If you're interested in growing viola from seed at home, we'll show you how to acquire this wonderful, colorful plant, which will undoubtedly be a highlight of your garden. It's quite possible for the flower to bloom in its first year if you use seedlings.
Growing from seedlings, the first method
Sow the seeds in loose, moist soil (this is important!). You can plant them in any container, from special pots to food boxes. Use your finger to make a furrow up to half a centimeter deep, leaving about one centimeter between each furrow. Then, cover with soil and water. Cover with plastic wrap to create a humid environment, but remember to open your mini greenhouse for 10 minutes twice a day to prevent mold. The room temperature should be above 20 degrees Celsius, and a dark closet or a sunny balcony is not essential until the seedlings emerge.
See also: What flowers to plant in your dacha so they bloom all summer (photo).
The second method of growing from seeds for seedlings
Another method, popular among gardening experts, is to take a container of soil and water it generously with warm water (more than 30 degrees Celsius). Then, spread the seeds over the soil surface, spacing them out further apart. Cover the container with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place. Seedlings will emerge from the soil within 10 days. Sometimes, it takes 20-25 days for seedlings to emerge; this may be because the seeds are old or covered with a thick layer of soil. Then, move the container to a balcony or windowsill, for example. Viola seedlings are very strong, but don't rush to remove the plastic wrap. Do this gradually, airing the soil twice a day for 20 minutes. After a week, the plastic wrap can be removed.
How and when to repot a viola
Transplant our plant into the garden only when the weather becomes consistently warm. Plant the flower clumps at least 15 centimeters apart to prevent diseases such as powdery mildew. Choosing the right permanent location for our plant is crucial. Viola prefers cool, yet bright spots. An ideal location is under fruit trees. This flower is cross-pollinated, so different colors of viola should be planted at a reasonable distance. If you plant viola on balconies, choose west- and east-facing ones. On a south-facing balcony, our beauty will bloom in all its glory, but for a shorter period, only until July, when the heat sets in.
Self-seeding cultivation
When the viola finishes blooming, a capsule with three sections forms, and promptly removing the spent parts will prolong its flowering. If the capsules are not removed, self-seeding will occur, but this does not preserve the cultivar's characteristics.
Basic care
Basic care for delicate pansies includes daily watering and enriching the soil with mineral fertilizers. Naturally, don't forget to weed and cover the soil with sawdust for the winter. When choosing fertilizer, choose nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. Pansies are a delight in flowerbeds and on balconies in many cities. This flower, a symbol of love, lasts quite a long time when cut.
See also: Perennial flowers for the garden and vegetable garden, photos with names.