To date, breeders have more than twenty thousand different varieties of domestic violets at their disposal. Among them there are both varieties of violets of Western selection, and the result of the work of our, domestic breeders. Among the latter, varieties of violets EK (Elena Korshunova) are especially popular.
But, despite all the variety of shades and colors, shapes of flowers and leaves, the degree of pubescence and the number of peduncles, all varieties of violets are divided into fairly large groups. In order to start choosing suitable varieties of violets for your hobby, you should first understand what types of violets exist today and what groups they are combined into.
miniature violets
These violets were nicknamed miniature for their charm and “tininess”. They differ from other varieties in a rather modest size. Miniature violets are very diverse in the form of leaves and flowers, colors, rosette structure. The little ones began to enjoy universal love and popularity quite recently, most admirers of saintpaulias preferred larger varieties, such as, for example: “Dragon” and “Louisiana”. But over time, in beautiful babies, connoisseurs considered their natural charm and extraordinary chic.
Thumbnail sizes. Miniature saintpaulias are divided into:
- microminiatures – rosette size up to 6 cm, flowers – 1-1.5 cm;
- miniatures – their rosette up to 15 cm in diameter, flowers 1.5-2 cm;
- semi- miniatures – rosette up to 20 cm in diameter, flowers 2-4 cm.
Leaflets of miniatures are also divided into several groups:
- fight list – the leaves are the same as those of standard varieties;
- gel sheet – it is characterized by a rounded shape.
Typically, these leaves have a very wavy or quilted surface and a scalloped edge; modified gel sheet – the surface of such a sheet is almost flat, elongated in shape, the edges are even, but there is the same smooth transition as that of the gel sheet.
The form of flowers in this type of violets is unusually diverse. There are also pansies , and popular “stars”, and “bell-shaped”, and even “wasps”.
Agrotechnics for growing miniatures. To grow a miniature is nothing overly complicated. You can grow both from a leaf cutting, and seating children.
Violet Wittrock
It is a herbaceous perennial plant of hybrid origin. The name Wittrock combines numerous groups and varieties obtained with the direct participation of tricolor, Altai and yellow violets. Other varieties may also be present.
Wittrock’s violet is a rather tall (15-40 cm) highly branched plant. It can be both compact and semi-spreading. The color of the leaves is usually dark green, the shape is varied: oval, ovate, petiolate below and strongly narrowed above. The flowers are quite large, up to 10 cm in diameter. The color of the corolla is very diverse: blue, blue, yellow, white, red, orange, it can be monophonic and with various strokes and spots, different in size.
Wittrock’s violet is propagated mainly by seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush. The primer is usually a ready-made mixture. The optimum growing temperature is 20-22 degrees Celsius. Seeds germinate under favorable conditions as early as 10-15 days after sowing. The acidity of the soil is of particular importance, pH 6.0-8.0 is optimal.
If you grow Wittrock violet in partial shade, this will provide a longer, but less abundant flowering. Overflows and stagnant water are not allowed, this leads the plant to death.
This type of violet is grown mainly in garden plots, decorating balconies, flower beds, etc. with them. Periodic top dressing is necessary. Wittrock’s violet is quite winter-hardy, but on the eve of a harsh frosty winter, it is better to cover the plants with tree foliage or spruce branches.
Perennial types of violets are most often propagated by dividing the bush. Rare varieties , with a lack of planting material, cuttings can be made.
In order to prevent the loss of a decorative appearance and poor flowering, perennial plants are dug up and divided after 3-4 years. You can also do re-seeding.