Incredibly beautiful pansies always attract attention. This flower has several names. We know it as a viola, but the people call it “moth”, “half-bloom”, “scrofula”, etc. Due to the variety of species, colors and forms, various varieties of this plant are amazing.
general information
Viola, one of the varieties of which are pansies, is considered a very "old" flower. It has been known to science since the sixteenth century, although references to it are found both in ancient Greek and in ancient Roman documents. In those days, the viola was already used during the holidays to decorate the premises. Cultivating the viola began only in the eighteenth century.
Culture came to Russia at the end of the eighteenth century. It was brought to us by the nerd P.S. Pallos. And by the beginning of the nineteenth century, the first hybrid varieties began to appear in many European countries. Today we will talk about the varieties and features of such a flower as pansies. Photos of this incredibly beautiful plant can be seen below. Often with the name of this flower, confusion occurs. Some sources call it violet, others - viola. The fact is that pansies are part of the violet family, and their Latin name is Viola. This is the reason for such different names. In this article we will talk about how to grow this crop, how to propagate when it blooms, and also give tips on how to plant pansies from seeds at home. The photo of this flower is clear evidence of why it is called so. Indeed, the viola is very similar to the eyes. But why pansies?
Legends
The true origin of such an original flower name is not known to science. There are only legends and myths, one of which tells about a girl named Anyuta. Having met a young man, she fell in love with him. After some time, the young man, deciding to leave, vowed that he would definitely return to his young darling. Many times Anyuta went out onto the road along which her beloved drove away, peering into the distance and hoping to see him. She waited a very long time, but the young man never returned. Annie gradually began to fade away from longing and loneliness and soon died. After the funeral, amazing flowers appeared on her grave. They very much resembled her eyes, tirelessly looking somewhere into the distance. So, judging by the legend, the name appeared - pansies.
The Romans believed that Zeus turned into these flowers the men spying on the goddess of love. In Russia, according to legend, a guy and a girl fell in love, but their parents separated them, marrying a young man to a rich bride. From annoyance, the girl Anyuta died, and such wonderful flowers grew on her grave.
Description
This herbaceous plant, depending on the variety, may be one or two years old. He has hollow trihedral stems. They are quite thin and branched. The height of pansies grow up to twenty centimeters. The leaves of this herbaceous culture are regular, round-heart-shaped. They can be petiole and sessile. Small leaves are fluted at the edges. The root system of the viola is fibrous. The special value of these flowers is their long and plentiful flowering. For example, in the middle zone of our country, pansies can be admired from the end of April. The flowers of this plant are solitary, incredibly beautiful. They have variegated petals, located in the axils of the leaves on long pedicels. Viola blooms from about April to the end of September. Its fruit is a small box that dries up and already ripened seeds are thrown out with great force.
Beneficial features
Our ancestors attributed to pansies fascinating properties. It was believed that it was only necessary to spray a little juice of this plant on the eyelids of a sleeping person, and after awakening he would fall in love forever. It is customary for the French and Poles to present these delicate flowers as a keepsake. And in England there is a tradition: a young man who is embarrassed to confess to a girl in love can send her dried pansies by writing her name, and the chosen one will understand everything.
Viola is found everywhere in the European part of our country, as well as in the Urals and Siberia. She is one of the most beloved flowers of domestic gardeners. In almost every homestead you can see this lovely culture. However, not only because of the high decorative qualities, pansies are planted. Growing from seeds has another purpose. The fact is that a lot of useful substances were found in the viola, from which tinctures and decoctions are made. Only the aerial part of the plant is used - stems, leaves and flowers. The latter contain glycosides and essential oil. In the grassy part of the viola there are ursolic, ascorbic and salicylic acid, rutin, many different flavonoids, carotenoids.
Varieties
Pansies, the cultivation of which requires some knowledge from the gardener, today are represented by many complex hybrids bred by breeders. There are varieties that are highly resistant to the hot climate and bloom throughout the summer. The main difference is the color and size of the flowers. For example, Weiss pansies produce buds ranging in size from six to eight centimeters. Their snow-white flowers have wavy edges. Viola Blue is colored in azure or purple.
The length of the stem is about eleven centimeters. Another large-flowered variety Abendglyut. These viols delight the eye with their cherry and red hues. The flower has brown blotches. Petals of this variety are smooth and have ribbed edges. Another amazing variety is The Magic of March. It is distinguished by dark purple buds, and the opened flowers acquire a real black color.
