Incredibly beautiful pansies always attract attention. This flower has several names. We know it as the viola, but the people call it the "moth", "half-flower", "scrofula", etc. Due to the variety of species, colors and shapes, the various varieties of this plant are amazing.
General information
Viola, one of the varieties of which are pansies, is considered a very "old" flower. Science has known it since the sixteenth century, although it is mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman documents. In those days, the viol was already used during the holidays to decorate the premises. Cultivation of 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 botanist 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. Photo of thisan incredibly beautiful plant can be seen below. Often there is confusion with the name of this flower. 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 that. And indeed, the viola is very reminiscent of 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. When she met the young man, she fell in love with him greatly. After some time, the young man, having decided to leave, swore that he would definitely return to his young chosen one. Many times Anyuta went out onto the road along which her lover had left, peering into the distance and hoping to see him. She waited a very long time, but the young man never returned. Anyuta began to gradually fade away from melancholy 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 men spying on the goddess of love into these flowers. In Russia,According to legend, the boy and the girl fell in love, but their parents separated them by marrying the young man to a rich bride. The girl Anyuta died of longing, and such wonderful flowers grew on her grave.
Description
This herbaceous plant, depending on the variety, can be one or two years old. It has hollow triangular stems. They are quite thin and branched. Pansies grow up to twenty centimeters in height. The leaves of this herbaceous culture are alternate, round-heart-shaped. They can be both petiolate and sessile. Small leaves are grooved along the edges. The root system of the viola is fibrous. The special value of these flowers is their long and abundant flowering. For example, in the middle zone of our country, pansies can be admired since 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 of it with great force.
Useful properties
Our ancestors attributed bewitching properties to pansies. It was believed that one has only to sprinkle a little juice of this plant on the eyelids of a sleeping person, and after waking up, he will fall in love forever. It is customary for the French and Poles to give these delicate flowers as a keepsake. And in England there is a tradition: a young man who is embarrassed to confess his love to a girl can send her dried pansies by writing his name, and the chosen one will understand everything.
Viola is ubiquitous 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. On almost every personal plot you can see this lovely culture. However, pansies are planted not only because of the high decorative qualities. Growing from seeds has another purpose. The fact is that a lot of useful substances were found in 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. The herbaceous part of the viola contains ursolic, ascorbic and salicylic acid, rutin, many different flavonoids, carotenoids.
Varieties
Pansies, the cultivation of which requires certain knowledge from the gardener, are today represented by many complex hybrids bred by breeders. There are varieties that have increased resistance to hot climates and bloom throughout the summer. The main difference lies in the color and size of the flowers. For example, pansies of the Weiss variety produce buds ranging in size from six to eight centimeters. Their snow-white flowers have wavy edges. Viola Blue is dyed azure or purple.
The length of the stem is about eleven centimeters. Another large-flowered variety Abendglut. These violas delight the eye with their cherry and red hues. The flower has brown patches. The petals of this variety are smooth and haveribbed edges. Another amazing variety is the Magic of March. It features dark purple buds and full black flowers when opened.
Seedlings
Grow pansies from seeds. In order to enjoy flowering in the first year, certain agrotechnical rules must be observed. The gardener should first of all know when to plant pansies. In the last decade of February, the 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, in 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 higher than +17 ° C. It is necessary to constantly ensure that the soil is moderately moist. We must not forget about feeding 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 method of propagation of culture is growing 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 at the end of spring.
In open ground, pansy seeds can be sown in the veryearly 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 next year.
Soil selection
Pansies grow well on nutritious soil, and on poor soils, for example, on sandy or clay, they develop very poorly, becoming inconspicuous. Those who have unfavorable land on the site will need to improve it by mixing it with fertilizer. For each square meter, up to five kilograms of vegetable compost or last year's manure should be applied.
Choosing a seat
You can't say that viola or pansies are capricious. For the normal development of these flowers, a spacious place and warmth are needed. Therefore, for planting, you should choose open, sunny areas. When planting seedlings, it is imperative to observe the distance between 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 pieces.
Care
In order for pansies to please with their active growth and lush flowering, the gardener is required to comply with certain conditions for growing this crop. Viola should be watered three times a week. But if the weather is hot, then every day. It is necessary to try not to flood the seedlings, maintaining moderate soil moisture. In general, when watering the viola, you should adhere to the "golden mean". The fact is that lack of moisture will lead to drying.leaves and flowers, and its excess - to rotting of the root system and, as a result, to the death of the plant. Water should be poured under the very root, not allowing it to stagnate in the ground.
Another condition is the obligatory loosening of the soil after watering. This is necessary so that the root system of the plant can receive enough oxygen. In addition, it is required to periodically remove weeds. They need to be weeded immediately after they appear, otherwise they will grow and begin to take moisture, nutrients and sunlight from the viola.
Cutting
On their own, pansies reproduce 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 remove the seed boxes in a timely manner. Cut flowers pansies into bouquets should be at a height of five centimeters from ground level. Three weeks later, the plant already has new inflorescences. If the bushes turn yellow and begin to dry out, you need to do a thorough pruning. Literally fifteen days later, new shoots appear. After pruning, the quality of the buds will also change: bright, rather than faded and crushed flowers will appear on the bushes. Pansies after the restoration activities will please with their he althy appearance. At the same time, it is very important that after pruning, two leaves remain on each stalk.
Fertilizers
The first feeding of the viola is carried out two weeks after its transplantation into open ground. It can be any mineral complexes,containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. The next top dressing should be carried out during the appearance of buds - before flowering.
Pests and diseases
Planting and caring for a viola is quite simple. However, the basic rules of cultivation should not be neglected. Otherwise, the gardener will face difficulties. We are talking about diseases and pests that appear when agrotechnical conditions are violated. Most often, pansies suffer from powdery mildew, which appears as a white or gray coating on stems, leaves and buds.
This happens when the plant is fed only with nitrogen fertilizer. You can fight powdery mildew by spraying soda ash mixed with soap or ground sulfur. As a rule, the 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 set up 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 indispensable conditions for the normal growth of the culture. Growing at home in a room is a more complex process than in the open field. It is necessary all the time to ensure that the plant does not burn out and does not dry out in the summer, constantly ventilate the room. However, pansies are quite common on balconies and loggias in pots.
