The Rivinian viola It is one of those plants that are suitable to have in pots, gardens and other natural spaces at home. Not only because of its great variety and the great medicinal utility it has, but also because it is a plant that is easy to maintain, care for, grow and more.
Today you will know a special variation and which is known as Rivinian viola. Throughout this article you will know to a great extent, everything you need to have this plant in your home and take advantage of both its properties and its ability to transform a simple garden, it is a visual spectacle once it blooms.
General data of the plant
The Rivinian viola or as it is also known, common dog violet, is one of the many violets that are known throughout the world.
Being a bit more specific, it is the most common violet in the UK and at the same time, provides some useful herb that is commonly used to make wild salads particularly in the spring. In fact, just as this class is edible, there are many others that also have that particularity or utility.
In the case of this variation, its flowers have a specific color, but as such, you can find violas of different colors and even grafts that generate flowers of different colors in the same plant.
Its place of origin is not yet known, but if it is a plant that can be found in a large number of forestsIn areas where there are shrubs, it also has the ability to grow in mowing meadows and even crops that have been abandoned.
It is worth mentioning that certain environmental conditions have to be met so that this plant can grow on its own in the places already mentioned. For example, you have to have a soil that is fresh, with clay characteristics and they have to be deep. The same way, the soil has to be acidic and can grow without any inconvenience both at sea level and 2500 meters above sea level.
Plant characteristics
The leaves of most violets They have a lot in common. But before entering a spiral of differentiation between similar violets, we must remember what Professor Gordon Hillman writes in Wild Food “The leaves and flowers of all members of the violet family appear to be edible.”
Our leaves of the common dog-violet are heart-shaped, smoothalmost hairless and with regularly spaced indentations at the edges. The flowers are an attractive blue-violet with five petals and the lower petal or lip has prominent veins.
The flowering of this Violet occurs between March to Mayalthough sometimes it tends to delay its flowering and ends up occurring between August and October. The good news is that it is easy to spot, the leaves and flowers are edible. The leaves are quite soft, they have a pleasant taste with a bit of bitternessif there is any, which makes it a wild food worth picking up while foraging for food.
The sepals of the flower are pointed. All British Isles violets have a protruding spur behind the flower; one of the key identifying characteristics of Rivinian viola is that its spur is lighter in color than the petals and has a notch at the tip.
Propagation of the Rivinian viola
The best way to propagate this plant is through its seeds. What you should do is sow stored seeds in a cold frame just as spring is beginning. For it, you have to puncture the seedling in individual pots and when you notice that they are large enough to handle them, proceed with the planting in summer.
As for the larger divisions, they can be planted directly in their permanent positions, although experience says that it is better to plant the smallest divisions in pots and grow them in light shade in a greenhouse or cold setting until they grow well.
Farming
Prefer a cool, moist, well-drained soil rich in humus in partial or splashed shade and protection from scorching winds. It tolerates sandstone and limestone soils, but becomes chlorotic if the pH is too high. It prefers a pH between 6 and 6,5.
All members of this genus have more or less edible leaves and flower buds, although species with yellow flowers can cause diarrhea if eaten in large quantities.
On the other hand, you also have to know that both the Rivinian viola like the rest of the violets, no require too many things for their maintenance and cultivation. They are quite simple and very little demanding.
In the same sense, you have to have the following criteria for its cultivation:
- You have to place them in a semi-shady place.
- Irrigation has to be every three daysas long as the plant is in its flowering phase.
- Avoid flooded soils at all costs.
- Use liquid compost and water it. This you should do it every 20 days or at least once a month.
- The substrate must be moist, but never waterlogged. Similarly, the soil needs organic matter or be rich in nutrients. Although this is not an essential requirement, since the plant can be adapted to the common soils of the gardens.
- Do not worry about frost, as the plant can resist them quite well.
Plagues and diseases
These are plants that have good resistance to pests and diseases. However, there are occasions where they tend to suffer damage and among the causes that can affect the plant are:
It is also known under the name of white mildew and usually appears during dry seasons and its presence in the plant can generate a type of white felt in the leaves of the violet, as well as in its flowers, and the new shoots that are developing.
Regarding its detection, you will notice how the leaves are deforming and you will even notice small perforations. It is enough to remove the damaged leaves and spray the plant with a little sulfur, being very easy to eliminate this type of fungus.
Gray rot
Like the previous problem, gray rot it also generates a kind of feltbut in this case, the color is grayish and only affects the leaves. Its appearance arises when in the atmosphere or the environment in which the plant is found with a high level of humidity.
In the event that you have this plant and you notice this problem, just do the following:
- Cut and remove the parts that have been affected.
- Limit watering to the minimum possible.
- Try to space the plants.
- If it is in a greenhouse, try to ventilate it. Failing that, If you have it in a pot, move it to a place with more ventilation.
- Avoid having it in places where the humidity is very high.
- When you go to do the watering, do not wet its leaves, only the substrate.
With this information, now if you are ready to have this beautiful plant or any of its many variations no problem.
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