Making shelves for keeping violets at home

How to make plastic shelves

Plastic shelves for violets can be part of a wooden or metal structure, but their manufacture is the most difficult. If in the previous two cases you can use scraps of old pieces of furniture or shelving, then with plastic stands you will have to start from scratch, since in natural conditions there are few places where you can find flat plastic plates.

To make the device, you need rectangular flat plastic products up to 100 cm in length, 30 cm in width and 50 mm in thickness. Most often, to obtain such material, they turn to a company that deals with plastic products, where they will cut out and immediately process shelves of the required size for you. It's not too expensive as plastic itself is a fairly cheap material.

After you cut out the coasters for violets, you just have to mount them in the rack frame or nail them to the wall with fasteners. It should be remembered that it is better not to put products made of inexpensive plastic near the window, because in hot weather this material will start, if not melting, then burn out and dry out, which will lead to the destruction of the structure.

How to ensure a comfortable existence of a plant in the winter?

Vases on the windowsill are vulnerable in winter. For their comfortable existence, it is necessary to provide them with warmth, for this they use different methods:

• window sill insulation - a large proportion of the cold from the window sill, therefore, the pots are placed on a dais or a heater is placed under them;
• an increase in the distance from the glass - the further the violet is, the less the risk of hypothermia from cold glass;
• placement of Saintpaulias on windows without vents or insulation of vents, to avoid drafts, which are very harmful to this species;
• to minimize the possibility of hypothermia, watering is carried out only with warm water.

In winter, the window sill should be insulated.

Advice! The temperature is not lower than 16 degrees, a prerequisite for a good wintering of violets. By providing proper care during this dangerous period, you can minimize the likelihood of disease and maximize the preservation of the collection after winter.

How much light does a violet need

Saintpaulia uzumbar (indoor violet) needs a luminous flux of at least 10, and preferably 12 hours a day. The rest of the time she should be in peace and darkness. The plant belongs to the light-loving, but along with this fact, it does not tolerate the scorching sun.

If the violets stand in direct sunlight in hot weather for more than 2 hours, their leaves will begin to burn: yellow or brown spots will appear, the plant will begin to wither and wither.

If the flower pots are kept away from the window, the saintpaulia may look healthy, but not bloom for a long time. This means that it does not have enough light intensity to activate processes, the synthesis of which is possible only at a certain level of radiation.

When it is impossible to arrange the Saintpaulias under the conditions of the room so that they receive the proper amount of light, they need to organize artificial lighting.

Made of metal

It is not very difficult to create metal shelves with your own hands, the main thing is to properly prepare. Metal rods (their diameter should be 8-10 millimeters) are welded using a welding machine into the desired structure, of any size. The ideal size for the side bases of a metal rack for Saintpaulias is 20 by 90 centimeters (for installing four shelves at a distance of 30 centimeters).

Crossbars and fixings are also provided during the welding process.After that, painting takes place in a color suitable for the interior of the apartment or room. The slats are cut from bars, 50 centimeters long, in the amount of twenty pieces, and laid out, exactly parallel, and then knocked down with slats 20 centimeters long.

To install the rack on the wall, ordinary self-tapping screws are often used. Then the wooden shelves can also be painted, and after that they can be installed on the crossbars.

We make a rack with shelves for violets with our own hands

You can make a rack with your own hands, as it is not so difficult and you can use any materials. Another plus is that the size of the future rack for violets depends only on you! (do it according to your parameters)

The most common wooden shelving. First you need to buy chipboard boards of the size you need. If there is a need for that, you need to sand the flaws with sandpaper, and then proceed with the installation of lighting fixtures and fastening.

Photo of wooden shelving

Another option would be a glass shelf. For direct cutting of the material, you need to resort to the services of craftsmen. The glass must be at least 1.5 cm! For fixing such shelves, you need to use aluminum profiles, dowels and adhesive pads.

