Features of proper care for violets: all about the indoor flower and photo varieties

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Violet and Usambara violet (Saintpaulia) are far from each other in terms of classification: they belong not only to different families (violet and Gesnerian, respectively), but also to different orders (in the APG II classification system - Malpighian and clear-colored, respectively).

Indoor violet is considered one of the most popular plants among flower growers. The prevalence on the windowsills of our apartments is explained by the extraordinary beauty of the flowering plant and the variety of varieties. Care won't take long and effort. She appeared in our apartments not so long ago - about a hundred years ago. But where is her homeland? What country of origin and where does it grow today?

Frequently asked Questions

Various types and subspecies of violets give rise to many confusion and controversy.... Novice gardeners need to familiarize themselves with the answers to the most popular questions.

Differences between domestic species and others

The whole variety of violets can be divided into three large groups:

• room;
• garden (the most popular type is the Wittrock violet);
• wild (forest).

The main differences are:

• Saintpaulias are capricious and take root only at home;
• home violets have larger flowers;
• wild and garden flowers have a richer color than indoor flowers;
• Saintpaulias need to be watered several times more often than those that grow on the street;
• indoor flowers are prone to constant illness.

Photophilous plant or not?

The Uzambara violet needs a bright light, but shaded from the direct burning rays of the sun... In order for graceful flowers to fill the room with beauty and tenderness all year round, it is recommended to use artificial lighting. Can the plant be kept in the house? Using a 40 W fluorescent lamp, the violet will feel great even on the windowsill.

Important: Illumination should be uniform. If the pot of saintpaulia is on the window, then you need to sometimes turn the flower in different directions to the sunlight.

Ornamental leaf plant or not?

Currently, violets are classified as ornamental plants.... It is often used for the improvement of various territories.

Viola blooms with pleasure in front gardens and flower beds. But do not forget that there are wild varieties of violets, such as pansies, which should not be equated with decorative ones.

Viola belongs to the category of perennial plants. Depending on the variety, the violet blooms from 2 to 5 years, subject to all care recommendations.

The origin of the violet: history and where it comes from

Violet is an annual or perennial herb with a short stem, on which leaves collected in a rosette with strong pubescence are kept. They take the form of an oval, circle or heart. The edge of the leaves is flat or wavy, depending on the type of flower.

Breeders have developed a large number of varieties, differing in size and color. For different varieties, the size of the rosette ranges from seven to forty centimeters. The root system of the violet is thin and creeping.

The abundance of violet species is the merit of the breeders

Flowers, double or simple, are collected on pedicels in several pieces.They come in different colors: blue, pink, white, burgundy, blue.

The flowers of violets contain anthocyanin glycosides, essential oils. Thanks to these substances, the flowers of the plant are useful in the treatment of eczema, urticaria, and shingles. The violet fruit is a box with valves.

The country is the birthplace of the flower, the nature of the violet

The birthplace of the flower is Africa. It is difficult to name a specific country. The plant grows naturally in temperate weather. Most often it can be found in North America, Japan and the Andes. Some varieties grow in the subtropics of Brazil, tropical and South Africa.

Violet "is found on the Australian continent, New Zealand and the Sandwich Islands. Almost all species are chosen as habitats. open or slightly shaded areas with a moderately humid climate.

Wild violets grow in Europe, in the south of Siberia. Forest ones are found in forest clearings in deciduous forests.

The botanist Hermann Wendland recorded the violet as a separate genus. She received the name Saintpaulia from him in honor of Baron Saint-Paul, who was the president of the German dendrological society. It was he who gave Wendland the seeds of the plant.

Baron Adalbert Saint-Paul in 1892 discovered a flower in East Africa among the stones while walking with his beloved. He noticed on the stone flowers of blue color with a yellowish center, which are located in a crevice.

The Baron sent the flower to his father Ulrich von Saint-Paul, who collected a collection of rare plants. In 1893, the plant family was identified: Gesneriaceae. In the same year, the violet was shown for the first time at the exhibition. She has been featured in magazines. In Germany it was called "uzambar" by the name of the area in Tanzaniawhere she was found.

Views

The species and varieties described below are only a small part of the entire diverse world of violets., which is popular with color lovers. Let's consider their features.

All about indoor flowers and photo varieties

To decorate the apartment and fill it with the enchanting scent of flowers, it is better to choose the following varieties of violets.

Rosemary

Medium velvet flower with luxurious ruffled petals... A delicate pink shade goes well with a white border and bright blue splashes.

The magic of love

Large double flowers of Marsala shade. The crisp white piping creates a striking color contrast.

We recommend watching a video about the Magic of Love violet:

Sea wolf

Large openwork petals have a royal blue color. Over time, saintpaulia loses its saturation and acquires pale blue notes.

We recommend watching a video about a violet variety "Sea Wolf":

Bridal bouquet

The most delicate creation of nature is white corrugated stars with jagged edges. Many growers prefer this particular variety because of its unpretentious care..

We recommend watching a video about the "Wedding Bouquet" violet:

Black Pearl

A cap bloom and a deep purple color accord are the hallmarks of this type of Saintpaulia.

We recommend watching a video about the Black Pearl violet:
https://youtu.be/KAfP-oJgrZA

Chateau Brion

The petals of a noble ruby ​​color have a porcelain texture and a fluted white border. When blooming, the flowers are miniature, but after a certain time they reach impressive sizes..

