Question: I recently purchased a species violet (S. velutina) at a local show, and discovered that it had been wicked. Can I repot it into my usual soilless mix (and top water) without danger of losing it?
Answer: Certainly. If anything, we find that most of the species violets do a bit better if not kept overly moist, and like a vely light, porous soil. Most grow more compactly than the modern hybrids, and seem to have a smaller root system. For this reason, we prefer to top water most of our species, and are careful not to use too large a pot. Most seem happy in 3″ or 4″ pots (grown as houseplants, and not for show). Having said this, wicking is perfectly acceptable, so long as a very light soil mix, with plenty (50% minimum) or perlite being used.