Violets, being decorative indoor plants, decorate the interior during the flowering period. These flowers look especially beautiful at 2-3 years of age, when the leaves and flowers are large and bright.
However, by the age of 6, the stem begins to thicken and lengthen, which looks unaesthetic. Those who breed these plants have to decide how to rejuvenate the violet.
Rejuvenation process
The plant renewal process itself does not take much time. If you do everything correctly, the flower will again regain its decorative properties and will be pleasing to the eye.
Update methods
There are several ways to rejuvenate indoor Saintpaulias at home:
- Through cuttings. A leaf is taken from the main bush, placed in water, and soon roots appear on it. The disadvantage of this method is that it is time-consuming, since it will take about 2 years to grow a new bush from a leaf.
- This method is suitable if the bare part of the stem does not exceed 3 cm and is green in color. You can rejuvenate a violet by deepening the stem. This method is simpler and painless for the plant. Professionals advise practicing this method rather than waiting until the violet grows strongly and more radical measures are required.
- For old Saintpaulias, whose trunk has already become very coarse and brown, a different method is used. You need to root the cut off stem of an old violet in water.
Step-by-step instruction
The first method is the most common. Many had to bring home leaves and sprout roots on them:
You need a glass of warm water, where crushed activated carbon is added for disinfection to eliminate diseases of violets. A leaf is placed in the container (preferably 2 or 3, since not all leaves germinate). After 1-2 weeks, roots will appear
It is important to ensure that the stems do not rot. The cutting is placed no more than 1.5 cm into the soil
In a month, a new shoot will appear on it.
The main stages of the step-by-step instructions for rejuvenating violets using the second method are as follows:
- First, the plant, along with the root and soil, is removed from the pot.
- Excess lower leaves are removed from the trunk.
- Using a sharp knife, cut off half of the clod of earth.
- In a new pot, drainage with a substrate is placed and the plant is placed there.
- The earthen lump around is filled with substrate and covered with it on top.
- The transplanted flower is watered with water at room temperature and covered with half a plastic bottle or a transparent plastic bag. The main thing is to create a mini-greenhouse for the flower.
After some time, the plant stem sprouts new roots that will nourish the flower.
How to renew a violet with a long stem?
This method is suitable for an old plant when the trunk is not capable of producing new roots:
- The violet is removed from the pot along with the soil.
- The lower leaves must be removed, leaving no more than 6 leaves, since the plant will be weakened and at first it will not have the strength to feed a lot of green leaves.
- Using a knife, cut off the stem 3 cm below the beginning of leaf growth and sprinkle it with activated carbon.
- The rough brown skin is carefully scraped from the violet stem to the green surface, after which it is dried.
- The cut off top of the flower is placed in water.
In a few days, the renewed old violet will take root. When they reach a length of about 2 cm, the violet is planted in an earthen mixture and a greenhouse is made using a transparent container.
Additional recommendations
A pot for replanting violets should be chosen the same size or slightly larger, with a drainage hole in the bottom. The container must be lined with drainage material; the soil must be neutral. Water the plant with warm filtered water.
When renewing violets, new soil and a new container are used; florists do not advise mixing old soil with new one.
Following these recommendations and proper care will make the transplant as beneficial as possible for the plant.
general information
Before you rejuvenate an old violet, you need to familiarize yourself with the purpose of such a procedure. If the plant grows too much in the pot and feels a lack of space, it needs to be updated. Signs of aging:
- The appearance of a whitish coating on the ground.
- Soil compaction.
- Barrel exposure.
- Change in leaf color due to low acidity of the soil.
The violet develops in several stages:
- Rooting. Cuttings, fragments of leaf blades, annual shoots or roots are used as planting material.
- Bud formation and flowering period.
- Development of green parts.
- Exposure of the lower fragments of the stem with intensive growth of the rosette.
Old specimens quickly become bare, flowering deteriorates, and the leaves become covered with spots and defects.
