Types and varieties of violets (Saintpaulia)

Almost everyone strives to decorate the garden and flower beds in front of the house with the help of plants. And even those who prefer other design options usually keep indoor flowers. We will now learn about one of the varieties of such cultures.

It is difficult to find a person who would not have heard anything about the cultivation of indoor violets. However, in the botanical world, professionals know them under a completely different "name" - saintpaulia. It is this name that is reflected in all special literature and highly specialized publications, plant classifiers. But for the sake of simplicity, we will use the name generally accepted among gardeners. The description of the violet requires from the very beginning to mention that breeders have created many varieties of this ornamental culture.

It can be annual or perennial, but it always has a short stem. It holds rosettes of foliage that resemble a circle, oval or heart. The varieties differ just by the size of the rosette. Violet roots are always thin and spread over a large area. This plant blooms for 9 months.

The wild ancestors of the violet live in Africa. For the first time they were noticed by the commandant of the German colonial possessions Walter Saint-Paul (after whom the botanical name was given). Real Saintpaulia grows only in the Usambara Mountains, located in Tanzania. Some subspecies are found in Kenyan territory. Plants are concentrated near waterfalls and in river terraces.

There is often information that Saintpaulia can be found in Japan, South and North America, southern Africa and even New Zealand. Let us leave the truth of these judgments on the conscience of their authors, especially since the solid encyclopedic publications are unanimous: the uzambar violet grows only in certain regions of eastern Africa. Now let's get back to how it came into circulation.

The commandant mentioned above was not a botanist or naturalist - he was just taking a walk and accidentally noticed the flowers growing in the mountain crevice. Having plucked this plant, he sent it to his relative, who was collecting a herbarium from rare and exotic species. After some time, in 1893, experts enrolled the find in the Gesnerian family and then showed it to the general public for the first time.

As already mentioned, there are many types of violets. No wonder: gardeners and breeders immediately appreciated the decorative potential of this plant. During its almost 130-year history, the Uzambar violet has split into a number of varieties and species. The smallest rosette diameter is limited to 6 cm. Subspecies with a rosette of 6-14 cm are distinguished into a miniature group.

Further, the division is as follows:

• semi-miniature flowers (15-19 cm);
• standard (20-40 cm);
• large standard (everything that has a diameter of 41 cm or more).

But the gradation does not end there. Some violets have several growth points at once. They are called "trailers"... Among such "trailers", bush and ampelous subspecies are additionally distinguished. The so-called chimeras differ very much: each petal has a strip that differs from the main one in color.

Plants with girl leaves are an attractive choice in many cases. The midrib at the very base is thicker and lighter than in other areas.

The shape of the leaves can be very different:

• heart;
• roundness;
• oval;
• sharpening;
• elongation.

The leaf blade of violets can be wavy, quilted, resembling a spoon. If it has stipules, then they talk about the bustle variety. Another type of leaf is clacamus. It is very similar to plantain leaves (at least in the arrangement of the middle and lateral veins).

Longifolia leaves are long and resemble narrow straps; the edge of the sheet is also very different in shape:

• smooth surface;
• scallop;
• jagged border;
• fringe;
• corrugated surface.

The so-called variegation of the border in foreign sources is called Tommie Lou. The main color in this case is green; there is a pinkish, white or beige stripe on the edges. There are also spots of the same color on the main part of the leaf.

The crown type of variegation implies mainly light green, yellow and cream tones of foliage. Pink shades are found only occasionally. The motley part is collected mainly in the center of the rosettes. It is there that young leaves develop, and after ripening they turn green. As for the rarest (mosaic) variegation, it is also the most stable.

The preservation of the color does not change even with mistakes in agricultural technology. Such plants look beautiful regardless of age. However, the rarity of mosaic variegated violets is not caused by some natural factors. The fact is that they are capricious and develop very poorly. Few gardeners have the patience to get it right and succeed.

Saintpaulia got its everyday name precisely because of the similarity in the form of flowers with a wild-growing analogue from European countries. The two petals on top are slightly inferior to the three on the bottom. This ratio is considered classic among violets.

But the "Star" has symmetrical flowers. The placement of the petals around the center is completely uniform, and even the size is the same.

"Bells" really resemble the musical instrument of the same name. At the very base, the petals are tightly connected. Their full disclosure is impossible. Amateurs and professionals, however, value the violet with "wasp" type flowers the most. This word alone is enough to describe their shape.

There is a simple gradation here. The smallest violets are covered with flowers no more than 2 cm.In the middle group, sizes from 2 to 4 cm fall.

The smallest degree of this is in the so-called simple colors. Everything is really simple in them: there are only 5 petals. The scallop group includes plants where additionally there are from 1 to 3 underdeveloped petals. Most semi-double flowers have 7 or 8 petals. But at the same time, there may be less or more of them (and 5, and 10).

