Violet, or Saintpaulia, is considered a fairly unpretentious domestic plant, but the process of growing violets cannot be called simple. Of course, the result is worth it, and the blooming senpolia pleases its owner with an attractive look. What varieties are not bred by breeders! One of the most beautiful violets is the Shining bell.
Description
The violet variety Shining bell was created by a breeder named Dimetris. He appears flowers in the form of bluebells with wavy petals at the edges. On them there are rare touches of fantasy. In the center of the petals is a bright yellow eye. Green leaves are collected in the socket of the correct form.
If you are unfamiliar with the violet Shining bell, the photos in the article will show this wonderful variety.
Where to buy a plant
The first step in growing this vibrant and unusual flower is to acquire a plant. Buy violet Shining bell can be in the form of seeds, cuttings, young flowers. If it is possible to purchase a flowering plant, this is a big plus, since a non-flowering specimen may disappoint its owner.
It is best to buy a senpolia from collectors or at special exhibitions. The appearance of the flower indicates its health. Leaves should be hard, shiny, without damage.
Specialists recommend beginners to start growing with simpler varieties than with breeding varieties, which include the Violet Shining bell.
Landing
The roots of the senpole are located in the upper layers of the earth, so shallow pots are suitable for planting. You need to pick up containers that are three times smaller than the outlet. This will provide better flowering. To root a plant, an ordinary plastic cup will do.
The optimum temperature of cultivation is considered to be 18-22 degrees Celsius. If the violet has to winter on the windowsill, you need to make sure that the soil does not become too wet - this will lead to death.
In summer, the plant must be protected from overheating in the heat. Also violet is afraid of drafts.
Saintpaulia prefers light sandy loamy soils. You can purchase ready-made soil mixtures for violets or prepare the soil yourself. To do this, you will need:
- 4 components of turf;
- 1 compound peat;
- 1 part of sand.
You can add humus, perlite.
Care
Proper care includes:
- faithful watering;
- maintenance of lighting;
- top dressing.
Violet Radiant bell loves bright diffused lighting. Putting flower pots in the sunny direction is not worth it, it is fraught with leaf burns. If the windows face south, Saintpaulia is shaded. Lack or excess of lighting will affect the external state of the senpolia.
With a lack of light, the leaves rush up, cease to be velvet, plants rarely bloom. If the daylight hours are too long (more than 12-14 hours), the violet grows slowly, the leaves look down. To form the outlet, the pot is rotated. Dust off the plant with a soft brush or water.
For the senpolia, moist air is important, especially at the stages of obtaining seeds and propagating by cuttings. Therefore, they are placed in mini-greenhouses or covered with polyethylene. However, one cannot go too far in order not to cause the development of fungal diseases.
When watering, several factors should be considered:
- air temperature
- soil composition;
- lighting;
- flower age;
- pot size;
- season.
You can water in different ways. If watering is selected from above, it is important to prevent water from entering the leaves. Therefore, it is poured on the edge of the pot or you can use a small watering can.
Can be watered in a pan. To do this, put the pot in a bowl of water for one fourth and wait until the earth is completely moistened. It is not worth putting several plants on a pallet at once in order to prevent infection by diseases.
Wick irrigation is characterized by the fact that the water comes with the help of twine, lowered into an aqueous solution with fertilizers. This option is preferred when the owner is away for a long time.
In winter, the water in the soil cools quickly, which is harmful to the roots. Therefore, it is important to warm the water to room temperature, and also let it stand for a day.
In the warm period of feeding, the senpolia is carried out twice a month. At the same time, mineral fertilizers and organics alternate. After planting, the plant does not fertilize for two months. Before top dressing, the soil is watered, this will help protect the root system from burns. If the violet grows under artificial light, it needs to be fed throughout the year.
Breeding
Violet Shining bell, photo and description of which is presented in the article, can be propagated:
- With the help of a handle placed in water. The most common method. The main thing is to choose the right stalk. Too old or too young leaves will not work. Cutting the violet leaf at an angle, they put it in a small glass. After waiting for the roots, the leaf is planted in the soil.
- Cutting in the soil. In this case, the stalk is immediately placed in the soil. A plastic cup is perfect for this method. After planting, they put it in a greenhouse.
- Using leaf fragments placed in a substrate. To do this, divide the sheet into several parts, each of which should have a vein. Each part is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate, sprinkled with charcoal, planted in a substrate and cleaned in a greenhouse.
Less commonly, violets are propagated by chimeras and seeds.
Given and applying all the information about the cultivation of violets, you can enjoy these beautiful indoor plants for decades.