Charming violets Ruffled Skies and Ruffled Skies-2 (K.Stork/G.Boone)

The richest flow of colors and model configurations of Saintpaulia varieties registered by foreign breeding masters would be incomplete without retro varieties, which include violets Ruffled Skies and Ruffled Skies 2 (K.Stork/G.Boone).

Thanks to the time-tested sophistication of flowering and the pompous majesty of the images, as well as because of their self-sufficiency during development, both violets can still arouse the genuine interest of gardeners and are worthy of taking the best places on the shelves of collections.

History of the creation of varieties

The described violets, which bring colorful animation to all the orderly rows of collection specimens, were obtained by the promoter of pelargoniums and Usambara violets, an internationally recognized master of breeding art from Iowa, USA, Gordon Boone (G. Boone).

But for registration in the lists of AVSA, the most important organization of American violet growers, the varieties were presented by K. Stork , and therefore have dual authorship (K. Stork / G. Boone).

Gordon's passion for plants began in childhood, when he, helping his father, worked in a small nursery in his hometown.

Boone spent his early years in Canada - it was there that he really became involved in working with flowers, first with pelargoniums and then with violets.

He became involved in the selection of Saintpaulias thanks to his acquaintance with the master of violet breeding, Ernest Fischer , and gradually began to be considered a genius in his field.

At the end of the 70s, G. Boon returned to his homeland, continuing to work on improving the qualities and images of violets. But, unfortunately, flower growers have become acquainted with only a small fraction of them.

A little about watering

Violets should be watered as the soil dries. Accordingly, this will have to be done more often in the summer, and less often in the winter. In addition, the soil dries out faster in small pots than in large ones.

Watering should be done only with settled water - not cold from the tap. It is advisable to pour water into a suitable container - a glass, jar or any other with a wide neck (to facilitate the process of chlorine evaporation) and leave for a day. During this time, it will warm up to room temperature and get rid of dangerous chlorine. Too hot or cold water may well lead to diseases and damage to the roots.

When watering, try to pour water directly onto the ground. If it gets on the leaves on a hot sunny day, burns are possible - white spots will appear on their surface.

Violet "Ruffled Skies"

This section presents photos and descriptions of the Ruffled Skies violet variety. This magnificently airy variety has become familiar to flower growers since 1992.

Description of the variety

This incredibly delicate vintage beauty is distinguished by its classic format , which varies upward among the most diligent flower growers and reaches the scale of large subspecies.

After independently entering the stage of an adult plant, Saintpaulia is a neat, strictly rationally arranged bush, overflowing with leaves to the compacted texture of a tiled silhouette.

NOTABLE! Over time, the rosette develops a configuration with compact, sharpened silhouette boundaries, but it is possible to create a hemispherical shape by bending the leaf plates to the flowerpot.

The medium-sized leaves in the texture of a broadly constructed oval are distinguished by the volumetric quilting of the textured-dusty layer, well-cut teeth along the edge in the form of relief curves, and a graphically symmetrical pattern of venation.

They also stand out for their attention-grabbing clear structural pattern and bright emerald hue , as well as the dark color of the malachite plates, which sometimes want to take on a wavy configuration or hug a flowerpot.

At first, the budding of the variety . By the third flowering, the violet creates an outstanding volume of frilly caps from large-sized “star” corollas with a terry-textured structure, whose petals are characterized by significant undulation and abundant corrugation of the edges.

The tonal color palette of the corollas of the vintage variety combines the changeable nuances of the bluish-blue spectrum with lilac tints and the white color of rich lace along the frilly contour of the petals .

The boundaries of the edging flow in watercolor into the main tone of the flower, without a clear structure and continuity.

Sports

Violet Rufled Skyes can sport, forming variations:

• with excessively double flowers of darker shades with a green edging fringe - “Ruffled Skies-2” ;

• with a variegated rosette of pink and beige shades;

• with white corollas in a greenish outline and a semi-miniature bush - CM-Mont Plaisir or Saint-Petersburg Sky .

Features of development and flowering

Flower growers the lovely retro-varietal violet for its outstanding decorative effect, the absence of unnecessary hassle due to the plant’s independence and the presence of a minimum of unexpected pitfalls.

Growth in apartment collections

The interest of violet growers in the vintage variety of violets is due to the unpretentiousness of the specimens and modest character. Special touches may be noted:

• the ability to successfully self-form neat forms of rosettes;
• luxuriously tight silhouette configurations;
• the exceptional significance of the flower caps;
• a calm attitude towards the lack of light;
• continuous frequency of flowering.

