Usambara violet is an incredibly beautiful indoor plant with flowers of various shades and leaves of simple and unusual shapes. IN indoor floriculture this is one of the most popular plants, but achieving lush flowering is not always easy, for this we need to create it for her suitable conditions . When growing at home, special attention should be paid to the choice of pot, soil and shelving.

If you want the plant to delight you with stable flowering, you will have to pay attention to it.

How to properly care for a pot so that the violet blooms

When planting a violet, you need to choose the right pot or flowerpot for it. It is difficult to achieve flowering at home in a container that is too spacious, since all the energy will be spent on the formation of green mass. In addition, the soil in a large pot does not have time to dry out, which causes rotting of the roots and root collar, and consequently the death of the plant.

Old leaves are removed. They not only spoil appearance plants, but also take away nutrients.

In addition, damaged leaves cause the spread of diseases. For lush flowering, remove faded flowers.

In order for growth to occur symmetrically, the plant is periodically rotated. However, when the buds begin to appear, it is better not to move them from their usual place. You can only move it temporarily, for example, if you need to decorate a holiday table.

The difference in caring for indoor flowers in summer and winter

This plant may continue to flower. up to 10 months, but this is subject to availability sufficient quantity light and suitable temperature.

in winter Still, it is worth giving the plants a rest so that next season the flowering will be abundant and the plants will not be exhausted. In the cold season it is important protect the plant from low temperatures and drafts. Violets are heat-loving and love comfortable conditions.

The soil should not be overcooled either, therefore, if the window sill is cold, it is better to make a heat-insulating stand for the flowers, for which polystyrene foam is suitable.

Dry air coming from radiators is also dangerous for violets. Since these are plants from wet climates, dry air will ruin their appearance and bud set will not occur.

Especially in winter excessive watering is dangerous, something that novice gardeners without preparation usually neglect. The death of the plant in this case is inevitable.

In summer, the plant begins to bloom and grow actively. At this time it is required good watering, a lot of diffused light and flow nutrients.

Proper watering of the plant

Violet loves water, but does not like to be flooded. is important because either excess or lack of moisture will lead to problems in growing. At the violets The root collar rots easily. Water getting inside the outlet is especially dangerous.

When the soil on top dries, they begin to pour water into the pan. After some time, the top of the soil will become dark, which means moisture is moving upward. Another way is to soak the pot in water for a while. large capacity with water just below the top level of the soil, then give excess moisture drain. The water should be at room temperature or slightly warmer. It's better to take the settled one.

The best way for watering - from a pallet.

The need for watering is determined by the change in the weight of the pot - it becomes noticeably lighter, as well as the color of the soil.

Another convenient option watering – wick. It is often used for miniature varieties when there are too many plants or you need to leave for several days. You will need a water-permeable tourniquet (you can take thick gauze). One end of the wick buries itself in the ground, the other goes down in a bucket of water. The water should be at a level just above the pots. Moisture gradually enters the ground through the rope, providing constant watering.

The flower is also demanding on air humidity. However, you cannot spray it - this will lead to the appearance of spots on the leaves. The best way to increase humidity is to place containers of water or special humidifiers nearby.

Ideal home lighting and temperature

Most optimal temperature– 20-22 degrees. In the heat, when it’s about 30, flowering may slow down. Low air temperatures are also bad for violets. Lighting required 10-12 hours a day, especially in winter and autumn, then the violet blooms actively and luxuriantly.

You cannot place the Uzambara violet in the open sun - the leaves get burned, turn yellow, die, and flowering is reduced.

The best location is north. The south window will not work; on this side the plant is placed in the back of the room. In the east and west, shade from direct sun should be provided; light curtains or blinds are suitable for this purpose.
Violet grows well under artificial light.

Backlight lamps usually use 36 or 40 W mercury lamps. Special lamps of the “flora” type are also suitable, containing the ultraviolet spectrum and having a pink glow, which is not always pleasant for humans, but useful for plants.

What kind of pot do you need?

