One of the most beloved and popular inhabitants of our window sills is violet. In terms of the number and variety of cultivated varieties, not a single plant can be compared with it. The variations in shapes, sizes and colors of these beauties are truly impressive. It's hard to believe that they all came from one humble, unpretentious mountain flower.
Origin of the violet
Violet, or saintpaulia, got its name in honor of the German Baron Saint-Paul, the military commander of the German district in East Africa. It was he who discovered these modest blue-violet flowers while walking in the vicinity of his residence. From the seeds of this plant, his friend, a well-known florist, grew a flower called Saintpaulia violets, which became the progenitor of all currently available species.
By the middle of the last century, there were already more than a hundred varieties of this plant in the world. And at present, several thousand varieties of violets are already known, and the selection process does not end there.
Violet botanical description
Saintpaulia is native to the Uzambar and Ulugur mountains in East Africa, so it is also called the name of these "giants". Under natural conditions, this evergreen herbaceous perennial grows up to thirty centimeters.
The height of room violets is much smaller. Its oval leaves are collected in a rosette. The leaves are quite fleshy, covered with villi and slightly pointed at the top. The color of the leaf plates is green or spotted. Violet flowers are composed of five elements collected in a brush.
According to the type of petals, saintpaulias are divided into terry and semi-double. The former have many additional petals.
Fruits are like boxes containing numerous small seeds.
Violet variety Humako inches
This variety of Uzambara violets belongs to the Gesneriev family, the genus Saintpaulia hybrid. A photo and description of the Humako inches violet variety are presented below.
This is a beautiful, showy plant with very large white flowers, decorated with a bluish-blue wide heart. The diameter of the cup is from six to eight centimeters. Humako inches violet leaves are light green, rounded, collected in a large, even, neat rosette. It can be made more compact if the petioles are not allowed to grow in length. In the description of the violet Humako inches (photo with the rooting of the leaves below), it is noted that it reproduces very simply and begins to bloom after eight months. disbandedfluffy, forming a thick hat. Flowers completely cover the outlet and last a very long time, even in the heat. This process in the violet Humako inches continues for a long time. Outdated flower stalks are constantly replaced by new ones. All this makes the violet of this variety very decorative and attractive for decorating rooms.
Meaning of variety name
The name of the violet Humako inches translated into Russian means Humako inches. Obviously, the second word in the name indicates the size of the flower. Humako is a famous Dutch company. Humako Holding BV specializes in selection, breeding and wholesale of violets. She does not disclose the names of scientists, instead, the name of the company is indicated in the name of each bred variety.
Variety features
Many violets tend to swim when the temperature rises. If white is present in their color, it becomes less in the heat. This happens quite often. Plants lighten up at low temperatures. This also applies to the violet Humako inches, whose flowers turn more blue in the heat.
Collectors distinguish between two different plants, referred to as Humako inches. A real violet Humako inches has petals with smooth edges. The second known variety is a test one. It was not put into production due to the fact that it turned out to be impossible to transport plants on an industrial scale. But they have become quite popular among amateur flower growers. Their flowers are not so large, but with wavy edges. This species is called Humako inches-2,or Humako inches No name.
How to care for Saintpaulia
Care for violet Humako inches, according to flower growers, like most saintpaulias, consists in choosing the right place, observing the temperature regime, optimal watering, feeding and maintaining the required level of air humidity.
- Violet should be placed in well-lit places, but avoid direct sunlight. The plant must be protected from drafts and ensure that its leaves do not touch the window pane.
- Only one outlet should be placed in the pot. This rule applies to all types of violets, except for ampelous ones. Appearing lateral processes must be removed.
- For successful flowering, wilted and damaged parts of the plant should also be plucked. This must be done very carefully so as not to injure neighboring leaves and flower stalks.
For abundant flowering, which usually occurs from March to November, violets need good lighting - bright diffused light for at least ten hours a day, and preferably 14-16 hours. To prolong this period, pots with plants in winter are placed on the southern and western windows and artificial lighting is used. During the flowering period, they can not be rearranged to another place. The container only needs to be constantly rotated so that the lighting occurs evenly.
