Violet "Milky Way" stands out against the background of other varieties. Its rich purple hue of flowers with bright pink peas scattered on the petals amazes the beauty of even already experienced gardeners. But it’s worthwhile to figure out how simple this violet is in leaving and what conditions of keeping it needs for a long and plentiful flowering.
Photo and description violets "Milky Way"
This type of flower was developed by Russian breeder Yevgeny Arkhipov, so it can be found in catalogs in section AE.
According to the photo and description of the variety, the milky way violet is distinguished by the standard size of the leaves of a dark shade. Rosette slightly loose, medium diameter, with symmetrically arranged foliage on long stalks. The variety is characterized by an average level of foliage, as it constantly forms peduncles, which takes up most of the plant's strength.
The flowers of the violet "Milky Way" (photo above) are semi-double and double. During blooming, they have a bright plum color, on which fantasy red and pink peas contrast. Their diameter reaches 7 cm. As it blooms, the shade slightly fades, and pink spots blur on the petals. The more peduncles a bush forms, the smaller the diameter of the flowers.
The first flowering violet "Milky Way" occurs 8 months after planting the cuttings. It lasts for 3 weeks, and then comes a short break. It is rather difficult to achieve magnificent blossoming from violets "Milky Way", because when new flowers bloom, the previous ones lose their decorative effect. But in an adult plant, peduncles are constantly formed.
The variety forms a large number of stepsons, which must be constantly removed, otherwise the bush will cease to bloom.
Species qualities are excellently transmitted to posterity. It can form a sport in which the shade of flowers is black and purple, but without pink peas.
Growing conditions
Violet "Milky Way" needs increased attention of the grower. And for its lush flowering, it is necessary to create optimal conditions of detention, otherwise it will increase green mass to the detriment of the formation of peduncles.
Therefore, before thinking about its acquisition, it is necessary to study the features of cultivation. And also have patience, as the expected result can be obtained only with 2-3 flowering.
Lighting
The "milky way" violet variety can be grown on eastern and western windows, as well as on shelves with light. For lush flowering, the duration of daylight hours should be 12-14 hours, so in the evening it is recommended to use backlighting. Plants feel great on the eastern and western windowsills.
When growing on the south window, shading devices (curtains, blinds) should be used, since aggressive sunlight can cause burns on the leaves.
Temperature mode
The optimum temperature of the content is 20-24 degrees. Young violet plants "Milky Way" can be grown at a temperature of 2-3 degrees higher that will accelerate the formation of rosettes. But adult bushes heat is categorically contraindicated.
In winter, the temperature regime is recommended to be reduced by 3-4 degrees. The critical temperature is 16 degrees. Violet is able to withstand short-term cool content if the temperature drops gradually. With a long cool period, plant growth completely stops, the leaves begin to lose their turgor. Subsequently, irreversible processes occur in the tissues of the plant, which lead to the death of the plant.
You can not keep the plant in the winter on a cold windowsill, as with the supercooling of the root system it begins to decay.
Watering and humidity
With the top watering of the Violet Milky Way violet, the outlet is more compact. Growing a plant on a wick gives a loose bush, and peduncles are also pulled.
For irrigation it is recommended to use settled water at room temperature. Watering the plant must be done regularly, but letting the topsoil dry between the waterings. Water during the procedure should not fall on the foliage and in the middle of the outlet.
Humidity for the full development of the bush and lush flowering should be at the level of 50-60%. If the air is too dry, it is recommended to additionally install containers with water near the pot with violet, which will increase the evaporation of moisture.
It is not recommended to spray the outlet, since the villi on the leaves retain moisture for a long time, and this can provoke the development of fungal diseases.
Top dressing
According to the description, the violet "Milky Way" responds well to regular feeding. Nutrients should be added once every 2 weeks, combining the procedure with watering.
For violets, it is necessary to use special fertilizers, which are sold in any flower shop. But as the plants grow, the nutritional composition should be different.
During the period of growing green mass, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content should be used, and during the formation of buds, phosphorus and potassium. The development and flowering of violets directly depends on strict observance of this rule.
The use of nitrogen during budding can lead to increased growth of foliage, as well as adversely affect the shade and number of colors.
Transfer
Violet "Milky Way" needs transplantation as it grows. This procedure should be carried out regularly in spring or autumn by transshipment. To do this, you must use a special substrate for violets, which can be purchased at the store.
You can prepare the soil mixture at home by mixing the following components:
- 0.5 parts of turf;
- 2 parts of sheet land;
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part of sand.
It is necessary to add perlite to the obtained substrate, the mass fraction of which should be 10% of the total volume. This will give the soil friability and lightness.
The pot should be selected depending on the size of the outlet, but it should be small, since flowering will only occur when the roots have mastered all the free space.
The diameter of the pot should be for:
- young plants - 5-6 cm;
- medium - 7-9 cm;
- adults 11-13 cm.
At the bottom of the tank, it is necessary to put drainage with a layer of 1 cm, and then sprinkle it with soil. Place the outlet in the center of the pot and gently fill the voids formed with earth. If the substrate gets on the foliage, it is necessary to clean it with a brush.
After the procedure, water the plant and put for 2-3 days in a shaded place for adaptation. After time, return to its original place.
Bush rejuvenation
As the violet milky way grows, the lower part of the stem is gradually exposed, which leads to a loss of decorativeness of the outlet. You can correct the situation by rejuvenating the bush.
This procedure is carried out in the following sequence.
- Get the plant out of the old pot.
- Break off the leaves below, which do not have decorativeness.
- Cut 1/3 of the bottom of the earthen coma with a knife.
- Place the bush in a new prepared pot.
- Sprinkle gently with earth to the first lower leaves.
- Pour the plant with a working solution of "Kornevin" and put in a greenhouse.
After some time, new roots will appear on the bare section of the stem. After that, rearrange the violet "Milky Way" to its usual place.
This procedure allows you to update the bush, as a result of which it begins to grow actively and bloom profusely.
Florist reviews
According to the description and photo of violet AE "Milky Way", which is found on all kinds of resources, it can be judged that this variety is especially popular among gardeners. And despite the fact that in addition to positive reviews, negative ones are often found, it can be asserted with confidence that this plant variety does not leave anyone indifferent.
Violet "Milky Way" is very demanding on growing conditions, so any deviation from the rules of maintenance can reduce all efforts of the grower to nothing. Therefore. acquiring this variety, you must understand that it will not be easy. However, a bouquet of dark lilac flowers with pink peas in a fantasy style will be a worthy reward for patience.