Breeding theme of Saintpaulias (violets) is very relevant at the present time. There are a huge number of recommendations in magazines and on the Internet. All of them are interesting and relevant, I will tell you about the most important thing - what every novice florist should know.
Let's start in order. Everyone knows that violets reproduce by leaf cuttings. We will talk about this. It all depends on what material you choose.
Choosing a violet leaf for propagation
What should not be taken for breeding? Sheets that have changed color, damaged or bottom row. Because they have little nutrient reserves. And if such a leaf still gives roots, then a healthy, beautiful plant will not work out of it.
Which sheet to choose? Choose a normally formed sheet from the second row of the rosette. The petiole of which must be elongated. If it starts to rot a little, then you can trim it and repeat the procedure again. If the plant has two or more flowers, then a light colored leaf should be chosen. This will help increase the likelihood that the resulting flower will match the color of the parent. That, in fact, is what the violets are trying to achieve. If the violet is pinnate, you must choose a leaf in which more than half is green. It is very important.
It is better to break off the sheet from the outlet, but not cut off. If, nevertheless, it did not work to break off and you used a knife, in this case, a stump will remain on the trunk of the plant. It needs to be removed. Because it can rot. You need to break off near the very base. In order not to harm either the future cuttings or the plant itself.
A freshly broken leaf will begin to wilt within a few hours after you detach it from the flower. And if you need to save it, then wrap it in a damp cloth, a piece of cloth. After that, you can put the leaf in a bag. Everything, now it is ready for transportation.
Read about how to root a violet leaf in the next article - rooting of a violet cutting in water.
