It is difficult to find an indoor flower that boasts such a variety of colors as Saintpaulia. Among all the variety, the Macho variety stands out for its originality and very beautiful lush flowering.

Botanical description of the plant

Contrary to the name, this plant does not belong to the genus Violet, but to the genus Saintpaulia, the Gesneriaceae family, originating from East Africa. The common name for Saintpaulia is “uzambar violet” is not a scientific term - the flower received it only for its external resemblance to violets. Variety Macho is a hybrid bred by breeder Elena Lebetskaya (often such plants are combined into the Senpolia hybrid group). Like all representatives of the genus, it is a low herbaceous plant. The leaves are round, green, slightly pointed towards the end, growing from a basal rosette.

Did you know? Saintpaulia was opened relatively recently, in 1892, and by the middle of the twentieth century there were about a hundred of its varieties. And now more than 32,000 varieties of Saintpaulia are known.

Peduncles are strong and numerous. Beautiful semi-double flowers, resembling stars in shape, have a purple color and are framed along the edge with a white edging. During flowering, many flowers form; they are connected in a dense hat, which is beautifully framed by green leaves. Flowers tend to overflow - in bright light they appear dark burgundy, in dim light - almost black.

House growing conditions

Violet Macho is quite moody and loves comfort. To achieve a bright and long flowering, she needs to create all conditions.

Location and lighting

For the good development and lush flowering of the senpolia, a lot of light is needed, but not the bright sun. The south and southwest sides are not suitable for her. A good option is eastern, northeastern, western windows. In summer, it is better to shade the flower with a film or curtains so that the leaves do not burn. In winter, it is generally cleaned from the windows, because the glass is cold, and the battery is hot, dry air. You can place plants on special shelves or on bedside tables. In the autumn-winter period, the senpolia must be supplemented, otherwise it will not bloom.

Did you know? In Spain you can buy an unusual delicacy - candied violets made by La Violeta. These are not just candy in the form of flowers, but real flowers coated with glaze.

Temperature and humidity

This flower does not tolerate cold and drafts. The best temperature for him is + 22 ° C ... + 25 ° C. If the mark of the thermometer drops below + 20 ° C, the plant begins to hurt, rot. Humidity for Macho varieties needs ordinary. Dry air is better for him than moist.

How to care

To get a healthy and beautifully flowering plant, you must strictly follow all the rules for caring for it.

Watering

These plants are watered only with slightly warm, settled water. They are very afraid of waterlogging - because of it, leaves and roots begin to rot. You need to focus on drying the upper layer of soil; in addition, if the senpolia has little water, it lowers the leaves and they become soft. Even in summer, the frequency of watering is an average of 2 times a week.When watering, you need to ensure that water does not fall on the leaves and in the middle of the outlet. The best way is to water the pan: the flowerpots are lowered into the pan with water and left for 15–20 minutes. Above the ground should also become wet. Then the pots are removed and allowed to drain excess water. You can water on top, but carefully spreading the leaves and in small portions.

Fertilizer application

Macho's active growth begins in the spring, and it is during this period that it needs to be fed. Fertilizers are applied from March to October and only special ones - for the senpolis. This is done every 2 weeks, and the dosage, which is indicated on the package, is divided in half. Top dressing is applied in liquid form under the root. In the spring, when there is an increase in green mass, the plant needs nitrogen, and during the period of budding and flowering, phosphorus and potassium. Based on this, and choose fertilizers.

Important! Fertilizers are applied only to moist soil, because if it is dry, tender roots can get burned.

Pruning

To ensure that the bush always looks neat, periodically remove old leaves and wilted flowers. According to the rules, the senpolia should have three rows of leaves. In the lower fourth row, the leaves rot, turn yellow, become too long - they need to be trimmed. Withered flowers not only spoil the picture, but also take away the strength of the plant, so they are also removed. With age, Macho forms a trunk, which after 5-6 years becomes rough and ugly. The flower can be rejuvenated - cut off the entire rosette of leaves, leaving a part of the trunk under it about 3 cm. Next, lower it into the water and wait for it to take root.

Transfer

The plant needs an annual transplant, and you need to do this in the spring, when it does not bloom. Young plants more actively absorb nutrients and deplete the soil faster, so they need a transplant twice a year - in March and September. Senpolia soil prefers nutritious, but loose. With self-preparation of the mixture, it is necessary to mix humus, sheet soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 3: 1.

Also, in flower shops you can buy ready-made soil for senpolia, which has an optimal composition. When choosing a pot, you need to focus on the size of the root system, because Macho will not bloom until the roots grow throughout the space. Flowerpots are taken low, always with holes for water drainage. A drainage layer of about 3 cm is laid at the bottom - it will protect the roots from decay in case of excessive watering.

Progress:

1. Before planting, the plant is watered, but not abundantly.
2. Then gently shake from the pot, inspect the roots. If there is rotten - clean.
3. Old soil is also removed as much as possible.
4. In a new pot, a little earth is poured over the drainage.
5. The plant is lowered inside and, holding it with one hand, the earth is poured from all sides with the other. It is convenient to do this with a tablespoon.
6. When the earth reaches the base of the outlet, it is watered and wait until it settles. Then they add a little more.
7. After that, the plant is returned to its usual place.

Video: violet transplant

How to propagate at home

The Macho variety, like other domestic senpolia, propagates in 2 ways:

• dividing the bush;
• leafy cuttings.

After 4 years of life, the senpolia has children who, when transplanted, separate well, so that a ready-made young plant is obtained. He is planted in a small pot and kept for the first time in a warm place, monitoring the regularity of watering. Such a baby can bloom in six months. When propagating by leaves, they should be taken from the 2nd row.

Important! You can’t cut the leaves from the bottom row for reproduction - they are too old and will not give children.

The leaves are cut with scissors, leaving the stalk about 3 cm. Next, the leaf is either lowered into a glass of water and waiting until the roots appear, or immediately planted in the ground. If you chose the first option, then the roots will appear in about 2-3 weeks. They will be small, thin, white. When there are 5-6 of them and the length reaches 1 cm, you can plant a leaf in the ground.

The leafy cuttings planted in the ground are covered with jars or bags for better rooting. Every day, cuttings are aired for 10-15 minutes. After about a month, if the leaf has taken root, you will see new leaves appear from under the ground. Violet builds up kids very quickly. From one leafy cut, on average, 3-4 young shrubs are obtained.

Growing difficulties

If all the requirements for growing and care are met, this flower does not cause trouble. But creating ideal conditions does not always work.

The main problems that the florist is facing when growing Saintpaulia:

1. New leaves are small and inconspicuous, their edges are bent up - lack of light.
2. Lack of flowering for a long time - too acidic or depleted soil.
3. White spots on the leaves - sunburn, or contact with water.
4. Brown rot - brownish patches appear on the leaves, and the stem becomes soft and thin. The fungus spreads to neighboring plants, so they urgently need to be saved. Leave a few healthy leaves for rooting, and the diseased plant will have to be thrown away.
5. Powdery mildew - sheet plates as if sprinkled with flour. The treatment consists in the treatment with fungicide.

The macho Senpolia should be settled at home. With her flowering, she will cheer up even on the most unlucky day, but in return will require your attention and care. If you do everything according to the rules and monitor the watering, temperature and lighting, the plant will grow strong and healthy.