Today there are more than 20 species of violets. Each has its own characteristics. One of these species is the Duchess violet and the hybrid of the Duchess violet deduced from it, which has insignificant differences.
Appearance, grade description
Violet Duchess is characterized by a bright appearance. Most often, the plant has lilac or purple buds.
Each of the 20 types of violets has its own characteristics.
Leaves
The leaves of these violets are large in size and have a rounded heart-shaped shape. On the surface of the foliage there are small villi, which makes them appear terry. Due to the average size of the leaves of the PC-Duchess's violets, the buds themselves look massive.
The violet Duchess has green leaves with light green tint
Flowers
During the flowering of the Saint Dignity, the Duchess gathers a bunch of 4-5 beautiful large buds above the leaves. The size of the flowers reaches 8 cm. Flowers, like leaves, cover short thin villi.
The main color scheme of buds is dark violet (violet), which at the edges flows into white. The middle of the flowers of these violets is usually yellow.
Family and history
The plant belongs to the Gesneriaceae family.
Violets RS-Duchess brought out in 2001. The plant owes its origin to the breeder Svetlana Repkina. The abbreviation PC before the name is the abbreviation of the name and surname of their creator.
Features of caring for violet Duchess at home
At home, the flower needs to be created suitable conditions. They add up to several factors.
Temperature
For growing an adult plant, an air temperature of +20 to +23 ° C is required. Young violets require more heat, they are recommended to be grown at temperatures from +23 to +26 ° C.
Lighting
Violets are very fond of light, but in direct sunlight they feel bad. The best place for this plant may be the windowsill in the eastern part of the house. If there is none, you can equip the part of the window for the flower where there is the least light.
Important! The Duchess is distinguished by her wayward character, which is why many violet guides advise putting a flower pot on a window on the north side of the house. So the plant will bloom better and retain its beauty longer.
Watering
For watering the plants using well-maintained tap water at room temperature. Water the violet in such a way as to avoid the accumulation of water near shoots and leaves. The soil must be kept moist, it can only dry by a third, since in another case the leaves will begin to dry and fall off.
Spraying
Violets do not like spraying. If, nevertheless, the flower is dusty, it is worth using water at room temperature and carefully rinse off the dust, and then blot it dry with a napkin.
Humidity
In no case should the plant be placed in rooms where humidity is high. If moisture gets on the stems and leaves of a delicate flower, it will die. It is better to put it in a place with a dry microclimate.
Priming
Due to the complex nature of the plant, you need to choose the soil carefully, otherwise the flower will become sick and even die. Like all indoor plants, violets prefer soft soil, in which there is no obstacle to oxygen to the roots.
The main features that you need to remember when choosing a soil:
- The soil should be selected saturated with trace elements.
- In this soil, the year was not supposed to grow.
- Before planting, you should feed the earth, for this it is better to use phosphorus and potassium. After fertilizing should be regular.
- A good option would be soil from the forest.
Important! Do not forget about the drainage in the pot. It can be found in any specialized store.
Top dressing
It is necessary to feed violet twice a month throughout the year. After transplantation, take a break for 4-6 weeks. You can use mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.
All year round, the violet needs top dressing, which is carried out twice a month. A break of 4 to 6 weeks is needed only after a transplant. For feeding, you can use the mineral complex, which fertilize flowering plants.
When and how it blooms
The plant has five petals with a plum-white hue. A flower usually has 5-6 brushes that form a beautiful bouquet. The flowers themselves, like the foliage of violets, are covered with small villi, so they seem terry to the touch.
The plant has 5 petals that form a beautiful bouquet
Flower shapes
Violet buds in shape resemble a ball and can remain in this form for a very long time. When the bud opens, it visually resembles a rose flower.
Flowering period
You can enjoy the beauty of violet flowers from September to March. After flowering, a small seed box is formed.
