Brief biography of the breeder
E.V. Korshunova is one of the most famous Russian breeders. She lives and works in Tolyatti. From a childhood passion for flowers, the selection of violets became the work of her whole life for E. V. Korshunova. Back in the mid-90s, the first variety bred by her appeared. It created a real sensation and was called “EK Bullfight”. Then there were many new varieties.
Violets selected by E. V. Korshunova
Selection of Elena Vasilievna Korshunova
Violet Le - description, varieties and characteristics of varieties
E.V. Korshunova managed to consolidate recessive traits in plants (for example, the bright red color of the EK Bullfight variety). Considering that the selection of one variety requires at least 3 years, it becomes clear what kind of hard work is characteristic of the breeder, because there are about 200 varieties of Saintpaulias bred by her. Popular varieties: EK Marigold, EK Cornflower Blues, EK Cherry Gravure, EK Nevsky, EK Lights of Venice, EK Snowy Carpathians.
Popular varieties with descriptions and photos
Attention : Every talented specialist in developing new varieties has works that win everyone’s sympathy and move from collection to collection from year to year without losing their popularity.
The varieties of violets bred by Elena have the prefix EK . These are the following from the breeder Korshunova:
- Black Pearl
- Bullfight
- Porcelain Wedding
- Russian girl
- Sea Wolf
- Celestial Azure
Below you can see the most popular varieties bred by Elena with their descriptions and photos.
Shanghai rose
The foliage is medium green in color and pointed. The rosette is large, the leaf petioles are long. The flowers are large, double, deep red with a white border, lying on the leaves of the rosette. The variety is variable, so the border is unstable and may disappear in hot weather .
The color of the flowers can also change; in addition to red, white inflorescences or half white, half red may appear. The first flower stalks are not very large; the plant gains maximum decorative power after the third flowering. Provided sufficient light is provided, year-round flowering is possible.
We recommend watching a video about the features of the violet variety “EK-Shanghai Rose”:
Bullfight
The foliage is dense, bright green, elongated. There are few leaves, but they are quite large, 25-30 cm. The plant tends to compact the center. Flowers up to 8 cm in diameter, rich cherry color. Flowers cover the entire middle of the rosette .
Flowering occurs according to the following pattern: while three flowers are blooming, three peduncles grow, followed by three more in a checkerboard pattern. This ensures uninterrupted flowering. The variety responds favorably to fertilizing. To maintain decorativeness, it is recommended to promptly remove the bottom row of rosette leaves.
We recommend watching a video about the features of the violet variety “EK-Bullfight”:
Wild Orchid
The flowers are large, 7 cm in diameter, double and semi-double, rich purple or red-violet color. They feel like velvet to the touch and are shaped like an orchid. Flowering is abundant, long lasting, flower stalks are very strong. The rosette is compact, the emerald green leaves tend to become coarser from year to year. The variety is very sensitive to light; the more light there is, the richer the color of the flower and the more decorative the rosette .
Gift for Christmas
The flowers are slightly wavy, semi-double or double, large - 6 cm in diameter. The color is crimson with a wide white border. Flowering is long lasting. The bright green leaves are collected in a large, neat rosette. Features include the dependence of the presence of a border on flowers on temperature. A pronounced border requires coolness, and the absence of heat has a beneficial effect on the formation of buds and the growth of green mass.
Flower waterfall
The rosette of bright green leaves is compact and beautifully formed. Violet flowers are 5 cm in size, deep carmine pink . Form a fluffy cap over the rosette. Flowering is abundant. The variety is sensitive to light. With sufficient lighting, the foliage is beautifully laid out in the shape of a plate; with a lack of light, the leaves stretch to the top.
Charmel
The foliage is rich green, slightly quilted. The leaves in the rosette often turn down. As the plant matures, the cuttings become stiff and brittle.
The inflorescences are large, composed of delicate marshmallow-pink flowers, up to 8 cm in size. Visually, a fully blossomed flower resembles a bowl full of numerous wavy petals, pink at the center, white towards the edge. There is barely noticeable green on the outer petals. The peduncles are long, flexible, and under the weight of the flowers lie on the rosette . The flowers remain fresh for two weeks.