The complicated strokes of Saintpaulia include:

• lengthening of peduncles under lamp lighting;
• inexpressive first flowering;
• instability of decorative color waves;
• bending leaves to the flowerpot.

Breeding feature

ATTENTION! Problem-free propagation of the variety is ensured by easy pinching and excellent pecking of a mass of well-developing children.

Temperature and flowering

The hot conditions of apartment collections negate the decoration of the corollas in the form of a white border. The decorative appearance of flowers is preserved better in cool conditions.

The variety bears many buds on persistent pedicels of slightly oversized size.

The presented variety is characterized by the creation of magnificent caps from the third round of budding.

The corollas of the vintage violet variety exhibit healthy decorativeness and freshness for more than one and a half months.

Reviews

Galina Ivanovna. “Violet Ruffled Skies is a chic retro variety. It's almost thirty years old and better than many modern options. For so long, I haven’t changed my qualities one iota.”

Botanical description of the plant

As the violet bush grows, it forms a rosette consisting of leaves on long thick petioles. The bush is loose, about 15 cm in diameter. The leathery leaf plates are dense, round-oval in shape, with a sharp tip. The leaves and petioles are covered with soft hair.

The lower plate is gray-green, the upper is light green in young specimens, dark green in adults.

During flowering (in early March), Magenta produces long stalks with 3-5 baskets. Semi-double and double flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, rich red or burgundy. The edge of the petals is outlined with a thin white edging. The flowering period of Magenta lasts about 60 days.

Did you know? In the Italian city of Parma they still sell the perfume “Vera-Violetta”, in the bouquet of which the main aroma is the scent of Parma violet. The fragrance recipe has not changed since 1870.

Violet “Ruffled Skies 2”

Below you will find a photo and description of the violet Ruffled Skies 2, which is a sport from the violet “Ruffled Skies” and is not listed in the official registers either as an independent variety or as a sports specimen.

INTERESTING! The number “2” was introduced into the name by Russian flower growers to distinguish violets.

Description

Young bushes of sporting violets are self-sufficient varieties that easily, without additional support from the violet grower, create the structure of a problem-free curly rosette from the entire volume of growing leaves.

The bush is formed as a neat standard , not changing its optimal size too often. But the development of the variety is carried out very measuredly.

Large-format leaves of an oval-wavy model with a slightly glossy textured quilting of the top layer have a slightly shaggy, multidirectional serration of the outline and strong curling of the edges, which leads to some chaoticness of the leaf mass .

The color of the upper part of the leaf is distinguished by notes of dark grass, the color of the lower side has a spray of reddish-burgundy tint.

Varietal flowers of quite significant parameters are painted in colorful colors of bluish-blue with cornflower blue reflections; the reverse side of the petals of many bushes is distinguished by a whitish coating.

In violets, a special nuance of the “star” corollas is considered to be the incomprehensibly terry structure of their assembly and the decoration of the petals with a light venous pattern .

The petals at the same time stand out with wavy edges. Their rich volume is noticeably increased due to the abundant corrugation and edging braid of a greenish color of varying saturation.

Sports

The violet's ability to form sporting bushes has not been noticed .

Features of variety development

Flower growers, when keeping intricately blooming violets in their collections, do not complain about the behavior of specimens of the tropical plant, since they have excellent independence and do not create unpleasant surprises.

Violet Ruffled Skies-2 shows an absolute lack of pickiness , integrates into the room microclimate system without any nuances, and blooms vigorously with remarkably large flowers of original color and texture.

The only important drawback is the extremely slow development of the bushes.

Saintpaulia can be propagated only by vegetative methods.

Bloom

The buds of the variety are supported by strong peduncles of a slightly large size.

The described variation of Saintpaulia does not immediately show the majestic forms of flower caps.

CAREFULLY! In hot microclimates, the green edge of the petals greatly reduces their volume.

Flowers of the variable variety remain in their original state for about a month and a half.

Reviews

Milana. "Showy, large-flowered specimens of Saintpaulia 'Ruffled Skies-2' give the impression of rich Venetian carnival costumes."

Germination and planting

Now let's talk about the propagation of Green Rose violets. Flowers are quite easy to germinate. If you see a beautiful plant from your friends, you can simply ask them to separate a single leaf from it. Of course, it is advisable to choose an even, beautiful and large leaf, and not from the edge, but directly from the center - they receive the most nutrients, which is why they are the most viable. After that, half the work is already done!

