Don't know how to plant violets? Tips from experienced flower gardeners
The violet is a traditional tropical indoor plant that lives on modern window sills and in beautiful city gardens. The plant belongs to the Violet family and the Violet genus. The international name Viola L. was discovered thanks to science in 1753. Today, more than 500 plant species are known.
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Violet: planting and care
Violet can be planted into the soil after germination of the leaves in a glass of water. If you want to plant a leaf directly into a pot, you need to protect it from unwanted changes by covering the plant with polyethylene. By planting a leaf directly into the ground, there is a possibility that the first roots will appear for a long time.
The soil for violets should be moist and, importantly, loose. This way it will be saturated with oxygen, which will help the flower to germinate faster. Having noticed good roots on the leaf, you can safely start planting it in a pot. Pour expanded clay or any other means to create drainage, sprinkle earth on top and strengthen the leaf in the center.
Holding the future flower with your hand, sprinkle more soil with the other. When the leaf is firmly installed, compact the soil with light patting movements. Over time, after several waterings, it will settle. It's time to level the soil by adding soil to the pot. For better violet growth, it is necessary to replant it every year in new soil, but in the same pot.The success of successful violet growth is a good fertilized soil mixture.
An important aspect of soil is its acidity. It is thanks to this that the roots receive sufficient nutrients. The acidity level should fluctuate between 6.5 - 7 pH. A mixture of leaf humus, sand, turf and moss will allow the flower to grow in comfortable conditions.
Buy soil for violets you can do it in the store, but you can create it yourself. A prerequisite is feeding the soil with microfertilizers. Thanks to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the vegetative mass grows rapidly. The health of the bush is impossible without a strong root system.
Caring for an indoor flower includes the correct selection of soil, fertilizing and careful attitude to the requirements of a tropical plant. Violet loves moisture very much, however, it does not tolerate direct watering and sprinkling. Drooping leaves retain water droplets and will rot quickly. Humidity must be created artificially.
Leaving the flower on a windowsill exposed to direct sunlight is not recommended. The delicate leaves of the flower quickly burn, get burned, curl up and fall off. It is unacceptable. Water the violet with water at least 20 degrees; the flower does not like cold water.
Violet: variety of species
Currently, there are a huge number of types of violets. Common species are quite well known to lovers of indoor houseplants, others are known only to experienced gardeners, and some are even included in the Red Book.
- Wittrock violet (garden pansies) - widely known to flora lovers.
- Tricolor violet (another “domestic” pansy) can be seen on the windowsills of city houses.
- Fragrant violet is quite rare.
- Hooked violet is widespread in North America.
- Horned violet grows on the slopes of the Pyrenees.
It becomes clear that violets of different types are scattered throughout the world. And there is, perhaps, not a single country that does not know about the existence of such a flower. Nearly 20 known species of violets are very similar to each other and demonstrate the true beauty of the world of flora. Fragrant violets with flowers of various colors are a favorite plant of gardeners.
Violet: common diseases
Caring for such a flower suggests a cure for flower ailments inherent in the Violet genus.
- Thrips. The larvae, like mature adult thrips insects, have a detrimental effect on the plant. They live on violets, jump from flower to flower and open the anthers. The flower begins to fade. Thrips reproduce quickly, producing up to 6 generations per year. Hiding under the underside of the leaf, they gradually kill the plant. The larvae feed on flowers, so it is necessary to pick them off within 1–2 months.
- Aphid. Insects eat violet leaf. They reproduce quickly, but move slowly. To kill aphids, it is enough to wash the violet leaves under running water or treat them with insecticides. For accurate results, the procedure should be repeated after a week.
- Mealybug. Destroys the violet from underground. One of these pests that it is better to refuse to fight. It is easier to grow a plant again from a removed leaf than to struggle long and hard with the problem. The mealybug, covered with a fluffy cover, is immune to poisons. The opportunity to reduce the population exists as long as the pest is still a larva.
- Mite. Signs of a tick are red spots on the sheets.The danger of a mite is that it can move to other plants. To prevent this from happening, measures should be taken: treat the leaves of the plant with acaricide several times. After a week, repeat the treatment. Some drugs are dangerous for humans, so you should be as careful as possible.
- Powdery mildew. A fungus in the form of a white coating that affects leaves, flowers and peduncles. Outwardly, the manifestation looks like flour. Using fungicides you can get rid of violet disease. The reasons are poor lighting, low temperatures, high humidity, excess nitrogen, etc.
In addition to pests and fungal diseases, violet may not feel well if it is not watered correctly, if climatic conditions and temperature conditions are violated, if there is poor lighting due to short daylight hours, or if there is an oversaturation of fertilizers. You should approach flower care consciously, having studied all the necessary information. Then your flower will look great.
Details about planting violets in the video:
Interesting information about the vegetable garden
Comments
I have always sprouted violets in a pot, but without polyethylene. Indeed, they take a very long time to germinate. Thanks to this article, I will now know how to speed up this process. I’ll experiment on those that I planted for germination a few days ago.