant the plant.

If you nevertheless decide to purchase ready-made soil for growing Saintpaulia, its composition can be enriched with perlite, coconut substrate, and sphagnum. Such mixtures have their advantages. They consist, first of all, in the fact that they are biologically sterile, so violets will not be affected by various harmful microorganisms or bacteria.

Experienced flower growers know that the plant requires good drainage. Therefore, in their practice, the following recipe for preparing land for growing violets is often used: expanded clay is placed in the pot almost halfway, then added charcoal, and soil is poured on top, purchased ready-made or prepared independently.

For some of those who have recently decided to start growing Saintpaulia, the fact that in its natural environment this flower grows in rather poor soil is misleading.

From this it is concluded that violets bloom in almost any soil. In fact, the soil in which the plant lives is rich necessary elements. It cannot do without them either at home or in the natural environment.

Component ratio

Experienced flower growers usually determine “by eye” how many components should be used for the soil. As a rule, vermiculite and perlite are combined in a ratio of 1:1.5 and a glass of the mixture is added to 1 bucket of earth with the rest of the ingredients.

Why is it so desirable that the land for violets be prepared with your own hands? For mixtures collected independently, natural ingredients are usually taken. This is important for the health of the plant, which will receive the full range of necessary substances.

In addition, this approach significantly reduces the risk of flowers being damaged by various insects and harmful microorganisms. An important advantage of natural ingredients is that they do not contain chemical elements, so it is safe for humans and flowers.

Fertilizers

Having found out what kind of soil Saintpaulias need, it is worth finding out what kind of fertilizer they need. Only after adding this component will the soil be ready for violets to be planted in it. But this only applies to the case when you prepare the mixture yourself.

As a fertilizer, you can use ash or charcoal, rich in minerals. Cow “cakes” (popularly called “mullein”) are also saturated with useful microelements. Before adding to the soil, they must be crushed. This type Fertilizer allows the root system to develop properly, so thanks to it, indoor flowers will be healthy and have a beautiful appearance.

Another good view fertilizers - eggshells, which reduce the acidity of the soil, enriching it with calcium and potassium.

Ready-made mixtures purchased at the store do not require the addition of fertilizers. An excess of these substances also adversely affects Saintpaulia.

Landing

When you have decided what kind of soil you will plant violets in and have prepared it (or bought it), it is advisable to let the soil settle for several weeks. If this is not possible, plant flowers in fresh soil.

It is important to make sure that the soil is loose and all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. It needs to be sorted out and large elements removed.

Due to the fact that, being crumbly, the soil is practically not moistened, the flower must be watered immediately after planting.

Pot

It is also necessary to take into account what container the violet will be planted in. Some gardeners are inclined to believe that this flower can be planted even in a small plastic cup. However, it is more convenient for it in a pot - then the color and leaves will be large and beautiful. In this case, it is undesirable for the container to be large sizes, otherwise the plant will “get lost” in it.

When caring for a violet, remember that the flower loves light, but does not like direct midday sun rays, which can burn the leaves.

So that your efforts in growing violets are not in vain, keep in mind that you cannot water Saintpaulia often. This should be done 1 time/7-10 days. It is better to water from below with slightly warmed water. To do this, place a flower pot in a bowl with moisture.

The water in the bowl should reach the edges of the pot, but not overflow. The flower should be left in this form until the ground becomes moist. This usually takes about 10-12 hours, so you can safely leave the container with the plant in a bowl of water overnight.

If you water Saintpaulia from above and often, the roots may rot.

Do not forget about the capriciousness of the violet, therefore, if you want the flower to take root, develop correctly, be healthy and beautiful, do not neglect the rules for composing the soil.

Or Saintpaulia. They take up little space, and the beauty of their leaves and flowers cannot be compared with any other plants. These bright and delicate bouquets of flowers attract with the fragility of the petals, their virgin purity, and unusual colors. Growing them is difficult; not everyone can cope with this difficult task. But there are no obstacles for violet fans: they study all the nuances of the growing conditions and caring for the indoor beauty.

The first description of the violet was made by the German botanist Wendland, who named the flower Saintpaulia. Another name for the plant is Uzambara violet, after the area in Africa where it was discovered. There are thousands of varieties of violets in the world, and their selection continues actively. All types indoor flower similar with an underdeveloped root system and rosettes of leaves. The varieties differ in the shape of the leaf plate and its diameter. And the variety of inflorescences is such that it is simply impossible to describe all types.

