Violet Blue Dragon - description and characteristics of the variety
Content:
Violet Blue Dragon is one of the most beautiful varieties. It can be found in almost every grower who is fond of growing Saintpaulias. Such popularity of the species is due to the high decorative qualities of the plant. To achieve lush flowering, you should familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of growing this variety.
What does a violet blue dragon look like
The variety has characteristic differences, thanks to which it is impossible to confuse it with others. First of all, this applies to the outlet itself, as well as colors of a bright shade.
Blooming violet of the Blue Dragon variety
Plant characteristics
Saintpaulia The Blue Dragon is large in size. The diameter of the rosette varies between 35-40 cm. Its height in the form of a vase in some cases can reach 45 cm. The leaf cuttings of the flower are directed upwards. The upper surface of the plates has a dark green tint, and the lower one has a red tint. Small denticles are present along the edge of the leaves.
Blue Dragon Leaf Rosette
What family does it belong to
Violet Blue Dragon is a saintpaulia and one of the members of the Gesneriaceae family. The culture is a small herbaceous plant that forms a basal rosette of leaves with a shortened almost invisible stem, rounded plates, numerous flowers and a creeping growing root.
Sometimes you can find another name - uzambar violet, which is also correct.
Briefly about the history of appearance
The variety was obtained thanks to the efforts of the American breeder Lyndon Lyon. It was he who was able for the first time to bring out terry and star-shaped species of Saintpaulias of complex tonality.
In 2005, Blue dragon was ranked 11th out of 25 possible in the Best Variety Bred This Year nomination. The violet got its name in honor of the mythical animal that personifies wealth and wisdom.
Features of Blue Dragon violet care at home
This variety of Saintpaulia is picky about care and keeping conditions. If the basic rules are not followed, it is unlikely that it will be possible to achieve lush flowering.
Temperature
Saintpaulia of this species prefers cool contents. A favorable temperature for her is 18-22 ° C. It is with this mode that the best decorative qualities of the variety are manifested.
As the temperature rises, the flowers wither, the lilac border on the petals disappears, and the buds become noticeably smaller.
Lighting
Light is very important for this type of violet. Bluedragon needs good lighting. The duration of daylight hours should be 14-16 hours. In the evening, additional lamps should be used.
For lush flowering, the lighting must be uniform.
Over time, the rosette can tilt towards the window, so it is periodically recommended to rotate the flower pot.
Watering
Such a Saintpaulia does not suffer from a lack of moisture, and is able to develop normally during dry periods. This is one of the advantages of the variety.
Watering is recommended twice a week, and at a low temperature of the content - 1 time in 7-10 days.
Spraying
To increase the humidity, the socket can be sprayed. It is necessary to dissipate moisture in small drops, resembling fog, at a distance of 30-35 cm from the plant. It is important that the water does not get on the flowers, as this will lead to the appearance of brown spots.
Humidity
The blue dragon needs moderate humidity within 60%. If the air is too dry, then additional containers with water are placed near the flower to increase the evaporation area.
Priming
For the full development of a flower, a soil with an increased level of acidity is needed. You can purchase balanced soil from the store or prepare it yourself. To do this, you need to connect:
- sod soil (30%);
- leafy ground (20%);
- sand (15%);
- perlite (10%);
- charcoal (10%);
- peat (15%).
Top dressing
The blue dragon needs adequate nutrition, but reacts negatively to excess fertilizer in the soil. To feed it, it is necessary to use mineral fertilizers for violets, but the indicated dosage is recommended to be reduced by 2 times.
In the active phase of growth and flowering, the frequency of fertilization is 2-3 times a month. In autumn and winter - 1-2 times every 30 days.
When and how it blooms
According to the description, if the growing conditions are observed, the violet Blue dragon blooms long and luxuriantly. This variety belongs to the category of bouquet. A cap of flowers is formed in the center of the rosette, completely covering its middle.
Types of flowers
The Blue Dragon variety has semi-double and double flowers. They are bright blue in color with a blue eye in the center and lilac edging. The edges of the petals are corrugated, colored light green.
Flower shapes
A distinctive feature of the Blue Dragon is its large bright flowers, resembling a star in appearance. Their diameter reaches 7-8 cm, and in some cases even 10 cm.
Peduncles are strong, easily withstand the load. On each of them, from 3 to 5 buds are formed.
Adult rosette is capable of forming up to 50 colors at the same time
Flowering period
Subject to the basic care requirements, the Saintpaulia of this variety can bloom continuously throughout the year.
With a lack of light in the autumn-winter period, the plant grows foliage. In this case, flowering begins with the arrival of spring and continues until the end of summer.
Changes in care during flowering
During bud formation, the Blue Dragon variety must be kept cool. In this mode, a bright lilac border appears on the petals, which is typical for this species. Do not allow the soil to dry out, as this will lead to wilting of flowers.
How Saintpaulia Blue Dragon reproduces
You can propagate Saintpaulia of this species by leafy cuttings. They must be cut from 2-3 tiers of the rosette with a sharp knife. The length of the cutting should be 2 cm. The cut should be done obliquely.
You can root cuttings in water or soil. In the first case, planting is carried out after the appearance of the roots, and in the second, the container is covered with a film. Young rosettes will grow at the base of the cutting after 2-3 months. It is necessary to separate them when they grow up and get stronger enough.
Transplant after purchase and during reproduction
Saintpaulias have a branched superficial root system. Wide but shallow pots with drainage holes work best. The diameter of the containers should be different depending on the age of the flower. For young seedlings, 5 cm is enough, for teenage starters - 7 cm.Adult plants need a pot with a diameter of 9-12 cm.
Transplant algorithm:
- Lay drainage at the bottom of the pot with a layer of 1-2 cm.
- Sprinkle it with a layer of soil.
- Place the seedling in the center.
- Cover the formed voids with earth.
- Deepen the plant to the first leaves.
- Slightly compact the surface.
- Drizzle over the violet.
Possible growing problems
There are some difficulties in growing the Blue Dragon. Most often this occurs as a result of a decrease in the immunity of the plant if the care requirements are not followed.
Leaf problems
During the formation of buds, the edges of the blue dragon's leaf plates can curl down, and during flowering, they completely flatten. This is a peculiarity of the grade. You don't need to do anything.
Sometimes brown spots appear on the leaves. This could be due to improper watering or spraying, leaving moisture on the leaves. Direct sunlight, which burns violet leaves, can also provoke such a defect.
Brown spots on the leaves are a sign of improper care
Pests
Saintpaulia can suffer from spider mites and mealybugs. When damaged by pests, the rosette slows down growth, the plant looks depressed, young leaves are deformed.
To control pests, it is necessary to spray the violet with preparations such as Fitoverm or Actellik. The treatment is repeated every week until the plant resumes growth.
Diseases
The Blue Dragon variety is susceptible to powdery mildew and gray rot diseases. A provoking factor in the development of diseases is stagnation of moisture in combination with a cool content. For treatment, the following drugs are used:
- "Topaz";
- "Speed";
- Fitosporin.
Signs of improper care
When growing saintpaulias, it is important to control the condition of the plants and respond in a timely manner to any negative changes.
The main signs of improper care:
- slow growth;
- small colorless flowers;
- deformed sheet plates;
- short or no flowering period;
- dried tips of leaves.
Taking care of Saintpaulia Blue Dragon is a little different from other species. This variety is more demanding, and does not forgive mistakes for the grower. In order for a flower to be healthy and pleasing with flowering, when growing it, you must carefully follow the rules of care.