We recommend watching a video about the Chateau Brion violet:

Street varieties

Below are the most popular types of violets to grow outdoors.

Horned

Luxurious landscape design solution. Small flowers create delicate compositions and exude a unique aroma. There are several subspecies of horned violet, each of which has a special color scheme..

We recommend watching a video about the Horned violet:

Wittrock

It assumes several varieties, combining playful flowering and unpretentious care. A great option for decorating a veranda or garden. It is appreciated for the fact that it is good to tolerate a transplant in a flowering state.

Manchu (Chinese)

Luxury in miniature. Looks gorgeous in the spring in rocky gardens.

Legends: the place in history where they grew up

Many legends, stories, myths, signs and superstitions are associated with the violet. They talk about where the flower comes from and how it could have been born in general.

The ancient Greeks dedicated a whole legend to the violet, telling about its origin. Once the god of light and sun Apollo incinerated a young nymph with hot rays. The girl, exhausted from the heat, with her last strength asked for help from the great Zeus.

According to legend, Zeus created a violet, saving it from Apollo

He felt sorry for the poor thing and turned her into a violet, hiding from the scorching sun in a shady forest near bushes. He hid it on purpose so that no one but him could admire the gentle beauty. He alone could enjoy the beauty of the violet until the day his daughter Persephone came to the forest for a walk.

She found a beautiful violet and plucked a bouquet. When Persephone turned back, she was kidnapped by Hades. Frightened, she dropped the bouquet, and delicate flowers woke up from Olympus to the ground.

Among the ancient Greek legends there is another story about the appearance of the violet... Once the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite wanted to plunge into the gentle waters of the grotto, but noticed several men who were spying on her, wanting to contemplate the ideal body of the goddess.

According to another legend, violets appeared at the request of Aphrodite

She got angry and demanded from Zeus the most cruel punishment for the curious - death. Zeus did not fulfill his harsh will and turned men into beautiful flowers that still resemble prying eyes.

If a flower dies, it is believed that she took the disease of the tenant for herself. When someone is sick in the house, the plant gradually withers away, sharing his pain with the sufferer. Violets of different colors have different functions.

White flowers help young children fight aggression. Varieties with white flowers are recommended for people with a fine mental organization: a person ceases to be upset over trifles and less worried. White violets help to survive a break with a loved one and cleanse the soul from quarrels.

Red and pink flowers have a beneficial effect on health. Red varieties help in the fight against addictions and bad habits.

Varieties with red and pink flowers help to overcome depression.

Purple flowers are recommended for people with the professions of a psychologist and teacher. This color is a symbol of wisdom and spirituality. Purple violets help to find a common language and establish contacts.

In addition to a useful moral influence on a person, they can also bring practical benefits. They say that they can drive ants out of the house. Violet is an indicator of a healthy family and a favorable psychological environment in the house, therefore, it should be carefully looked after.

Description

Attention: Currently there are more than 400 known varieties of violets. External characteristics vary depending on the species and conditions in which the flower is grown.

The garden violet belongs to the genus of dwarf shrubs. The shape of the bush is compact or spreading, with a height of 10 to 40 cm. Shoots grow from one root collar. The broadly oval leaves are strongly drooping and have waviness along the edge. The petals can be of the same tone, or combine several different shades that combine into incredible patterns. The color scheme of the viola is varied: from pale blue to bright orange.

Indoor violet is small in size, has a short stem... Leaves come in various shapes, most often green, oblong with jagged edges.Saintpaulia flowers have a simple, semi-double or double type of structure. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches 5-7 cm. Like the viola, each species has its own unique color.
There is an opinion that white violets give a woman strength to maintain comfort in the house, red ones save money, blue ones drive away sadness and longing, and violet ones fill the hostess with wisdom and contribute to finding harmony in the family.

Home violet care basics: how to create a microclimate

Proper care requires some knowledge and skills, as well as a little experience that is acquired over time.

Violet care does not require special knowledge

The right place for saintpaulia: lighting and temperature

Violet feels comfortable on the windowsills of east or west windows. When placed near the southern windows, the plant is shaded so that the sultry sun rays do not burn the delicate leaves. To her good lighting needed.

• At noon in the warm season, you can scatter the rays using a mosquito net or curtain.
• Violets grow at home at temperatures of twenty-one to twenty-two degrees.
• In severe frosts in winter and hot days in summer, it usually does not bloom.

How to grow?

There are several ways to grow a violet: stepchildren, peduncles, seeds or from a leaf cuttings... The latter option is considered the most successful solution for novice florists, which is simple and understandable:

1. It is necessary to choose the strongest leaf. The 2-3rd row of the lower outlet is preferable. You need to break off the sheet so that a leg of 3-4 cm remains, which must be carefully cut obliquely.
2. The stalk is lowered into a small container of water. Plastic cups or small jars are fine. It is important to ensure that the sheet plate does not come into contact with water.
3. The future violet is covered with a plastic bag and removed to a warm place with good lighting, but not allowing direct sunlight to fall on it.
4. Periodically, you need to add clean water, but it is not recommended to change it.
5. After two weeks, the first roots will begin to appear. When they reach one centimeter, the leaf is transplanted into an earthen mixture with the addition of expanded clay. Cover it with cellophane again and put it back in its original place.
6. To prevent the stalk from falling, it is propped up with a match or a toothpick.
7. After 1.5 months, young shoots are transplanted into flower pots.