It is difficult to achieve abundant flowering in a large container. Violet blooms well if it is a little crowded. For children, take a pot measuring 5-6 cm, for adults – 10-12 cm. This applies to varieties standard sizes. For a miniature one, even in adulthood you will need a small container with a diameter of 5 cm.

It’s better to take the pots themselves plastic, plants feel best in them.

Selection of land and soil

Stores sell ready-made soil for violets, but you can make it yourself.

If you take soil and sand from the street, they must be disinfected. To do this, the soil is calcined in the oven or spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

The soil should be loose, retain moisture well and be breathable. To create looseness, add coarse river sand, perlite, fine expanded clay or vermiculite. The addition of coal is also useful - it additionally protects the roots from rot.

At the bottom of the growing container there must be drainage. Small expanded clay is suitable for these purposes.

Soil composition:

• Coniferous land
• Sod land
• Leaf ground
• Sand or other disintegrants

The soil should be slightly acidic. If necessary, you can feed your plant with fertilizers. Best indicator for violets – 5.5 – 6.5 Ph. You can find out acidity using indicators that are sold in stores.

What they love

Usambara violet is a plant that loves care and does not tolerate neglect.

How to prepare for winter

With the onset of cold weather, you should think about how to maintain the plants so that they do not die and open their buds in the new season.

• A place is selected where there will be no drafts, cold in winter and radiators.
• Additional lamps are installed if there is very little light in winter.
• Old leaves are removed.

It is necessary to decide Is flowering necessary in winter or should the plant rest?. The second option is better for more intensive planting of new buds.

What to choose from tools: shelves, racks

Professional flower growers keep Uzambara violet at special racks. This allows you to create ideal conditions, constant lighting and absence of drafts.

The shelving should be such that it is convenient to care for the plants, and the developing specimens do not interfere with each other. On each tier usually hanging lamps daylight or "flora", since natural light with this arrangement it may not be enough.

Lamps should be installed so that they do not burn the leaves, but still have enough light. Depending on the power - 20 - 30 cm from the plant.

Putting violets Can also be used on regular stands for flowers. This location is convenient if the window is south. The stands can be purchased at the store – cast iron options are beautiful, or you can make them yourself from wood.

On the north window, if it is sufficiently insulated, you can attach several shelves. So no additional lighting will be needed; natural light will be enough.

How to prevent diseases and pests

Unfortunately, completely It is impossible to protect a flower from pests. Any new plant that is brought into the home is carefully inspected and quarantined for at least two weeks. They add it to the main collection only after they are confident that no insects were brought with them.

In addition to pests, viral and bacterial infections are dangerous. If rot or strange spots appear on any specimen, it should be immediately isolated from the main collection.

Violets react very sensitively to excess moisture, especially miniature varieties.

These plants cannot be flooded; a dying specimen, as a rule, cannot be saved.

Reproduction at home

Uzambara violet is easily propagated by stem cuttings, leaves and shoots.

Cuttings

The leaf is taken not young, but not too old either. A petiole 2-4 cm long is left on it, depending on the variety, the cut is made with a sharp blade at an angle.

The leaf is placed in a jar of water, but so that only the petiole is immersed.

The second option is to plant the root-treated leaf in perlite.

Another option is to sprinkle the cut with coal or “Kornevin”, plant it in sand, perlite or light ground to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. Cover the top with a transparent cap, which is periodically ventilated and wiped from condensation. Water the soil very carefully; humidity should be moderate.

Miniature varieties reproduce only by placing it in sand or soil– it is almost impossible to achieve root formation in water.

When new plants begin to form, violets transplanted to permanent place . In this case, one should not rush to remove the mother leaf, especially in variegated varieties. Babies appear in about a month and a half.

Stepchildren

For this type of propagation you will need an adult, well-grown specimen.

Over time, the violet develops stepsons, that is some small plants next to the main one. They are separated during transplantation and planted in a small pot. This method of propagation is faster than by cuttings.

Leaf blades

To reproduce this way use part of a sheet. The leaf blade is cut into fragments, and each piece must contain a vein, which will form the roots. The parts are dried in air for 20 minutes, then planted in light soil.

