Red violets (Saintpaulias): varieties and agricultural technology

Red violet (Saintpaulia) is a worthy and very effective decoration for any home. To date, breeders have bred numerous Saintpaulias with flowers of red, crimson, ruby ​​and even wine color. The range of shades of red uzambar violets is unusually wide.

First, it should be noted that the violet saintpaulias have nothing to do with real plants of the violet family. Uzambara violets belong to the Gesneriaceae family, and most flower growers call them "violets" for convenience. Today, more than a thousand varieties of red violets are known. Some of them are quite popular.

"Red Tulip" is a very picturesque and original uzambara violet with elongated crimson goblet flowers. It is a variety from the well-known variety RM-Magic Tulip. It is notable for its compact rosette of dark emerald leaves, slightly elongated reddish peduncles and abundant large flowers.

A bright and unusual variety that forms, during the flowering period, large rich crimson flowers with a thin snow-white, greenish or yellowish edging. The bowl-shaped flowers are effectively emphasized by the fringed edges. The leaves have regular rounded outlines and a uniform green color.

A miniature violet, characterized by a small graceful rosette and numerous double or semi-double ruby ​​flowers. Reddish peduncles are short, strong. The leaves are rounded. They are uniformly colored dark green on the outside and pale red on the inside.

LE-Leto red is a charming plant with a high decorative effect. During the flowering period, forms semi-double crimson-red flowers with a ruffled white edge. As the plant matures, the flowers become larger and brighter. In adult violets, flowers can reach up to 7 cm in diameter.

"Red Velvet" is very attractive for its large (up to 6-7 cm) ruby ​​double and semi-double flowers. A group of peduncles is formed in the center of a compact rich green rosette. The leaves have a neat rounded shape, uniform color. The leaf petioles are slightly elongated, the peduncles are of medium length. With a lack of light, the peduncles stretch out, which is why the plant loses its presentability.

A popular and demanded variety among plant breeders. It is appreciated for its abundant and catchy flowering. Large voluminous flowers have a deep wine color with a graceful white-pink edging. The edges of the petals are ruffled, slightly jagged. 3-4 buds can form on one peduncle.

"Red Carnation" is an amazingly beautiful uzambar violet, characterized by lush and long flowering. During the flowering period, it forms a large number of peduncles and buds, forming a voluminous flower cap above the rosette. The color of the flowers is coral with a transition to a red hue. The petals are terry, corrugated, with a light intermittent edging.

A relatively young variety (known since 2016), notable for very large pompom flowers of a purple-cherry hue. The flowers are double, dense and lush, located in the center of the rosette.

Foreign variegated variety, distinguished by the original color of both flowers and foliage. Refers to miniature varieties. It has simple white flowers with pinkish-lilac markings shifted to the edges of the petals. The leaves are neat, even and slightly elongated. The color of the leaves is white-green, dim.

Foreign variety of large violets with voluminous crimson-red flowers, framed by a thin white edging. The flowers are large, star-shaped. The petals are notched, with corrugated edges. A specific feature of this plant is that its buds do not open up, but to the sides.

"Red Gold" is a sport derived from the Uzambar violet LE-Brilliant Tiffany. It is characterized by lush and voluminous snow-white flowers with a delicate pink dusting and ruffled greenish or yellowish edging. The rosette is compact, consisting of dark emerald leaves with a reddish underside.

A highly decorative plant that forms very large double flowers of a rich dark cherry hue. During the flowering period, it profusely forms new buds and peduncles, forming a lush, bright floral cap in the center of the rosette. The leaves are regular in shape, have jagged edges and a slightly pointed tip. The variety is considered very easy to care for.

City Line Trendy - two-tone Saintpaulias, which are the result of painstaking selection work of specialists from the Netherlands. These flowers are characterized by a very beautiful color: white-pink, white-red, white-purple or white-cherry. Flowers have a neat laconic shape, located mainly in the center of the plant.

Celina Jewel is a spectacular variegated leaf, prized for its double and semi-double voluminous flowers with rich purple even petals. Its foliage is moderately green with irregular pale beige spots. The rosette is compact and well-proportioned, looking very attractive even during the dormant period of the plant. Florists note that the petals of the plant do not fade in the light, maintaining the saturation and depth of color.

A variety of foreign selection, notable for large bright burgundy simple flowers. The edges of the petals are wavy, ruffled. The foliage has a uniform green color. With a lack of light, leaf petioles and peduncles can stretch out strongly. Flowering in this variety is possible only with a sufficient amount of soft natural light. However, in direct sunlight or under artificial light, the petals quickly fade, acquiring a dirty brown tint.

Sun Rising is a graceful foreign variety that forms semi-double star-shaped flowers of a deep dark ruby ​​color. The wavy edges of the petals, rushing upwards, give the flowers a cupped shape. The variegated quilted leaves are painted dark green with an uneven sandy-beige edging along the edges. Flowering is short, depending largely on lighting and air temperature.

A very interesting miniature plant, notable for its neat pale pink flowers with purple-violet petal tips. The foliage is variegated, two-colored. The tiny dark green leaves are adorned with intricate white or light yellow spots. The variety is very decorative.

Experienced growers remind that for the successful cultivation and breeding of Saintpaulias, it is not enough to know only the description of the variety.In order for plants to fully develop and grow, they need to create favorable conditions for keeping. This assumes the fulfillment of basic requirements:

• optimal temperature conditions;
• suitable and sufficient lighting;
• optimal irrigation regime.

Saintpaulias are exotic plants that are painful to tolerate temperature changes and inappropriate lighting. To grow a healthy uzambara violet, which will soon delight with abundant flowering, it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room where it grows at a level of 20-22 °. Lowering the air temperature to 16 ° and below can have a detrimental effect on the delicate flower.

One of the conditions ensuring long-term and abundant flowering of plants is their sufficient illumination. With a lack of light, they begin to ache, their peduncles and leaves stretch out, which noticeably spoils the appearance of the flower. In order for the plants to receive the right amount of natural light during the day, they are installed on a windowsill in the east or southwestern part of the house. For better illumination, flower pots are periodically rotated so that each side of the Saintpaulia can receive the sunlight it needs.

It is very important to observe the correct watering regime. Considering that violets tolerate excess moisture in the soil very painfully, it is necessary to water them as the substrate dries. Watering is carried out only with warm, settled water. If, during watering, drops of water accidentally fall on the pubescent leaves, they should be carefully blotted with a dry cloth.

The next video is an overview of red violet seedlings from the Violetovoda collection.