We recommend watching a video about the propagation of violets by a leaf:

Biological description

Violets are mostly annual or perennial herbaceous plants, occasionally shrubs (species growing in the Andes), with alternating, simple or pinnately dissected leaves, equipped with stipules.

Flowers are solitary, axillary, bisexual, zygomorphic (open and closed), double perianth: five free remaining sepals with backward facing appendages, five free petals, of which the anterior one has a spur. There are five stamens, they are pressed to the pistil, their filaments are short, the front two stamens are with a saccular nectary; the binder expands over the anthers into a scale. Pistil with an upper, unilocular, polyspermous ovary, a short column and a capitate or lamellar stigma.

The fruit is a capsule that opens with flaps. Protein seeds, with a central embryo.

Transfer

Over time, the soil in which the plant blooms is depleted and its replacement is simply necessary. The easiest way to transplant a violet is to transship... Without violating the integrity, the flower, along with a lump of earth, is rearranged into another pot. The same method is suitable for transplanting garden viola.

The most unfavorable time for transplanting is winter. Due to the lack of sunlight, Saintpaulia takes root less well.

We recommend watching a video on the correct transplant of violets into new soil:

Application

Cultivation of decorative violets

Some types of violets are favorite plants in flower gardens. Numerous varieties of the plant called Pansies are common.Some of them are bred for the sake of fragrant flowers, such is Viola odorata (with countless garden varieties, crosses, etc., there are varieties with simple and double flowers, there are also remontant ones); others - for the sake of bright flowers of all kinds of colors (monochromatic, variegated, light and dark), shape and size, such as Viola tricolor, Viola altaica, Viola lutea and a mixture of these and other species.

Medical applications

Viola tricolor is used in medicine (lat. Herba jacea

, Herba Violae tricoloris), as a diuretic, antiallergic, antipyretic agent.

Reproduction of indoor violets

One of the most common breeding methods for indoor violets is leaf rooting. To do this, you need to do the following:

1. Take an adult healthy plant and tear off the densest and strongest leaf, but not at the very root, but in the second row from the bottom.
2. Put this leaf completely in a container with boiled water and potassium permanganate for a couple of hours.
3. After that, dry the sheet and make a small neat cut with a blade on the handle at a distance of 3 cm from the sheet plate.
4. Then take a small bottle with a narrow neck. Pour clean or boiled water there and add activated charcoal. The bottle must be clean. It is advisable to sterilize it before that. Submerge the cutting in the water so that the tip does not touch the bottom of the bottle, but is still in the water.
5. There is no need to change the water in the bottle; it is enough to top up as needed. Do not hold the cutting for long after cutting. The sooner you put it in the liquid, the earlier the first roots will appear. If you notice traces of rot on the cutting, remove it and repeat the cut, and then put it back in clean water in a sterilized container.
6. Roots may appear in a week, or in a month. It all depends on the variety of violets. Remember to sign the dates when you pruned the cutting and when you planted it in the soil. When the roots reach 2 cm, you can plant a violet. For starters, you can use a disposable cup for this purpose. Planting soil can be purchased at specialized floriculture stores.
7. Don't forget about drainage. Polystyrene can be used as drainage. It is not necessary to deeply deepen the cutting into the ground. After the cutting is planted, gently water it with lukewarm, settled water and place it in a warm place, but not in the bright sun.

If you want to save time, you can plant cuttings directly into the ground. This breeding method can be said to be more effective than rooting in water. The cuttings are immediately in a favorable soil environment, they do not need to be transplanted, the roots begin to grow faster. Some varieties of violets do not give roots well in water, then you can immediately resort to this method of propagation.

Even the leaves of very young violets can be planted in the ground for rooting.

You need to plant in a plastic container. Be sure to put drainage on the bottom. Make a small hole, add perlite there and plant a cutting. Perlite will allow air to flow to the root formation.

Care and cultivation

Growing violets is one of the most rewarding activities for balancing the spirit. Breeding violets is recommended for old lonely people or those who lack warmth. A pot of violets is perfect for a bedroom or for a nursery. These flowers are very unpretentious, even a child can grow a flower.

Violets propagate by cuttings (this is the easiest way). The first step in growing violets is rooting the leaves in water. Leaves take root in an average of 2-4 weeks, depending on the variety. It is better to put a charcoal tablet at the bottom of the container where the violet grows: this will help maintain the necessary microflora. Next, the violet is transplanted into a pot and placed in a sunny place.

Plant care consists of regular watering. Water the violets with settled water at room temperature. As a general rule, violets often bloom and do well with even minimal maintenance.The plant is very afraid of drafts, so it is better to put a pot of violets in a secluded place.

Beneficial features

The beneficial properties of violet flowers are due to its rich chemical composition. Violet contains salicylic acid, which makes it an effective remedy for the treatment of skin diseases... In medicine and cosmetology, the plant is used as an extract. Violet has a soothing effect, makes the skin glow, makes it well-groomed. The plant is indicated in the presence of peeling on the skin. Violet is a plant phytoestrogen that protects the body from the harmful effects of stress. Violet extract is often found in oily skin care products. At home, you can make a violet decoction, which will cleanse the skin and help fight excessive oiliness. The plant is excellent for acne treatment as it contains antibacterial components. Violet wonderfully removes any inflammation, prevents signs of aging.