The so-called terry violets are of considerable interest. Full doubleness means that the number of petals is much more than 10. Because of them, it is simply impossible to see the stamens. The “carnations” also deserve attention. Anyone who has seen a real carnation will immediately agree that it looks very similar.

Flowers with a monotonous color (ruby, pink, yellow, orange and even green) look extremely attractive. The main thing is that they are selected skillfully and fit harmoniously into the surrounding composition.

Different colors can alternate:

• like rays;
• like shadows;
• as a transition from a weak to a thicker color.

It is customary to divide violets by this property into:

• notched;
• fringed;
• wavy appearance.

The number of such varieties of the Uzambara violet has already exceeded 500. And the efforts of breeders do not stop.Such plants can bloom even all year round.

The backlight adapts to the situation depending on whether the flower grows at a height or in a normal position.

Having given a general description of the varieties of violets, it is quite possible to move on to the characteristics of their individual varieties.

And the first place will be deservedly taken by Mac's Scorching Sun. The name "Scorching Sun" given by foreign breeders for a reason. The variety belongs to the semi-mini group. The flowering plant is covered with simple and semi-double red coral flowers; outside they have a discreet white border.

The “scorching sun” is characterized by crown variegation. It looks intriguing in combination with the bright green of the jagged leaves. The plant becomes even more beautiful due to the golden inclusions inside the rosettes.

Judging by the reviews, Scorching Sun is similar in color to an autumn forest. To some extent, its disadvantage is the excessive length of the peduncles. It must be remembered that the plant does not have a high growth rate. Sometimes you have to repeatedly tear off the leaves at the bottom before you get the result. But the laying of peduncles occurs without problems.

Reigning Beauty - or literally "First Beauty" - is a variety of violets that fully justifies its name. The use of this plant in Russia began relatively recently. When blooming, large semi-double star-shaped flowers are formed. The large ruffle extending along the outer edge of the petals is highly valued. The rosette looks standard, formed by light green leaves.

Foliage usually grows in two tiers. Each of them includes 20 to 30 leaves. Therefore, rather dense bushes are formed. Floral “caps” formed in the middle of the rosettes also differ in density. Each rosette throws out a mass of buds that open almost simultaneously.

As a result, an unbreakable "wavy" ball is formed. When First Beauty is in bloom, it is covered in purple-reddish stars. A blue-purple ruffle runs along the edges of the petals. If the plant is placed in a cool room, the border changes: it becomes a bright light green color. The duration of flowering can reach 3 or even 4 months; at the same time, intensive development of foliage is taking place.

But the variety is capricious. If the conditions are even slightly different from ideal, plants grow more slowly, sometimes even die.

The recommended heating of the air is from 20 to 25 degrees in the spring and summer. In the winter months, the range is narrower - 18 or 19 degrees, no more and no less. The permissible air humidity ranges from 40 to 60%. Otherwise, the flowers will either get sick from waterlogging, or they will begin to discard the buds, trying to save water.

It differs from other varieties with a long flowering period and at the same time simple care. Even novice gardeners can easily do everything you need. The undoubted advantage of the variety is the edging of the foliage in the form of greenish waves. The edges of the petals also become wavy. For all 10 months of flowering, there are relatively few buds, but their size compensates for this disadvantage.

The Bronze Horseman was created just recently. It was introduced in 2011. The developer of the variety - Elena Lebetskaya - set a goal to create unusual looking flowers that would be interestingly combined with leaves. Leaf plates are rounded, with a wavy perimeter and moderate hairiness.Young shoots are light green, and darken as they develop. The foliage is painted monotonously, no blotches can be found on it.

The "Bronze Horseman" forms from 3 to 5 large buds on 1 brush. During flowering, their size does not change. The petals have a waxy surface, painted in pink or white tones. The stems are fragile. In the middle part, the rosettes are directed upwards, in the rows they look to the sides.

When asked experienced breeders about the best varieties of violets, Rosie Ruffles are invariably named among others. This plant is distinguished by its tenderness and unusually graceful colors. Violet can belong to a simple or semi-double varietal group. The star-shaped flowers are colored light fuchsia, almost reaching a pink hue. At the edges, the flowers are slightly corrugated, which additionally decorates them.

The heart-shaped foliage is colored moderately rich green. Plants with fuchsia-colored star-shaped flowers with light fringes are recognized as a classic variant of the variety. Sometimes in cool places, a green stripe appears on the light edge. The size of the flower can reach 6 cm, it has a corrugated edge. On mature plants, peduncles with 5 or 6 flowers are formed, which look attractive for more than a month.

Also an excellent variety of violets. Its name is due to the appearance of a flowering plant. The deep red petals resemble butterflies flying over green leaves. Symmetrically developing rosettes do not lose their neat appearance over time. Flowers with a dark red center and white edges form on the "Fire Moths". The border grows with the bud.