Glass racks for windows

It is possible to construct a mobile shelving unit on wheels. For this, a frame is assembled from a profile or a bar, at the bottom of which holes are made for the wheels. After that, the wheels are attached and the shelves are installed directly. You can also use imagination and decorate as desired.

Another option is a metal rack. To do this, you need to have rods with a diameter of 10-15 mm and create a metal frame using a welding machine. The shelves for such a rack are cut out of wood and fixed to the finished frame. For greater stability, you can additionally attach the structure itself to the wall using self-tapping screws.

Backlit shelving, photo

The choice is yours, it only depends on you what material your design for violets will be, what kind, color, size it will look like.

DIY backlit shelving

To make a backlit rack, you will need the following materials: a drill, wooden boards and beams, a level and tape measure, self-tapping screws and screws, metal pipes, lamps, junction boxes, chokes, starters and several plugs.

It is imperative to collect all the necessary materials, since it can take more time to find it than to assemble the rack itself!

Shelving drawing

You need to determine the height of your flower rack before you get started! It is better to immediately make the rack high, so as not to alter it in the future. You need to make a gap of 45 cm between the rack and the ceiling. The width of the shelves depends on the number of lighting fixtures that will illuminate the violets.

The first thing to do is mark the height on the wall with a pencil - 40 cm from the floor. Then, above this mark, we mark 4 more dots at a distance of 40-45 cm. This is done in order to see where our shelves will be located.

Then you need to cut the slats and crossbars. If these are metal strips, then you should measure and cut them in the workshops in advance.

Where the planks and racks intersect, we make holes and fasten them together.

To assemble the shelf, we need to cut out 3 racks and 1 support, which will only be auxiliary, which we will remove later.

The next step, we attach the slats to the rack and the crossbeam and fasten them with self-tapping screws. For greater strength, we can grease from (parts) with glue. We fix the shelves in the same way.

LED lighting for the shelf under violets, video:

Before proceeding with the installation of the rack, you should drill holes in the shelves and the back wall for electrical wires. To prevent the light from the lamps from dazzling your eyes, you should install a partition on the front of the shelves. Then you need to drill holes for the hooks on which the lamps will be attached.We fix the hooks on the shelf and attach the lamps to the holes in the back. Several luminaires can be plugged into one plug and connected via a carrier.

We will spend no more than 4-5 hours for the entire assembly of the frame. But on the other hand, your plants will be supplied with a sufficient amount of light, the ability to water and fertilize them without problems.

Watch the video: DIY illuminated violet rack

Varieties of violets

Violets, as indoor flowers, were already in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, and they were brought from East Africa, which is considered the birthplace of violets.

Today there are dozens of types of violets, which are easy to find and acquire. They are different from each other, but at the same time so beautiful and unusual. They appeal to both experienced gardeners and amateurs who admire them at home.

Violet varieties differ among themselves: size (standard, giant or miniature), leaf color (from light green to rich dark green), type of petals (regular, double, semi-double), leaf shape (round, oval, with smooth and uneven edges ), a shade of flowers (solid, unevenly colored, purple, pink, blue, etc.), flower shape (classic, star-shaped, star-like fringed).

Arrangement of shelves made of wood

Wood is considered an environmentally friendly and durable material, so if the farm has bars and plywood, then it can be made from these residues. There are several types of stands for violets in the form of shelves or racks. The production of shelves does not take much time; as a rule, they are installed on the walls, so you need to purchase iron brackets. To assemble such a structure, we need:

• Plywood, fiberboard, slats or durable plastic such as a window sill
• Brackets
• Fasteners - self-tapping screws, dowel-nails, as well as decorative screws

And, of course, you need to prepare a tool for assembly:

• Screwdriver or curly screwdriver
• Impact drill or hammer drill
• Winning drill with a diameter of 8-10 mm
• Electric jigsaw or hacksaw for wood
• Roulette and pencil
• Building level
• Sandpaper

Having collected everything you need in one place, you can start arranging shelves for violets, the order of work is as follows:

1. Preparing the shelves - if the stands for the pots are made of raw material, for example, non-laminated plywood or chipboard, then you need to give the shelves a presentable look. For this, sharp corners are removed with a jigsaw or the front end of the material is rounded off with a wavy line. Then the rest of the coasters are aligned according to this template and the edges are cleaned with sandpaper or a file. Unprotected wood vents must be edged or varnished, otherwise the plywood or chipboard may swell and peel off from moisture.

