Techniques for Growing Violet Flowers to Bloom Just in Time for Tet in Just a Few Simple Steps

The technique of growing violet flowers to bloom right on the occasion of Tet Nguyen Dan is not simple and depends on many factors, from care to disease prevention and treatment.

What is a Violet Flower?

Violet flowers, also known as African violets or Saintpaulia, are named for their resemblance to bird feet or the flying swallow. The name violet is derived from the flower’s striking and alluring purple color.

Violet flowers have the scientific name Saintpaulia, and are known in English as African violets. They are beautiful flowers that are easy to grow and bloom year-round with minimal care.

This plant comes in a variety of hundreds of species and shapes. Violet flowers primarily bloom in spring, summer, and autumn, but they can also flower in winter if given adequate light. The flowers showcase bright colors including purple, red, white, blue, pink, or mixed hues, with purple being the most characteristic color. These small plants have variable flower and leaf colors and are very popular in Europe and America.

The purple violet carries many positive meanings, such as:

• Representing loyalty and devotion in love.
• Symbolizing enduring and steadfast love.
• Representing patience and determination.
• In feng shui, this flower brings peace and protects against evil spirits.
• Additionally, the flower has benefits for eye strain and cold relief.

For a long time, the violet has been a popular choice among the Vietnamese people as an essential flower for Tet decoration, making it quite common in Vietnam.

Violet flowers can resist toxic gases such as SO₂ and H₂S. (Illustrative image).

Violet flowers also have the ability to resist toxic gases like SO₂ and H₂S. The essential oil from the flowers inhibits the effects of bacteria and staphylococcus. The fragrance of the flowers has a relaxing effect, providing a refreshing sensation.

Currently, the market offers many varieties of violet flowers in different colors, including purple, red, white, blue, pink, or mixed colors. Depending on your needs, you can choose the appropriate flower colors. Most violet seeds are imported and are of high value, so if planting by seed, it’s essential to purchase from reputable suppliers to ensure high germination rates.

Meaning of Violet Flowers

Violet flowers are chosen as a symbol of love, primarily representing the loyalty and commitment of couples who wait for each other undeterred by challenges, dedicating their hearts entirely to their beloved.

The purple color symbolizes fidelity and is also the color of the legendary violet flower, representing enduring love.

In addition to being a symbol of eternal love, the violet flower also represents patience, determination, and the resolve to achieve one’s goals.

Best Time to Plant Violet Flowers

Sow seeds in early October and plant in November. Harvest flowers from February to April of the following year. If the weather is warm and the plants grow early, pinch the tops to encourage new growth. If growth is slow, apply more fertilizer.

Suitable Light and Temperature for Planting Violet Flowers

Violet flowers thrive in bright light; simply placing them in sunlight allows them to grow well. Areas with indoor lighting or window sills are also very suitable for their development. If keeping the plant indoors for an extended period, it’s important to provide periodic light, or it may affect flowering and the plant’s aesthetic value.

The ideal growth temperature is between 15 – 25°C. Therefore, environments such as air-conditioned offices or normal indoor settings are suitable for plant growth. In winter, nighttime temperatures may drop to 10°C, which could make the plant susceptible to cold. However, excessively high temperatures are also unfavorable for growth; ideally, it should not exceed 30°C.

Soil for Planting Violet Flowers

The soil for planting violet flowers must be loose, airy, and well-draining. A mixture of peat moss with crushed stone and mineral fertilizers can be used.

The most suitable soils include loamy soil, sandy soil, or red soil. Violet plants have high moisture needs but do not tolerate waterlogging. Therefore, choose elevated soil with good drainage systems.

Prepare the soil thoroughly, removing weeds and adding base fertilizers during the preparation process. Choose specialized fertilizers for base application, well-rotted manure, and lime powder (dosage according to manufacturer recommendations, typically 20 – 25 kg NPK 5:10:3). After applying base fertilizers, let the soil sit for 20 – 25 days before planting.

Techniques for Growing Violet Flowers from Seeds

The technique for growing violet flowers can be done through seed propagation. Before sowing, treat the seeds by soaking them in water for 24-36 hours, changing the water twice a day, and rinsing off any acidic water. After soaking, incubate the seeds at a cool temperature of 22-25^oC for 7-10 days until they show signs of germination, then sow.

Sow seeds similarly to vegetable seeds, ensuring they are covered with a shade for the first 20 days. When the plants have 1-2 true leaves (25-30 days), transplant them. Do not transplant when the seedlings have more than 2 true leaves, as this will result in shorter plants with fewer branches, quicker flowering, and lower yield and quality.

Techniques for Propagating Violet Flowers by Cuttings

This is the simplest and most popular method used for indoor plants. First, select healthy branches free from disease, cut about 1.5 – 2 cm from the stem, and after allowing it to dry, insert it into moist soil about 0.5 – 1 cm deep (a leaf can be used as a reference point). Maintain high humidity and a temperature of 18 – 24°C; generally, roots will develop 21 days after cutting, and in 2-3 months the plant will sprout, so plant it about 6 cm deep. Typically, green-leaf varieties take 8 – 12 months to flower, while spotted-leaf types take more than 12 months.

How to Care for Violet Flowers

The technique of growing violet flowers requires maintaining regular moisture, as excessively dry air can reduce leaf luster and impact the plant’s aesthetic value. Water immediately after securing the plant and sprouts. If overwatering occurs, wait until the soil in the pot has fully dried before watering again, as waterlogging can cause root rot.

Fertilize every 10 – 20 days with a liquid fertilizer.

Growing violet flowers also requires regular fertilization to ensure healthy growth. Fertilize every 10 – 20 days with a liquid fertilizer, preferably using a light application method. During the growth period, apply diluted or synthetic fertilizer every 7 days, paying attention to reduce the nitrogen content appropriately, as excessive leaf growth can affect flowering. When flowering, add more phosphorus fertilizer.

How to Choose and Display Plants

Violet flowers come in many variants, including single and double petals. Double-petaled varieties are usually more beautiful but do not produce seeds; only single-petaled varieties produce seeds. Generally, plants grown from seeds that are flat tend to bloom double petals, while round seeds usually yield single petals. The most suitable display areas for violet flowers can be in the garden or in pots, ideally placed in well-lit areas like balconies.

Notes

Do not let water accumulate on the leaves of violet flowers, as this can cause brown spots to develop and ultimately lead to leaf death.

When growing violets indoors, it’s important to know when to water. Check the soil with your finger by pushing it into the pot. If the soil feels moist, it’s not time to water yet.

Medicinal Benefits of Violet Flowers

In addition to ornamental purposes, violet flowers can also be used medicinally. The flowers can be used for flavoring, in soups, or for making desserts. They can also be used to brew tea, which can relieve eye strain and help treat colds when consumed regularly.

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