Alpine violet

Alpine violet - botanical description and types of flower. Prerequisites for leaving: temperature and moisture during the active period and during rest. Reproduction methods - you can get the most complete information about all this from this article.

Alpine violet: flower photo

Alpine violet: flower description and detailed characteristics

Absolutely any flowers that grow at home give florists great aesthetic pleasure. One of the favorite flowers is the alpine violet, which usually grows on windowsills. The Alpine violet belongs to the genus of perennials, as a rule, not even flowers, but herbs, which at the same time have nothing to do with the violet. This flower is tuberous, from the genus of primroses, and it got its name due to the fact that it adapts most quickly and successfully to mountain climatic conditions. The correct name of the alpine violet may seem even more familiar to many, because it is a cyclamen.

Many of the species of Alpine violets existing today (and there are about 22 of them) are recognized as endangered, so more attention and care should be paid to them so as not to completely lose these unique plants. Cyclamen comes from mountainous as well as coastal areas that are located in the Mediterranean, but they can also be found very often in nature, which is mainly concentrated in the Caspian regions, as well as in the mountains of the African continent. If we talk about Africa, then there cyclamen takes root best in the northeast, and in too sunny and hot regions it is almost impossible to find it.

Of course, you should also pay attention to the life cycle of the Alpine violet. It is mainly divided into two major main stages: the vegetation stage and the dormant stage. While in the dormant stage, the plant can gradually rest, and this period mainly falls on the summer. During the summer heat, which can exhaust many plants, the violet simply sleeps. It sheds foliage, and moisture is drawn mainly from tubers to preserve vital energy. Most flower growers are at a loss when they see such a reaction from the plant, but you should not be afraid and worry: this is a completely natural state of the plant, which is periodically repeated, and it only benefits it, rather than to its detriment.

If we are talking about the growing season, then in the Alpine violet it falls around the fall. Violet bloom, depending on its type, can occur in October and March. Of course, the gardener chooses the variety on his own in accordance with his interests and expectations, so you should pay more attention to the instructions, advice from other gardeners who may advise a particular variety, and dissuade from another due to the fact that it does not quite suit the gardener , or not suitable for cultivation in climatic conditions, in soil, on sites.

Due to the fact that the Alpine violet has a habit of shedding leaves, it very much scares away flower growers. Having bought an attractive and beautiful flower, a person hopes that it will always be this way, but with the beginning of a period of such "leaf fall", the flower ends up in the trash, and the florist does not even realize what a gross mistake he makes because of lack of information and ignorance.But, if you are aware of all the intricacies of caring for a plant, then you can admire its beautiful and attractive flowering for many years.

Many Alpine violets can also give a great scent, which is also often used by perfumers to create delicate and feminine compositions. The petals of the Alpine violet are similar to the wings of butterflies, they are smooth, decorated with stripes. The flower looks very decorative, and therefore is very popular among breeders.

Alpine violet: flower photo

In addition, it is also necessary to underline the fact that the Alpine violet also has some medicinal properties, which many have known for many centuries. Today, both herbalists and healers use this plant in order to make an extract and use it in medicines. One way or another, cyclamen is recognized as a poisonous plant, and it should be used in this form with great caution. It is safest to purchase ready-made tinctures or other medications that include an extract from alpine violets.

Plant species

The Alpine violet began to be cultivated in Europe, and around the 19th century it became a full-fledged ornamental plant, especially when spectacularly flowering species came into fashion, which attracted the eyes of everyone who saw them. Later, more modest varieties returned to the fore, but the variety of species has survived to this day.

If we talk about the species that take root best at home, then these are purple and Persian cyclamens. Below we will analyze in more detail the features of each of them.

Persian alpine violet

Alpine violet: flower photo

It is a herbaceous plant that has tuber-shaped roots. Their diameter can reach 15 centimeters, and roots begin to grow at the very bottom. The leaves of the Persian cyclamen are shaped like hearts, the diameter of the leaves is quite large - about 10-13 centimeters. The leaf is green, there is a silvery pattern on top, and the petals are elongated, their length is about 5 centimeters. The species can be of the following colors: pink and purple, with spots and a dark shade at the very base of the inflorescence. The dormant period of Persian cyclamen begins, as we have already said, at the very beginning of summer. The leaves begin to take on a yellowish tint, then generally disappear. Only the tuber remains in place of the plant. But do not worry: this is the natural state of the flower, and after some time, by the next flowering period, it is fully restored.