Of the varieties bred by foreign breeders, Arctic Frost also attracts attention. During flowering, these plants are covered with the most delicate white caps, and a dark blue border is formed on the flowers. Corollas can be simple or semi-double; occasionally "chimeras" appear, with spectacular-looking white stripes in the middle of each petal.

It is useful to take a closer look at this variety. It was bred by the breeder T. Vysota. Terry flowers are covered with petals that resemble a bowl. Ash pink flowers are silvery on the outside and brown-green on the outside. The "Pearl of the Nile" blooms for a very long time, without interruption even in extreme heat. Bouquets of this variety can have a variety of color tints, harmoniously combined with a brown-green border. The rosette contains leaves of a moderate green color; the size of the "Pearl of the Nile" belongs to the standard group.

Judging by the reviews, this violet can also give good help in decorating a home interior. Delicate iridescent inflorescences adorn the space almost all year round. The tonality of the leaves is different shades of green.

Violets "Darling" are stable even in bad conditions. Therefore, they are increasingly used by Russian gardeners and indoor plant lovers. Culture was introduced into circulation through the efforts of K. Morev. Rounded large flowers of semi-double type have slightly wavy petals. Peduncles are durable and rather short. They consist of 5 or 6 buds with medium-sized flowers.

"LE-Leila" is not inferior to "Darling". This variety was introduced in 2017. The plants are covered with large pink flowers. The rosette has variegated foliage of great length. Flower size is standard.

This is another variety developed by breeder Lebetskaya. White stars with pinkish ruffle look very attractive; the rosette is compact and includes light green leaves.

Another variety of Morev's selection. Flowers of this violet can be double and semi-double, they have a white center. The color of the leaves can be green or dark green, and the petals have a slightly wavy layer. Standard type socket.

You can also consider this violet. A feature of the variety is the rooting of the leaf with children. The flowers, painted in blue-violet, are large in size. Leaf ovals are dark green, which looks especially attractive during long flowering.

Seedlings of this type are also very good. They have large pinkish flowers with an atypical geometry. The tonality, which is pleasant, can change due to cultivation conditions. This opens up additional opportunities for gardeners. And at the same time it teaches them to better comply with the basic principles and requirements. "Almond" is liked even by those who have never tried to grow violets. The star-shaped flowers of a pink-peach color reach a size of 8-9 cm.

The graceful bend of the petals is also interesting. It does not prevent them from retaining their original shape, because the texture is very dense. The large rosette (30 to 40 cm) is nevertheless very compact. Light notches can be seen at the edges of the rounded leaves. In the middle of the outlet there are up to 3 buds, at least one of which is constantly loose.

Violet "H-Adam" is one of the semi-miniature varieties. The plant is covered with ash-blue double-type flowers. On the reverse side, they are painted in a marsh green tone. The flower looks like it was made from a translucent mineral. Even people who are very far from gardening are delighted with it.

Returning to the varieties developed by E. Lebetskaya, it is worth noting this variety. This violet has large, simple and semi-double flowers. Among the white flowers are purple-violet eyes. The variegated rosette looks impressive.

Lovers of red flowers should take a closer look at Betelgeuse. Its terry stars are dense. The rosette has straight edges, but at the same time it is quite spreading. The violet is covered with dark green leaves.

Each peduncle of "Betelgeuse" has 1 or 2 flowers (and even then pairs are rare). But the flowers do not fade for a long time. There is no particular need for plant illumination. But even when placed in dark corners, you can encounter stretching of the peduncles.

Completing the review is appropriate for this grade. Such a violet is covered with large saturated spherical flowers. They are painted in a dark blue tone, and the edges of the petals are wavy. The plant looks brilliant. The diameter of the flowers ranges from 8 to 9 cm (in maturity).

As you can see, the assortment of violets is very large, and it is very difficult to understand their merits.

For those who are ready for long painstaking work, violets in the form of stepsons are suitable. For less experienced gardeners, so-called babies are suitable, which are distinguished by well-developed roots and have at least 6 leaves. They can be transplanted without any problems. But if there is no preparation at all, it is worth planting plants at least 9 months old.

Inexperienced gardeners should give preference to time-tested varieties. New items too often have many negative effects. They are characterized by moodiness, less decorativeness. And only trained collectors can appreciate a number of properties.

Good varieties differ:

• pronounced symmetry;
• parallel arrangement of rows of leaves relative to each other;
• lack of gaps and gaps;
• dark leaves (they are more contrasting and better tolerate adverse conditions);
• lack of cobwebs, white patches, plaques;
• early abundant flowering, lasting as long as possible.

For the most beautiful varieties of violets, see the following video.