In general, horned violets like to sow themselves and tend to go wild. But that is not guaranteed. If you want to be on the safe side, take propagation into your own hands.
How to propagate horned violets?
Horn violets can be propagated by sowing, cuttings, division or cuttings. Cuttings are longer-lived, while seeding results in short-lived plants. However, division and propagation of offshoots are not possible with all varieties.
Sowing – there are advantages and disadvantages
Sowing horned violets has three decisive advantages: it's easy, the seeds germinate quickly and the resulting plants are extremely willing to flower. But there are also two disadvantages. On the one hand, you do not get varietal results from sowing. On the other hand, horned violets grown from seeds are considered to be short-lived.
This is how sowing works with specially obtained seeds:
- Harvesting seeds
- sow directly into the bed in summer
- Press seeds until tender and cover with soil (light germinator)
- Germination time: Seeds need a cold period, germination in spring
- if applicable Isolate in spring
Preferring the seeds is not absolutely necessary. This is how sowing at home works with purchased seeds:
- Advance from January to March at the latest
- Place soil in seed tray (€35.00 on Amazon)
- Press seeds (are already stratified)
- keep moist
- best germination temperature: 18 °C
- plant from mid-May
Propagation from cuttings – long-lasting horned violets
Horned violets propagated from cuttings are more long-lived than plants grown from seeds. Carry out this propagation method in the fall as follows:
- Cut 5 cm long head cuttings
- Place in the ground in a cool, shady place
- Keep soil moist
- after 2 weeks the cuttings are rooted
Division and offshoot propagation - not possible with all horned violets
The results from division and offshoot propagation are pure. But: Not all varieties of horned violets can be propagated this way. Division should be done every 3 years to rejuvenate the horned violets:
- perform in autumn or spring
- Dig up roots
- divide in the middle with a spade
- plant in another place
- Maintain a distance of 20 cm between the plants
The cuttings of horned violets are usually hidden under the leaves. Cut them off at the root or together with a piece of root. They should be planted in a suitable substrate until they have rooted. Later they come to their final location.
Tips & Tricks
You chose the wrong location? No problem: young horned violets can be easily transplanted in the evening hours and don't mind this procedure.