Russian beauty
Medium green large leaves are collected in a large rosette. The flowers are large, up to 6 cm, semi-double, deep pink in color with a contrasting purple border. On one long peduncle there are from four to six buds, the flowers lie on a rosette. The variety is very sensitive to moisture and instantly reacts to overflow with brown spots on the foliage.
Heavenly creature
Variegated variety. Violet leaves, dark green in the center, turn white towards the edges . The flowers are large, semi-double, sky blue in color, collected in a fluffy cap above the rosette.
Peruvian lily
A very bright variety. The flowers are large, rich purple in color, and shaped like a lily. The edges of the petals, slightly curved inwards, are bordered by a white intermittent stripe. The rosette is formed from jagged leaves of a rich green color.
Blue Lagoon
Easy to grow and highly decorative. The rosette of the plant is compact, about 30 cm in diameter, formed from leaves of medium green color. Flowering is long and abundant, flower stalks are erect. Each flower, 6 cm in size, has a cool blue color with a soft purple wide border along the edges of the petals. The stability of the border depends on temperature conditions. When there is insufficient lighting, the violet stretches its petioles and lifts its leaves upward .
Birth of love
A variety with very delicate colors of large, wavy-fringed flowers. Snow-white, with a pink eye at the core, they have a pinkish edging on the petals. The peduncles are powerful, but long; the flowers lie on the leaves. A rosette with a small number of spoon-shaped leaves tending to stand at a 45-degree angle. Young leaves have a strong tendency to curl .
Important : When faced with elevated temperatures, violets may turn the color of the petals into a rich pink. Whenever there is any friction between the flowers, the place of contact immediately turns brown.
The variety is demanding on lighting. If there is enough of it, an even rosette is formed; if there is a deficiency, the peduncles will become very elongated.
Forest blackberry
A variety with few, spreading, light green leaves. The rosette reaches 40 cm in diameter. The shape of the flower is very beautiful, airy with wavy-corrugated leaves of a blackberry-purple color . Each long peduncle produces two buds.
Diamonds of Yakutia
Double wavy star flowers measuring 5.5 cm. The ruby-purple hue of the petals is complemented by a pearl-white edging. The leaves are round and deep green.
Blue-eyed Russia
The leaves of the variety are pointed and grow slowly. The bush is well formed and adapts to the size of the pot, with a container diameter of 8-9 cm, the rosette is always compact. The flowers are soft blue in color with wavy petals that have blue shading in the center and purple edging around the edges, forming a beautiful cap. The variety is susceptible to the composition of the substrate and coolness ; if the recommended indicators are observed, the decorative color of the flowers is fully manifested.
We recommend watching a video about the features of the Blue-Eyed Russia violet variety:
Orange slices
Semi-double, 6 cm flowers with bright, inwardly curved petals of orange color, fading to pink. In the center of the flower the orange tone is more saturated, while towards the edge the pinkish tint is complemented by crimson and yellow veins. The foliage is slightly wavy, jagged, and deep green. Exhibition type socket.
Frost and sun
A light-loving variety with a show rosette and miniature leaves, in contrast to the size of which the size of the flowers, up to 6.5 cm in size, seems even larger. The flowers are white, double with a blue spot and pale blue streaks. The color gains strength and expression as the plant matures . The peduncles are stable and hold flowers well in a bouquet. Flowering is long lasting.
Scarab
An unpretentious variety to care for, characterized by stable and long-lasting flowering. Peduncles are not subject to stretching. The flowers are large, double, light blue in color with a purple border. The rosette is made up of leaves that are densely green in the center and acquire a coffee-cream hue toward the edges.
Elena
A heat-loving variety with a standard, neat rosette formed by evenly growing bright green foliage. The flowers are large, 7.5 cm velvety stars, semi-double type with wine-colored petals, trimmed with a snow-white border and a rich cherry edging. The plant becomes more decorative as it matures .
Honeymoon
The variety takes a long time to prepare for flowering and does not tolerate excess light. Sharp dark leaves are collected in a compact rosette. Tight double flowers-buds of a pinkish-coral color with a red-purple spray are formed on strong peduncles. The diameter of the flowers is about 5 cm.
