Reproduction of chimera violets

Chimeras are the pride of any violet lover's collection. Whether single or double, with a plain or variegated rosette, they are equally striking. Chimeras invariably catch the eye and compel admiration. The flowers are quite rare and not always available for sale, but we'll tell you how to propagate chimeras at home.

Let's start with the intricacies of chimera reproduction

These flowers do not transmit their varietal characteristics through leaf propagation. There are two ways to obtain offspring: by creating side shoots from the main stem, or by creating offspring by rooting the flower stalks. The first option is preferable due to its 100% success rate. It requires a mature plant that has bloomed several times, has grown vigorously, and requires rerooting. This way, we'll kill two birds with one stone: rejuvenate the plant and produce offspring.

Fine workmanship

So, you'll need a mature chimera and a sharp knife (without serrations). Leave two rows of leaves on the plant at the bottom, and from the third row from the bottom (this will be about halfway up the plant), pluck the leaves in a neat circle to mark the cutting line. Take the knife and carefully cut off the "head" in a single, straight stroke. Pat the cut surface dry with a napkin and place it in water, after removing the lower leaves. Incidentally, violets root more readily in dark containers. Alternatively, you can plant the "head" directly in soil. For this, it's best to use a special commercial soil that promotes rapid root growth. Adding crushed sphagnum and perlite is helpful. 50-milligram transparent cups are convenient; they should be placed in an airtight greenhouse.

The most interesting thing about propagating chimera violets

We return the remaining part of the plant to its place.

If you have backlighting, select the brightest spot on the shelf for it. Don't forget to water it as you did before cutting off the head. You can feed it with a special nitrogen-rich fertilizer for violets. In 1-2 weeks, shoots will emerge from the leaf axils, and after 2-3 months, they will be ready to root.

The side shoots develop unevenly, accumulating foliage at different rates. When the plants have 4-5 leaves, use a toothpick to carefully separate them from the mother plant and root them using one of the methods described above. Leave the smallest side shoots alone; let them grow. Continue caring for the plant as usual. Soon, new plants will emerge in the place of the cut-off side shoots, and repeat this process three or four times.

Those stepsons whose petioles are lighter than the others are most likely to exactly repeat the color of the mother plant.
Rooting flower stalks

For especially patient violet lovers, there's another way to propagate chimeras using flower stalks. Select a strong flower stalk that's just beginning to bloom and separate it from the stem. Using a sharp knife, cut it at a 45-degree angle, cutting it in half.

We cut the flowers and stick the flower stalk into a pre-prepared peat tablet and place it in the greenhouse.

The process of side shoot formation lasts from one to six months. Only those side shoots that grow in the internodes will become future chimeras. All shoots growing from the ground should be removed. They will not reproduce the varietal characteristics.

Read also, How to grow a daisy from seeds.