Natural age-related changes are accompanied by varying degrees of exposure of the stem:
- 2 cm – in the early stages4
- 2.5 cm – in a neglected state.
Taking into account the appearance of Saintpaulia and the degree of damage, the gardener needs to choose a method of rejuvenation. In this case, the flower will begin to form a green mass and develop flower stalks.
To rejuvenate a plant with a long trunk, you need to dig it into the ground. In old specimens, a rosette is cut and rooted, from which a dense bush will be formed.
Signs of the need for a transplant and methods
Recommendations on how to make a violet bloom at home
When the owner decides to take a responsible step, he needs to learn the basic rules and steps on how to replant a violet at home step by step. Below are 3 options and also describe in what situations they are recommended. A partial change of soil is sufficient in most cases. To make sure of this, you need to water the violet well first. If the soil does not stick to your hands, but moves freely from the walls of the container, then you need to add more soil. To do this, you need to take out the flower and shake off the soil without affecting the main lump. A violet is placed in a larger container, and the free space is filled with new soil.
Note! This method allows you to replant as carefully as possible without damaging the root system. Partial soil replacement
Partial soil replacement
This option is chosen in case of rotting of the roots, significant exposure of the stems, as well as acidification of the soil. After the violet is taken out of the pot, the soil is shaken off as much as possible. If the roots are damaged, they are carefully cut off and the cut areas are powdered with crushed coal. Depending on the volume of the roots after completion of the procedure, the size of the pot is determined.
The main advantage of this method is that it is possible to inspect the roots, remove damaged areas and replace the soil.
Complete replacement of land
Transshipment
This method is mainly used when a flower transplant is urgently required, namely:
- for children with a poorly developed root system;
- for a flowering plant;
- if the rosette is 3 times larger in diameter than the pot.
Preparing the pot
Important! Do not compact the soil with your hands. This will disrupt water and breathability
In order for the soil to lie more densely, as it is filled, it is necessary to periodically knock on the walls.
There are certain reasons why replacing the soil in a flowerpot is necessary. Transplanting violets at home is required in the following cases:
- purchasing a young specimen. The acquired beauty should be replanted after quarantine measures have been taken;
- the appearance of a white coating on the soil surface, which signals its salinity;
- “sprouting” of roots through the drainage hole of the flowerpot;
- the appearance of a depressed state, growth arrest, death of leaf blades;
- reproduction of young shoots that need to be planted.
Many beginners are interested in how to properly transplant a violet at home so that it receives all the necessary nutrients and feels great.
Professionals use several transplant methods. The most affordable way is to transfer the individual into a larger pot. The procedure is as follows: the plant is carefully removed from the flowerpot and, without destroying the earthen clod, transferred to another container. The sides and top are sprinkled with prepared, disinfected soil. This method is only suitable for young animals that are characterized by intensive growth and have not had time to deplete the soil.
There are several ways to transplant a plant.
- Replacing old soil. This may be during soil acidification or wilting of the bush, when the soil is completely removed from the roots, washed under running water and planted in new soil. In this method, you can inspect the root system and remove rotten roots to a living area. If during the work many roots are removed, then the pot can be left the same or take less.
- Partial soil replacement.
- Transshipment. When the clod of earth remains completely on the bush.
Before planting violets, you should find out how and when you will need to start replanting the plant. There are 2 main ways. The first involves a complete replacement of the soil, and the second - a partial one. Indicators of soil condition, the appearance of the flower and its development will help determine when and what kind of violet transplant is required.
Violet planted in a flowerpot
Pollination of parent plants
The main way to develop new varieties is pollination.
To do this, select two parent varieties according to the parameters outlined above. Then the long process of elimination begins:
timing of pollination - it is extremely important to carry out the pollination process on time: the mother flower (which is pollinated) should be no older than 3-4 days, the main indicator is the stickiness of the tip of the pistil; the father's flower, on the contrary, must be well-ripened, no younger than 3-4 days, depending on the duration of flowering of the variety.
