Violet Malachite Orchid
Content:
Violets can often be seen on window sills in various residential and non-residential premises. Violets are cultivated because they have a very beautiful flowering, unusual shades of inflorescences and, moreover, the plants do not require additional care. Among flower growers, Saintpaulia is in special demand. This is the same Uzambar violet, which is home to the Usambar mountains. The owner is only required to follow the simple rules of care, as well as care and enthusiasm for his work.
Scientists are breeding all new varieties of Saintpaulias. In this article, we will focus on the violet variety Malachite Orchid. Violet Malachite orchid is ranked as an elite variety. Our compatriots bred the plant, after which the violet immediately became very popular among flower growers. The name of the plant corresponds to the appearance of the flower, since the blooming violet looks very much like an orchid. In addition, the petals have a malachite border along the edges.
Violet Malachite Orchid: variety description and characteristics
Violet Malachite Orchid: photo
The violet variety Malachite violet was bred not so long ago, in 2012. The surname of the breeder who worked on the Korshunov plant. The culture has a bright cherry hue and a light green border. At the same time, the edge of the petal is slightly pubescent and looks like velvet.
EK violet inflorescence Malachite orchid is quite large, about 6 cm. In addition, up to 3 buds can form on one peduncle. At the moment of flowering, the EK violet Malachite orchid looks just excellent, since the flowers with a bright shade and a contrasting velvet border are simply mesmerizing.
The size of the leaf plates is average. In this case, the leaves have a fresh light green tint. The leaf plate has the shape of an oval or circle. The edges may also be jagged. Older leaves have a darker shade of green, while younger ones are light green. The wavy edges of the petals are so pronouncedly full of fringe that they resemble ballerinas' skirts.
The bush does not have a high stem, it consists of a rosette of leaves, which are folded in two rows. The decorative functions here are performed by the flowers, which sometimes hang along the edges.
The bottom row of leaves is usually removed to make the violet appear more compact. Plants have very bright contrasting shades and are large in size. At the peak of flowering, the leaves are simply not visible behind the blossoming purple buds. Not a single person will pass without paying attention to this plant.
Each flower contains a large number of petals that grow erratically and have a lace edge. So, in the center, the petals have a crimson color, and along the edges the color becomes light green, sometimes white or malachite.
Since the flowers of the Violet Malachite Orchid are large, the brushes may droop. Not so many leaf plates are formed on the bush. The plant gives all its nutritional power to flowers. Each leaf is shaped like an oval or circle. At the edges, the sheet may be built up, or it may be uneven. The color of the leaves is green and varies from light to dark. The violet has rather large and long stems. Therefore, the rosette does not look so compact, the plant sags more at the edges.
After flowering, seeds are formed on each plant, which are a capsule. Violet seeds are not very similar. Also, not every seed plant that grows will bloom.
Violet Malachite orchid: care for the EK variety
Violet Malachite Orchid: photo
First, you need to choose the right container for the plant, since only a wide container with low sides is suitable for a violet. Better if it is made of ceramic or clay. Worse, a violet will grow in a plastic pot. The root system does not need sunlight, so you should not choose a transparent pot.
This variety prefers to grow in partial shade. The best place will be the eastern, northern, and western sides of the apartment. During hot and dry summers, artificial shade should be created and the violet should be protected from direct sunlight. It is good to use a curtain or blinds as this. Also, the plant can be slightly moved away from the window. The culture does not tolerate when its leaves come into contact with the window. You should not grow Malachite Orchid with other indoor crops. Best of all, it will grow separately.
The air temperature in the room where the violet is grown should be no more than 20 degrees and not less than 15. If you observe this temperature indicator, the plant continues to bloom for almost the whole year.
The soil for violets should be fertile and rich. It is best to buy a special ready-made soil for Saintpaulias. You can make up the soil yourself, then it will consist of turf, peat and foliage. It is very important that the soil is light and loose so that air can circulate freely in it. It is also good to add vermiculite or perlite. Do not forget about a sufficiently thick layer of drainage, for which pebbles or gravel are optimal.
Also, the violet needs to be fed, especially at the time of its active flowering. As a fertilizer, organic preparations are usually used, as well as mineral preparations, periodically changing them. It will be enough to feed here once every 14 days. It is best to use solutions in this case, since the violet has a delicate root system.
After a while, nutrients in the soil become very small and the plant needs a transplant. After the violet has formed a large number of stepsons, it is necessary to separate them from the adult bush and plant them in new containers. The excavated plant is checked for root rot and other diseases, and then transplanted into a new soil mixture.
Violet Malachite orchid: reproduction
Violet Malachite Orchid: photo
- Most often, flower growers propagate this culture using a leaf cuttings. To do this, take a young healthy leaf without signs of damage near the base of the outlet and break it off at an angle. The cut site must be treated with charcoal powder, then the planting material must be placed in a manganese solution for several minutes, after which a cut is made on the leaf with a sharp disinfected knife and the cutting is placed in a glass with soil. The cutting should not be too deep. From above, you can cover the plant with a film or glass jar to create greenhouse conditions. If you did everything correctly, then after 2 weeks you can see new shoots.
- Also, violets are propagated by stepchildren, as described above, since they adapt quickly enough. The stepsons are placed in a new independent container. At the same time, they do not grow roots in a glass of water.
- Plants are rarely propagated by seeds, since they have poor germination and require a lot of time and effort from the grower. Usually, the seed propagation method is used by breeders.
It should be borne in mind that the violet Malachite orchid, propagated by stepchildren, will retain all the signs of an adult bush, in contrast to a leafy cutting.
Pests and diseases
Violet Malachite Orchid: photo
Violet Malachite orchid often falls ill with late blight. To prevent this from happening, preventive measures should be taken.Periodically, the plant is dug up, the root system is examined for the presence of diseases, and is also treated in a solution. It is also necessary to observe the correct watering regime. The best option in the summer will be twice a week. In the cold season, it is enough to water once every 7 days. In this case, it is better to underfill the Malachite Orchid violet than to overmoisten the soil. It is important to respect the watering time - it should be the same.
Of the insect pests, most often the violet of the EK-Malachite orchid variety is affected by the mealybug and cyclamen mite. These pests cause great harm to the root system of the plant, as well as to all other parts of it. If pests are found, it is necessary to treat the bush with a fungicide solution. Adult parasites are removed manually.
Conclusion
Violet Malachite Orchid: video
The violet malachite orchid is a very beautiful, abundantly and luxuriantly flowering plant. In addition, the culture is unpretentious, and even novice flower growers can grow it.