Lovers of violets can talk about these flowers for hours. And to call the subject of their admiration will be the correct botanical term - Saintpaulia. Describing the varieties, they will definitely advise you to get the “Babylon” violet, which won the hearts of flower growers thanks to its huge delicate flowers.
Who gave the world a luxurious Babylon?
Selective breeding of violets is a fascinating and painstaking work. It is necessary not only to have a good understanding of pistils and stamens, but also to have information on the genetic characteristics of plants, to be able to choose the “parents" correctly, to master pollination and other subtleties that allow you to get a new exhibition form.
The author of the violet "Babylon" is a Ukrainian breeder from Lugansk Svetlana Repkina. The name and varieties of a big lover of Saintpaulia are known not only in Ukraine, but also in Russia, the USA and other countries. In the trade and information catalogs, Svetlana Repkina’s creations are indicated by the abbreviation “RS-”. These letters are indicated as a prefix to the name of each variety.
Svetlana has been fond of senpolia since 1999, and her collection includes more than 500 varieties. According to the author, since 2001, a wonderful hobby has become a job. More than 100 bred varieties adorn the exhibitions and houses of admirers of Saintpaulia, and the flower, named after the main city of Ancient Mesopotamia, is without a doubt one of the best works of the breeder.
What is famous for the collection "Babylon"
If you are seriously interested in the violet "Babylon", a photo and description will allow you to get to know the plant better. Like any hybrid and wild senpolia, the variety belongs to the Gesneriaceae family. His closest relatives are streptocarpuses, nematanthus, gloxinia, and other plants popular in home floriculture.
The leaves of "Babylon" are large, moderately green, like any violet, leathery, abundantly studded with small villi. Form a fairly large outlet. The edges of the young leaves are first tucked up, straighten as they grow and acquire the usual oval shape.
The main advantage that is admired by the fans of Babylon is its gorgeous semi-double flowers with elongated petals. At the peak of growth, their diameter reaches 8 cm, which is uncharacteristic for most violets. The main color is white with saturated cherry strokes.
Looking at the violet "Babylon" in the photo, the impression of abundant flowering is created. In fairness, it is worth noting that this is not so. Flower stems are rare, strong and short, which is not surprising with such sizes of inflorescences. Sometimes the buds hide under the leaves. Therefore, before flowering, they must be carefully released.
Like any hybrid variety, "Babylon" has its own characteristics, common to a group of colors of a particular breeder.
Subtleties of content
As admirers of violets Svetlana Repkina note, her plants are perfectly adapted for window sills and for growing on shelves. And this, by the way, is important when creating interior designs.
The first flowering of the young violet "Babylon" is simply pleasing, and the subsequent ones are already striking in their beauty when the plant fully reveals its potential. Another interesting regularity: in the cooler conditions of the senpoly of Svetlana Repkina, they bloom especially brightly.
It is worth noting that "Babylon" refers to slowly growing hybrids. To wait for flowering, you will have to be patient and, of course, remember the basic rules of violet agricultural technology.
Do not flood, do not catch a cold, do not forget to communicate
It's nice to grow a violet from one small leaf. If you have friends who are happy owners of Babylon, ask for a couple. Put in the water, wait for the roots and plant. There is nothing complicated in caring for a violet, if you follow the basic rules:
- in large containers, the senpolia grows to the detriment of flowering, so the pot is chosen small and shallow;
- you can buy ready-made soil for violets or take turf soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 4: 1: 1;
- direct sunlight should not be allowed on the flowers;
- violets do not tolerate waterlogging of the soil, wither and die quickly;
- they get sick on drafts, from an excess of fertilizers they are fattening and lose their decorative effect.
Acquainted with the violet "Babylon", take one important tip from Svetlana Repkina: often take the pot in your hands, talk with your flower, and he will repay you with gratitude, luxurious flowering, give a lot of positive emotions.