Temperature and humidity
In the photo, Humako inches violet looks like this because it was grown at the optimum temperature - from +18 to +24o S.
In winter, the air should not cool below +10 o C, otherwise the plant will die. In extreme heat, the violet will not bloom.
For good he alth, the flower requires moderate humidity. If it is dry, the plant pot should be placed on a tray of wet pebbles or peat. Do not spray violet.
Irrigation
Violets need regular watering under the root. The soil in the pot should be moist, but not wet-stagnant. It is necessary to avoid getting water on the leaves to avoid their decay and death of the whole plant. For this, the following watering methods are used:
- Dipping the pot into the water.
- Irrigation from a pallet.
- Wick hydration. This is when moisture enters the pot with a plant through a special device, the end of which is in a container with water, above which there is a flowerpot.
- Irrigation with a syringe.
So that the soil in the pot does not become moldy, you can moisten the violet with water with the addition of phytosporin once or twice a month. For irrigation use soft tepid water, which must be defended for at least twelve hours. Violet should be watered less often in winter.
Feeding
Spring and summer violet should be fed regularly with a complete mineral complex. It is applied once every 1-2 weeks at the rate of 1-3 grams per liter of water. Before laying buds, special fertilizers for Saintpaulia are recommended to be used in full dose to increase their number, and to maintain flowering - half as much. In such important periods for the plant, it is fedfertilizer with a high phosphorus content, resulting in larger and brighter flowers.
Transfer
For the successful development of violets, they need regular transplantation. The planned procedure is carried out once every two years, when the soil in the pot is depleted. This is done in the spring. The new pot should not be much larger than the old one. For transplanting, you can buy a special soil mixture for Saintpaulia or prepare it yourself by taking three parts of leafy soil, five of peat and one of river sand. Drainage should take up almost half of the pot. Planned transplantation is usually carried out by transshipment, that is, with land.
An unscheduled procedure is carried out as necessary when the soil in the pot becomes acidic, due to a disease of the plant, etc. Usually carried out with a complete or partial replacement of the earth. During each transplant, be sure to check the condition of the root system and separate the child outlets that can be used for vegetative propagation.
Methods of reproduction
Violet Humako inches, like most of its indoor relatives, is propagated by leaf cuttings. For reproduction, a he althy mature leaf is taken from the lower tier of the outlet, cut off at an angle, and this place is treated with activated charcoal. Root it in dark glass containers with boiled water, or by placing it in wet sphagnum moss. When roots appear on the cutting after one and a half to two months, it is planted in the soil. Some prefer to place the cuttings directly into the ground, whererooting.
Violet can be propagated by seeds, but this method is almost never used at home.
Diseases and pests
If the room where the violets are too hot, they can be damaged by red spider mites. You can fight them by spraying the plant with systemic insecticides.
Violation of the temperature regime and waterlogging of the soil leads to the appearance of such a disease as the black leg. The base of the stems turns black and thinner, which leads to the weakening and death of the plant. In this case, it is necessary to completely replace the soil and disinfect it with "Fundazol".
High soil and air humidity can lead to late blight damage to violets. The leaves become covered with brown spots, rot and fall off, as a result, the plant may die. To prevent late blight, superphosphate should be applied to the soil.
Dangerous pests of violets are thrips. They settle on the lower part of the leaves, and the larvae hatch in buds and flowers. Outwardly, this defeat looks like the violet Humako inches is shedding pollen. To save the plant, all buds and flowers should be removed.
Root nematode is another dangerous enemy of violets. It attacks the roots of the plant. You can recognize the disease by yellowing leaves of the plant. To save him, you will need special potent drugs. To avoid infection with a nematode, it is strictly forbidden to use ordinary soil for growing violets on which cultivated plants grew.
Despitefor a capricious disposition and high demands on the conditions of detention, this kind of indoor flower is worth it to decorate your home with it. Violet will gratefully respond to the attention given to it and will delight you with its abundant and lush flowering.