Princess Frog
The variety is characterized by rapid flowering. Already in the eighth month of life, the young plant is ready to delight the eye with a cloud of snow-white flowers with soft pink highlights in the core and green fringe with deep pink veins along the edges. Green lace is stable and does not lose its brightness. The peduncles are flexible and numerous, the flowers lie on a rosette. The emerald-colored leaves are few in number and, like the flowers, have a fringe along the edges. The surface of the leaves is shiny with small pimples .
Characteristics of varieties
Violet Frosty cherry - description and characteristics of the variety
Today violet EK is a well-known brand in the world of flower growers, famous for its successful plant varieties.
Endorphin
The flowers of the violet EK Endorphin are cherry-coral in color with pink specks and white edging around the edges. Flower type: semi-double.
Kurazh (fialka kurazh)
A wide white border surrounds very large, double flowers. The shade is red and coral. Violet EK Courage blooms profusely, forming an airy, lush cap of inflorescences.
What does violet EK Courage look like?
Expensive truffle
EK Expensive truffle is a violet, the color of its flowers ranges from lilac to purple. The structure of the flower is specific. There are small inclusions of a light shade. The leaves have an interesting color. The dominant shade is dark green. A characteristic feature is a deep purple tint around the edges. The flowers are double and large.
Argentine tango
EK Argentine tango is a violet with flowers up to 7 cm in diameter. A dark ruby shade with an intermittent white edge. The petals are corrugated, semi-double, the leaves are dark emerald green, the center of the rosette is lemon.
Argentine tango variety
Crimson Peony
Bright red flowers, double. The leaves are rich green and have a creamy edge. EK The crimson peony blooms profusely.
Black magnolia
Petals range from dark ruby to black. Rosette with variegated leaves and gold leaf. The shade of the leaves is characterized by a transition to pink-golden color in the center of the rosette.
Note! Black-green leaves form a show rosette.
Pink lotuses
The variety has green outer petals and a pink center. Leaves are rich green. Large and double flowers, the variety blooms profusely.
Roses in the snow
Fantastic combination of white and dark red shades. The edges of the petals are slightly greenish. Exhibition variegated foliage is dark green, turning to purple.
Mrs. Blizzard
Variety EK Mistress snowstorm is terry, slightly wavy, snow-white color, rosette color is bright green.
Variety Mistress snowstorm
The sky is in diamonds
The description of the variety suggests flowers of a delicate blue hue with dark blue veins, wavy and large. The leaves are variegated, green with a wavy cream edge.
On a note! The variety differs in the scale of flowering. A real diamond in the gardener's collection!
Champion
EK Champion is distinguished by velvety flowers of a dark red hue. The inflorescences are double and voluminous. The leaves are dark green with a cream-colored edge. It has a long flowering period with a characteristic bouquet-like shape.
Goddess smile
Variety EK Smile of the Goddess – fantasy. The petals are pinkish-lavender, the flowers are ruffled, wavy, with a rich purple border. The leaves are green. Flowering occurs in the form of a bouquet.
Variety Smile of the Goddess
Cardinal
The violet variety EK Cardinal is known for its large flowers (their diameter reaches 8 cm). The shade of the petals is deep ruby. Variegated leaf with a golden tint.
Bereginya
Violet EK Bereginya has dense double pink inflorescences with a white border and eye. Leaves are rich green.
Dreamer
EK Fantasy is characterized by large inflorescences (diameter up to 6 cm) in a variegated pink and blue color palette. A rosette of leaves of rich dark green color.
Variety Fantazerka
Robinson Crusoe
Violet EK Robinson Crusoe immediately attracts attention with its bright cornflower blue color. The leaves of the plant are serrated, deep green in color with a yellow-cream edge.
Robinson Crusoe variety
Home of God
The variety is distinguished by large double lavender flowers, corrugated and wavy along the edge. The leaves are green in color with a lilac-yellow edge.
Blue, blue and lilac indoor violets
Saintpaulia, or Usambara violet Apache Magic (J. Munk)
The flowers are very large, semi-double, rich dark purple-blue, with a strongly wavy edge. The foliage is variegated and ruffled: dark green with white and pink edges. Standard.