Attention! Pollen can be used from dried flowers; the storage time of such material is about six months, this simplifies the selection process by eliminating the need for simultaneous flowering of the parent bushes.
When choosing a mother bush, it is important to carefully examine it or even prepare it in advance. The rosette must be healthy and strong enough for the seed pod to ripen on it
The paternal rosette can be anything, but a healthy rosette has a higher chance of successful pollination; those flower growers who do not risk taking dried pollen must first align the flowering cycles of the parent rosettes: to do this, the flower stalks are cut off on a bush that wants to bloom much earlier than the second; Another option is to remove several flower stalks from both bushes and move them to cool conditions, and then expose them to plenty of light and warmth, after which they usually bloom together.
After all the preparations, it’s time to pollinate the flower. For this:
cut off the anther from the father's flower;
break or cut it; holding the anther tightly with tweezers or picking it up with a needle, dip the stigma of the pistil inside the crack; pollen should remain on the sticky tip (a noticeable change in its color); some gardeners simply place the anther on the pistil for a better effect.
- A successfully pollinated flower shows this after a few days. A compaction appears under the pistil, which is the future seed pod;
- seeds ripen from 1.5 to 8 months, it all depends on the conditions and the mother plant. You need to wait until the box dries. It must be remembered that seeds that have matured longer have better germination, for example, 1.5-month-old seeds often do not germinate at all;
- After receiving the seeds, they are sown, preferably as soon as possible. Sowing is carried out in moist soil, without sprinkling with soil on top, covered with film and periodically sprayed, the temperature for germination is 22°C;
- The children are raised in a greenhouse for a long time, periodically ventilated. Picking is carried out 2-3 times, depending on the density of the seedlings;
- after transplanting into separate flowerpots, the care of the young plant coincides with the care that is provided to the planted baby, obtained by the vegetative method;
- During the growth process, “unnecessary seedlings” are culled. Those rosettes that, according to the parameters set by the breeder himself, do not pass and are not interesting to him, are simply thrown away or given away;
- The last step to obtain a new variety is to check the result or consolidate it. In order to be called a full-fledged variety, a flower must transmit varietal characteristics when propagated by leaves or stepsons from three generations or more. Until then, I consider the plant to be a seedling.
To obtain specific parameters, multiple pollination is often used, thus adding more and more new rosette and flower parameters. To do this, a suitable seedling after the first pollination is dusted during the second flowering or pollen is taken from it and mixed with a suitable variety.
The process is repeated until the desired result or varieties are obtained that interest the breeder more than his original plan. This procedure is very labor-intensive and such work may take years, but the reward will be the varieties bred at the intermediate stages and, most importantly, a new, unique, final variety.
Pollination of Saintpaulias is a very complex process, especially for indoor bred species. Their anthers grow together, which virtually eliminates both cross-dusting and self-dusting.
In rare cases, the coincidence of damage to the anther in some way and the presence of an insect or other method of transferring pollen leads to dust.
Self-pollinating violets at home is almost impossible.
What to do with stepchildren?
How to replant a violet at home: step-by-step instructions and recommendations
The formation of stepchildren in violets is far from uncommon. Stepchildren are plants that form in the axils of the leaves. They take a lot of energy from the plant, spoil the appearance and delay flowering.
In the future, the broken off stepsons can be rooted for propagation of transplanted flowers. For rooting, take stepsons with 3-4 pairs of leaves.
The reason for the formation of stepchildren is, first of all, too nutritious soil with a high nitrogen content. Another unpleasant reason for their appearance may be infection with diseases. The plant tries to survive by any means and leaves as many offspring as possible.
External factors
Guide on how to plant violet from a leaf at home
External factors also play a role in the flowering process. Both heat and cold can destroy a flower. High temperatures above zero will cause the color to dry out. The heat will quickly dry out wet soil, harming the roots. On days like these, when the thermometer remains at high levels, you should spray or place a container of water next to the pot.