A mixture of perlite, sand, and peat is suitable. Lightly moisten the soil. Fragments buried half a centimeter. The top is covered with a greenhouse. It is better to make the lower cut straight, and not at an angle, so there is a greater likelihood that new babies will appear from each vein.

Large specimens are sometimes re-rooted if they have lost their appearance or the trunk has begun to rot. To do this, cut off the top with a sharp scalpel, sprinkle it with crushed coal and plant it in a hole where perlite is poured. Water carefully at first.

Transfer

Manipulations are done in the spring, before flowering begins.

• Holding the rosette with one hand, carefully pull it out of the pot with the other, tapping it if the soil has become dense.
• Pour into a new pot partially fresh soil, hold the violet over the center of the pot, gradually adding potting soil and shaking the pot.
• Water carefully.

Young rosettes are transplanted when their size reaches approximately one and a half diameters of the pot.

The new plant is planted in a container about 7 cm.

Violet – favorite plant many generations. It is a decoration for any room. It is also used on festive table instead of bouquets. Growing violets is not easy, but it rewards with its bright and unusual flowering, and there are so many varieties that the collection can be replenished endlessly.

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 will talk about how to choose the right required composition soil 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 They prepare the soil with their own hands for their 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 natural nature, 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 small quantities 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 a huge amount of 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.

Excellent organic fertilizer The ground egg shells will also come out. 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.

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 rosette of wavy leaf blades of the Melody Kimi variety there is a bouquet of delicate flowers with two blue petals on top and white petals below.
• Similar to the coral-colored stars of 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 purple stripes coming out of its yellow center. Against the background of snow-white petals, everything looks very harmonious.
• Ming Dynasty corrugated cups are snow-white, edged with stripes lilac shade. 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.
• The complex, unusual coloring of the Chimpansy violet combines the bright pink tones of semi-double star-petals with strokes and swirls of blue 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 ceramic. 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 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.

Refers to turf soil top part soil containing plant roots mixed with rotted leaves. Typically, this soil composition is typical for meadows and personal 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 litter coniferous forest from rotten needles, preferably pine. Excellent soil drainage for indoor flowers Expanded clay, or rather its small fractions, has proven itself. 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 dolomite flour or ground limestone to the soil for Saintpaulia. 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 among its constituent substances coconut milk 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 remedy against nitrogen-phosphorus deficiency is 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, you will need 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 it 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 weights of 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 nutrient 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 plant food.
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.

Saintpaulia is a very demanding indoor plant, the well-being of which largely depends on the conditions in which you placed the flower, whether you selected it correctly flower pots and soil for violets, whether the flower has enough light and humidity. Sometimes it is enough to change the soil or the diameter of the pot for the plants to begin to bloom.

What should soil for violets consist of?

Let's take a closer look at what kind of pot is needed for violets, how to prepare the soil, how to feed the plants, and how to properly use racks and shelves for Saintpaulias. It is better to prepare everything you need in advance, before you bring the purchased plant home.

Tender Saintpaulias prefer to grow in “dietary” soil – loose and non-greasy. The substrate must be permeable to air and moisture-absorbing. Soil for violets taken from an outdoor flower bed is not suitable, since it is usually infested with pests. If you mix the soil for Saintpaulia yourself, it is better to dig up soil in the forest.

Video about the secrets of growing violets

Main ingredients for soil:

• turf land,
• leaf humus,
• sphagnum moss,
• sand.

It should be remembered that for adult Usambara violets the soil must be more nutritious in order to ensure lush flowering and good socket development. For leaf cuttings and children, high looseness of the soil mixture is more important.

For adult Uzambara violets, the soil should be more nutritious

You can also use a soilless substrate consisting of peat, vermiculite and perlite, or even buy a universal soil at a flower shop. By the way, most of the ready-made soils offered in flower shops for indoor plants are soilless mixtures. They are good for their biological sterility - microorganisms and harmful bacteria will not be scary for violets.

