How to make violets bloom all year: simple instructions

Saintpaulia, or the uzambara violet, is a houseplant that does not have a clear flowering season. It is able to delight its owner with flowers from time to time all year round. All it needs is proper care. But how to care for a violet so that it blooms regularly?

OBOZREVATEL has collected the basic rules. If you follow them, your Saintpaulia can bloom from 2-3 times a year to 5 or even more. Much also depends on the variety.

Before you start, please note that this plant is very sensitive and fragile. It needs regular care. You can't leave it alone as the plant will die. It will also react badly to excessive efforts of its owner. So, if you don't have much experience, be patient and careful and follow these instructions.

Soil

Do not try to choose something very special, Saintpaulias are well suited to an all-purpose soil mixture for flowering plants. Make sure that the soil always remains loose and permeable to water and air.

Pots

Saintpaulias do not like excessive space and a large depth of the pot. In this case, the plant will use all its strength to form the root system and will not bloom. To choose a pot, just look at the diameter of the rosette of leaves. Choose a container that is 2-3 times narrower. Be sure to have a hole in the bottom and a tray that is slightly wider than the pot itself.

Drainage

Excessive water can kill a violet, so you should never overwater the plant. Drainage will help you with this. It can be expanded clay, vermiculite, small pebbles or gravel. Sprinkle it on the bottom of the pot in a layer about 1 cm thick.

Watering

What is a wide violet pot tray for? Watering. Since this plant does not tolerate excessive moisture, it should not be watered from above. Drops can get into the center of the socket and it will start to rot. Instead, pour a little soft, settled water into the tray and make sure it is all absorbed by checking the top layer of soil with your finger. It should be barely moistened. Violets should not be allowed to dry out either. Spraying the plant is also not worth it, especially during the flowering period.

Lighting

Saintpaulias like bright lighting but do not tolerate direct sunlight. Therefore, they should be placed in bright rooms but at a certain distance from the window. The delicate leaves of the plant are easily sunburned. Thus, take care of partial shade.

Temperature conditions

Violets take breaks in flowering on the hottest and coldest days of the year. That is, the plant likes moderate heat. A temperature of 20-22 degrees will be ideal for it. In addition, make sure that it is not exposed to a draft.

Fertilization

Saintpaulias are suitable for fertilizers for flowering plants. However, when fertilizing, it is important not to overdo it as it can only harm. Thus, do not carry out the procedure more often than once every 10 days. Refer to the instructions for your fertilizer and try to apply less than the amount indicated on the package. This is better than over-fertilization, which can kill the violet.

Rejuvenation

Saintpaulias look best in the first 3-4 years. Then they need rejuvenation. Ideally, the bush should have three tiers of leaves: from large old ones at the base to small young ones in the middle. Excess leaves should be removed. This way, the violet will not waste energy on it. Be sure to remove yellowed and dried leaves. Do not let them rot in the pot as this is very dangerous for a sensitive flower. If you see that the violet's trunk is exposed due to regular leaf removal, it's time to repot the plant.

Transplanting

Transplanting violets is done by transshipment: they are taken out of the pot with the soil, shaken off a little, and returned to the pot with fresh soil. If you notice that your plant is producing smaller, paler leaves, it's time to move it to a larger container. However, it should be no more than 2 cm wider in diameter than the previous pot and no deeper. The best time to transplant Saintpaulias is early spring. The plant should not be transplanted during the flowering period.

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