Low temperatures threaten the plant with the fact that it will not be able to survive the dormant period. The temperature should be kept above 17 °C.
Important! The most dangerous thing is sudden temperature changes. The painless difference should be no more than 3 °C
A few final tips
- Do not rush to remove the “babies” from the mother’s leaf. Let them grow at least three pairs of leaves.
- Remember the rule: first the mother sheet is separated from the group of “children”, and only then the “children” themselves are separated.
- When planting “babies”, as well as when transplanting adult violets or transshipment, be careful not to deepen the growing point. This is the “Achilles heel” of Saintpaulia, primarily susceptible to rot and pests.
- Do not plant completely white “babies” from variegated varieties, even if they look large. Wait for green leaves to appear.
- Carry out transshipment only when the earthen coma is completely entwined with roots.
- If your violet is more than three years old, it is better to “rejuvenate” it by re-rooting it, with complete pruning of the root system. This will preserve the varietal characteristics of the plant.
The title photo of the article is studia.marmelad.
When is the best time to replant?
The most unfavorable time to transplant violets is winter and summer. At these times of the year, the plant does not take root well, and in the future it loses its decorative properties.
It is better to replant Saintpaulia in spring and autumn with additional lamp lighting . The most favorable time is May.
If the violet variety is special and rare, then it is better to focus on the period of budding and flowering of the flower. The appearance of new shoots and flowers is an indicator of the normal growth of Saintpaulia, which does not need to be replanted.
Experienced flower growers occasionally focus on the position of the Moon relative to the planet. It is recommended to transplant Saintpaulia to the waxing Moon.
How to rejuvenate violets at home?
Violet rejuvenation at home can be done in several ways:
- adding soil;
- replanting with deepening of the exposed trunk;
- rooting the cut top.
What you may need when replanting a plant:
- light soil for Saintpaulias containing sphagnum, perlite, peat and charcoal;
- drainage: foam;
- expanded clay;
- sphagnum moss;
- perlite
clean pot; sharp knife or scalpel; activated carbon or charcoal powder.
Replanting with deepening of the bare trunk
The violet is about 4 years old. It blooms, the upper leaves are large and elastic, but the picture is spoiled by the bare stem of the plant. In this case, you will need a new, larger pot and fresh soil.
What needs to be done during such a transplant:
- Disinfect a knife or scalpel and peel the Saintpaulia stem down to green tissue;
- Sprinkle the wet trunk pulp with crushed charcoal and leave to dry;
- Break off or cut off all unnecessary leaves;
- Place a drainage layer and some fresh soil in the new pot;
- Carefully remove the plant from the old pot with a lump of earth and place it in a new pot;
- Add fresh soil to the border of the lower leaves, water the plant and place it in a greenhouse for 2-3 weeks.
Transplantation with deepening.
Adding soil
The simplest and least depressing method for the plant. Suitable for violets whose lifespan is no more than one and a half years, when the lower tier of leaves has either lost its decorative effect or has already been removed by the owner. A small bare stem has formed between the soil and the crown of the flower.
The violet update occurs as follows:
- Cut off or break off the remaining lower leaves;
- The trunk at this age will be green, so there is no need to strip it;
- You can cover the stem with sphagnum moss, or you can simply fill it with fresh soil to the border of the lower leaves;
- Moisten the flower (do not overfill it!) with warm water.
Rooting the cut top
The plant is more than 5-6 years old. Its bare trunk became horny and bent under the weight of the crown. In nature, this is exactly how Saintpaulias reproduce: they grow with their trunk to the ground, taking root and forming a new plant. This method will not work at home because the pot is too small. In this case, you can use the method of rooting the Saintpaulia crown.
