As flower growers say, there should be a “Duchess” in every home.
The Duchess is a violet whose appearance remains in the memory for a long time. The flower attracts attention with the special colors of the petals and the shape of the leaves.
As befits a lady with this title, violet can be picky in its care.
Despite this, flower growers are ready to work hard in order to have a blooming specimen of this variety in their collection.
Appearance, description of the variety
Violet Duchess is characterized by its bright appearance. Most often the plant has lilac or purple buds.
Each of the 20 types of violets has its own characteristics.
Leaves
The leaves of these violets are large and have a rounded heart-shaped shape. There are small fibers on the surface of the foliage, which is why they appear terry. Due to the average size of the leaves of the PC-Duchess violet, the buds themselves look massive.
The Duchess violet has green leaves with a light green tint.
Flowers
During the flowering of Saintpaulia Duchess, a group of 4-5 beautiful large buds gather above the leaves. Flower sizes reach 8 cm. Flowers, like leaves, are covered with short, thin fibers.
The main color scheme of the buds is dark purple (violet), which flows into white at the edges. The middle flowers of these violets are usually yellow.
Family and history of appearance
The plant belongs to the Gesneriev family.
PC-Duchess violets were introduced in 2001. The plant owes its origin to the breeder Svetlana Repkina. The abbreviation RS before the name is an abbreviation of the first and last name of their creator.
Reviews from flower growers
Valentina, 62 years old, Sergiev Posad
I have been fascinated by violets for a long time. I'm always interested in new products. I order leaf cuttings, sometimes I buy babies. I have had the Duchess variety for 9 years. I grow it on a rack with lighting. Watering - wick. It blooms very beautifully. All characteristics correspond to the varietal description. I never tire of admiring her royal beauty!
Maria, 29 years old, Tver
I suffered with this variety. The apartment is warm: the windows are south. Bloomed twice. The first time the flowering ended quickly, but the second time the color changed. The leaves are not particularly decorative - very long cuttings that hang over the edges of the pot. I prefer the less picky and more compact varieties.
Olga, 45 years old, Kostroma
I fell in love with the beautiful Duchess at first sight at the exhibition. And here I have it. Yes, it is more difficult to care for than other Saintpaulias. Loves cool weather, has taken root on a north window. The rosette, of course, is too big, but a bouquet of gorgeous double flowers with rich colors smoothes out this drawback.
Features of caring for violets Duchess at home
At home, the flower needs to create suitable conditions. They are made up of several factors.
Temperature
Violet wedding bouquet - flower description
To grow an adult plant, an air temperature of +20 to +23 °C is required. Young violets require more heat; they are recommended to be grown at temperatures from +23 to +26 °C.
Lighting
Violets love light very much, but they do not do well in direct sunlight. The best place for this plant may be a window sill in the eastern part of the house. If there is none, you can equip a part of the window for the flower where there is least light.
Important! The Duchess has a capricious character, which is why many violet growers advise placing a flower pot on a window on the north side of the house. This way the plant will bloom better and retain its beauty longer.
Watering
To water the plants, use settled tap water at room temperature. You need to water the violet in such a way as to avoid the accumulation of water near the shoots and leaves. The soil must be kept moist; it can only dry out by a third, since otherwise the leaves will begin to dry out and fall off.
Spraying
Violets do not like spraying. If the flower does become dusty, you should use water at room temperature and carefully wash off the dust, and then blot everything with a napkin.
Humidity
Under no circumstances should the plant be placed in rooms with high humidity. If moisture gets on the stems and leaves of a delicate flower, it will die. It is better to place it in a place with a rather dry microclimate.
Priming
Due to the complex nature of the plant, you need to choose the soil carefully, otherwise the flower will get sick and even die. Like all indoor plants, violets prefer soft soil in which there is no obstruction of oxygen to the roots.
The main features to remember when choosing soil:
- The soil should be chosen saturated with microelements.
- Nothing should have grown in this soil for a year.
- Before planting, you should feed the soil; for this it is better to use phosphorus and potassium. Afterwards you should fertilize regularly.
- An excellent option would be soil from the forest.
Important! Don't forget about drainage in the pot. It can be found in any specialty store.
Feeding
It is necessary to feed the violet twice a month throughout the year. After the transplant, a break is taken for 4-6 weeks. You can use mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.
Violets require fertilizing all year round, which is carried out twice a month. A break of 4 to 6 weeks is needed only after the transplant. To feed, you can use a mineral complex that fertilizes flowering plants.
general information
In order for any violet to feel comfortable, grow and develop properly, you must first study what such a plant wants and how to care for it. The “Duchess” violet variety does not differ in requirements from other flower varieties. This means that it is no more difficult to care for than other violets. Another issue is that the violet requires a lot of attention, and first you need to choose the right container for planting. A small pot with parameters of about 10 centimeters in height and the same diameter is ideal for this purpose. If you take a large pot, the result will be a lot of foliage, but few flowers. It is also possible that the plant will not bloom at all or the flowers will be very small. Another reason to choose a small pot is for ease of maintenance.
After you have selected the pot, it's time to prepare the soil
It is important to remember here that violet prefers loose soil, which allows air to penetrate to the root system. If you are new to growing flowers, then the best way would be to purchase ready-made soil for violets
Such soil is already supplied with all the necessary elements, including sand and baking powder.
