Violet, or Saintpaulia, belongs to the Gesneriaceae family. The genus Saintpaulia includes more than one and a half thousand varieties. Violet originated from East Africa, humid mountain forests. Its main name, Saintpaulia, the unusual flower was named after its discoverer - V. Saint-Paul. Flowers of wild Saintpaulia are blue or purple.
What is a violet
Violet is a small perennial herbaceous flower with luscious pubescent leaves. Violet leaves reach a length of 10 cm. The edge of the leaf can be flat, serrated or wavy. With proper care, violets bloom all year round. The leaves are arranged on petioles ranging in size from 3 to 4 cm. With a lack of lighting, the petioles can stretch out. The thick juicy stem, to which the petioles are attached, stretches over the years and loses its decorative effect. In violets, the root system is underdeveloped, therefore, does not require large containers for planting.
Types of violets
The most massive blooming of violets is observed in spring and autumn. Depending on the variety, the diameter of the flowers is 1-5 cm. Varieties of violets with various shades of flowers - dark blue, red, pink, white, purple or burgundy - are obtained. Varieties differ in shape and size. By the type of flowers, plants are divided into simple, semi-double and double. By size, violets are divided into the following types:
- large - rosette over 40 cm;
- miniature - rosette up to 20 cm;
- supermini - a socket with a diameter of less than 7 cm.
Flower petals are just as varied - from simple to double with a wavy rim. The most famous and popular are the following types of violets:
- classic with the usual five-petal flowers;
- star-shaped with pointed petals;
- fancy with speckled petals;
- with a contrasting border on the petals;
- chimeras, with clear stripes on the petals.
Basic rules for caring for violets
Violets are moisture-loving and heat-loving plants. In the warm season, violets should be watered every other day, in the cold season no more than 2 times a week, depending on room temperature. It is better to use warm and settled water. Watering is done very carefully, it is necessary to prevent moisture from entering the terry leaves. Water droplets on leaves can cause brown spots.
The leaves of violets very quickly become covered with dust, so once every 2 months they must be washed under a warm stream of water with mandatory drying after.
Not very nutritious soil is required for planting violets. When the soil is oversaturated with fertilizers, the plant begins to grow leaves to the detriment of flowering. Also, the violet becomes too vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Plant feeding is carried out at least 1 time per month. It is advisable to use special mineral fertilizers for flowering plants. In the autumn and winter periods, when the violets are in relative dormancy, feeding should not be carried out so that active growth does not begin.
Violets are transplanted every 1, 5 or 2 years. The best time to transplant is early spring, before the plant grows. It is necessary to prepare in advance a suitable soil and a container for transplanting, 1-2 cm wider than the previous one.
Growing difficulties
Over the years, the stem of the violet stretches out and loses its decorative effect. Such a plant should be rejuvenated. To do this, cut off the upper part of the rosette with leaves with a sharp knife and put it in a container so that the cut touches the water. When the violet has roots, it is planted in prepared soil.
Violets need fresh air, so the room where the violets are located should be regularly ventilated. This should be done in winter, covering the plants from the cold air.
Violets are fairly light-loving plants. In winter, southern windows are perfect for plants. With the onset of spring, shading is necessary so as not to burn the leaves.
