Why violets don't bloom

Violets are one of the most popular decorative flowering plants. But when growing these beauties, all flower growers are divided into two camps: some argue that the violet is one of the most unpretentious indoor plants, which pleases with its flowering almost all year, while others, after the purchase, cannot wait for flowering and complain about the whims and exactingness of the plant. ... Which one is right? Both are right. The secret is that some growers know how to provide the plant with proper care, while others have yet to learn this. Once you understand the intricacies of caring for the plant, your violets will bloom most of the year, leaving only in the winter months for a short period of rest to gain strength and in the spring to please you with flowering again. How to care for a violet so that it blooms regularly and how to find out the reason why violets do not bloom?

This is what we will talk about in this article. There are six main reasons for the lack of flowering. After reading this information, examining your plants and analyzing their care steps, you can identify and solve the problem, and your violets will bloom again.

Why violets don't bloom - wrong planting

Plant care begins with planting or transplanting after purchase. More precisely, with the choice of a suitable flower pot and the right soil, which is suitable for this particular plant.

Violets have very delicate roots, so they are rather picky about the quality and composition of the soil. It is categorically impossible to use dense and heavy soil; soil with an increased acidity level will not work. The best solution would be to purchase a special soil for violets in a flower shop, which is designed taking into account all the characteristics and needs of the plant.

If you prefer to prepare the soil mixture yourself, then you will need high-moor peat, fertile garden soil (it should be no more than 40% of the total volume of the soil mixture, otherwise the plant will be oversaturated with additives and all its forces will go to growing leaves, and not to flowering).

Add vermiculite to the mixture as a baking powder, because loose soil is the key to the health of violets. Also, when planting, it is extremely important not to forget about the drainage layer of expanded clay or small stones. But over time, even loose soil will cake and become denser, and with improper watering, it will also partially wash out, so it is necessary not only to regularly loosen the soil in a flower pot, but also add soil, renewing the top layer.

Violets should be repotted at least once a year. More frequent transplanting may be necessary in case of emergency when the plant requires resuscitation measures.

A violet pot must be selected not very large, otherwise, instead of flowering, the plant will grow roots. But by planting a violet in a container that is too small, you will not achieve the desired result either - the soil will be depleted too quickly and the plant will not have the strength to bloom. For an adult plant, a pot with a diameter and height of 9-10 cm is suitable; for young plants and miniature varieties, a container with a diameter of 5-7 cm will be enough.

Which pot to choose: plastic or ceramic? Some argue that plastic pots are more suitable for violets as they heat up less, but still most prefer eco-friendly clay flower pots. The main thing is that there is a drainage hole in the bottom of each container.

Violets grow in a pot, forming stepchildren - which is why it is so important to regularly replant plants. In the process of transplanting, they must be separated, because in crowded conditions they will not bloom either.

Why violets do not bloom at home: insufficient lighting

Sometimes it can be difficult to find a suitable place for a violet in an apartment, because it is quite demanding in terms of lighting. These plants need a lot of light, but at the same time they categorically cannot tolerate direct sunlight, which burns the delicate leaves of violets.

If spots appear on the leaves of your violet, which is located on the windowsill, then the direct rays of the sun are most likely the reason for this. If the leaves become more and more pale, losing their original green tint, then the reason is just a lack of light.

In winter, the violet can also be placed on the southern windowsill - there will be enough sun, but at the same time its rays do not pose a danger, but in the summer months window sills facing north, east and northeast will do.

On the other hand, if trees grow under your windows that scatter sunlight, then the side of the world that the windows face does not matter - you can safely put the plants on the windowsill in the summer, they will not get burns.

For violets, a long day of light is required, which should last at least ten hours. If you have one or two plants in your collection and their spring-summer flowering is enough for you, then you do not need to take additional measures.

But if you are planning to fill the room with blooming violets, then with the onset of autumn you may need additional lighting. For this purpose, a fluorescent lamp is suitable, which must be installed strictly above the plants (at a height of about 30 centimeters).

Violets love stability in care, so you need to turn on and off additional lighting at the same time every day. Thanks to this lighting, the process of photosynthesis will continue as usual, and the violet will bloom much longer.