There are three types of indoor flowers: simple, double and semi-double. U simple types Flower petals are arranged in one row; in semi-double and double plants, the petals are arranged in two or three rows.

Based on the color of the petals, violets are distinguished into plain violets and fancy colors with spots and dots. Some varieties have a contrasting border around the edge of the petals. Chimeras have a line drawn down the center that is different in color from the main tone.

Among the best varieties Violets are noted by the following Saintpaulias:

• The five-petalled variety Lions Pirates Treasure has bright pink flowers with a crimson border.
• In a wavy rosette sheet plates variety Melodies Kimi there is a bouquet of delicate flowers with two blue petals on top and white petals on the bottom.
• Look like stars coral color Austin's Smile violets.
• Saintpaulia Admiral is widespread among gardeners. Cornflower blue semi-double bell flowers with wavy edges are reminiscent of the sea.
• Of the two-color species, LE-Tiger can be noted - pink-coral petals, quite large, with a white spot in the middle decorate the plant.
• Of the chimeras, the violet Solitaire is original. It has blurry stripes coming out of the yellow center purple. Against the background of snow-white petals, everything looks very harmonious.
• The Ming Dynasty corrugated cups are snow-white, edged with lilac stripes. In a rosette of variegated leaves they look decorative.
• The variety Natalis Estravagante is attractive not only for the lace of white-pink flowers with a greenish border, but also for the variegation of the leaves.
• Complex, unusual colors of the Chimpansy violet, which combines the bright pink tones of semi-double petal stars with strokes and swirls of blue color on them.

The variety of types and varieties of flowers allows you to choose those whose color matches the taste and mood of the owner of the violet.

You need to carefully choose a pot for planting homemade Saintpaulia. This plays a big role in the development and flowering of the plant. The container is selected taking into account the diameter of the rosette of leaves. A flowerpot 6-8 centimeters in diameter is suitable for children, and 9-10 centimeters for an adult plant.

In this case, the height of the container can reach no more than ten centimeters. If the pot becomes small, the violet will not bloom. And in a pot with a large diameter, the soil will begin to turn sour, since the roots of the plant will not use it for nutrition. The soil will cake and rot, which will also affect the plant.

The diameter of the pot is measured by the size of the leaf rosette, reducing it in half.

The best material for a flowerpot would be plastic or ceramics. But be sure to place a tray under the container, and the bottom of the pot has holes. Then excess moisture will not accumulate inside, and the plant will avoid fungal diseases. When carefully selecting a container for a violet, you must remember that its roots are small and fill the entire volume of the soil mixture.

Soil for violets: what should it be?

Creating conditions for violet development: lighting, humidity, temperature

Since the birthplace of the flower is the moist soils of the African continent, it is necessary to create conditions for the plant similar to:

• Sunlight is useful for violets, but diffused and dim. Otherwise ultra-violet rays will leave burns on the leaves. The eastern and western window sills of the house are suitable for Saintpaulia. During the growing season, the plant needs ten to twelve hours of daylight. If there are no such conditions, then they organize lighting fluorescent lamps. They are placed at a distance of half a meter from flowering bushes. I want violets to delight with blooming constellations all year round, then the lamps will work in winter.
• The air humidity in the room should be between fifty and sixty percent. In winter it decreases, so you can place containers of water on the windowsills. You can increase the humidity by placing moss or pebbles moistened with water in a tray. It is not recommended to arrange a shower for violets, but wipe the leaves as they become dusty.
• The air temperature in the room where Saintpaulias grow must be controlled. It should be between 18-25 degrees Celsius. The plant does not tolerate heat well and begins to wither. A low temperatures lead to a weakening of the immune system of the green organism.

Flowers look beautiful and healthy if their growing conditions are met.

The active growth of the violet leads to the fact that its capacity becomes small. At this point, the flower is transplanted into another container. Take a pot two to three centimeters larger in diameter than the old one. Transplantation is also organized if home plant slows down in development. The procedure is carried out after the plant’s growing season has ended - at the beginning of winter. You can replant the violet in February, before the growth processes intensify.

The procedure begins by selecting a container, filling it with drainage and soil mixture.

Be sure to disinfect the soil by spilling it with a solution of potassium permanganate. After the procedure, leave the pot with soil for a week to saturate the soil with oxygen and beneficial microorganisms.

