When and how can you transplant violets at home?

Violets (Saintpaulias) are deservedly popular among gardeners. This popularity is due to the plant's undemanding nature and its unusual and prolific flowering. However, the plant requires periodic repotting as its root system develops. According to the lunar calendar, repotting violets at home after purchase in 2020 is possible on specific days. Precise planting times and helpful advice from professionals will help a novice gardener grow a strong, healthy plant.

Do violets need to be replanted and when?

Only in some cases is it necessary to repot indoor violets. Most often, this procedure is performed on a scheduled basis. When the plant grows rapidly, the root system becomes cramped in a small pot. Increasing the pot size and refreshing the nutrient medium promote further development and more abundant flowering. Another reason for scheduled repotting is depleted soil.

If a violet remains in the same soil for too long, the soil releases all its nutrients. As a result, its development slows and it withers. Saintpaulias are moved unscheduled for other reasons:

1. After purchasing at a flower shop.
2. When a whitish coating forms on the soil.
3. If the violet's leaves begin to wilt or fall off.
4. If feeding has not brought the desired results.
5. When planting a large bush.

Violets can be repotted at any time of year. However, the best time to do so is during the spring, the period of accelerated growth. At this time, the plant's survival rate is highest, which facilitates rapid rooting and adaptation to its new location. However, if necessary, the procedure can also be performed in the fall. Summer is the least suitable time for the procedure, as high temperatures and low humidity have a depressing effect on the transplanted plant. In winter, short daylight hours and the dormant state of the violet negatively impact its survival.

Suitable dates according to the Moon

Repotting is always stressful for plants. To help them adapt to their new location, follow the recommendations of the 2020 lunar calendar for violets. It includes dates suitable for repotting, as well as periods when it's best not to carry out any agricultural activities. The calculation of favorable days for rooting violets is based on the position of the satellite relative to Earth, the zodiac signs, and the phases of the moon.

The most favorable days are considered to be the periods when the moon's disk is just beginning to widen. At this time, the above-ground portion of the plant, stems, and leaves, are developing rapidly. A violet replanted at this time adapts more easily to the new conditions, as the root system is less susceptible to damage. The waning moon has a stronger effect on the underground portion. It is not advisable to root Saintpaulias during this period. For the convenience of the gardener, the best days to replant violets according to the lunar calendar are summarized in the table.

Table: Favorable dates for transplanting

After purchase

After bringing a violet home from the store, it should be repotted in a substrate richer in micronutrients. This is because, for sale, it is grown in a transport tray with soil that lacks the nutrients it needs for growth. Prolonged exposure to such conditions negatively impacts the flower's development; it may become diseased or even dry out. Repotting requires a complete soil change.

Choose a pot 30-40% larger than the diameter of the flower rosette. The newly purchased plant is kept separate from the other windowsill "inhabitants" and quarantined for at least one month. If the violet shows no signs of disease during this time, it can be placed with the other plants.

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During the flowering period

It's not advisable to carry out the procedure at this time. Flowering is a sign that the Saintpaulia is doing well, with sufficient container space and micronutrients. Rooting in a different pot is done after flowering has ceased. However, sometimes, if the soil has become acidic or the violet has been attacked by pests, the procedure can be carried out. In this case, transplanting is done using the transshipment method to minimize root damage. Before starting the work, remove all flowers and buds from the plant.

Children

Novice gardeners may incorrectly pot up violet babies due to a lack of understanding of the plant's developmental characteristics. They rush to remove the Saintpaulia from the soil to root it in a separate pot. However, this can lead to plant death. This often occurs due to damage to the newly formed roots. Furthermore, the plant's readiness for potting coincides with the most favorable period of active growth.

Transplant Guide

Regardless of the reason for moving a violet to a different container, the procedure should be approached with the utmost care. The plant's health, rapid recovery, and early flowering depend on proper handling. Following these simple rules will serve as a guide for the beginning gardener:

1. Use only clean containers.
2. Choose a pot size slightly larger than the previous one.
3. Select plastic containers.
4. Prepare a nutrient substrate specifically for growing violets.
5. When planting, follow the advice of experienced gardeners.

Soil and container requirements

Saintpaulias are particularly demanding when it comes to the composition of their growing medium. A slightly acidic soil consisting of fertile black soil, peat, and coarse river sand is prepared for them. Sphagnum moss, vermiculite, crushed charcoal, coconut fiber, or crushed brick can be added to the soil mixture. However, the amount of added components should not exceed the volume of sand added. If you prepare the substrate yourself, it must be disinfected. Steam it and treat it with potassium permanganate. This will protect the plant from disease.

Containers for violets are made of plastic. This polymer material is moisture-resistant, does not harbor bacteria, is lightweight, and is easy to clean. The pot's size is selected based on the size of the plant. The approximate diameter of the pot should be approximately three times the size of the violet. However, the maximum dimensions should not exceed 10 cm in height and 15-20 cm in width. Large expanded clay chips, broken clay pots, or moss are placed on the bottom of the container for drainage.

Methods

Repotting options depend on the reasons for the procedure. After purchasing a violet, completely replace the potting mix. This can also be done if the soil is completely depleted or has accumulated a significant amount of infection. To simply move the plant to a new, larger pot, transshipment or partial replacement of the potting mix is ​​used. If the violet's stem is bare, the soil is wilting, or the soil is becoming sour—these are clear signs that it needs repotting.

