What does violet Le look like - description of varieties
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Violet Le - selection by Elena Lebetskaya. She started breeding Saintpaulias in 2000. At first it was an ordinary hobby, but then it grew into a main occupation.
The history of the appearance of the first varieties
To date, Elena has bred about 400 varieties. The first violets of Lebetskaya:
- Golden clouds;
- Princess Frog;
- Sasha.
The first grade, Golden Clouds, has yellowish inflorescences, and is still in demand among collectors. However, Lebetskaya's dream is to breed a bright lemon violet, but so far this is not possible, because the plant does not have a yellow gene.
All varieties with the Le prefix are now sold worldwide.
General description of flowers: from which species come violets Le
All Le varieties are distinguished by neat compact rosettes of the correct shape. Each variety is very delicate and graceful.
Saintpaulia Lebetskaya comes from violet-colored, uzambar violets. Many varieties of other breeders originate from these flowers.
Features of violets Le in comparison with other varieties-congeners
As mentioned earlier, there are more than 400 varieties in the selection of Lebetskaya. Here are the most popular ones:
- Le Isadora;
- Le Odalisque;
- Le-Flirt;
- Le Carousel;
- Le-Zlato Scythians;
- Le Noir;
- Le-Magenta (Le magnetta violet);
- Le Igor;
- Le-Kristina.
In addition to these varieties, there are many others: Bogdana, Grazia, White Camellia, Caramel, Forest Nymph, Blue Lotus, Elegance, etc.
Differences in the structure, size of the plant
The first grade has double and semi-double, fleshy, velvety, openwork petals around the perimeter. The peduncles are shortened, often cannot withstand the weight of the buds. Heart-shaped leaves are dark emerald, pinkish from the inside.
Odalisque has dark green leaves with snow-white-pink variegation around the perimeter. The stems are long (25-35 cm) and strong.
Flirt has light grassy greens, collected in neat rosettes. Peduncles are strong and elongated.
The carousel has erect flower stalks of a bouquet type. The rosette is variegated, whitish-emerald, standard size (24-26 cm).
At the violet Le-Zlata Scythians, the leaves are corrugated, dark emerald, collected in a neat rosette. Standard size bush.
According to the description in the catalog, Le Noir is a medium-sized variegated leaf. The leaf plates are elongated.
Magnetta has light green leaves, silvery on the inside (becomes slightly pinkish as it grows). The rosette is medium in size, loose, loves to grow petioles.
Varieties Igor and Kristina have an even exhibition rosette. The foliage is variegated.
Description of colors
Isadora stands out for its white-pinkish color with bright patterns (spots, specks, strokes) of raspberry, lilac and purple shades. Young inflorescences have an emerald border, which disappears as it grows. The inflorescences are large (4-5.5 cm in circumference), similar to pink buds. From 3 to 6 flowers bloom at the same time.
Bloom of Le Isadora
Odalisque blooms pinkish coral buds with a darker spot in the middle. As they grow older, the shade becomes warmer.Differs in rather large buds, double and semi-double wavy in the shape of a star. In the open state, they reach 6 cm. 8-10 inflorescences can grow at the same time.
Flirting is distinguished by pink petals with a snow-white core, corrugation at the ends. There is a light greenish edging around the perimeter. There may be a bluish fantasy pattern on the surface. The buds are large, about 6-7 cm in diameter. Dissolves many buds, which are enough even to create a full-fledged bouquet.
The Carousel variety is characterized by simple snow-white flowers with reddish fingers extending from the center to the periphery. With incomplete opening, the petals are completely colored in a light burgundy shade. When blooming, unpainted areas appear. When the bush is kept in a cool room, white predominates, in a warm room, red. The size of the flowers is slightly smaller than that of the previous variety. Has 2-3 flowers on one peduncle.
Zlato stands out among other varieties with large double flowers in the shape of yellowish-white stars. The edges of the petals are corrugated and have a pinkish edging.
Flowers at Le Noir violets are simple or double, of a dark purple-fuchsia shade, in the shape of a star. Along the edges they have snow-white edging.
Le Magnetto violet is distinguished by double or semi-double buds, 3-5 cm in diameter. The petals are of a rich red-burgundy tone, with a white dashed line at the tips. 3-5 flowers bloom on each peduncle.
Le Igor home violet stands out with bright simple blue inflorescences. A snow-white, wavy border runs along the petals.
Christina dismisses large snow-white flowers with a heavenly tint. They are star-shaped.
Flowering period
Isadora blooms profusely and for a long time. However, it fades quickly in too hot or cold weather. The flowers bloom for a long time, they are in the state of a rose for a long time (within 2 weeks).
Flowering at Odalisque and Christina begins at any time of the year and lasts 2-3 months. With proper care, the buds reappear. The variety blooms for 8-10 months a year.
Flirt, Igor and Noir bloom for a long time and very abundantly. The buds can begin to form not only in the summer, but even in the winter when optimal conditions are created.
One carousel flower stays on the peduncle for about 2 weeks, then gives way to other inflorescences. Flowering lasts about 2 weeks.
Blooming Le Carousel
When the Zlato Scythian variety blooms, one important feature must be taken into account. If the temperature is too warm, the pink tint along the edges of the petals goes over the entire surface. This tone is becoming too much. In the cold, a green fringe appears on the buds.
Magnetta blooms early. Flowering lasts for 2 months.
How can you propagate violets Le
Saintpaulia E. Lebetskaya reproduce by seeds, leaves, and parts thereof.
Step-by-step actions:
- Choose a large and healthy leaf (you cannot take sick and weak ones, because they will not make a strong plant).
- To accelerate germination, cut off the top so that 75% of the leaf plate remains.
- Pour into the pot a soil mixture prepared by yourself (it will be discussed below) or purchased in a store specifically for Saintpaulias.
- Moisten the earth, stick a petiole into it so that the leaf plate remains above the surface.
- Place the planting pot in a container and cover with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse environment.
- After some time, a sprout will appear next to the leaf.
Within six months, a young plant will develop a root system. After the specified period, it can be dived to a permanent place.
Features of care in comparison with other home violets
The soil for planting should be loose, air and moisture permeable. A substrate consisting of high-moor peat, wood ash, vermiculite, perlite and sphagnum moss is suitable.
Violets Le love warmth. The temperature should not be lower than + 23 ° C. At night, + 18 ° C is permissible, but not less.
Daylight hours should be at least 12 hours. However, Saintpaulia should be shaded from direct sunlight. Otherwise, its foliage will turn yellow, burns will occur.
Watering should be done as the top layer of the earth dries up, preferably early in the morning or at dusk. Moisture should not linger, because this will lead to decay of the roots. At the bottom of the pot, you need to lay out a drainage layer of pebbles or expanded clay. When watering, it is necessary to avoid moisture ingress on the growing point, i.e. in the center of the rosette, greenery and buds.
Twice a month from February to October, you need to feed the plant. For this, mineral and organic fertilizers are used alternately.
Special Violet Nutrient Blends are available at the flower shop
Transplant if necessary, it is recommended in early spring. Periodically, you need to prune wilted peduncles and diseased, dry leaves.
Summing up, we can conclude that the violets of the Lena selection amaze with their tenderness and attractiveness. They are in great demand from collectors around the world. At the same time, caring for him is simple, practically no different from other Saintpaulias.