1. Marking - measured with a tape measure, the length of the shelf, after which this data is displayed on the wall using a pencil and a building level. The first shelf should be at the level of 40 cm from the floor, and the distance between the shelves should be 45 cm from each other. When all the lines are aligned, you need to mark the holes for the fastening. To do this, brackets are attached to the line and all the centers of the holes are outlined with a pencil.
2. Making holes - with a drill inserted into the hammer drill, all the marked points are drilled.
3. Fastening the bracket - for this you need to attach the bracket itself and fix it with a dowel - a nail or decorative fastening.
4. Installing the shelf on the bracket - for the stand to be reliable, you need to screw it to the bracket with self-tapping screws or screws.
5. As you can see, it is not difficult to make shelves, such a thing can be done by any master. There is another way to grow violets - on shelves. They are stationary and mobile.

Other materials

Plastic is a popular material for creating flower shelves. It can be of different colors and textures. It's easy to work with him.No special skills or special tools are required. Shelves and racks made of plastic for placing plants can be made even by a beginner in needlework, if he has such a desire.

All the products that are offered in stores for the design of flower stands cannot be listed - they are too diverse. You can easily choose any option that suits your case. And the cost of such "raw materials" is quite acceptable.

A bookcase or stand for indoor plants can be a good gift for an amateur florist. Especially if it's handmade. After all, by independently creating a thing, you put a particle of your soul into it.

Types of violets

It is no secret that these delicate flowers are now represented by dozens of species, and it will not be difficult to find the kind you like. They are so different from each other, but from this they no less delight with their beauty and uniqueness, both serious gardeners and amateurs who grow several of these delicate plants at home.

But first, let's explain how some varieties can differ among themselves:

• Sizes - the plant itself can be standard, giant, miniature or microminiature;
• Leaf color - in different varieties, the color can vary from light green to rich dark green;
• By the type of petals - there are ordinary, double and semi-double;
• Leaf shape - round and oval, with uneven edges and smooth;
• A shade of flowers - they can be solid, unevenly colored, blue, pink, purple, etc.;
• The flower shape is classic, star-shaped, chimera, star-like, rimmed.

How and from what to make?

The materials for making a flower rack can be different:

• The glass shelf looks light and natural.
• Convenient and practical will be made of plastic.
• Wooden shelves will add some zest to the interior.
• The metal construction will be durable and reliable.

Each material has its own characteristics and subtleties in work. It is the material from which the flower shelf will be made that will determine the design of the product.

DIY wood rack

Wood is a very popular material for making flower shelves. It is not difficult to make a rack if you follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. First, the boards are sanded and treated with antifungal materials.
2. The wood is varnished or painted in the desired tone.
3. Measure the data of the window opening.
4. Two lateral reference planes are made. They should correspond to the dimensions of the window in width and depth, and be five centimeters lower in height.
5. Determine the number of shelves on the rack.
6. The corners are screwed into the structure.
7. They put the rack on the window.
8. Shelves are mounted.

Additionally, the shelves on a wooden rack are covered with foil on both sides. In addition to protecting against moisture, it will be an additional highlight for plants.

Collapsible metal structure

If there are wooden window sills on the windows, then you can make a metal rack. The plastic window may not support the weight. The exact amount of material depends on the size of the window to which the size of the structure is adjusted.

