Violet or, as it is often called, Saintpaulia, is a fairly common indoor plant that combines beauty, unpretentiousness and compactness. For these qualities, the flower is highly valued and is actively grown by novice gardeners. On store shelves today you can see a wide range of pots. It is very important to choose the right container. The article will tell you what pots to plant violets in and how planting is carried out.
What pots are needed for violets?
When choosing which pots to plant violets in, you need to select ceramic and plastic products. Metal, cardboard, and glass containers are not suitable.
Cut-off bottles and plastic cups are also a bad choice because they not only look unattractive, but can also become moldy over time.
Size and volume
It is not recommended to purchase containers that are too small. The root system of the plant grows quickly, there will not be enough nutrients in the soil, and replanting will be required. Since violet roots do not grow deep, but to the sides, you will need a product with a large diameter.
Plastic glasses can be used to transplant leaves from which a daughter plant is grown. In other situations their use is not suitable due to their too small size.
Since the roots grow to the sides and do not go deep into the soil, purchasing a deep container is not necessary. The root system is always located close to the surface, even in wild violets.
You should not purchase pots that are too large. The bush may grow in them, but will stop blooming. You should not keep several violets in one pot: this can lead to the death of all the flowers; Flowering often stops in all Saintpaulias. Large pot sizes are allowed only in situations where a mother plant intended for breeding is grown.
For an adult plant, it is better to choose large pots. The diameter should be 9 cm, and the depth should be the same. If the container becomes insufficient for the violet, you should not buy a larger one: you need to take out the Saintpaulia, carefully shake off its roots from lumps of earth, and then plant it in a product of the same diameter.
If Saintpaulia is of medium size, a pot diameter of 7 cm with the same depth dimensions would be suitable.
For small plants, you should select a smaller container: the volume of the pot should be proportional to the size of the flower.
The optimal width for a violet pot is considered to be 3 times smaller than the diameter of the rosette. Only in cramped conditions will flowering be abundant.
Plastic
Plastic pots for violets may have bright colors and look good in the interior, but the material can be toxic to the root system of the flower. It is allowed to purchase products made of high-quality plastic; It is recommended to avoid those that are too cheap.
Plastic pots work better. They are flexible, lightweight, and will last for a long time. Thanks to its flexibility, it is easy to transship. The only negative side of this choice of container for growing violets is the difficult passage of oxygen through the dense walls. This problem can be solved by making several holes in the bottom and side surfaces.
Ceramic
It is better to choose ceramic pots with glaze: they are more durable and their service life is longer than those without such a coating. Difficulties also arise with the passage of air inside: it is not easy to make a hole in dense ceramics. When purchasing, you need to check for holes in the bottom. The disadvantage of this choice is the large mass of the product: it will be difficult to constantly carry it; if the size of the violet pot is large, it will not be possible to install it on glass shelves. It is believed that Saintpaulia develops better in ceramic products than in other containers.
Clay is also considered a good choice - the natural material allows air to pass through well, so the violet does not need additional holes in the pot.
Pests and diseases are rarely observed in plants grown in such containers. The disadvantage of clay is its fragility and heavy weight. Clay absorbs water and dries out the soil. In addition, this material quickly heats up under the rays of the sun, causing the soil to dry out; This feature should be taken into account when choosing the frequency of watering.
Can you use clear pots?
Transparent products are convenient for examining the root system. You can monitor the condition of the soil for violets, water it in a timely manner or loosen it if necessary. Low cost is also an advantage. The disadvantage is that the appearance is not very attractive; To disguise an ugly container, you will have to put it in a flowerpot.
If you plant flowers in transparent containers, pay attention to the material. Glass is not suitable for violets. Plastic can be toxic.
Material and purpose
Ceramic
Ceramic containers are also quite heavy. They should not be placed on shelves or racks made of fragile material.
Ceramic pots do not allow air to pass through at all. And, if there are no drainage holes, it is not possible to make them at home.
Ceramic pots.
Ceramics, like clay, can deteriorate over time.
Clay
Not a bad option. Natural material has a beneficial effect on plant development.
Due to their porous structure, such pots allow air and moisture to pass through perfectly. Although some gardeners consider this a disadvantage, since the soil dries out faster.
In hot weather, clay containers can become very hot, which can also be attributed to their disadvantages. Another disadvantage is the considerable weight of the pot with soil.
Transparent
Allows you to inspect the root system and soil condition at any time.
Plastic disposable cups are great for planting young plants.
The only drawback is the formation of a green coating under the influence of sunlight. Therefore, such pots should be hidden in various opaque flowerpots.
Glass pots are not used for growing Saintpaulias.
Plastic
Good for everyone:
- lungs;
- durable;
- various in shape and color.
The downside is that they do not allow air to pass through at all. Therefore, the presence of drainage holes in plastic pots is mandatory. If there are no holes, you should make them yourself.
Plastic pots must have drainage holes.
Important! You should be wary of plastic flowerpots with bright colors. In their production, aniline dyes can be used, which negatively affect the root system. Such containers can only be used as flowerpots.
Such containers can only be used as flowerpots.
How to make it yourself?
When choosing which pots to grow Saintpaulias in, many people prefer homemade containers. They are cheaper, made from natural materials that do not contain foreign impurities that can harm the plant.
To make it you will need to take clay. You will need a potter's wheel and a kiln. Using a circle, the container is shaped into the desired shape, then fired to make it more durable. After this, if desired, you can paint the resulting product.
Plaster will also work. You should find a suitable form in advance. The powder is diluted in water, after which the resulting mass is poured into a mold and left there until it hardens completely. Then the resulting container is removed. The disadvantage is that it is not resistant to moisture: after a while, a homemade pot may become unusable. In addition, gypsum products break easily when dropped.
