Violet Esmeralda

The Esmeralda violet is very delicate and lovely, especially at its peak. At this time, the buds open and never cease to amaze with flowers with ruffles around the edges. Not every florist can grow this variety, especially when it comes to inexperienced flower lovers.

Before growing this plant, you need to know its features.

Violet Esmeralda: variety description and characteristics

Esmeralda violet belongs to the genus Saintpaulia. In the people, this plant is in any case called a violet. In order not to confuse readers, this term will also be used in the article. The name of the variety comes from the heroine of the old story, a gypsy woman, who was distinguished by a very strong will. The flowers of the plant are characterized by a rather pronounced white edging and change their shade as the bush matures. Also, the temperature in the room where the culture is grown affects the shade.

The leaf plates here are oval, but over time, like the petals, they become wavy. Also, this variety is characterized by a large number of inflorescences, which are formed already in the first flowering.

Types of violets Esmeralda

• Violet LE Esmeralda Lux. The violet variety LE-Esmeralda Lux was bred by the famous and popular scientist Elena Lebetskaya, who owns a large number of varieties. This is evidenced by their characteristic prefix before the name of the LE variety. Violet LE Esmeralda Lux is characterized by large corrugated leaf plates and also has a large diameter of flowers. The shade of the petals here is crimson, burgundy, and can also be fuchsia. The edging of the petals here has a light green tint. The variety is characterized by the dissimilarity of the flowering periods.

Violet LE Esmeralda Lux: photo

• Violet Esmeralda sport... Outwardly, this plant is very similar to the usual "Esmeralda", however, the leaves of the violet Esmeralda sport are also very curly.

Violet Esmeralda sport: photo

• Violet RS-Esmeralda. This plant was also developed by the Russian scientist Svetlana Repkina. The bush has a great vigor of growth, as well as a fairly large diameter of the inflorescences, which reaches about 8 cm. In addition, the shade of the petals here is very pronounced dark crimson. The edging of the petals is also contrasting and has a light green tint. Violet RS-Esmeralda begins to bloom in the first year. So, for example, in winter you can enjoy flowers for about six months. At the end of flowering, the buds may not open. In addition, it is noted that the RS-Esmeralda violet variety can change its color. Even one bush can have different flowers.

Violet RS-Esmeralda: photo

Violet Esmeralda: growing and care

A violet of the Esmeralda variety requires a certain amount of care, but knowing its features and if you follow the rules, it will not be difficult to grow a bush. In addition, if you create comfortable conditions for the violet, then the flower will thank you with its beauty. The most important thing is to maintain the level of lighting, temperature, and humidity.

Landing place

The best place to grow a plant will be on the west or east side of the apartment, as this will lead to sufficient lighting. However, direct sunlight will not burn young leaf plates. You can put the violet pot directly on or next to the windowsill.

Temperature

The temperature of the room where the violet is grown should be about 25 degrees or lower. However, the minimum edge is 3 degrees.It is also necessary to ensure that there is no sharp change in temperature, and also to protect the plant from drafts. If the violet is exposed to a sharp drop in temperature and drafts, then it may die.

Humidity

This is a very important indicator of the conditions for keeping a flower, since its level should be at least 50%. If the violet is grown in dry air, it will not grow and develop well. Since the Esmeralda variety belongs to moisture-loving plants, you can water the entire bush from time to time and give it a warm shower. However, be sure to then wipe the leaves with a dry cloth. To remove dust and dirt, you can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, but do not do this very often. Also, to increase the level of humidity, you can place a container with moistened pebbles next to it, or create a pebble drainage layer. You can just put a container with water or add moistened perlite to the pan.

This event will not only increase the level of humidity, but also protect the bush from some diseases.

Violet Esmeralda: photo

Lighting

For Saintpaulias, there should be an open, illuminated space so that there are no burns on the leaves. It is necessary to create a slight shadow or diffused light. However, in the cold season, artificial lighting should be created using special lamps, while lighting should be at least 15 hours.