What should be done:
- From the old violet, only the “head” is left - the top of the crown with 5-6 leaves. Since the plant suffers greatly during such a transplant, there should be the bare minimum of foliage, the rest is broken off;
- Stepping back 1.5-2 cm from the border of the leaves, use a sharp knife to make a clean, even cut;
- Strip the stem of the old cork layer, sprinkle with charcoal or activated carbon and leave to dry;
- Then there are two options: place the flower to take root in water, making sure that the stem does not touch the container. After a couple of weeks, the plant will produce new roots and can be planted in the ground. Or you can immediately plant the plant in a clean pot, cover it with fresh soil, moisten it and put it in a greenhouse for 3 weeks.
Photo of how to rejuvenate an old violet at home step by step.
ADVICE! There is no need to rush to part with the stump of an old plant: with proper care, stepsons of new violets will grow from it, which can later be replanted and get full-fledged violets.
During replanting, the soil is only slightly moistened. You should refrain from watering for the next two weeks, as the root system is not formed and a damaged stem can easily rot. To prevent this from happening, the plant is placed in a greenhouse for a month - this will allow the transplanted Saintpaulia to maintain an optimal microclimate.
Reasons for lack of flowering
Learn how to grow violets at home.
Their flowering causes surprise and admiration. But without flowering, a violet is not a violet. And you already have different emotions. Concern and disappointment. When did you purchase it, how many pictures and stories were there?
Identifying the reasons and circumstances that do not contribute to flowering will not take much time. But eliminating them may require more of it:
How long does it take for it not to bloom? It is important to know more about your flowers. Their varietal characteristics
There are varieties of Saintpaulia with a small number of buds and inflorescences. Maybe you have these too? With proper care, many specimens bloom for up to 8-9 months. Some varieties may not bloom. And the entire window sill with violets is strewn with flowers. Or are there problems with the entire window sill?
So let’s see what needs to be done with the violet so that it blooms and pleases you.
Deficiency or excess of fertilizers
Fertilizer feeding for some beginning gardeners becomes the main path to flowering. In their misconception. How so. After all, I used what they advised? Maybe not enough?
Too much fertilizer is even more dangerous than too little:
- Lack of nitrogen - old leaves turn yellow and die. If there is a lot of nitrogen, then all the plant’s efforts are aimed at growing. Including stepchildren. And not for flowering;
- Lack of phosphorus does not allow the formation of inflorescences and buds;
- Not enough potassium - weak flowering. Flowers turn yellow and become spotted. And the leaves curl.
Large pot sizes
Evaluate the suitability of the pot and flower. A large pot size will not allow it to bloom well. It will allow roots and leaves to grow. But the buds will not appear.
Wrong soil
In nature, violets can also be seen next to stones. Where there is suitable soil. You won't find them on the wrong soil.
In indoor conditions, the presence of high-quality soil is of particular importance:
- It must be fertilized within a month or two after planting;
- And completely change it after 7-9 months.
For the benefit of the plant. And to see full bloom.
Uncontrolled watering
It is difficult to imagine “uncontrolled watering” of violets. Put the hose down and forgot? It is more correct to talk about an erroneously chosen watering mode. And the methods used for this.
Moisture is the source of life. Excessive amounts of it can cause misfortune. And even death. There are enough examples.
What not to do:
- Water every day;
- Water the leaves and buds;
- Use cold water;
- Leave the water in the pan for a long time.
Low light
Beginner (without experience) flower growers are quite often under the influence and pressure of not entirely true information. Or not complete. And they placed it on dark window sills or in a room without light. After all, they explained that it is forbidden to be in the sun! As they say, I didn’t hear something...
And violets love light. They need him for at least half a day. There won’t be so many - and you won’t see good blooms from your flowers! Only thin leaves will stretch upward.
Failure to comply with temperature conditions
Comfort and temperature. It’s not for nothing that we are interested in the temperature for the day
This is also important for plants to know. At what temperature do they grow and bloom best? And what fluctuations are dangerous and harmful for them? And create suitable ones
Circumstances may vary. And situations. But too low and high temperatures do not contribute to the flowering of Saintpaulia. They are hardy. But below 14-15, and above 27-28 will already affect their condition.
