Plant type: perennial or annual, herbaceous.
- Homeland: These unusual flowers have been found all over the world, but many scientists are inclined to believe that Australia is their homeland.
- Foliage: Oval or heart-shaped leaves grow from 3 to 5 cm in length.
- Humidity level: moderate.
- Growing environment: garden, greenhouse or room conditions.
Description: There are more than 500 plant species in this genus. They belong to the violet family. They are found all over the world, but most species grow in temperate regions. Most types of violets are perennials, but there are also a small number of annual varieties and unusual species that grow in the form of a small shrub. Perennial species are often grown for one year, due to which there is an erroneous opinion that all varieties of violets are annual plants. As a rule, these flowers reach a height of about 30 cm, and they always grow. The leaves are heart-shaped, and the flowers are asymmetrical. The shape of the petals is a determining factor for most species. The most common colors are cyan and purple. There are also red, pink, white, yellow and two-tone shades of flowers. Usually these plants bloom profusely throughout the flowering period. Traditionally, they bloom in the spring, but today new varieties have been developed that are able to bloom throughout the summer.
The flowering period of violets in the photo.
Flowering: sweet-smelling flowers are round in shape, and in diameter they reach from 2 to 10 cm. In simple garden species, the shades of flowers can be very different, but in pansy (pansy) the flowers are larger, and their color looks like a “face”. “. An interesting characteristic of many wild species of these plants is that they can produce two different types of flowers. One type of flowers looks very impressive and beautiful, as a rule, violets are grown for it, and they do not form seeds, and the other type of flowers is called cleistogamous. The flowers of this species grow behind attractive, scented flowers and are inconspicuous. They do not have petals, and they grow near the ground. It is these flowers that form the seeds.
Violet – care
In general, caring for these plants is not difficult, but there are some varieties that require careful care.
Lighting: partial shade. Keep plants out of bright, direct sunlight. When growing indoors, it is best that the sun’s rays come from the south, west or east.
Temperature: Violets grow best in cool conditions. The temperature should be between 4-16°C.
Soil type: It is desirable that the soil be enriched with compost, humus or peat moss, and coarse sand can also be added. If the soil is acidic, then add a little lime to it, and you can also add bone meal at the rate of 150-200 g per 35 liters. The soil must be well drained. When planting in a pot, be sure to make a hole in it.
Watering: The soil should always be moist. Violet, which should be watered regularly, does not tolerate if the soil is too wet for a long time. When kept indoors, you can water the plant with rainwater, but be careful as it may contain harmful acids. Use warm water.
Fertilizers: Apply liquid fertilizer from time to time, especially during active growth.
Pests: Violet grown in dry soil or hot climates can be infested with red spider mites.
Reproduction: carried out by planting seeds. Violet, the reproduction of which is not difficult, can be planted at different times of the year: it all depends on the climate of the region in which you live.
Planting violets – 10 rules
1). The place where you will plant the plant must be cleared of weeds. These flowers prefer cool, humid summers. If the climate in your area is hot and dry, then flowering will not be plentiful. To ensure good development of plants, well-rotted manure should be added to the soil in November.
2). If you are growing violets by planting seeds, then they need to be placed in a cool place for the winter. It is also common to store the seeds in a plastic container full of burnt sandy soil.
3). Choose a place in the garden so that the flower is located in partial shade. Compost or manure should be added to the soil to a depth of 5-10 cm.
4). Use various indicators to check the acidity of the soil. The pH level should be between 5.5 and 7.5. If you need to increase the acidity of the soil, then add aluminum sulfate, sphagnum or sulfur.
5). Seeds should be planted either in the spring 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost, or in the fall. Planting depth should be 1-2 cm, and the distance between plants should be from 10 to 20 cm.
6). Water the seeds twice a week.
7). Violet, planting which is not difficult, can germinate immediately or after an indefinite period of time. The average germination period is 7 to 14 days. Do not dig up seeds or disturb them if they do not germinate for a long time. In this case, it is better to plant other seeds in the same place.
8). After flowering, fertilize the plants with complex fertilizers.
9). Mulching the soil will have a positive effect. Thus, the roots will be constantly cool, and the plants will be healthy.
10). At the end of the flowering season, prune the plants right next to the ground. Usually the flowers are cut in mid or late April. This is done in order to avoid the appearance of a large number of extra shoots that germinate in the autumn months.
Growth Rate: Violets are easy to care for, but grow relatively slowly.
Optional: violet, which is not so difficult to care for, will grow well if you remove dead flowers in a timely manner. It is very important. When growing indoors, ensure good ventilation. It has been observed that in southern countries these flowers can be planted in autumn, as they tolerate cold well. Violet, described above, grows well with regular spraying. But use water that does not contain lime, as otherwise the foliage will stain.
Violets pansies in the photo in the garden.
Flowers called pansies are very common. They are from the same family and are grown exactly like violets. The peculiarity of these plants lies in their various shades of flowers. Violets, their species and pansies are the most favorite flowers of most gardeners. They can have different colors from light and dull to shiny and bright. If you love blue flowers, then pansies are the best choice for your garden. A large number of these flowers will make your garden colorful and bright. To date, there are species whose flowers reach a diameter of about 10 cm. Thus, by planting different types of pansies, violets and other flowering plants, you will perfectly decorate the shady places of your garden. Like violets, pansies are perennials, but they are replanted each year because they only bloom in the first year. After the first year of cultivation, they appear to be spoiled, unhealthy flowers. But these two popular plants have one difference. Violets, compared to pansies, have smaller flowers, but their flowering time is longer.