Transfer

Among other things, the violet needs a constant annual transplant. The optimal time for transplanting is spring. It is better to buy land ready-made, which can be easily purchased at a hardware store. You can also make your own soil, which will consist of peat, deciduous and coniferous humus. It is also very good to add minerals.

During plant transplantation, it is necessary to carefully remove the violet from the previous container and, keeping the earthen lump, plant it in a new container. New soil is also added on top. It is possible not to change the capacity, but it is necessary to completely replace the soil.

In order for the bush to look decorative, and the leaves to grow evenly, it is necessary to constantly rotate it around its axis in order for the illumination to be uniform.

If you create the necessary care for this crop, namely, choose the optimal watering regime, take preventive measures against diseases and pests, choose the right place for growing, as well as the soil, then the violet will delight with its flowering for a long time.

Feeding

Like any flower plant, the violet needs to be fed regularly. As a fertilizer, nitrogen-containing preparations, potassium-containing compounds and phosphorus-containing preparations, which are sold in hardware stores, are perfect here. Nitrogen-containing preparations must be applied at the beginning of the growing season. This is in spring or at the time of bud formation. You need to feed the plant twice a month. In winter, it is not necessary to feed the violet, since it is in the dormant stage and, in general, the flower should rest.

Watering

Since the stems of violets are very small, and the leaves are located almost on the surface of the ground, moisture can get on them during watering. If this happens constantly, then there is a risk of developing various fungal diseases. Therefore, the plant is not watered from above, so as not to fall on the leaves. Florists water the violet from below, namely, they lower the pot with the violet into a container filled with water and wait for a while. After the topsoil has become wet, you can take out the container with the violet and drain off the excess water, and then return it to its permanent place.

Some growers use wick irrigation. To do this, they pull a cord or rope through the holes in the bottom of the pot, and lower the bottom edge into a glass of water. Thus, the cord evenly moisturizes the soil in the pot. Water for irrigation should be warm and settled.

Violet Esmeralda: diseases and pests

Violet Esmeralda: photo

Like any plant, the Esmeralda violet can be affected by various insects - pests, as well as diseases. This usually happens if the plant is not properly cared for.

• Powdery mildew often affects the violet. The reason for its appearance is too moist soil or low room temperature. Symptoms of the disease are white spots on the leaf plate. If they are found, it is necessary to carry out treatment with a fungicide or washing powder.
• Late blight is also a common disease. With this ailment, the stems of the plant suffer, and the color of the roots becomes brown at the same time. For medicinal purposes, the plant is dug up and all damaged areas of the root system are removed, and then transplanted into a new container with new soil.
• Gray rot. Signs of this disease are gray bloom on the back of the leaf plate. The disease can develop very quickly, and then the violet will die. At the first sign, it is necessary to transplant the plant into new soil and treat the roots with calcium.
• Fusarium occurs when there is a sharp temperature drop in the room where the violet is located, or when the pot for the plant is incorrectly selected. In this case, the roots can rot, and in addition, the leaves also suffer. To get rid of fungal diseases, it is necessary to use antifungal drugs, for example Fitosporin-M.
• Rust. It usually appears if improper watering is done and water gets on the leaves. At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to remove the affected leaves.

In addition, the plant is often attacked by the following pests.

• Nematodes. These are dangerous little worms that appear in the soil and are not visible to the naked eye. They feed on the sap of the plant and at the same time emit a large amount of harmful substances. When a pest appears, spots appear on the plant, and then it rots. When attacked by this pest, the plant, as a rule, dies, so it is better to get rid of it immediately, and in addition, treat the pot with soil with special means.
• Whiteflies appear on the back of the leaves and begin to secrete a sticky cobweb. If these signs are found, you must use special drugs. Fitoverm and Aktofit have proven themselves well.
• Mites usually affects a young plant. Signs of the appearance of pests are a change in the color of the leaf plate, in addition, the plant does not bloom for a long time. Against these insects, special chemicals are used - insecticides.

Conclusion

Violet Esmeralda is a very spectacular plant, which is distinguished by a bright pronounced shade of flowers and lush inflorescences. In order for the plant to perform decorative functions, it is necessary to follow simple rules of care.