How to prepare violets for rejuvenation
To rejuvenate the plant, prepare a sharp knife, expanded clay, soil and a small flower pot in advance. Choose the pot correctly: for miniature varieties with a diameter of 5-6 cm, for the rest - 7-10 cm.
During the rejuvenation of violets, many gardeners use all kinds of root formation stimulants, such as Kornevin. I’ll say right away that its use is not necessary. With it or without it, the result is always the same. Violet roots grow well without any rooting agents.
Step-by-step instructions for rejuvenation:
- Carefully remove the violet from the pot along with the earthen lump. Lightly shake off the soil from the roots.
- If your violet has grown to several bushes, as shown in our photo, separate them from each other.
- Completely remove all roots. This is necessary in order to update the old root system to a new one. After all, with old roots, the renewed rosette will be less able to absorb nutrients from the soil and grow accordingly.
- Tear off the flower stalks and leaves of the lower tiers. Leave only healthy and elastic leaves, throw away the rest without regret. The result should be a neat and compact outlet.
- As you can see in our photo, there is rot on the root system. Therefore, we trim the lower part to healthy tissue. This is what it should look like:
- The next step is to clean the stem, removing all stumps and rot. Leave to dry for 30 minutes.
Method 1: deepen the trunk
If the violet has reached 4–5 years of age and has a bare trunk at the level of 3–4 centimeters, you need to think about its rejuvenation
In this case, it is important that the trunk is green and healthy, then the plant will tolerate the procedure well
Sequential steps to deepen the Saintpaulia root:
- Carefully remove the plant from the old pot.
- Remove old dried leaves.
- Using a sharp knife, cut off half of the earthen ball with the root system.
- Place the violet in a new pot. Place drainage in it in advance and add substrate.
- Sprinkle the bare stem down to the lower leaves. Avoid getting soil on the leaf petioles, otherwise they may rot.
- Water the violet and create greenhouse conditions for it, for example, place it under film.
Over time, the bare stem that you covered with soil will begin to grow roots. They will provide additional nutrition to the plant and ensure active growth and flowering. This method is considered the most humane; the violet is practically not injured. Therefore, do not bring the plant to a critical state when rejuvenation is required by rooting a rosette.
Is it possible to replant a flowering Saintpaulia?
We are often asked: is it possible to replant a blooming violet? One of our experts will answer this question for you.
Expert opinion
Klimkina Elena Vladislavovna
Florist, businessman. Organized her business on a country plot of land
First of all, you need to find out for what purpose you want to transplant. Just because the time has come, do you think the pot is too small, etc.? In this case, we would recommend that you wait until after flowering. After all, if a plant blooms, it means it is quite comfortable and in such conditions, no critical or dangerous processes occur.
But if you understand that the flower needs to be saved - for example, the soil in the pot has become sour, pests have infested, or the soil has already become too poor, then you need to act immediately. Even if the violet is blooming at this time.
Yes, it will most likely stop flowering, but at the same time you will save the plant
Rejuvenation of violets by transplanting with deepening of the stem.
If the length of the bare stem of a violet does not exceed 1-2 cm, and the stem of the plant is green in color, then rejuvenation of violets is carried out by replanting with deepening of the stem.
This is done like this: - remove the old Saintpaulia from the previous pot;
— we break off the lower leaves of the plant that have lost their decorative effect;
— using a knife, carefully scrape off the outer coarsened layer on the resulting stem just a little;
- using a sharp knife, cut off half of the earthen clod from below;
— place the plant in a prepared new pot with drainage, covered with fresh substrate; - add fresh substrate to the pot from the sides and top of the earthen clod, sprinkling the bare stem of the plant to the lower leaves;
— water the transplanted violet and place it in a mini-greenhouse.
After some time, the bare stem of the transplanted violet, sprinkled with substrate, is covered with new roots, giving the plant additional nutrition. As a result, the rejuvenated Saintpaulia begins to grow actively and blooms beautifully.