In shampoos, violet extract is added in order to tone the scalp, this component can be used to reduce inflammation in hair loss and dandruff.

5 USEFUL TIPS:

• If you are going to buy Saintpaulia from a flower shop, take a close look at the entire plant. Refrain from buying a plant if the surface of the substrate is covered with bloom, if spots or yellowness are visible on the leaves, if the leaf rosette is asymmetrical;

• When the violet is in its place in your room, rotate the plant 90 ° clockwise twice a week to stimulate symmetrical rosette formation;

• Regularly remove withered flowers and yellowed weak leaves;

• Do not place the plant in front of a direct air conditioner. Violet is afraid of drafts and therefore begins to weaken, becomes vulnerable to various diseases;

• If the plant is not on the sunny side of the room, darken the window pane with thin parchment paper. In this case, the violet leaves will not be affected by sunburn and at the same time there will be enough sunlight for normal development.

♦ COMMON DISEASES:

Powdery mildew. Signs: the appearance of a white bloom on the peduncles, on the leaves and on the stem of the plant. What to do: you can get rid of plaque by spraying the plant with a weak solution of fundozol once, covering the soil during the procedure. Reasons for the appearance: insufficient humidity in the room, low temperature, poor lighting, lack of phosphorus and potassium in the soil;

Fusarium. Signs: the leaves begin to fall off, while brown spots appear on the petioles, the rosette decays. The roots of the plant turn black noticeably. What to do: All rotten parts of the plant should be removed and then treated with fungicides to get rid of the Fusarium fungus. Eliminate the reasons: if the pot is too large, you should transplant the home violet into a more compact one; use only warm soft water for irrigation;

Botrytis (gray rot). Signs: plant tissues begin to rot, a gray-brown bloom appears on different parts of Saintpaulia. What to do: Remove the brown, decaying parts of the plant and treat Saintpaulia with fungicides. Eliminate the cause: do not flood the flower while watering, avoid temperature extremes and drafts. It is advisable to transplant the plant into a new soil mixture, since spores of the botrytis fungus can penetrate the soil;

Late blight. Signs: the leaves of the violet lose their elasticity, brown spots appear on the areas of the plant affected by the fungus, the root collar begins to rot. What to do: It is advisable to completely destroy the affected plant so that the fungus does not spread to other flowers. Disease prevention - moderate indoor humidity, timely introduction of superphosphate into the substrate.

Pests and diseases [4]

Symptoms of damage - leaves are eaten. Pests: Clover scoop ( Mamestra trifilii

Rott. ), Violet mother-of-pearl (
Argynnis euphrosyne
L.)

Symptoms of the lesion - leaves, stems are affected, which are covered with a white or grayish cobweb bloom; later, numerous black dots of the fruiting bodies of the fungus are formed on it. Disease - powdery mildew, causative agents of the disease: Erysiphe cichoracearum f. violarum (Died.) Jacz. , Oidium violae

Sacc.

Symptoms of the lesion are powdery, rusty-brown posts on leaves and petioles. Disease - rust, pathogens: Puccinia violae

(Scum.) DC. and other types.

Symptoms of damage are various spots on the leaves. With severe damage, the leaves dry out. The disease is spotting. Causative agents of the disease: Septoria violae

West. ,
Phillosticta tricoloris
Sacc. ,
Ascochyta violae
Sacc. et Speg. , views
Ramularia
,
Cercospora
West.

Symptoms of the lesion - on the leaves, petioles and ovaries, various sizes and forms of swelling are formed, filled with a black spore mass. Disease - smut, pathogens: Urocystus violae

(Sow.) Fisch. v. Waldh. ,
Urocystus kmetiana
Magn.

Symptoms of defeat - the base of the stem at seedlings and seedlings is affected. At the site of the lesion, the stem darkens and becomes thinner. Sick plants droop, death occurs within 3 - 4 days. Disease - black leg, pathogens - Pythium debarianum

Hesse,
Fusarium sp.
,
Rhizoctonia aderholdii
(Ruhl.) Kolosh. .,
Olpidium brassicae
Wor.

Symptoms of the lesion - the flowers are covered with a gray fluffy bloom, in which small black stripes of sclerotia may appear. Under bloom - rot of flowers, the upper part of peduncles, seeds. Disease - gray rot, causative agent: Botrytis cinerea

Pers.

Symptoms of damage - all aerial parts of the plant are affected. On the upper side of the leaves, yellowish, gradually turning brownish blurry spots are formed, on the lower side of which there is a barely noticeable whitish or grayish bloom. The stems are bent in the affected areas, the affected buds do not bloom or give ugly flowers (diffuse form). The affected organs dry out prematurely. Disease outbreaks correspond to rainy periods of weather. The infection persists on plant debris and seeds of affected plants. Disease - downy mildew, causative agent: Perenospora violae

de By.

Symptoms of the lesion - the leaves turn yellow, the stem darkens at the base, softens. A plaque forms on the affected part: with late blight - white cobweb, with rhizoctonia - brown felt; with sclerotinosis - white cotton wool. In the latter case, rot can spread up the stem, and clusters of mycelium and large black sclecrotia are also formed inside the stem. Plants usually die. The disease is promoted by excess moisture in the soil, increased acidity of the soil solution. The infection persists in the soil. Disease - rot of the roots and base of the stem. Pathogens: Rhizoctonia

,
Sklerotinia
,
Fhytophtora cryptogea
Peth. et Laff.