The wrong regime and method of watering is another reason why violets do not bloom

The regime, volume and technology of irrigation are very important for each plant. As you already know, do not allow moisture to get on the leaves, flowers and stems of violets. In addition, the complete drying of the earthy coma and waterlogging of the soil should not be allowed.

Watering violets is recommended in one of three ways:

1. Usual watering using a watering can with a long narrow spout or a volumetric syringe - such devices are needed so that water falls only on the soil, and not on parts of the plant. After some time after watering, the remaining moisture must be drained from the pallet.
2. Watering in pallet - the most common and easiest way to water violets. Water must be poured into the tray in which the pot is located, and wait until the plant absorbs the required amount of moisture. As soon as the top layer of the soil darkens, the excess water from the sump can be drained.
3. "Wick" watering. It will take some time to figure out the technology and establish such a method of irrigation, but then it will not require any effort from you, you just have to make sure that there is always water in the lower container. When transplanting a plant, you need to stretch a string or a strip of fabric through the drainage hole, then lower the free end into a container with water and put a flower pot with a violet on top of it. As needed, the plant will absorb water through the lace. But this method has two drawbacks. First, the soil is not always wetted uniformly.And secondly, if the violet is on the windowsill, then in winter the water can cool down, and watering violets with cold water is contraindicated.

Whichever method of watering you choose, do not forget that the water must first be boiled or defended for two or three days without closing the lid. And the water temperature during irrigation should be at least room temperature.

Temperature violation and high air humidity

Indoor plants do not like changes in temperature, violet is no exception. The most comfortable air temperature will be + 20 ... + 22 degrees, with an error of 1-2 degrees in one direction or another. At higher or lower temperatures, the violet will not feel very good, which will immediately affect flowering.

The violet does not need additional air humidification, on the contrary, it is recommended to place it away from plants that need to be regularly sprayed. However, if in winter the heating devices work at full capacity and the air in the room becomes too dry, then you can install a container with water next to the violet, which will evaporate and regulate the air humidity.

In winter, it is also recommended to remove the peduncles so that the plant can rest and gain strength for a more lush spring bloom.

Why indoor violets do not bloom: lack or excess of fertilizers

Fertilizers are necessary for violets, but they are necessary in a timely manner and in moderation. When the plant is dormant, there is no need to fertilize it. But with the onset of spring and the beginning of active growth, it is necessary to carry out regular fertilizing with special fertilizers that are suitable for violets: "Saintpaulia", "Uniflor", "Ideal", "Forte".

All of them are introduced in liquid form during watering, they must first be diluted according to the instructions (never increase the dose with the best intentions, this never leads to good results).

If you are preparing a mixture for feeding yourself, then it is worth minimizing the percentage of nitrogen to a minimum, giving preference to potassium and phosphorus - these are the elements that are responsible for flowering.

If you have just transplanted the plant, then the next month and a half it will not need fertilization, since the fresh soil contains a sufficient supply of nutrients. In addition to purchased fertilizers, you can also use folk remedies: infusions of yeast, orange or lemon peels, onion peels, as well as tea leaves or sweet water. Such funds will have a positive effect on flowering and help strengthen the immunity of violets.

Harmful insects or diseases

If, after reading all of the above, you came to the conclusion that you are doing everything correctly and did not find a solution to your problem, then perhaps the matter is in some kind of disease of violets or a colony of harmful insects that have chosen your plant.

Carefully examine all parts of the violet: plaque on the leaves, a change in their color and density may indicate the spread of powdery mildew, late blight or various types of rot.

If we talk about parasites, then a worm, spider mite, thrips or nematodes prefers to settle on violets. If you find signs of illness or the vital activity of pests, then the plant should be immediately transferred to another room and start treatment.

Depending on the problem, use the appropriate fungicide (if it is a disease) or insecticide (if the problem is with pests). Keep the violet in quarantine until it is completely cured, then transplant, updating not only the soil, but also the flower pot, and after that return it to its original place.

There are not so many reasons why violets do not bloom, which means that it will not be difficult to identify and eliminate them. We hope that this information will be useful for you, and that your violets will regularly delight you with lush flowering.