Seedlings
Pansies are grown from seeds. In order to enjoy flowering in the first year, certain agrotechnical rules must be observed. The gardener should first know when to plant pansies. In the last decade of February, seeds are planted in plastic containers filled with slightly acidic soil. Planting material must be placed to a depth of five millimeters and sprinkled with soil. Containers should be placed in a dark but warm place. If everything is done correctly, after five days the seeds will germinate. As soon as the first shoots of pansies appear, the seedlings are transferred to a bright room, where the temperature should not be above + 17 ° degrees. It is necessary to constantly ensure that the soil is moderately moist. We must not forget about fertilizing the seedlings with fertilizer containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
When to plant pansies?
The answer to this question depends on the climatic conditions of the region. The main way to propagate the culture is to grow from seeds. When to plant pansies depends on how long you need to get flowering plants. To have early flowering viola bushes in the garden, you need to sow in January or early February. However, in this case, the seedlings will have to provide additional lighting. The first buds will appear in late spring.
In open ground, pansy seeds can be sown at the very beginning of summer or late autumn. In the first case, the viola will please with abundant flowering from August to the end of September, and in the second - in early spring, but already next year.
Soil selection
Pansies grow well on nutrient soil, and on poor soils, for example, on sandy or clay soils, they develop very poorly, becoming inconspicuous. Those who have poor land on the site will need to improve it by mixing with fertilizer. For each square meter, up to five kilograms of vegetable compost or last year’s manure should be applied.
Seat selection
This is not to say that viola or pansies are moody. For the normal development of these colors, you need a spacious place and warmth. Therefore, for planting, you should choose open, sunny areas. When planting seedlings, it is necessary to observe the distance between the seedlings. It should be from 15 to 20 cm. Seedlings will take root in three to four days. It is very important to know that the planting material is transferred to the open ground two months after its dive, when the number of leaves on the seedlings is at least four.
Care
In order for pansies to please their active growth and lush flowering, the gardener is required to observe certain conditions for growing this crop. Water the viola three times a week. But if the weather is hot, then every day. You need to try not to fill the seedlings, maintaining moderate soil moisture. In general, when watering a viola, you should adhere to the "golden mean". The fact is that a lack of moisture will lead to the drying of leaves and flowers, and its excess will lead to decay of the root system and, as a result, to the death of the plant. Water should be poured at the very root, preventing its stagnation in the ground.
Another condition is the mandatory loosening of the soil after irrigation. This is necessary so that the root system of the plant can receive a sufficient amount of oxygen. In addition, weeds must be removed periodically. They need to be weeded right after the appearance, otherwise they will grow and begin to take moisture, nutrients and sunlight from the viola.
Pruning
Independently, pansies multiply quickly enough, throwing their seeds into the soil. But if the gardener does not want the bushes to grow strongly in one place, he will have to clean the seed boxes in a timely manner. Cut flowers of pansies into bouquets at a height of five centimeters above ground level. Three weeks later, the plant already has new inflorescences. In case the bushes turn yellow and begin to dry, you need to do a thorough pruning. Literally in fifteen days new shoots appear. After pruning, the quality of the buds will also change: on the bushes will appear bright, rather than faded and chopped flowers. Pansies after restoration activities will please their healthy appearance. At the same time, it is very important that after trimming, two leaves are left on each stalk.
Fertilizers
The first feeding of the viola is carried out already two weeks after its transplantation into the open ground. It can be any mineral complexes containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. The following dressing should be carried out in the process of the appearance of buds - before flowering.
Pests and diseases
Planting and caring for the viola are quite simple. However, the basic rules of cultivation should not be neglected. Otherwise, the gardener will encounter difficulties. We are talking about diseases and pests that appear when agro-technical conditions are violated. Most often, pansies suffer from powdery mildew, which manifests itself in the form of a white or gray coating on the stems, leaves and buds.
This happens when the plant is fed only with nitrogen fertilizer. Powdery mildew can be controlled by spraying with soda ash mixed with soap or ground sulfur. As a rule, treatment should be repeated after two weeks.
Pansies at home
Viola is a wonderful decoration for any flower garden. Often this plant is grown in pots in a home garden, which can be broken both on the balcony and on the windowsill. True, in the latter case, the window should be kept constantly open, since fresh air and a lot of light are prerequisites for the normal growth of culture. Growing at home in a room is a more complicated process than in open field. It is necessary all the time to ensure that the plant does not fade and dries in the summer, constantly ventilate the room. Nevertheless, pansies are often found on balconies and on loggias in pots.