Having pulled the plant out of the old pot, transfer it, along with clods of earth on the roots, into a prepared container. Then the soil is compacted a little and watered. To rejuvenate the violet, its leaves are cut off. Dying lower leaves must be removed, and the top is cut off for propagation. The violet reacts to any deviation in the development conditions of the disease with lethargy and weakness. Only replanting can save the plant.

Saintpaulias are susceptible to various fungal diseases:

1. Rot fungi attack the root part of the plant. As a result, the flower begins to wither, and if it is not replanted, it will die.
2. A whitish coating spreads to the leaves and stems - these are the first signs of powdery mildew. The disease actively occurs if the plant does not receive enough light and there is high air humidity in the room. Treatment with Topaz three times with a break of ten days will save you from fungus.
3. Phytosporosis spores destroy the roots and leaves of the plant. You can treat a violet by transplanting its children into another container.
4. Fusarium begins with root rot. And the flowering bushes begin to weaken and turn yellow. A sick plant cannot be saved; it is destroyed. And healthy flowers are treated by spraying with Fitosporin.

More information can be found in the video:

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 diffused lighting and at the same time protected from sunlight. Daylight hours should be 13-14 hours. IN winter time 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. 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 dolomite flour to the soil. Increase - by mixing peat.

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

• nutrient soil;
• fillers;
• drainage.

Nutrient soil

basis soil mixture become:

• 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. The packaging of suitable soil states: “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, you must protect your hands with rubber gloves, and Airways- 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 lower leaves didn't 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.

Violets are very picky about the composition of the soil in which they will grow, so they will not grow in soil dug up simply in the forest. Soil for violets must be purchased at the store, for example, “Fart” or “Garden of Miracles” are excellent for these purposes; or cook it yourself according to the recipes given in this article.

Favorable soil for Saintpaulias, for example Fart and the Garden of Miracles, consists of leaf and turf soil, various raising agents and fillers, as well as substances for draining the soil. Leaf soil is collected under trees in the garden. It is extremely loose, perfectly permeable to water and air, with a high content of hydrogen ions, that is, it is acidic. The composition of such soil consists mainly of fallen leaves from the foliage of birch or linden, which have lain under the tree for one or two years.

TO turf soil applies top part soil containing plant roots mixed with rotted leaves. Typically, this soil composition is typical for meadows and garden plots, as well as for special land for violets “Garden of Miracles”. Nutritional properties are contained in humus and compost. As fillers for soil intended for violets, use soil containing a large number of peat and coniferous forest litter made from rotted needles, preferably pine. Expanded clay, or rather its small fractions, has proven to be excellent soil drainage for indoor flowers. The soil for violets “Garden of Miracles” also contains them. The soil loosening agent for Saintpaulias in Fart soil is poured, which is a very light silica of a white or light gray shade, which is an excellent substitute for sand.

The content of overwater for successful cultivation of violets should not exceed a fifth of the total volume of soil. It is more economical to use poured in grains rather than in powder form for keeping indoor flowers. It is easier to find it on sale; for example, “Agroperlite” is often found on the shelves of hardware stores. Hydromica, which contains a large amount of water, is used for planting young plants and replanting adult flowers.

Its content in vermiculite reaches up to five hundred percent; thanks to this component, plants breathe and do not rot.
Another part of the soil for Saintpaulias is sphagnum moss. This natural substance increases the hygroscopicity of the soil, and it is also an excellent antiseptic. Sphagnum moss is placed in pots with violets, scalded with boiling water, dried and ground until fine.

Planting Saintpaulias cannot be done without charcoal, although its content in the soil for violets is insignificant. This substance, which is indirectly related to botany, is placed in large pieces at the bottom of a pot of violets, and the crumbs are mixed with the ground, regulating the soil moisture and absorbing excess water from it. Coal is necessarily included in the soil for indoor flowers “Garden of Miracles” and “Fart”.

Some manufacturers add Saintpaulia soil to their composition. dolomite flour or ground limestone white– it is intended to reduce soil acidity when necessary. The composition of the soil disintegrator “Garden of Miracles” rarely includes ordinary sand. Reading the composition of the soil for violets, you can see coconut milk among its constituent substances to increase the looseness of the mixture. The composition of the soil mixture affects the absorption by the plant of the elements necessary for its life.

It must be borne in mind that violets feel comfortable in soil with a low content of hydrogen ions or in neutral soils.

