Ampel varieties of violets (Saintpaulia): features and cultivation

The violet is an amazing flower that comes in many varieties. Breeders are constantly developing new varieties of this plant. Ampel Saintpaulias deserve special attention of flower growers, as they have many unusual characteristics.

Of the known set of violets, ampelous are the most unusual, in another way they are called trailer saintpaulias... A feature of this plant can be called a large number of outlets, which entails the appearance of many flowers. Formation of rosettes occurs in the leaf axils, they are elongated stems, which are much shorter in common varieties.

Modern trailers look great. Growth features allow them to delight their owners with their flowers on an ongoing basis. At the same time, the flowers of ampelous violets can be painted in different colors and have a different shape. And also this variety is characterized by variegation. Saintpaulia looks like a hemisphere, which is equipped with evenly spaced flowers and foliage.

To date, there are about 500 names of ampel violets. Each of the varieties has its own characteristics of growth and appearance.

The most popular are several trailers.

• "Lituanica" is one of the representatives of ampel violets bred by Lithuanian breeders. This variety is distinguished by the densely doubled inflorescences, as well as elongated petals. The color of the flowers is peach-pink, but at the edges it is more intense, so the representative looks quite elegant and decorative. The Lituanica rosette is decorated with dark green leaves with pointed tips. The flower is characterized by a generous flowering, as well as a rapid growth process.
• Robs Vanilla Trail... This variety of violets can be recognized by the double flowers, which are painted in colors ranging from cream to ruddy white. The plant is covered with rich green foliage, which is characterized by quilting and jaggedness. The Robs Vanilla Trail is a semi-miniature trailer.
• Milky Way Trail... This variety belongs to semi-miniature ampel trailers. The plant blooms with small semi-double, serrated flowers with a white color. The foliage is medium green, quilted. The flower itself is characterized by compactness and abundant flowering.

• "Dancing Trail" stands out for its red-crimson flowers. They are also characterized by terry and from this they look even more decorative. The leaves of the plant are painted in a rich green color, they are characterized by a special shine and a pointed shape.
• "Trail Along"... This miniature trailer is characterized by strong doubleness of delicate pink flowers, as well as their deep irregularity and separation of petals. Leaves are simple toothed, medium in size and green in color. The petioles are long, thin, with a reddish color, their surface is quilted and slightly pubescent. During flowering, the plant pleases with bright pink bouquets, which contribute to the drooping of the plant. The variety is characterized by bushiness and profuse flowering throughout its life.
• "Rondita" refers to industrial grades. This trailer is characterized by its semi-miniature size and the presence of bright pink flowers in the form of roses. The leaves are dark green, they have a rounded, pointed shape in the form of hearts. Small flowers are arranged in clusters on the plant. The growth of the variety occurs in the form of a hemisphere. As time passes, the flowers may fade, and the new ones are distinguished by unusual brightness, so the combination turns out to be very beautiful. The variety is good for natural light, it can even withstand direct sunlight.

In order to grow an ampelous violet, it is worth giving preference to a low and wide container. It should be planted exclusively in the substrate that contains a lot of baking powder. The need for replanting can be determined by the age and size of the plant. Often without damaging the flower, this can be done twice a year.

Plants that look like a small meadow can be replanted once every 2-3 years. The reason for this is the difficult seating procedure. You can use the method of pouring fresh fed substrate directly into the pot. Thus, the soil is renewed without injury to the flower, as well as filling with minerals that have already been removed from the soil. The soil for violets should be characterized by lightness, air permeability, and also have a peat or perlite base.

Violets do not prefer deep pots - their root system is mainly located on the surface. Since the ampelous variety produces whips, which subsequently hang down, it is better to plant the trailer in a pots with hanging or set on a stand.

Growing Saintpaulia can be done in different ways.

1. You can let the plant hang freely from the edge of the pot. But unfortunately, after 12 months, the flower can become bare and lose its decorative qualities. Elimination of this drawback is possible by re-rooting the outlet.
2. Planting one flower in a pot, but after growing a stem of considerable length, dropping is carried out in the form of a semicircle, as well as pinning with hairpins and growing stepchildren. Using this method allows you to acquire a fluffy luxurious bush in a few years.
3. Planting several representatives in one pot, separating them from the leaves in advance.

When growing ampelous violets at home, it is required to follow certain rules for caring for the plant, only in this way it is possible to achieve the correct formation of outlets.

In order for the ampelous violet to bloom all year round, he will need not only good care, but also proper lighting. Daylight hours for this plant should be at least 10 hours. That is why, in the cold season, violets should be provided with artificial lighting.... One suitable option would be a fluorescent lamp.

Trailers are more likely to bloom if they are exposed to temperature fluctuations between night and day. Sharp fluctuations are undesirable, a couple of degrees will be enough. Ampel violets are afraid of drafts, so they should not be allowed. The best indicator of temperature for normal life of a violet is 20-22 degrees Celsius.

The frequency of watering a flower is influenced by the size of the pot and the condition of the soil. Waterlogging should not be allowed, as it can cause rotting of the roots with the subsequent death of the plant. If the pot is large, then there is a lot of soil in it, which dries more slowly. And also the lack of drainage and clogging of the substrate affects the slowness of drying of the soil. If it is noticed that the soil is waterlogged, then the plant should be transplanted into a light substrate or sphagnum moss.

The most common breeding option for ampel violets is leaf. It is carried out in the following sequence:

• several leaves must be cut off from the mother's violet, this must be done with extreme caution;
• cuttings should be treated with Kornevin, which contributes to the best survival effect;
• place the foliage in sphagnum moss, a peat tablet or substrate;
• the landing is covered with a plastic bag or can.

After 30 days, root formation can be detected in the cuttings, this fact means that the plant can be transplanted into a separate container. Another way to propagate ampelous violets is to root side shoots. It is believed that this breeding option is less effective than the previous one; it can disrupt the attractiveness of the appearance of Saintpaulia.

Seed propagation is a method that requires not only patience, but also skills.... Planting and growing the variety you like requires seeds, loose soil, and persistence. Violet seed is characterized by good germination rates. They must be laid out on a damp substrate and covered with foil on top. Young violets will sprout in 3 weeks. After that, the resulting seedlings are grown as a normal seedling.

Trailer Saintpaulias can be attacked by several pests.

1. Root nematodes... They are the most dangerous parasites that attack the plant. This round microscopic worm is able to penetrate living tissue, while sucking its cell juice and releasing harmful substances. The initial stage of the attack is almost invisible. As time passes, stem deformation and lethargy of foliage are observed. Subsequently, the areas that were affected by the root nematode begin to rot, and the flower dies. A preventive measure will be the correct choice of soil, which should not be taken from a greenhouse or greenhouse. And also nematodes do not tolerate the presence of manure in the substrate, so if possible, it should be added.
2. Thrips... The parasites look like small light-colored insects that can be easily spotted on a light flower. A violet infested with thrips produces underdeveloped buds. Having found the first signs of an attack by thrips, it is necessary to eliminate all flowers from the plant. The next step will be the treatment of the upper soil layer, as well as the bush with insecticides. Re-spraying should be done in a week.
3. Strawberry mite Is a parasite that can be detected by the wrinkled and downy foliage, which, like cuttings, breaks easily. The buds are characterized by ugliness, they fall off. The stems that have been struck by the tick should be sprayed with Aktara or Aktellik, as indicated in the instructions.

Trailers can also be affected by fungal infections. The most common types of infection are powdery mildew, gray mold, but plant petioles can also rot. If diseases are detected, it is worth immediately cutting off the affected areas and treating them with fungicides.

An overview of ampel violets is presented in the following video.