You can improve store-bought soil by adding coconut substrate, perlite or sphagnum moss, then the soil for violets will be ideal, loose, with excellent air exchange. Here is the composition of the ideal substrate for violets: for 5 liters of prepared soil, add 0.5 liters of vermicompost, perlite, vermiculite and finely chopped sphagnum. And don’t forget to put a layer of expanded clay drainage on the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizers for violets: which ones to choose and how to apply them

It is recommended to feed young Uzambara violets every week, during flowering - once every two weeks, during the dormant period, feeding once a month is sufficient. Immediately after transplanting into a new pot, Saintpaulia does not need to be fed because the fresh soil mixture contains enough nutrients needed by the plant. In addition, transplantation is stressful for violets, and in under stress It is not recommended to feed plants.

It is recommended to feed young Uzambara violets every week.

Fertilizing with complex fertilizer will be required during the period of bud formation in Saintpaulia. At this time, you can use the drug "Uniflor-bud". After flowering, it is useful to feed the violet with the preparation “Uniflor-rost”. Fertilizers " Ambulance“, according to reviews from flower growers, only lead to an increase in green mass to the detriment of flowering. Good feedback imported drugs deserved: Schultz universal, AVA, Etisso.

If you place violets on a rack, you need to feed them well, because under the backlight the plants quickly grow green mass and bloom profusely. Saintpaulias standing on shelves are fertilized regularly, regardless of the time of year, and those plants located on window sills are fed less often in winter, since the daylight hours of the flowers are noticeably reduced without additional lighting.

Apply fertilizers when watering, having previously dissolved them in water.

Apply fertilizers when watering, having previously dissolved them in water.

Choosing suitable flower pots for violets

When choosing pots for Saintpaulia, adhere to the main rule: the diameter of the container should be three times smaller than the violet rosette. Too small or too large a pot may be the main reason. Pots for Saintpaulia should not be too high, because the roots of these plants grow to a shallow depth, and for good flowering root system should wrap tightly around the pot. For miniature varieties, pots with a diameter of 4 cm are quite suitable, for the rest - with a diameter of 5 cm to 9 cm.

What material should pots for violets be made of? Suitable for small children and for germinating leaf cuttings plastic cups or peat humus tablets. For adult plants, you should purchase a clay or plastic pot:

• Plastic pots are good for their economical price, light weight and a wide range of colors. They do not need to be looked after in any special way, but plastic pots are not particularly decorative in appearance.
• The advantages of clay pots are their external beauty and good air and moisture conductivity, so the Saintpaulia roots do not rot. But the cost of such pots is more expensive compared to plastic ones, the weight is heavier (you can’t put violets on glass shelves anymore), the soil dries out faster, and after each use the pot has to be thoroughly washed and boiled.

For small children and the germination of leaf cuttings, plastic cups or peat humus tablets are quite suitable

Features of placing violets on racks

Many gardeners think about the need for racks for indoor plants only when all the window sills, shelves and bedside tables are already occupied with flowers. But it is also worth providing racks for violets because on shelves equipped with additional lighting, Saintpaulias grow more actively and bloom more profusely. By placing the Uzambara violet on the windowsill, you will expect it to bloom only by the beginning of May, since flowers on the windowsill only have enough light from March to September. But violets need twelve hours of daylight to thrive! Therefore, with year-round illumination of the rack, Saintpaulias will bloom much more often.

Video about growing violets

It’s not difficult to make a rack for violets with your own hands; you can find them on the Internet various schemes and build the structure exactly according to the given dimensions. For example, you can make a rack of four shelves measuring 130 cm by 55 cm. Place them above each other at a distance of 50 cm, and attach them under each shelf fluorescent lamp for two lamps. The optimal distance from the violet to the lamp is at least 30 cm if the plants have large rosettes, and about 20 cm for small rosettes. The backlight for violets should be bright, stronger than for reading.

If you don’t yet get around to building a shelving unit, you can also use stands for violets, which are sold in a wide variety in stores. Just think in advance about how you can provide lighting for the stand for violets.