Changes in flowering care
At hotter temperatures, the plant has solid bright flowers, and when the temperature drops, white is added. In order for the Duchess to fully display her color scheme, it is recommended to place it during the flowering period on the lower shelves of racks or cool window sills. Despite the flower’s love for light, it cannot be placed in direct sunlight, as this leads to yellowing of the leaves and wilting buds. You can understand that there is too much light by the thickening of the center and short peduncles, which are difficult to break up. The plant needs a lot of free space, and in close conditions the leaves take a more vertical position.
In order for a beautiful rosette to form and the flowers to be lush, the violet needs a long daylight hours, correctly selected pot and soil, adjusted watering and periodic top dressing. As for temperature and humidity, they occupy secondary care positions. Despite the fact that the plant does not tolerate heat, this compensates for the good ventilation of the room.
Breeding
To propagate violets at home, several methods have been invented.
Seed germination
Get a full-fledged strong plant by the seed method will not work. To obtain seedlings, special conditions are necessary for their growth.
Rooting cuttings
A vegetative method is also suitable for plant propagation. To grow violets by rooting cuttings, you need to choose a healthy leaf and slant it on the petiole, leaving about 3-5 cm. It is best to root in boiled water. However, it is possible in the ground. It should be moist and loose.
For growing violets in a vegetative way, you can use a healthy leaf
Petioles should be placed to a depth of not more than 2 cm. Cover the seedling with foil, regularly ventilating and moistening the soil. The pot must be placed in a warm place (with a temperature not lower than +20 ° C), where there is diffused light. The rooting period ranges from 4 to 6 weeks.
Flower propagation
With the help of a flower, you can grow yourself another violet. To do this, cut the flower along with the leaf under it. After it is placed in the root and cover with oilcloth.
Transplant after purchase and during reproduction
Do not disturb the violet again. She does not need a frequent transplant. It is needed only for plant diseases, then it is necessary to move it to a new soil. Transplantation is carried out once or twice a year. This is best done in the fall or spring. The most suitable option for a flower transplant is transshipment.
Transfer
Possible problems in growing RS-Duchess violet
Violets, like other indoor plants, sometimes get sick. Each problem has its own solution, the main thing is to establish the exact cause.
Leaf problems
These violets also suffer from fungal diseases. With excessive moisture, the blow falls primarily on the roots and leaves. If this happens, the fungicide should be used first. In addition to the fungus, plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, as well as gray rot or fusarium. This can happen due to low temperature, moisture on the leaves or drafts.
Pests
The tick is the most dangerous pest for violets. You can detect it by drooping and fading leaves. In this case, it is almost impossible to cure plants. There is only one way: spray with a special tool against ticks.
In addition, the violet can become infected with worms or aphids. During the flowering period, there is a risk of damage by the gall nematode. This disease is accompanied by growths on the roots - galls, in which the development and reproduction of worms occurs.
Important! In this case, you need to immediately get rid of both the plant and the substrate and disinfect the pot.
Disease
Violet, like any plant, can easily get sick from another flower nearby. You can bring the disease with dirty hands, if you touch them with violet leaves. Pets also often carry many diseases on their coat. Most often, the plant is sick in May and September.
Due to dampness, low temperature or stagnation of water in the pot, brown or gray spots may appear on the leaves or flowers - a fungus. Signs of a fungal infection may be the smell of mold in the flower or the softness of the shoot itself. If they are found, you should immediately remove the damaged areas, then proceed with soil replacement, and treat all with fungicide before transplanting.
Signs of improper care
One of the signs of improper care is the appearance of gray rot when exposed to water leaves. Affected leaves must be removed. If you water the plant with cold water, there is a risk of brown spots. In the case of physical damage, a sharp drop in temperature, draft or dry air, the leaves dry out. The same problem can be encountered if you go too far with fertilizers or with a lack of light.
Thus, like any violet, the PC-Duchess requires careful care and attention. When properly handled, it will delight with bright colors and the exquisite beauty of the leaves. The Duchess is suitable for experienced gardeners, but for beginners it is not recommended to start it.