At low acidity (pH< 4) заметно снижается впитываемость фосфора и азота, даже при достаточной подкормке indoor plants. Saintpaulia buds may not fully open and fall off, and the lower foliage may turn yellow. An excellent tool against nitrogen-phosphorus deficiency will be the addition of crushed eggshells into a pot of Saintpaulias, or pour ash water over the violet (about one tablespoon of wood ash per two liters of water).

The absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen by violets is reduced if the flower is placed in highly alkaline soil (pH level above 8.5). In this case, it will be necessary to replant the plants on soil with the addition of coniferous or leaf soil or use the soil for Saintpaulia “Garden of Miracles”. To determine the content of hydrogen ions in the soil (soil acidity level), you can purchase a special indicator - with its help, the causes of most ailments of indoor flowers can be easily determined.

We cook ourselves

There are several ways to prepare a soil mixture for growing Saintpaulias yourself in a city apartment or country house, the composition of which contains different quantity ingredients. Of course, how suitable the chosen method is for your violets can only be determined over time, but the proportions for preparing high-quality soil, like the “Garden of Miracles”, to contain Saintpaulia can be found in this section of the article.

• Method one: you need to mix one part of universal soil, or soil intended specifically for Saintpaulias, with two parts of peat and add one portion of perlite, sphagnum moss or vermiculite to the mixture. Dilute the resulting composition with half a portion of charcoal and that’s it, the soil for growing violets is ready.
• Method two: take six portions of nutritious soil per one portion of perlite and vermiculite, add one weight of sphagnum moss and the same amount of charcoal. Saintpaulias also grow well on such soil.
• The third method: it will require three measures of peat soil, one part of nutrient soil and the same amount of vermiculite, if you add half of the charcoal, the result will be quite suitable soil for Saintpaulia, no worse than soil for indoor flowers called Garden of Miracles .
• Fourth option: five scales peat soil, one weight of nutrient soil, half a portion of Ceramis granulate and perlite with vermiculite, mix all this with a quarter of the weight of charcoal and a few peas of superphosphate, you get a nutritious soil mixture for violets.

In general, there are many recipes for preparing soil for homemade Saintpaulias; you just need to take into account that young plants require more leavening agents and filling substances, and adults require more nutritious soil. And it is best to use factory-made soil from Garden of Miracles.

Fertilizers

Experts agree that after a few months, the soil in a small pot is almost completely depleted, which negatively affects Saintpaulias and violets require fertilizer.

They are classified into:
Simple mineral;
Complex minerals;
AND organic fertilizers for plants.
When using any fertilizer, the main thing is to adhere to the measure. All three types are necessary for the full growth of Saintpaulia, but it must be taken into account that they must be alternated.

Violet is especially loved by flower growers and housewives. She will captivate anyone who has ever looked at this wonderful plant, which has managed to combine severity, tenderness and noble decoration. Saintpaulia, which is the name of the familiar violet, is a demanding plant and will not tolerate neglectful treatment. Therefore, anyone who wants to place such a beauty in their home will need to learn something about caring for her. Many articles have been written about how to process and water Saintpaulia. But today we’ll talk about how to choose the right soil composition for violets. This is extremely important if you decide to grow a strong, healthy, disease-resistant and beautiful plant.

Saintpaulia

Violet is very demanding of good soil, so the “dig near the house” option is not suitable for it. In such local soil there will be a mass of fungi, viruses and bacteria, and Saintpaulia is a delicate plant and can easily die from the slightest disease. Moreover, indoor violets must contain a certain amount of nutrients, and the acidity level should approach slightly acidic. The soil should be loose and have good breathability; it is unlikely that lawn soil will meet all these nuances. Beginning violet growers are often disappointed. Watering was rationed, lighting was good, but the plant suddenly died, and why is not clear. The reason, in addition to possible infections, may be excessively nutritious and dense, heavy soil - it is completely unsuitable for the root system of violets.

Purchased land

If you decide to get Saintpaulia for the first time, but you have never had to mix the soil before or you are not sure of a successful result, then suitable soil can be purchased at a specialty store. Contact the seller for help, he will guide you through the presented options for soil and fertilizers; their choice is quite wide.

But experienced gardeners have the opinion that purchased soil is not optimal and often does not have the necessary soil composition for violets. Contrary to what is indicated on the packaging, it may be completely different, the earth is not sufficiently breathable, and its acidity is not true. Experienced flower growers personally prepare the soil for home beauties.