When and how does it bloom
Homemade bullfight violet - description of the flower
The plant has five petals with a plum-white hue. The flower usually has 5-6 brushes that form a beautiful bouquet. The flowers themselves, like violet foliage, are covered with small fibers, so they seem terry to the touch.
The plant has 5 petals that form a beautiful bouquet
Flower shapes
Violet buds are shaped like a ball and can remain in this shape for a very long time. When the bud blooms, it visually resembles a rose flower.
Flowering period
You can enjoy the beauty of violet flowers from September to March. After the plant has flowered, a small seed pod is formed.
Changes in care during the flowering period
At hotter temperatures, the plant has solid bright flowers, and when the temperature drops, white is added. In order for the Duchess to fully express her color scheme, it is recommended to place her on the lower shelves of racks or cool window sills during the flowering period. Despite the flower’s love for light, it should not be placed in direct sunlight, as this leads to yellowing of the leaves and wilting of the buds. You can tell that there is too much light by the thickening of the center and short peduncles that find it difficult to get up. The plant needs a lot of free space, and in cramped conditions the leaves take a more vertical position.
In order for a beautiful rosette to form and the flowers to be lush, the violet needs a long daylight hours, correctly selected pot and soil, regulated watering and periodic feeding. As for temperature and humidity, they occupy secondary positions in care. Despite the fact that the plant does not tolerate heat well, good room ventilation compensates for this.
Reproduction
Violet Black Pearl - description of a home flower
Several methods have been invented for propagating violets at home.
Germination of seeds
It is not possible to obtain a full-fledged, strong plant using seed. To obtain seedlings, special conditions are required for their growth.
Rooting cuttings
The vegetative method is also suitable for plant propagation. To grow violets by rooting cuttings, you need to select a healthy leaf and cut it obliquely at the petiole, leaving about 3-5 cm. It is best to root in boiled water. However, it is also possible in the ground. It should be moist and loose.
To grow violets vegetatively, you can use a healthy leaf
The petioles should be placed at a depth of no more than 2 cm. Cover the seedling with film, regularly ventilating and moistening the soil. The pot must be placed in a warm place (with a temperature not lower than +20 °C), where there is diffused light. The rooting period ranges from 4 to 6 weeks.
Reproduction by flower
With the help of a flower you can grow yourself another violet. To do this, you need to cut off the flower along with the leaf underneath it. Afterwards, place it in the rooter and cover with oilcloth.
Possible problems in growing RS-Duchess violets
Violets, like other indoor plants, sometimes get sick. Every problem has its own solution, the main thing is to accurately determine the cause.
Problems with leaves
These violets also suffer from fungal diseases. If there is excess moisture, the impact falls primarily on the roots and leaves. If this happens, you should first apply a fungicide. In addition to fungus, plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, as well as gray mold or fusarium. This can happen due to low temperatures, moisture on the foliage or drafts.
Pests
The mite is the most dangerous pest for violets. It can be detected by drooping and withering leaves. In this case, it is almost impossible to cure plants. There is only one way: spray with a special anti-tick product.
In addition, the violet can become infected with scale insects or aphids. During the flowering period there is a risk of damage by root-knot nematodes. This disease is accompanied by growths on the roots - galls, in which the development and reproduction of worms occurs.
Important! In this case, you need to immediately get rid of both the plant and the substrate and disinfect the pot.
Diseases
A violet, like any plant, can easily get sick from another flower nearby. You can also spread the disease with dirty hands if you touch violet leaves with them. Pets also often carry many diseases on their fur. Most often the plant gets sick in May and September.
Due to dampness, low temperature or stagnation of water in the pot, brown or gray spots may appear on the leaves or flowers - fungus. Signs of a fungal infection may include a musty smell on the flower or the softness of the shoot itself. If they are detected, you should immediately remove the damaged areas, then start replacing the soil, and before replanting, treat everything with a fungicide.
Signs of improper care
One of the signs of improper care is the appearance of gray rot when water gets on the leaves. Affected leaves must be removed. If you water the plant with cold water, there is a risk of brown spots appearing. In case of physical damage, a sharp change in temperature, draft or dry air, the leaves dry out. The same problem can be encountered if you overdo it with fertilizers or if there is not enough light.
Thus, like any violet, PC-Duchess requires careful care and attention. If handled correctly, it will delight you with bright colors and exquisite beauty of leaves. The Duchess is suitable for experienced flower growers, but it is not recommended for beginners to start it.
What conditions need to be created for growing at home?
African violets do not take up much space, and they can be used to create beautiful decorative compositions. They bloom at a time when there are so few bright colors around. The plant can reproduce by leaves and seeds, so getting the right number of seedlings is almost not difficult.
Selecting a location
The amount of light that Saintpaulia receives is very important for good growth and great appearance. Violets can adapt to any light, from moderate to bright, indirect, indoor light.
Important! The correct illumination for a violet is determined using the hand. If you stretch your hand over the plant and there is no shadow from it, this is the correct degree of lighting.
Grow 'Duchess' on a windowsill with moderate light. Insufficient sunlight can be harmful to photosynthesis, but bright sunlight can also cause brown spots to appear on leaves and flowers. This is how leaf necrosis manifests itself, a pathology similar to sunburn. For best results, place your violets in a west-facing window.
There is plenty of light here most of the day, but not enough to cause burns on the Saintpaulia. Adjust the lighting using blinds or curtains. For maximum flowering, plants require 10 to 14 hours of daylight and an eight-hour rest period in the dark.