Symptoms of the lesion are variegation on flowers. The leaves become chlorotic, their ends die off. Disease - variegation, causative agent of the cucumber mosaic virus ( Cucumius mosaic virus 1

). Carriers of aphid infection:
Muzus persicae
,
Macrosiphon solonifolii
and etc.

Symptoms of damage - numerous necrotic rings with dark green centers develop on the leaves. Disease - tobacco ring spot virus, causative agent - tobacco ring spot virus ( Tobacco ringspot virus

).

Symptoms of damage - the aerial parts of the plant (leaves, flowers) are affected, diseased plants are depressed and lag behind in development. Pest - a parasite of the aerial part of plants strawberry nematode ( Aphelenchoides fragariae

(Ritz.Bos.) Christ. )

Care rules

The violet, like any other plant, needs care, love and quality care. In order for the flower not to die, it is important to adhere to the basic rules:

• Saintpaulias have a small root system, therefore they do not develop well in large pots, give preference to small, neat pots;
• when choosing a place, make sure that the violet receives a lot of light;
• a mixture of soil for a plant must necessarily include peat, coarse river sand and charcoal;
• do not neglect artificial lighting lamps, especially in the winter season;
• the recommended temperature at which the flower feels comfortable is 18-25 degrees;
• watered 2-3 times a week, as the earth dries up;
• spoil the violet with mineral fertilizers twice a year.

Advice: Saintpaulias love humid air, but do not tolerate spraying. Experienced growers advise placing a bowl of wet sand next to the flower.

We recommend watching a video about caring for a violet at home:

How to make room violets bloom

A well-groomed healthy indoor violet blooms for up to 10 months a year, taking a break only for the hot months. To make your Saintpaulia delight you with flowers, follow a few simple rules:

1. Don't plant violets in a large pot. With an abundance of space and land, the roots of Saintpaulia grow too much. All the strength and nutrients go to the root system, but there is not enough strength for flowering.
2. Violets are among the flowers that simply cannot do without drainage. Without it, the roots begin to rot due to waterlogging of the soil.
3. Do not take soil in flower beds on the streets. This land can be infested with pests. Better to buy soil from a gardening store. A universal primer or a special one for Saintpaulias will do.
4. Only those violets that are provided with diffused light bloom. If the sun is too bright, hang a mosquito net or translucent cloth over your windows.
5. Remember the temperature too. If the violet is in a draft, it will not bloom. The same goes for extreme heat. The temperature should be optimal.
6. When watering, make sure that the water does not get on the flowers, they die from this. The most optimal watering option is to pour water into the sump. This will prevent injury to delicate leaves and flowers.
7. Fertilizers are needed, but in moderation. You don't need to feed the violet more than once a month. If you overdo it with fertilizers, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off.
8. In order for the violet to bloom beautifully and regularly, do not forget to take care of the outlet. Withered and dried flowers must be removed, then the rest will bloom more magnificently. Withered leaves also need to be removed.
9. Small rosettes that form next to the main plant take away strength and nutrients from the "mother". If you want to see a lush bloom, remove them.
10. If the foliage is too thick, it needs to be thinned out.
11. Constantly turn the flower in different directions towards the light. So the rosette will be uniform and beautiful, lush from all sides.
12. If, despite your best efforts, the violet still does not bloom or does not bloom well, check the soil for acidity. In acidic soil, many indoor plants refuse to bloom.
13. Do not forget to moisturize not only the soil, but also the air. If you don't have a moisturizer, a simple gentle sprinkling of the leaves will do.

Why doesn't it bloom?

Viola pleases some with flowering all year round, while others only amuse it with green foliage.... The main reason is non-compliance with the rules for caring for the plant.

Major violations:

• lack of heat and light;
• burning rays of the sun;
• unsuitable pot;
• dry indoor air;
• improper watering.

Do not exclude various diseases of violets and parasite damage.

Diseases

All plant ailments can be divided into 4 groups:

1. Viruses... The most common infectious disease is fusarium. Rotting begins at the roots, then envelops the entire flower. Fusarium is not cured. The best thing to do is to remove the violet from other plants and get rid of the virus-infected soil.
2. Bacteria... Putrefactive bacteria appear on damaged areas (cutting or transplanting a flower) and affect the entire violet, starting from the leaves. The treatment is simple - immediately remove all rotten parts.
3. Parasites... Insects (aphids, mites) begin to destroy the plant from the leaves, then move on to other parts of the Saintpaulia. They get rid of pests with special medicines.
4. Fungus... The leaf plates are covered with fine white crumbs that look like flour.The flower can be healed by treating it with a fungicide.

Reproduction

Seeds

Sowing annuals for seedlings begins in mid-March and ends in the first week of April. Plants thrive at temperatures around 15 degrees. Biennials, including many varieties and hybrids of the popular Vittrock violet, are sown in the beds during the third decade of June and the first or second decade of July. A transfer to a permanent place is usually at the end of August, at least in the first decade of September. When growing violets from seeds, perennials are sown in the ground in the middle of autumn, they are well renewed by self-sowing.