All that remains is to place the leaf in a small container of water. Make sure that the lower end (cut) is always in water and never dries out - this will lead to the death of the plant. But at the same time, only the cutting itself should come into contact with water, and not the leaf - otherwise excess moisture will have a bad effect on it, and even rot may appear.

After a few days, small roots will appear at the bottom of the leaf. So it’s time to plant the plant in the ground. What soil and pot to choose is described above. All that remains is to moisten the soil well, dig a small hole in it, place a leaf there so that all the roots are in the hole, and carefully cover it with soil on top, lightly compacting it for density. That's all! Now the plant will probably actively grow and develop.

Caring for violets in a home microclimate

Specimens of varietal varieties of violets in indoor gatherings demonstrate a very problem-free nature:

• that are most beneficial for violets are those that are located on the southeast side - here the plants are most illuminated. The windows on the south side of the house are better illuminated in winter, but in summer severe overheating is noticeable there, which threatens the plants with burns.
  Therefore, it is recommended to slightly shade the windows during midday heat. Window sills in the eastern and western directions are considered semi-shaded; here the sun's rays are available to violets only in the first half of the day. Northern windows are the worst suited for placing violets, and then only if they are equipped with additional lighting;

• watering should not be carried out too often while simultaneously monitoring the drying of the top layer of the substrate in the flowerpot;
• additional nutrition with mineral fertilizers at a particular moment in time or not, showing their internal state with a decorative appearance.
  In the same way, you can find out the plant’s need for certain types of fertilizers. But this procedure of agrotechnical care cannot be abused;
• An important role in all life processes of specimens of the variety is played by the optimal lighting regime with a well-chosen structure. For proper growth and healthy flowering, it is necessary to combine long-term illumination of the plant with a natural spectrum with exposure to LED lighting;
• the possible temperature gradient is +20 + 24°C. It is important to prevent its extraordinary jumps and cold drafts;
• timely provision of violets in the home collection with fresh substrate is a necessary condition for maintaining the health of the specimen - this will ensure aeration and water permeability of the soil. In addition, a good drainage system is needed;
• For replanting, it is more correct to use “transshipment”, although it is suitable when working only with healthy violets.

Reproduction

Theoretically, Saintpaulia Magenta can be propagated by seeds and the vegetative method. In practice, only the second method is used in home gardening. If propagated vegetatively, then two options are applicable: by dividing the bush and by leaf.

Dividing the bush is used when the plant has flowered.

The division technology is as follows:

1. The bush is carefully dumped out of the container, and the baby is separated with a sharp knife.
2. The delenka is planted in a small pot, up to 6 cm in diameter, and covered with something, forming something like a greenhouse.
3. Ventilate and water in small portions daily.
4. The mother bush is freed from dry parts and transplanted into a new pot.

Reproduction by leaves is possible in spring and autumn.
First of all, you need to choose the right material. The requirements for it are:

• the sheet should not be old and not from the lowest row;
• absence of signs of disease on the material (suspicious spots, burn marks);
• the cutting must be healthy, and the plate must be elastic and dense.

Further sequence of actions:

1. The cuttings are cut at an acute angle of 45°.
2. Root in boiled water, adding activated carbon, which will prevent rotting.
3. After roots 1–1.5 cm long appear, the leaf cuttings are transplanted into the ground.
4. Bury the cutting into the soil no more than 1 cm, and if necessary, provide a support for the leaf.
5. Further care is the same as for an adult plant.

Did you know? South Germanic tribes celebrated the first day of spring when the first violet was found. And the find promised a profitable marriage and prosperity in family life to the lucky one.

Don't forget about fertilizers

For the first six months after planting in fresh soil, there is no need to fertilize the violet - the soil contains all the necessary substances. Then you need to feed the flower every two weeks - this is especially important during the flowering period.

An actively growing plant needs to be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers - they ensure rapid growth of green mass (stems, leaves). Immediately after transplanting, you can add a little phosphorus, which is needed for the rapid development of the root system. But before flowering, you need to fertilize the violet with potassium fertilizers - then there will be more buds and their size will also increase.

Of course, when fertilizing, carefully study the instructions so as not to harm the plant due to excess microelements.

Possible difficulties during cultivation

Most often, violet lovers encounter aphids and mites. The appearance of aphids can be noticed by the gradually curling leaves. The problem is solved after treating the leaves with a special powder preparation - Mospilan.

Mites most often appear on old, drying leaves. Therefore, if you spend at least a few minutes a couple of times a week removing dry leaves, you will probably not encounter this problem.