With complete replacement of soil

The most labor-intensive method of repotting violets involves freeing the roots from the old soil. This is used for mature plants. A sign that the Saintpaulia needs repotting is roots protruding from the drainage holes or reaching the soil surface. This means that the nutrient-absorbing shoots have completely encased the root ball and are running out of room in the pot.

When completely replacing the soil, rejuvenating procedures are performed: roots are trimmed and overgrown lower leaves are removed. Excessively long root shoots are shortened by 30%. Sterile instruments treated with alcohol or an open flame are used for pruning. This is necessary to prevent infection from entering the plant tissue. Fresh cuts are treated with crushed charcoal.

If a large portion of the plant was removed during repotting, the violet can be rooted in the same pot or even a smaller one. Place drainage material in the bottom of the chosen container. Top with potting soil to approximately 60% of the container's volume. Place the plant on the substrate and add the remaining soil to the level of the lower leaves. Water only 24 hours after repotting. If the soil settles slightly as it gets moistened, top it up to the required level after a few days.

Partial replacement

Miniature varieties are repotted with partial renewal of the soil mixture. This involves removing the plant along with any remaining old soil. The process:

1. A new, larger container is prepared. It is washed and disinfected.
2. A drainage layer of expanded clay or granite is placed on the bottom.
3. Remove the violet from the old pot and lightly shake off the soil from the roots.
4. Place the plant in a new container and fill the perimeter with fresh substrate.
5. The material is slightly compacted and moistened.

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Transshipment

When a Saintpaulia's root system has become overgrown or is infested with pests, it is transplanted into a larger container using the transshipment method. This method preserves the entire root ball.

Progress of work:

1. Drainage material is placed in the prepared pot.
2. A small layer of nutrient substrate is poured on top.
3. Place the original container with the plant back into the pot. Fill the resulting gap with fresh potting mix and compact it lightly.
4. Carefully remove the inner container so that the soil mixture does not fall out.
5. Remove the plant and soil and place it into the hole you've just made. It's best if the newly formed surface matches the old one.
6. Lightly tap the container to compact the fresh substrate to fill the voids.

Post-procedure care

Although repotting is traumatic for the plant, it is part of the cultural practices aimed at ensuring the proper development of the perennial plant. Only then will the Saintpaulia bloom profusely and vibrantly. To ensure the violet recovers quickly after the procedure, special conditions are created for it. Florists provide supplemental lighting on cloudy days, maintain optimal temperature and humidity, and regularly fertilize and irrigate.

Watering

Only settled water should be used for irrigation. The liquid should be collected a day before watering; this allows it to warm up, foreign insoluble impurities to settle to the bottom, and volatile substances to evaporate. Watering Saintpaulia Water the roots carefully, avoiding wetting the growth buds, as this could kill the plant. Irrigation is best provided in a different way:

• pouring water into the tray;
• moistening the soil using a drip system or a wick;
• immersing the pot in a container filled with water.

Top dressing

During the first period after repotting, violets don't require additional agrochemicals. This is because the nutrient substrate already contains all the necessary elements for plant development. It's difficult to say for sure how long the nutrients in the soil will last—it all depends on the composition of the soil mixture and the initial concentration of micronutrients. Florists recommend fertilizing during flowering or when there is a clear deficiency of a certain supplement. In general, violets need:

• phosphorus and potassium – for flower formation;
• nitrogen – for leaf growth;
• nitrogen-containing fertilizers – for young plants;
• potassium-phosphorus - for formed bushes.

Lighting

Sunlight plays a vital role in the development of Saintpaulias. If a gardener can't provide the necessary light, it's best to abandon the idea of ​​growing violets. East- or west-facing windows are suitable for growing violets. If placing the plant on a south-facing window, it's important to provide shade to prevent direct sunlight from burning the leaves. Insufficient light will cause the leaves to stretch, turn pale, and become limp. If this occurs, supplemental lighting with phytolamps or LED lights is necessary.

Temperature and humidity

In spring and summer, violets should be kept at temperatures between 18 and 23°C. In winter, a slight drop to 10°C is acceptable. If the violet is located on a cold window, it should be moved away from the cold air coming from the glass. Excessive cooling will slow its growth and may even stop it altogether. The plant also does not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations and drafts. For this reason, it is not recommended to place the plant on a balcony, open veranda, or outdoors in summer.

Since violets are native to humid climates, they don't thrive in dry rooms. Simply misting them with a spray bottle won't help. Water droplets will accumulate on the leaves, potentially causing fungal infections. To create the right microclimate, the plant pot can be placed on a tray filled with wet stones or expanded clay, but the pot itself should not be submerged in water. A household vaporizer works well for humidification. Additionally, for the first few days after repotting, you can cover the plant with a transparent plastic bag.

Errors

Although the repotting procedure isn't all that complicated, novice gardeners make a lot of mistakes during the process. The most common mistakes include choosing the wrong pot or growing medium, over-compacting the soil, or planting too deep. The former leads to slower foliage development and the root system quickly filling the container. A violet planted in too small a container may refuse to bloom.

If a bush is incorrectly positioned relative to the surface during a complete soil change, this will lead to critical damage to the plant. A root that is too deeply planted may begin to rot, while a rosette that is too high will become loose and eventually break off. Furthermore, novice gardeners often use soil from a greenhouse or garden beds to prepare the substrate. This soil may contain pathogens or pests.

Extraordinary violets with proper care With timely repotting, they will brighten up a gardener's windowsill or greenhouse. By following the optimal timing for the necessary procedures, you can easily create a beautiful and lush plant.