Viola seedlings

Cuttings

Reproduction of viola is possible by cuttings. For propagation of violets by cuttings, they can be cut throughout the summer season from non-flowering, but strong shoots. Planting is done in wet sand or light substrate. With early cuttings, the violet blooms already this year.

By dividing the bush

Perennial species of viola easily reproduce by dividing the bushes. The procedure is best done in autumn, after flowering or early spring.

Important! It is necessary to divide the bush every 3 years, otherwise the garden violet grows and loses its decorative effect.

Pansies in a park bed

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Types of violets

There are several types of this plant. The common violet is the most common variety. This indoor violet (care and reproduction will be described later) has ordinary petals arranged in one row. There are a lot of colors of this type. Many varieties were bred by flower growers and are not registered, although they are especially popular.

Terry violet has petals arranged in several rows. The inflorescences of this flower are large enough and very beautiful. Semi-double representatives of this family are distinguished by the presence of several underdeveloped petals in the middle of the flower. They add volume and make the plant even more charming.

Rerooting

Indoor violets that are more than three years old need to be re-rooted. Usually, at this age, the plant begins to lose its shape, and the flowers become smaller. When re-rooting, the plant rejuvenates, and re-rooting is the only salvation when the roots of Saintpaulia decay. Before re-rooting, the injured and yellowed leaves of the room violet are removed. Wounds from removed leaves must be treated with activated carbon powder. Then the Saintpaulias rosette is cut with a sharp knife below the last row by 1 cm, cleaned from the cork layer and rooted in an earthen mixture or in water as cuttings. The plant will take root in about a month, while it may seem that the saintpaulia is dying, because leaves may soften slightly. Don't worry about this.

Where does it grow? A country where you can meet in natural conditions

The Uzambara type of Saintpaulia is considered native and classic. It is a pale blue violet with a medium-sized rosette and light green leaves. Initially, the blossoming buds were odorless.Now types have been bred, the flowers of which have a characteristic pleasant aroma.

Since the homeland is located in warm regions, the plant loves the sun (not heat) and dies at low temperatures. It is optimal when Saintpaulia has a little shadow, as, for example, a mountain gives it. Saintpaulia grows in natural conditions in southern Africa, Brazil, Australia. And it is bred in almost all civilized countries of the world, despite its origin.

Attention! The room temperature regime is optimal and favorable for growing violets in flowerpots, which is why flowers attract florists to themselves.

On the street, Saintpaulia is bred in areas with a tropical climate. In the CIS countries, flowerpots are used to decorate the backyard territory in the summer. As soon as the air temperature drops below 17-18 C, they are taken into the house.

Wikipedia - interesting facts

In the encyclopedia of free access, you can study all the detailed information about Saintpaulias - classification, history of origin and breeding of varieties, how to grow and care, where others are used. There are many interesting facts about pansies, some of them are:

1. The inhabitants of ancient Greece used Saintpaulia in divine rites (the flower symbolized both joy and sadness).
2. Also among the Greeks, when the children were 3 years old, this event was magnificently celebrated, wreaths with saintpaulias were put on the children (this symbolized the transition from infancy to the next stage of development).
3. Louis XVI (King of France) and Turgenev (Russian writer) had a special relation to violets. At one time, the poet, being treated in Wiesbaden with Balashova, got up every morning for a walk and collected a bouquet for his beloved.
4. The inhabitants of Germany have a separate holiday for Saintpaulias. It is celebrated at the beginning of spring (first Sunday).
5. The scent of Parma violet is the basic basis for the creation of the famous perfume "Vera Violleta". They were first released in 1870. Their production continues to this day.
6. Some minerals are found with the help of violets. In Europe, a large zinc deposit was discovered where large pansy flowers grew abundantly.

Important! The plant is used not only for aesthetic purposes.

Flowers are used in cooking, medicine. Petals of certain varieties are dried and then used as a seasoning. Flowers are also used for the production of medicines. With their help, it is possible to successfully treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, upper respiratory tract, etc.

Growing and care

And now about growing violets and caring for them. Garden violet grows well on light and loose soils, moderately moist. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of stagnation of moisture in order to avoid rotting of the root system. At the same time, lack of water leads to crushing of the buds or to their absence. It blooms profusely in areas illuminated by the sun, planting Pansies in areas where light partial shade prevails is acceptable. For this, shade-tolerant varieties are selected.

In order for the flowering to be active and last as long as possible, it is necessary to remove the already wilted flowers in time. With the onset of bud formation and flowering, it is advisable to use complex phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Important! Garden violet reacts extremely negatively to any fresh organic fertilizers, including manure.

Under the generous sun, the light-loving viola appears in all its splendor

Viola is a frost-resistant crop, therefore, well-rooted, strong perennials easily tolerate low temperatures and do without any special protective measures. In a biennial culture, perennial seedlings require more care. For example, caring for pansies implies timely preparation for wintering; immediately after transplanting, it is necessary to sprinkle the soil around the plants with a layer of peat (3-5 cm), and cover them with spruce branches for the winter. Viola of late sowing winters in unheated greenhouses.

Discovery history [edit | edit code]

The plant was discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint-Paul (there is also another version of the Russian spelling of this surname - Senpol [4]) (1860-1940), the military commandant of the Uzambar district of German East Africa - a German colony located on the territory of modern Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda. Walter Saint-Paul noticed this plant while walking. He sent the collected seeds to his father, the president of the German Dendrological Society, Ulrich von Saint-Paul, who handed them over to the botanist Hermann Wendland (1825-1903). Wendland raised the plant from seed and in 1893 described it as Saintpaulia ionanta (Saintpaulia violet, or Saintpaulia violet) [5], separating this species into a separate genus, which he named after the father and son of Saint-Paul.

