Description and cultivation of a variety of violets "Fairy Tale"

In our time, there is hardly a person who would not know what a room violet looks like. The history of saintpaulia (uzambara violet) is about one hundred and thirty years old. Very often this charming plant is called the violet, however, this is not true, since Saintpaulia belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, and the violet belongs to the violet family. But, due to the fact that many are more accustomed to call Saintpaulia violet, this word will be used when describing the "Fairy Tale" variety.

Saintpaulia was discovered by Baron Walter von Saint-Paul in the mountainous regions of East Africa. But its real discoverer is considered the German botanist Hermann Wendland, to whom the baron handed over the found specimen. The scientist managed to grow seedlings from the seeds of Saintpaulia and made them bloom.

Thus, in 1893, a previously unknown species appeared, reckoned by Wendland to the Gesnerian family and recorded as Saintpaulia (saintpaulia) in honor of the baron's family. The name "uzambara violet" also stuck with this plant because of its habitat in nature and a slight external resemblance of flowers to inflorescences of violets (Viola).

For the first time, Saintpaulias were presented at an international horticultural exhibition in the Belgian town of Ghent. After that, European flower growers began to actively cultivate this beautiful plant, and in 1894 it reached America, which quickly became the world center for the selection of these flowers. In 1898, breeders first received varieties of reddish, white, pink and burgundy inflorescences - before that only flowers with purple and blue colors were known.

Currently, there are two varieties of violets with the same name "Fairy Tale". The first is a varietal violet, bred by Natalia Puminova, and the second is a plant breeder Alexei Tarasov. Since outwardly these violets have little resemblance, then when buying, pay attention to the prefix in front of the name of the flower. The capital letters in front of the variety name most often (but not always) represent the breeder's initials. Violets, bred by Natalia Puminova, have the prefix "YAN", and the flowers of the selection of Alexei Tarasov - the prefix "AB".

Natalya Aleksandrovna Puminova is a well-known breeder of violets to flower growers. Her proprietary prefix YAN before the names of varieties arose in honor of her beloved pet - the dog Yanik. Natalya Aleksandrovna has been breeding violets since 1996 and strives to grow varieties with compact rosettes, large flowers and stable peduncles. Despite the fact that she does not like to call her violets with complicated ornate words, varieties such as YAN-Naryadnaya, YAN-Katyusha, YAN-Morozko, YAN-Talisman, YAN-Smile, YAN-Pasha sophisticated and adorable. Natalya Aleksandrovna is a perfectionist; she rarely releases violets, but only the best ones, worthy to decorate any exhibition and collection of plants.

"YAN-Skazka" is a standard-sized violet with a beautiful even rosette. The flowers are semi-double, white-pink in color at the beginning of flowering, then green lines appear along the edges of the petals and turn into a wonderful wide border of muted green color. The inflorescences are half-open and bloom very profusely, with a cap. But, unfortunately, the flowers do not last very long, quickly fade and take on a brown color. The leaves of this variety are dark green, curling up and pointed, resembling a boat in shape, have denticles at the edges and white-green variegation.

In order to grow this wonderful variety at home, you should carefully study the following recommendations of experienced florists.

• Landing. Violet pots shouldn't be very large. Ideally, the recommended diameter of the pot is three times smaller than the rosette of the plant. Leafy cuttings and "babies" can be grown in small plastic cups, while adults should choose clay or plastic pots. When planting, you can use ready-made soil for Saintpaulias or make a mixture of leafy soil, turf, coniferous soil and peat in a ratio of 3: 2: 1: 1. Do not forget to add a baking powder to the soil: perlite, vermiculite or sphagnum moss. It is necessary to renew the earthen mixture in adult plants every two to three years.
• Lighting. The plant needs good lighting for at least 13-14 hours daily. In winter, this violet should be kept on the window near the glass and use additional lighting. In summer, it is imperative to shade from direct sunlight.
• Temperature. This variety likes warmth (20-22 degrees Celsius). But if the plant is not kept cool at the stage of bud formation, then the characteristic green lines on the flowers are not formed.
• Air humidity. This flower loves moisture - it should be at least fifty percent. However, do not spray the violet with a spray bottle. It is better to place it on a pallet with moistened pebbles or put a container of water nearby. Once a month, you can arrange a hygienic shower, but after that, be sure to remove all the water that remains on the leaves.
• Watering. Despite the general unpretentiousness of this variety, the plant should be watered regularly with settled soft water at room (or slightly higher) temperature. It is also possible to irrigate through the sump and by the wick irrigation method. The main thing is to avoid getting water drops on the leaves and the outlet.
• This variety grows fast, but it is necessary to feed the flower with special fertilizers during the period of active growth and at the stage of bud formation. In autumn and winter, plant feeding is not needed.

Alexey Tarasov (also known as Fialkovod) is a young but already quite famous Moscow breeder. He has been engaged in breeding not very long ago, but during this time he has bred spectacular varieties of violets, for example, "AV-Polar Bear", "AV-Crimean Cherry", "AV-Mexican Tushkan", "AV-Plushevaya", "AV-Natasha Rostova", "AV-Gypsy Wedding"... Alexey tries to create unique plants of various shapes and colors that do not require special care conditions.

Violet "AV-Fairy Tale" was bred by the breeder in 2016. It has a "small standard" size, a neat sturdy socket. She has very beautiful semi-double flowers of white color, the shape of the inflorescence is similar to pansies. The petals end in spectacular waves and an unusual swamp-crimson border. The leaves of this variety are simple green, slightly wavy at the edges.

This violet cannot be called capricious in terms of caring for it. She, like all indoor violets, loves good lighting, but not direct sunlight. Prefers an air temperature of 19-22 degrees Celsius and a humidity of about fifty percent.It is imperative to water this variety with settled water at room temperature, avoiding splashing on the leaves and the rosette of the plant. Do not forget to also renew the soil in the pot every two years and apply fertilizer during the period of active growth.

Nowadays there is a huge selection of varietal violets. Growing them at home on a windowsill is not so difficult. One has only to carefully read and remember the features of the content of a particular variety you like.

For information on how to care for violets so that they bloom and delight, see the next video.