Reproduction by stepsons
Despite the fact that violet cuttings are recognized as the most effective method of propagation, it is not suitable for all varieties of the crop. For some species, such as chimeras, using this method will lead to a loss of individual qualities. Therefore, pinching of violets is used.
What should a stepson be like?
The lateral stepsons that have formed in the axils of the flower are subject to transplantation. The length of the planting material must be at least 3 cm.
Pruning violets
Optimal conditions for germination
The most acceptable temperature for germination of this species is from +18 to +20 ℃. Because of such requirements, many gardeners often have problems caring for seedlings. The plant can survive only a one-time drop in temperature to +12 ℃
It is important not to forget that violet is a heat-loving plant and in winter takes on a “tired” appearance. In winter, it is advisable to move the flower to a northern or western windowsill
Stages of work step by step
For rooting, children use water or a light substrate. The development of the stepson in water occurs in stages:
- Manganese is added to a dark glass container for disinfection.
- The baby is lowered into purified water. It is enough to pour 1 cm of liquid.
- As in the case of rooting with leaves, monitor the water level, preventing moisture evaporation.
- Transplantation into the ground is carried out only when the radicular rosette reaches 8-10 cm.
To carry out rooting directly into the ground, use only a breathable, light soil mixture. The working material is vermiculite without adding soil.
Additional Information! Do not press down the soil; this may damage the base of the stepson.
To speed up the rooting process, create a greenhouse climate for the future violet - cover the container with a bag or any other transparent material
Daily ventilation is extremely important
Aftercare
Due to the fact that the stepson is initially a more developed planting material, caring for it will not be difficult. The main requirement is to maintain a normal level of illumination for 12-14 hours. In the first days after planting, the room temperature must be maintained around +18 ℃. After rooting, it must be raised to +25 ℃.
Interesting information! Wick irrigation has proven itself to be excellent. It allows you to “supply” water to the flower in a standardized manner without harming the leaves.
Wick watering method
Diseases and pests
With proper care, the violet grows strong and healthy, but sometimes it is attacked by pests and diseases.
Pests
Often, a change in its appearance indicates that a plant has been attacked by pests:
- a white cotton-like coating on violet cuttings is a mealybug infection (to combat, the leaves are treated with a soap solution with a few drops of machine oil; infusions of calendula, garlic or tobacco);
- quickly drying flowers and yellow pollen on violet leaves - an attack by California thrips (limit nitrogen fertilizers; increase indoor air humidity; treat thick leaves with a soap solution with kerosene, garlic infusion, alcohol);
- the upper leaves of the violet curl and long villi appear on the leaves - damage by cyclamen mites (remove the damaged parts of the flower; insecticides are used for treatment).
Diseases
Common diseases of violets are manifested by symptoms:
- violet does not bloom - underdeveloped root system, excess nitrogen, little light.
- Spots on violet leaves - watering with cold water, draft, sunburn.
- Reduced leaf turgor – lack or excess of moisture:
- if there is little moisture, water the violet and cover it with film for 2 - 3 days;
- excess can lead to root rot, which can cause the violet to die. Examine the roots of the violet and blot them with a napkin. The rotten parts are removed and the trunk of the plant is inspected: if it is healthy, the violet is transplanted into a smaller pot; if it begins to rot, the plant is re-rooted. If the roots are intact, the flower is transplanted into new soil, covered with film and not watered for several days.
- Violet buds do not bloom - the air in the room is very dry (put an open jar of water next to the violet);
- Small leaves in the center of a violet rosette - very bright lighting or dry air (shade the flower, place an open jar of water next to it);
- Drying edges of violet leaves - soil soaking, lack or excess of certain nutrients (re-root the violet, adjust fertilizing).
- White coating on violet leaves – powdery mildew (fungicides are used);
- Yellow or red spots on the leaves - a lack or excess of certain nutrients; when the yellow spot has a round shape and is located on the side of the window, sunburn is suspected (damaged leaves are removed, the flower is shaded or rearranged).
