Today there is a wide variety of varieties of violets: variegated, with double flowers, with inflorescences stars and other features. One of the varieties with unusual varietal characteristics is the flower of LE Odalisque.

Botanical description of the plant

The author of the variety is Ukrainian breeder Elena Lebetskaya, whose works are known throughout the world and have many awards. The violet rosette LE-Odalisk grows up to 27 cm, forming a circle with almost perfect geometry. Dark green foliage on thick petioles slightly raised upwards as they grow. The plates are distinguished by mottled blotches of white: a border around the edge and points scattered across the sheet.

Did you know? The inhabitants of ancient Sicily minted an image of violets on their coins.

The flowering time can be any, usually lasts about 2-3 months, then it is repeated with proper care. On average, violets bloom 8–10 months a year. The variety is large-flowered, the diameter of the inflorescences is 6–8 cm. Peduncles grow from the center of the outlet, forming a hemisphere from full-bloomed half-terry baskets. The color of the numerous petals is pink-coral with a darker and deeper center.

Conditions for successful growing at home

Variegated varieties need special conditions so that the plant does not lose its decorative effect.

Location

Variegated varieties are best grown on the shelf, the direction of the windows is east or west. The best place on the rack is the middle shelf. Saintpaulia, as the flower is also called, is afraid of drafts, therefore its placement in passage places or close to doorways is excluded.

Lighting

The variety prefers diffused light, without direct sunlight. White spots in the color of leaf blades get burns especially quickly. Daylight hours should last up to 11-12 hours. An additional illumination will be provided by a 36 W fluorescent lamp, the distance from the lamp to the plant is 25 cm.

We offer you to get acquainted with many other varieties of violets:

Temperature mode

Variegated senpolia tolerates heat and cold equally poorly. The optimum temperature for its cultivation is + 18 ... + 22 ° С.

Air humidity

The variety likes high humidity in the range of 65–70%. In the summer, on hot days, pallets with wet material (pebbles, expanded clay), artificial fountains or aquariums with clean water are placed next to the flowerpot.

Important! You can not spray the violet: its pubescent leaves trap drops of liquid, which can cause rot to develop.

Features of home care

Plant care procedures are standard, although there are a few nuances.

Watering Rules

The outlet at LE-Odalischi is not very dense, so watering can be done through a watering can with a narrow nose. In this case, you need to remember that the liquid should not fall on the foliage and stems. Water must stand for all main impurities to settle. Its temperature should correspond to the temperature in the room.

Top dressing

It is preferable to carry out top dressing root, alternating organic and mineral complexes.

For instance:

• "Stimovit" (organic preparation) - the solution is prepared in a proportion of 25 ml / 1 liter of water, used 1-2 times a month;
• "Master" (mineral complex) - watering is carried out with a solution in a concentration of 5 ml / 1 liter of water, 1-2 times a month.

Both complexes increase the immunity of violets to diseases and insect attacks. Thanks to balanced compositions, the plant maintains foliage decorativeness, blooms luxuriantly and for a long time.

Pruning

The pruning procedure as such is not for the seniors, the outlet is rejuvenated by removing the lower leaves when they become too large. If any leaf plates have dried, it is also desirable to remove them from yellowing.

Transfer

A plant needs a transplant every year, in the spring: as it grows older, the bush exposes the base of the outlet, which does not look aesthetically pleasing. The pot for the senpolia is selected 2 cm more than the previous one. If transplanted into a too spacious tank, the plant will begin to grow roots instead of the formation of peduncles.

Soil can be bought for violets, for example "Laflora". It must be diluted with decayed compost (10th part). An increase in the amount of organic additives should not be done, since variegation due to excess nitrogen may disappear. In addition, increase the acidity of the soil, which is also not desirable for LE-Odalischi.

Important! The soil must be sterilized by baking in the oven for 30 minutes at t 100 ° C.

Transplant Technology:

1. The pot needs to be watered a couple of hours before the procedure.
2. When the soil dries out a little, gently toss out the flower, being careful not to damage the roots.
3. The roots are inspected, cut too long and treated with activated carbon powder.
4. At the bottom of the new tank lay 2-3 cm of drainage, pour a hill of land.
5. Place a senpolia bush and add soil gently along the edges of the pot.
6. The center of the outlet with a growth point should not be deepened, otherwise it will begin to rot.
7. After transplanting the plant for a couple of hours you need to put in a dark place.
8. Then water.
9. The first feeding is not earlier than after 2 weeks.

How to propagate

For propagation, a leaf stalk is used, which is removed from the second line of the outlet. The sheet should be saturated color, dense and without signs of wilting or damage. For a while (before the formation of roots) it is placed in a plastic glass with water. Water is changed every 2-3 days.

After 10-12 days, roots appear, and the leaf is rooted in a pot of soil. On average, the life of a flowering pestle leaf is about 3 years, after which the bush needs to be rejuvenated. To do this, divide the bush into two or more outlets.

Division process:

1. The earth in the pot is moistened before the process to facilitate extraction.
2. The extracted overgrown outlet can be divided by hand or with a sharp knife.
3. Sprinkle slices with charcoal and dry.
4. Each of the resulting dividing rosettes is rooted immediately in the substrate.
5. Watered after a couple of hours.

Did you know? Violets were the favorite flowers of many famous and great people: Shakespeare, Josephine Beauharnais, Turgenev, Wilhelm ll, Heine, Sarah Bernhardt.

Plant diseases and pests

With proper care, LE-Odalisque does not get sick, and its fragile leaves are avoided by such a pest as a spider mite. But as a result of oversight of the grower, some problems are possible.

Methods of controlling possible diseases and pests:

1. Root rot - the cause of the disease is waterlogging of the soil. Treatment: remove the violet from the pot, lower the root system into the Gamair water solution (2 tablets / 1 l), transplant into dry soil and adjust the watering.
2. Vascular bacteriosis - occurs due to increased soil acidity. Treatment: water the soil with an aqueous solution of Bactofit (5 ml / 2.5 l).
3. Aphid - the insect can be carried by the wind when airing in the warm season, the eggs of the pest can be in the ground. Methods of control: spraying with “Aktara”, a solution in the proportion of 6 ml / 1 liter of water.

Violet LE-Odalisque is a colorful and lushly flowering variety, the leaves of the plant are also decorative. With proper care, the flower will decorate the house, adding an atmosphere of comfort and spring mood.