You can also weave a flower pot from twigs. These pots for violets in the photo turn out well, can last a long time, are resistant to moisture and allow air to pass through well. The disadvantage of this product is the difficulty in manufacturing: the work will require a lot of time and skills.
Subtleties of container care
Almost every gardener has a supply of several flower pots. They no longer have a marketable appearance, and before planting in them, it is necessary to carry out a disinfection procedure.
To do this, you need to put the flower container in warm water with a soapy mixture for a couple of hours. After this time, salt deposits appear on the sides, to clean which you must use a hard sponge or a sponge with strong bristles. Then the pot to be cleaned should be immersed in a sterilizing solution for a day.
The cleaning composition is made from bleach (100 ml) and 2.5 liters of running water . If you don't have bleach, you can use a five percent solution of hydrochloric acid . After daily disinfection, you must thoroughly rinse the pot with clean water. The tray is sterilized in the same way.
This is not the only way to clean old flower containers. A solution of potassium permanganate, vinegar essence, as well as garden salt liquid is in good demand . In some cases, it is suggested to use chlorhexidine. But if the previous plants that grew in the selected container were healthy and not infested with pests, then there is no need for such powerful disinfection.
If the pot has an unpleasant odor, you can get rid of it with the help of citrus fruits and essential oils. For citrus prevention, just take a slice or peel of a lemon or orange and wipe the inside of the bowl.
To learn how to choose a pot for violets, see the following video.
Violets are indoor plants that can be classified as average in terms of difficulty of growing. Whether an attempt to grow this flower will be successful or not depends on many factors.
There are many flower growers for whom it disappears quite quickly, but there are also those who consider them to be the simplest even for novice flower growers. For a successful attempt, it is important to follow all the recommendations of experienced flower growers.
Choosing the right container for growing is not the least important aspect of care. If the flower pot is incorrect, the plant may die and inexperienced gardeners will not even understand the cause of the disease and death. That is why in this article we analyze which pot is good for Saintpaulias.
The Scarlet Flower
“Scarlet Flower” produced in Russia is convenient for plants, when watering which it is necessary to avoid getting liquid on the leaves: violets, streptocarpus, orchids. The product is well suited for bottom watering. The system consists of 3 parts made of plastic. From 2 parts you need to make a tray into which liquid for irrigation is poured. In the third, equipped with a large number of small holes, Saintpaulia is planted.
When choosing which pots for violets to purchase, you should take into account that the size of such a product is small and is better suited for young plants.
When planting, the rosette should not be buried in the soil mixture. There is no need for drainage. The container with Saintpaulia is located 1-1.5 cm above the tray. It is not difficult to remove the top part. “The Scarlet Flower” is easy to use and can serve for a long period of time.
Further flower care
Subsequent care for a flower planted in this way is not particularly difficult.
However, it is worth noting the key points for caring for a very young flower:
- The flower should be in a well-lit place, but without direct sunlight.
- For good violet growth, lighting with a fluorescent lamp is recommended. The lamp should be positioned so that there is 15–25 cm from its bottom to the top of the container with the flower.
- In order for the flower to form a symmetrical rosette, you should turn the plant 2-3 times in a circle by 90° over the course of a week.
- Fertilizers are applied when buds form and at the end of flowering.
A properly selected pot for violets is a reliable basis for its health and active development. A skillfully selected container along with proper care will provide all the necessary conditions for the long life of the flower.
- Author: Maria Sukhorukikh
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Pots for wick watering
For wick irrigation, you should not purchase heavy ceramic and clay containers: the weight of the structure itself is large. As a reservoir, it is better to choose a plastic pot, the bottom of which has several holes. Since the loose substrate can easily spill out, it is necessary to cover it with a well-permeable fabric: line it with a gauze bandage or a thin synthetic rag.
It is recommended to purchase a special container for the liquid to ensure proper functioning of the system. If it is not possible to purchase it, the use of plastic containers is allowed. The container is tightly covered with a lid, after which a hole is made in it where the wick is inserted. The pot with Saintpaulia is placed on top. The wick must be lowered into the water.
The wick must be made of synthetic material. Natural ones are not suitable: due to high humidity they will quickly begin to rot. You should not choose a cord that is too thick: options with a thickness of 1.5 to 5 mm are considered optimal. The length should vary from 15 to 20 cm.
Chinese style flower pots
If you can’t afford to buy this pot in a store, you can make it yourself. Typically, Chinese-style flower pots are required to decorate the interior of a room or Chinese corner. You need to prepare any pot, preferably one made of ceramics, acrylic paints, glue, rhinestones and sequins. Cover the pot with a layer of lilac paint, and after drying, apply a thin layer of golden paint.
To decorate, find a Chinese-style design, such as a dragon, and make a stencil from it. Transfer it to the wall of the flowerpot. Draw the outline with a marker and the dragon itself with golden paint. Glue the sequins in the form of scales with glue and use a rhinestone to mark the dragon's eye. The pot is ready.
DIY pots for flowers and gardens.
Please take a look at the following article. It contains more useful information - How to make a florarium with your own hands: step-by-step instructions.
Forms
In the modern world, manufacturers of containers for growing indoor plants try to please every gardener. The wide product range offers not only single models of standard pots, but also double and triple versions with different mounting options. They can be made of both ceramics and plastic. They can be placed not only on the window; it is possible to hang the containers on the wall and place them in special niches on the balcony.
The special approach of designers allows us to develop containers for planting flowers in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Thanks to the variety of colors, flower pots can be placed in any room.