- Saintpaulia violet leaves rot for various reasons:
- excess moisture or fertilizers (remove damaged roots, reduce watering, adjust fertilizing);
- the physiological process of leaf dying (leaves affected by rot are removed in a timely manner);
- incorrectly selected soil (add vermiculite, sand, increase drainage);
- moisture getting on the leaves during watering (they immediately get wet);
- fungal diseases - fusarium or gray rot (observe the temperature regime; do not over-moisten the soil; use insecticides);
- the room is too hot or cold; dry air (find a more suitable place; adjust the temperature; use humidifiers).
Do I need to do this after purchase?
After purchasing Saintpaulia, you need to carefully inspect it, removing all dry flowers and rotten, damaged leaves.
Then you need to remove all unopened buds so that the violet can calmly endure the process of adaptation.
In the first few days, you should not water or fertilize the flower - the soil in the pot should dry out. Then the violet requires emergency replanting.
As is correct, flowers for sale are grown and exported in special pots with peat, which has no nutrients.
After transplanting, the violet should be covered with cling film or a thin bag to create greenhouse conditions. After a week and a half it is removed.
Signs of violet aging
The serious age of a violet can be determined by the following signs:
- blooms sparingly;
- small flowers;
- crooked rosette;
- bare stem;
- problems with leaves: dark spots, a border unusual for the variety on the edge of the leaf blade, curled, limp leaves even with sufficient watering;
- shrinking of central leaves.
Sometimes the same signs can be observed even in young (2-3 years) Saintpaulias. The reason for such early aging may be the soil.
Carefully examine the earthen ball in which the violet grows.
If you see that:
- there is a white coating on the surface of the substrate (precipitated salts contained in the irrigation water);
- the soil has compacted, i.e. there are no air sinuses, so necessary for the violet to breathe the root system;
- the chemical composition of the soil has changed - it has become acidic from the “wrong” water;
- the root system is cramped in the container,
then the time has come for active action to save the young but already sick violet.
Re-rooting sockets
It is known that the violet blooms safely and grows for 2-3 years, after which the stem lengthens and becomes bare, the violet loses its decorative effect, stops blooming, or simply has an unattractive appearance due to such a long stem. In this case, the plants need to be rejuvenated; this can be done by planting a cutting and waiting for the young plant to grow, or by cutting off the top part of the old plant and re-rooting.
You can germinate roots in water, but after water it is difficult for plants to take root in the soil and they need to create more favorable conditions.
The method of rooting in the ground is much more convenient. To do this, you need ordinary soil for flowering plants, lightened with cultivators and sand.
Eggshell
Shells can be used as fertilizer in different ways:
- water the violets with a solution infused on the shell;
- use as drainage;
- add shell powder directly to the substrate.
Before use, the shells must be washed well and dried thoroughly. After this, grind and store either in a glass jar with a lid or in a paper bag.
Eggshells contain a lot of calcium, which the plant needs to grow. In addition, calcium regulates soil acidity.
Violet is a very delicate flower. Without fertilizers you cannot get abundant flowering. Each gardener decides for himself whether to use chemicals or natural fertilizers prepared at home with his own hands. There are a lot of traditional methods, but we recommend using only those proven by experienced flower growers. And then your violet will delight you with beautiful and lush flowering for a very long time.
If the violet has grown greatly: what to do, how to thin it out?
A compact and neat violet bush will fade gracefully and elegantly, and an overgrown violet hints at the need for its rejuvenation. To do this, it is necessary to prune the bush in a timely manner:
- excess leaves (the largest, damaged or lost turgor);
- stepchildren;
- faded flower stalks.
If the violet has grown greatly in a pot, it may need a larger pot: the ideal diameter is 10 cm. It happens that several stepsons have grown from the main trunk, and the gardener missed this moment. Stepchildren need to be carefully cut and placed for rooting.
If the compact shape of the flower cannot be restored, it is recommended to cut off its crown, root it and form a new rosette as desired.
Rooting the crown in water.