Violet (Saintpaulia) is very popular with flower growers. The plant does not make high demands on the conditions of detention, but for its successful development, compliance with a number of rules is still indispensable. One of the signals of the sick state of senpolia is the twisting of the leaves inward or downward. This article outlines the causes and methods for solving the problem of swirling leaves.

The basic rules for growing violets

Saintpaulia is quite easily cultivated indoors.

Important! Drops of water on leaves should not be allowed. For this reason, it is preferable to water the violets from the pallet.

One of its advantages is that care for all varieties is almost the same:

1. For lush and long-lasting flowering, ensure the plant is good lighting (10-12 hours a day).
2. Most optimal temperature senpolia — +20 ... + 22 ° С. The temperature indicator should not be below + 18 ° C and above + 26 ° C.
3. Use warm water for watering.. Carry out the next watering at the moment when the top layer of the earth dries. Senpolia saturated soil with moisture is more difficult to tolerate than a slight drying out.
4. Moisture rate for violets - about 50%. With the proximity of heating radiators, you will have to additionally moisten the air. Wipe off the sheet plates from accumulated dust every one and a half to two months. Do this with a damp cloth or a soft brush.
5. Propagate Violet leaves or branch sockets.
6. Choose soil with a high concentration of sand, humus and moss. For planting, take a not too large vessel, since the roots of the violet are poorly developed - they are not deepened. When planting, be sure to fall asleep on the bare trunk of the plant.
7. As fertilizers, use ready-made universal dressings for the senpolia, which include nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Feed the plant only during the period of active flowering (once a month). In the cold season, it is advisable to give the flower a break from unnecessary loads of various minerals.

Why do violets twist leaves

Below are the most likely causes of such an unpleasant phenomenon as twisted leaves in violets.

Wrong watering

The main reason lies in excessive watering - inexperienced gardeners mistakenly regard the sluggish appearance of the plant as a sign of lack of water, although in fact the flower suffers from excess moisture. In addition to twisted leaves and loss of turgor (intracellular pressure), rotting roots (especially small ones) and water actively flowing from drain holes are indicative of soil waterlogging. Often, despite the disastrous state of the bush, novice owners continue to flood it. If you do not stop it, the violet will simply perish.

Excess fertilizer

If you overdo it with the amount of fertilizer applied, this can also provoke curling of the leaves inward. In the case of potted senpolia, nutrients are not always good - a saturation with nitrogen is fraught with twisting of leaf plates, loss of ability to bloom and even death.

Incorrect transplant

An illiterate transplant is another common cause of twisted leaves. If a few days after transplanting the plant wilted or twisted the leaves, then everything went not very well. In the process of transplanting, the rhizome could be seriously damaged, or you chose the wrong soil.

Pest

A more dangerous reason why leaf plates are twisted is the cyclamen (strawberry) mite. The parasite usually attacks the back of the leaves, where it then multiplies, so try to inspect the green part of the plant from time to time.

Did you know? An ardent lover of violets was the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt. The entire apartment and all the actress's outfits were saturated with the aroma of these flowers. And in her boudoir and in all rooms there were fresh bouquets of bright violets all year round.

However, without special equipment, it will be very difficult to make out a tiny pest, so we bring to your attention list of signs, the presence of most of which indicates the obvious presence of a pest:

• inwardly curved edges of the sheet plates;
• stalk deformation;
• excessive pubescence of leaves;
• fading and falling shoots;
• stopping the growth and development of the bush.

Video: why the leaves of violets twist

What to do and how to reanimate a plant

Curled leaves are just a symptom of the distress of violets. The plant signals that urgent and decisive measures must be taken.

Important! For the period of rehabilitation of violets with the help of acaricides, minimize its watering, and it is better to completely abandon spraying. Most likely, you will have to process the flower several times.

Therefore, we’ll continue to talk about ways to solve this problem and, accordingly, rescue violets.

• Upon elimination negative effects caused by excessive wateringThe best way out is to transplant the plant. To do this, remove the senpolia of the flowerpot along with the earth and examine the root system, carefully removing the rotted areas. Then transfer the plant to a new container with fresh substrate. If you find deformation of the leaves in the early stages, simply reduce watering, dry and loosen the topsoil. Check for drainage holes in the pot. Additionally, you can replace the drainage.
• Solve the problem of overabundance of nutrients It is possible only by transplanting a flower into fresh soil. In the future, fertilize strictly according to the instructions, observing the necessary dosage and frequency.
• To correct the consequences illiterate transfer operations remove the flower from the old flowerpot and examine the root system. Get rid of badly damaged (broken) ones as a result of a rough root transplant. Also remove dead and fading leaves. The safest way to transplant is to fill the pot with violet with water for 10 minutes, then transfer the bush onto the hand with the crown down, passing it between the fingers. Then, in reverse movement, set the bush in a new suitable container.
• If there are no root problems, then the cause of curled leaves is unsuitable soil, in which the senpolia was transplanted. Transplant the flower into turfy ground mixed with coarse sand and wood ash. Add earthen mixture to the lower petioles of the leaves. Water the soil. After waiting several days, sprinkle a new layer of earth on the sagging areas.
• Defeat Strawberry Mite more difficult, as it is a rather harmful and hardy parasite. A whole range of measures will be required. Suspecting the presence of a parasite, isolate the infected plant and get rid of the heavily affected leaves, and then treat the flower with acaricides (tick-borne chemicals). For example, in premises, you can use Fitoverm; traditional insecticides in this case are ineffective.

How to prevent leaf curl

To prevent tightening of the sheet plates, adhere to all necessary preventive measures:

1. Choose the right irrigation mode. The presence of drain holes in a flowerpot is vital for the senpolia. Start watering only after the topsoil becomes slightly dry to the touch. To prevent water from touching the leaves, pour liquid into the pan. And after 15-20 minutes after the procedure, excess water must certainly be drained.
2. Take care of the correct lighting mode - it should be soft and diffused.
3. Avoid Drafts Carefully. A stream of cold air is especially dangerous in the winter months.
4. When feeding, strictly adhere to portions and frequency. Using universal mineral complexes, reduce their dosage by half. Never fertilize recently planted and transplanted senpolia, since all the necessary nutrients are already contained in a special soil mixture for these plants.
5. Senpolia does not tolerate any manipulations with its roots, so without a great need to disturb them, it is undesirable. A good reason for transplanting is the need to change the dishes or contaminated soil. Place the newly transplanted plant for several days in a dimly lit place. Also, to facilitate the adaptation period, you can create the effect of a greenhouse - just cover the flower with a bag of polyethylene. Various immunostimulating drugs, such as Zircon or Epin, have a good effect.
6. Examine the flower regularly for parasites. (mainly cyclamen tick), so as not to miss the time and carry out all the above measures for the rehabilitation of plants. If a large part of the violet is affected, unfortunately, it will not be possible to save it.

Did you know? In the Middle Ages, the inhabitants of southern Germany celebrated the day every spring when they found the first senpolia. The flower was attached to a high pole in the middle of a green lawn. Everyone was interested in the celebrations - people had fun, sang and danced. It was believed that a person who ripped off this first violet was waiting for a happy fate.

Learn how to properly care for your potted violets to keep their leaves healthy. Take timely measures to rehabilitate the plant, and very soon the violet will delight you with new magnificent flowers.