In specialized stores you can purchase only the necessary components for the soil, prepare and then plant your favorite plants. You can also collect the material yourself, especially if there are several violets in your house. It will take time, but as a result you will get healthy, strong plants with well-developed rosettes for many years.

Habitat

The soil in which Saintpaulias grow naturally is not particularly rich. But it contains all the necessary substances, albeit in small quantities. It is also optimal for homemade violet. Sometimes novice violet breeders face a number of problems. Having bought bushes or “babies” of violets in the store, you return home satisfied with your purchase, and then suddenly it turns out that the plants often die once they get into the apartment. They are weak, take root poorly, rarely sprout, bloom little and often get sick. There is only one reason for this - they are grown on artificial soil. Once in your house, they are deprived of additional complementary feeding in the form of all kinds of additives and therefore die.

What kind of soil does violet like? In the natural environment of Saintpaulias, the soil is a mixture of sand, peat, moss, humus, charcoal, rotting organic matter and a small amount. The conditions in their habitat are quite harsh, and this is what provides the plants with high “survivability”.

Setting the stage

Soil taken from mixed forests, under acacia, hazel, linden, alder and pine, is perfect. Oak plantations should be avoided. will inhibit the absorption of nutrients from the soil. An abandoned anthill is perfect. The soil composition for indoor violets should be properly prepared before planting.

The earth mixture is prepared simply, required material need to be collected and steamed. To do this, pour a little water into a metal container, pour the collected mixture on top, heat it on the fire or stove for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. There should not be a lot of water; it should only slightly moisten the substrate. After the mixture has cooled, various additives can be added to it and thereby obtain the necessary soil composition for violets.

Supplements

• Perlite. Small white balls with a shiny surface. They are added to earthen mixtures as a bactericidal component and a natural leavening agent. It is often applied to the soil together with vermiculite. Sold in stores, just like other supplements.

• Vermiculite. It is applied both to soil and to soilless mixtures. Excellent leavening agent, able to retain water and at the same time remain breathable. Saturates the necessary composition of the soil for violets with minerals, which are not washed out of the soil and are well absorbed by the root system.

• Grows in swamps, damp forests or near water bodies. It is from this that peat is formed. It retains moisture well and allows air to pass through, and absorbs excess salts from the soil. With the help of sphagnum, you can acidify the soil, which does not contain soil, and it also has bactericidal properties. The soil for indoor violets can include both dried and green, fresh sphagnum. Its nature is such that fresh stems can be prepared for future use and stored in the freezer without harming the sphagnum. This is very convenient if you decide to start growing violets professionally.

• Peat. Fertile and porous soil with an excellent range of useful minerals and organic matter. Lowland peat is most suitable for soil mixtures used as soil for violets. Its acidity is low. Due to the looseness of the peat, moisture will evaporate quickly and the soil will dry out. To prevent this from happening, you should add a little sand, vermiculite and perlite.

Ratio

It may vary. Each grower determines his own set of additives, taking into account personal experience and where and in what place the main one was collected natural material. On average, perlite and vermiculite are mixed in a ratio of 1.5:1, and one glass of this mixture is added to a bucket of prepared soil. Thus, the soil for indoor violets will be saturated with all useful elements and naturally protected from fungi and bacteria. And most importantly, all these additives are of natural origin, there are no chemicals in them, they are absolutely safe for both plants and humans.

Fertilizer

You already know what soil is needed for violets. All that remains is to add fertilizer - and it will be ready for If you plan to plant the plant in purchased soil, then additional feeding can be added only 4 months after planting and rooting of the rosette. Often store-bought mixtures are already saturated with fertilizers; too much of them will be harmful.

If you prepare the soil yourself, you can use charcoal or ash to saturate it with mineral components. One cup of crushed coal is enough for a bucket of soil.

Mullein, or cow dung, would also be a good fertilizer for violets. This fertilizer contains great amount useful microelements, and this has a very positive effect on the development of the root system. Just crush it finely and add it to the soil.

Ground egg shells will also be an excellent organic fertilizer. It will enrich the soil with potassium, calcium and reduce acidity.

Preparing for landing

So our soil is ready for violets. Flower growers recommend planting home beauties in such soil after it has settled for several weeks. But if this is not possible, you can plant the plant in fresh mixture. The main thing is to pay attention to temperature and humidity. The soil should be loose and well mixed, all large pieces and lumps should be removed. The crumbly soil is poor in moisture, so after planting the violet it must be watered immediately.