European alpine violet

The second type, which belongs to domestic cultures. It is an evergreen tuberous plant that is a member of the herbaceous genus. The roots are located on the tuber, moving away from it from all sides. The leaf blades are heart-shaped, their color is dark green, the ornament on the top of the leaves is expressed, silvery. The flowers themselves are small in size, can be up to two centimeters long, have a delicate pink color, and also emit a very pleasant attractive aroma.

Alpine violet: flower photo

This alpine violet blooms in the spring and lasts for about the whole summer. Unlike many others, this particular type of violet does not have a pronounced dormant period, which is why growers are so worried. But in addition to such popular types of cyclamen, there are also less popular, but quite common ones.

Cyclamen intarium.

It is an alpine violet that is of Turkish origin. It is the smallest flower of its kind, which has small white flowers. Ivy cyclamen is very fragrant, in hot weather the flower literally goes bald, but with the arrival of autumn, incredibly delicate flowers appear. This genus of cyclamens belongs to long-livers, and can bloom in one place and stay for about 120 years.A tuber in diameter can grow up to 25 centimeters, which is a lot.

Lebanese cyclamen.

From the name it becomes clear that he is from Libya. This species actually has the longest flowering period. Delicate pink flowers appear on it, on which very thin red veins can be discerned. Also, the flowers are very large. For their appearance, it is really unique - up to three centimeters in length, and this is really a very large size.

Alpine violet: home care

Of course, considering the features and types of Alpine violets, one cannot ignore the peculiarities of caring for this plant. Alpine violet is a very beautiful and at the same time very capricious flower. In order to maintain its attractive appearance, it is extremely important to take into account some of the nuances of caring for it.

To begin with, it is necessary to take into account the temperature regime for the plant and the degree of illumination. As a rule, alpine violets are very fond of cool weather, and to a greater extent, the flower feels comfortable at temperatures that vary from 10 to 19 degrees. If there is an increase in temperature of more than 25 degrees, then cyclamen can regard this as a sign that it is possible to enter a state of dormancy and shed the leaves.

As long as the air temperature around has not dropped below 8 degrees, the flower can be perfectly transferred to the shady part of the loggia, or it will be quite adapted to the terraced conditions in the garden. As a rule, it is the cool night temperatures that will contribute to the development and formation of flower buds in the plant, and this largely determines the intensity with which the alpine violet will bloom when its time comes. If the Alpine violet has already entered the flowering stage, then it is best for it to choose a more illuminated, and at the same time, the coolest place in the apartment. Like any other plant that mostly blooms in winter, cyclamen is also demanding enough to be provided with stable lighting.

Watering for blooming Alpine violets is best organized regularly, otherwise the leaves will wither very quickly, which will completely ruin the appearance of the plant. Once the flowering stops, you can water the plant a little less often. When it enters the stage of complete rest, the soil can be moistened occasionally so that the plant does not completely dry out and wither, but in general, at this time, watering should be regulated and limited. Cyclamen can also be watered by simply filling the trays under the pot with water. Alpine violet leaves are not particularly welcoming if moisture gets on them. If this does happen, then the water should be immediately removed from the surface of the leaf, otherwise the plant will slowly begin to die.

It is highly not recommended to overmoisten the Alpine violet, as this can lead to some fungal diseases that affect the root system. Therefore, it is best to water the violet rarely, but abundantly, while after each watering, wait until the earthy clod is completely dry, and then carry out the next watering. Also, attention cannot be deprived of air humidity: the leaves do not like moisture ingress, it is best to use a finely dispersed spray gun, which will spray the air around the plant, but at the same time will not fall on its deciduous part in abundant quantities.

Alpine violet: flower photo

Alpine violet feeding... It should be organized in several stages, which will allow this process to bring even more benefits to the plant, avoiding an overabundance of substances or their lack:

• during the growing season, feeding is especially necessary for the alpine violet - usually this is fertilization between October and March;
• feeding should be done once every two weeks, but not more often;
• during dormancy, it is best not to feed the plant with anything;
• the most versatile mixtures are used as fertilizers for alpine violets. Potassium and phosphorus complexes are welcome. Nitrogen, which is very popular as a component of fertilizers, can, on the contrary, harm the alpine violet, so it should not be used.

The types of dressings can be alternated with each other in order to evenly saturate the soil with useful substances. Thus, we get a rather capricious charming plant - the Alpine violet will appeal to everyone who prefers neat perennials with an unusual history and external qualities.