Saintpaulia Apache Magic (J. Munk)
Saintpaulia, or Usambara violet Rainbow's Quiet Riot (R. Wasmund)
The flowers are semi-double, blue with bright white streaks. The rosette is smooth with dark green leaves.
Saintpaulia Rainbow's Quiet Riot
Saintpaulia, or Usambara violet Charming eyes
The flowers are simple, white and blue. The leaves are variegated; with age, signs of variegation disappear. Standard.
Saintpaulia Charming eyes
Saintpaulia, or Uzambara violet LE-Moon Dreams (E. Lebetskaya)
Very large blue flowers with a wavy, corrugated edge and a thin white border.
Saintpaulia LE-Moon Dreams
Saintpaulia, or Uzambara violet variety Blue Fog (Blue Fog, K. Morev)
The flowers are very large, double, blue with light wavy edges. The leaves are light green, serrated. Standard. The socket is large.
Saintpaulia variety Blue Fog or Blue Fog
Saintpaulia, or Uzambara violet LE-Sea of Happiness (E. Lebetskaya)
The flowers are simple or semi-double, white-blue with a wavy edge. Standard.
Saintpaulia LE-Sea of Happiness
Saintpaulia, or Usambara violet Storm's Eye (LLG/P.Sorano)
Saintpaulia Eye of the Storm blooms with semi-double and double large flowers. Standard. The socket is quite large.
Saintpaulia Storm's Eye
Saintpaulia, or Usambara violet variety Bold Party Girl (sport)
The flowers are double, lilac-pink with a lilac eye and light pink edges.
Saintpaulia variety Bold Party Girl (sport)
Recommendations for planting and care
Violet Summer Twilight - description and characteristics of the variety
Violets are indoor plants. Comfortable temperature is 20-25 ℃. Exposure to scorching sunlight and drafts is contraindicated. But in general the plant is light-loving. The air is humidified to 50-60%. EK Courage-violet is grown in pots.
Difficulties in caring for the plant:
- Provide a sufficient degree of air humidification.
- Avoid overcooling the root system when growing on a windowsill in winter.
- Provide suitable air temperature.
Features of reproduction
The method of propagation by leaf cuttings (rooting in water) is often used. The leaves are cut from the mother plant, rooted (from 2 weeks to 1 month), covered with a bag. Carry out careful drip irrigation. After rooting, replant.
Additional Information! Using a similar scheme, leaf cuttings are rooted in a substrate (perlite and soil mixture 3:1). The method is suitable for not very high-quality planting material.
When propagating violets, the planting procedure is carried out when shoots with a diameter of up to 5 cm appear at the base of the cuttings. If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made substrate, prepare the soil for planting yourself. To do this, mix peat, river sand, leaf debris, perlite or special moss in equal proportions.
Problems that a florist may encounter
You should always pay close attention to the condition of the plants. It is important to promptly prevent the spread of diseases and pests. Diseases relevant to Saintpaulia ek:
- fungal diseases;
- root rot;
- stem rot;
- leaf rust;
- gray rot;
- late blight;
- powdery mildew;
- vascular bacteriosis.
Additional Information! Due to elevated temperatures, red mites may appear in the flower. When the first “guests” appear, the violets are immediately treated with insecticidal agents.
Typical pests:
- flower thrips;
- cyclamen mite;
- aphid;
- scale insects;
- woodlice;
- sciarids;
- nematodes.
After purchase, it is recommended to replant the plant and inspect the soil. If pests are noticed, the soil is replaced with a better quality one. If the roots have sprouted through the drainage holes, change the flower pot.
Possible problems in growing Ek violets
Like all plants, Elena Korshunova’s violets are susceptible to various diseases and pests.
The main diseases include:
- leaf rotting;
- formation of gray rot;
- fusarium;
- late blight
During the growing process the following parasites may occur:
- aphid;
- nematode;
- thrips.
Violet affected by aphids
Important! To treat diseases and pests, it is better to use special products purchased at garden stores.
Sometimes the leaves become dull and yellow due to lack of feeding or lighting. In this case, you need to create suitable conditions for the plant.
Violets are amazing and beautiful house plants. They are considered real queens due to their appearance. During the flowering process, this variety gives positive emotions to a person and also decorates any room.