For the first time, Saintpaulia was presented at the international flower exhibition in Ghent in 1893. After the exhibition, the right to industrial breeding was acquired by the firm of E. Benari. In 1927, Saintpaulias came to the United States, where they immediately gained popularity as indoor plants. By 1949, a hundred varieties had already been bred. Today the number of varieties exceeds 32 thousand, of which more than 2 thousand are domestic [6].

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Violet pots

How to grow a violet so that it looks very aesthetically pleasing? Everything is important here: proper care, lighting, watering and, of course, choosing the right pot. Its diameter should be three times smaller than the outlet itself. You can use pots with a stand to make the plant more resilient. Due to their small size and light soil, flower pots can easily turn over. Too large a pot can kill the plant. The root system will not be able to fill all the space and will start to rot. The violet leaves will turn yellow, there will be no flowering and the plant will die.

A large adult plant fits easily in a pot, the volume of which is equal to a 200 gram glass. It should also be borne in mind that a quarter of the entire space must be given to drainage. If the variety is large, then you can take a larger pot. The planter should have enough holes in the bottom for moisture to escape. Therefore, violets are usually planted in plastic pots. Clay containers retain water and there is a risk of mold. For drainage, you need to choose a highly porous material that will provide a sufficient amount of air.

The history of the violet

Many are interested in the question of when and where the violet appeared. The native land of the plant is the Uzambar and Ulugur mountains of East Africa. Violet is called "uzambar" in honor of the mountains where it was first discovered. Another name - "Saintpaulia" - the violet received in honor of its discoverer - Baron Walter von Saint-Paul, who, being the governor of this country, was captivated by the beauty of unfamiliar flowers. Delighted by the pale blue glow that emanated from the plant, the Baron sent the violets to his father, who at that time was a renowned flower grower and orchid collector. The latter showed them to the director of the botanical garden in Hanover.

Having studied Saintpaulia, it was assigned to the Gesneriaceae family (perennial, dicotyledonous plants). The official date of the "birth" of the violet is considered to be 1893, when it was presented at the international flower exhibition and described in the popular magazine Gartenflora. The flower earned recognition and went to decorate the windowsills and flower beds of houses around the world.

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Violet roots

The root system is very important for any plant. Healthy roots are the key to good growth and development. Since the violet is very demanding on soil and watering, problems with this flower begin in this area. Planting violets should be carried out with a mandatory inspection of the roots. They should be white, with no signs of deterioration or decay. In an adult plant, they completely fill the space of the pot, if it is selected correctly. Before growing a violet, it is imperative to inspect the plant, excluding signs of diseases and pests. If the roots look unhealthy, then you need to take a number of measures to restore them. The plant is pulled out of the pot and the soil is removed from them. Then the roots are washed with running water.

Now we need to carry out preventive pruning. We remove all black, rotten and old processes with sharp scissors or a scalpel. The base of the roots must be cleaned before the appearance of healthy tissue. We cut out all infected areas. Leave the violet outdoors for 40 minutes to dry. We wash clean dishes well, pour water into it and place a flower there. We put it on a bright window, avoiding direct sunlight, and wait for the formation of new root shoots. The water must be changed periodically and must cover all the roots. After 2-4 weeks, the violet will be ready for a new planting.

Violets of Chimera

Chimera violets are considered the most unusual, fantasy and expensive ones - the result of the painstaking work of experienced breeders. Experts get a variety experimentally, repeatedly crossing and planting up to 1,000 copies, and then selecting flowers that fit the description of chimeras.

Chimera is easily recognizable by its petals with beautiful patterns. The abundance of colors is simply mesmerizing. Such exclusive plants do not propagate vegetatively, since subsequent generations completely lose the characteristics of the variety.

In addition, chimeras are characterized by an increased susceptibility to various diseases and pests. Such varieties require increased attention and careful care. Although in order to admire such beauty, it is worth observing all the rules for growing them. Exclusive homemade chimera violets are a real treasure for collectors.

Today, breeders are working on the scent of indoor violets, since their wild relatives, unfortunately, do not exude almost any smell.

Saintpaulia species (African violet)

Varieties are divided into types according to their distinctive characteristics:

In terms of color, the following popular types of room violets are presented:

The edges of the petals of various varieties of Saintpaulias can be wavy, notched, fringed (fringed).

There are several more original species that have their own characteristics:

The main components of the soil for violets

A soil mixture for violets should have the following properties:

• moisture permeability
• breathability
• ease
• looseness

The basis of the soil can be the earth:

• leafy, it is harvested under deciduous trees and shrubs
• sod, harvested in places where perennial grasses grow

High-moor peat and coniferous soil are used as a filler, which is harvested under coniferous trees after removing the top layer of needles. To add to the soil, take:

• vermite - special hydromica, provides moisture retention up to 500%
• perlite - granular granules from kremzem, can be used instead of sand
• charcoal - fine and coarse fraction, regulates humidity and adsorbs unwanted substances
• sand - acts as a baking powder
• expanded clay - it is suitable for creating a drainage layer

Video on how to create potting mix for violets:

In addition to the above components, in some cases, you can take sphagnum moss, coconut fiber. Despite the fact that the trading network offers a very large assortment of ready-made mixtures for violets, it is possible, and sometimes necessary, to compose the soil mixture yourself.

Typical diseases and pests for the uzambara violet

With any violations in the care, Saintpaulia is exposed to various diseases and attacks of harmful insects.

If treatment is started on time, the care regimes are normalized, and preventive maintenance is carried out, the recurrence of problems will be minimal.

Saintpaulia in indoor floriculture [edit | edit code]

Varieties [edit | edit code]

Saintpaulia has long been used in indoor floriculture, and to date, many varieties of this plant have been bred. Most of them are hybrids of Saintpaulia violet ( Saintpaulia ionantha

), as well as interspecific hybrids
Saintpaulia ionantha
and some other types of Saintpaulia (
Saintpaulia magungensis
,
Saintpaulia comfusa
). In floriculture, a general name is sometimes used for all Saintpaulia hybrids.
Saintpaulia hybrid
(
Saintpaulia hybr> [7].
Saintpaulias varieties are divided into several groups, first of all, according to the color and shape of the flowers and their type.According to this principle, there are classical, star-shaped, fantasy, rimmed Saintpaulias and Saintpaulias-"chimeras".

By the type of leaves, plants are primarily distinguished as "boys" (English boy) and "girls" (English girl). In plants-"girls" on the upper side at the base of the leaf there is a light spot, in varieties of the "boys" group the leaves are completely green. The most common are Saintpaulias with rosettes, the diameter of which varies from 20 to 40 cm. There are giant varieties (diameter from 40 to 60 cm), miniatures (up to 15 cm) and even the so-called microminiatures; in the latter plants, the rosette diameter is only about 6 cm.

Modern varieties often convey varietal characteristics much worse than varieties of earlier breeding, for example, the selection of BM Makuni [8]

• Saintpaulia ‘Chimera Monique’ - the flowers of this variety have lilac petals with a white border.
• Saintpaulia ‘Chimera Myrthe’ - The flowers of this variety have pink-red petals with a white border.
• Saintpaulia ‘Ramona’ is a variety with deep pink double flowers with yellow anthers in the center.
• Saintpaulia 'Nada' is a white-flowered cultivar.

The appearance and features of the plant

Violet (Saintpaulia) is a short (30 cm) perennial plant with a short stem and large oval leaves. The latter, depending on the specific variety, can have a slightly elongated or heart-shaped shape, serrated or smooth edges. The color of the leaves is light or dark green. Although some varieties of the plant can differ in a complex color of the leaves - white spots at the base and a white border, combined with an overall dark green background.

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Violet flowers are double, fringed or simple, with wavy or corrugated petals. The diameter of the flowers is 2-4 cm, they are collected in inflorescences from several groups. Their color can be one-color (dark purple, blue, pink, white shades) and multi-color, when the combination of different colors forms beautiful patterns on the violet. Contrasting borders, dots, specks, stripes - these plant varieties seem to compete with each other in the beauty of their design.

The violet, as a rule, does not smell, but its hybrids bred as a result of breeding work can have a delicate, pleasant aroma.

History of appearance in Russia

In Russia, they first learned about the African flower in the 50s of the XX century... So, the largest collection of both wild and selective varieties of it was collected in the botanical garden of Leningrad State University.

Moreover, in 1962 collecting, as well as breeding saintpaulias began to engage a married couple of breeders Macuni... As a result, over the course of thirty years, they managed to breed more than a hundred different species.

Boris Mikhailovich and Tatiana Nikolaevna Makuni.

Also the first All-Russian conference of violet lovers was held in Ryazan in 1995, and also organized the release of the almanac "The World of Violets".

Popular varieties of violets

Indoor violet (care and reproduction are the same for any variety) differs not only in the color of the flowers, but also in size. Mini Saintpaulias are very small plants. Their rosette can be no more than 6 centimeters in diameter. These are microminiature varieties. If the size of a violet reaches 15 centimeters in diameter, then it can be classified as miniature. These varieties bloom very abundantly and beautifully. Saintpaulia "Duchess" was bred by a domestic florist. The development of these varieties of violets is always very abundant.

They have large, double, white inflorescences. There are purple or black spots on the surface of the petals. The color of the leaves is light green and not uniform. Saintpaulia "carnival" - is distinguished by lavender inflorescences, which are very numerous. Each petal has a white border and a light mesh pattern. These varieties have dark green leaves with wavy edges. Ampel violets have very long shoots.It is best to grow them in hanging pots, which will be at some distance from the surface.

Lighting

The violet plant is very light-loving. The color of flowers and their development depends on this. However, it should be remembered that direct sunlight is detrimental to the plant. In just a matter of hours, violet leaves can burn in the sun. Windows from the north, north-west and north-east sides are considered optimal for breeding. There, violets get enough light without sacrificing their appearance. Artificial lighting can also be used. It is used to properly form the socket. Ideally, it should be flat on each side. Violets begin to develop rapidly in March. If the light does not come uniformly, then the leaves will begin to rise and unfold towards the light source. For proper development, an artificial lighting lamp is installed on top. All collectors do this when preparing violets for exhibitions. But for home breeding, a simple window is quite enough. You just need to periodically turn the pot to the light source with each side.