1. The size of the structure must be calculated so that a distance of 5 cm remains between the product frame, the side walls of the window and glass.
2. A maximum of three shelves can be placed.
3. Two rectangles are assembled from the profile - these will be the side elements of the frame.
4. They retreat from both sides by 10 cm and attach the jumpers, they will strengthen the side frames.
5. Having placed the rectangles in a vertical position, connect the upper and lower corners with jumpers.
6. Attach the shelf holders, it is better to put them on the bolts - this will allow you to change the height of the shelves, if necessary.
7. The holders are made from a steel angle. Blanks are made according to the width of the frame. Holes are drilled at the ends of the corners.
8. The drilled corners are bolted to the side posts of the frame.
9. Paint the rack.Shelves are cut to fit the frame and placed on holders from the corners.

If the shelves are afraid of moisture, you can put rubber mats on them or wrap them in plastic.

Glass with forged corners

If you want to make a more elegant design for the windowsill, you can make a glass shelf. If the window is wooden, then it is easy to make it.

1. You need to take tempered glass and forged corners.
2. Screw them to the side of the window and place a glass sheet on them.

From polypropylene pipes

The flower shelf on the window made of PVC water pipes looks unusual. Different pipe diameters can be used if desired. Assembling a skeleton is like a constructor. You will also need various connections (fittings):

• crosses;
• knee;
• tees.

A more reliable pipe connection is ensured by brazing. Also use glue or detachable fittings.

The last option is the simplest, it allows you to disassemble the structure as needed.

1. The base of the rack is a rectangle.
2. The side walls are assembled first.
3. The wall consists of pipes connected by crosses and is assembled in the form of a rectangle.
4. Connect the side walls to each other using pipes and crosses. The length of the pipe is matched to the size of the window.
5. If necessary, you can strengthen the frame with additional racks - spacers between the shelves.
6. The shelves are fixed at a certain height in tees installed on the side posts of the rectangles.
7. Shelves are cut from plywood, chipboard or other suitable material.

Such a rack looks harmoniously on a plastic window, and its low weight will not harm the window sill.

If you want to decorate the rack, you can put tempered decorative glass on the shelves.

Stands for violets on the windowsill

Industrial production

A flower stand on a windowsill can be made of different materials, many of them are created not to increase the number of placed violets, but for beauty.

Metal

Pure metal shelves, for the most part, are forged products that fulfill more an aesthetic than a practical role.

Forged stands for violets (photo for example).

Often such stands can rightfully be called a work of art, but such options are made to order and are quite expensive. They are also available for general sale, they are simpler, but also look beautiful.

Wood

Wood stands are more like shelves. Often the shelves are made of mixed metal with wood. This type of coasters can also be very beautifully decorated, carving and burning are often used, and the very shape of the shelves can be unusual.

The arrangement of the stands is possible in the form of a slide or ordinary shelves.

Wooden stand in the form of a double-sided slide.

Plastic

The cheapest are plastic, they do not please with a variety, but they are convenient and practical to use. Plastic shelves are mostly shallow baskets on plastic or metal bases.

This type of shelves is well suited for children, and keeping a large number of violets with artificial lighting, less often in natural light.

Plastic coasters based on plastic tubes.

Some stands are designed to accommodate as many violets as possible. One of these options is the different uprights for vertical placement.

Racks for violets on the windowsill are mostly made of metal, plastic and wood. The number of locations depends on the height of the rack and the order in which the placement points are placed.

Correct placement of such stands will reduce the space that is required to keep as many individuals as possible.

Own production

Wanting to save money, many growers make shelves on their own. Among the most common options are shelves made of wood, glass and plastic.

Wooden

Like a store, a do-it-yourself violet stand made of wood usually looks like simple shelves.To make them, you need bases (metal corners or wooden beams, maybe even boards) and boards for shelves.

As an addition, you can decorate the shelf with burning, decoupage, decorative painting or any available methods. The manufacturing sequence is simple:

1. Knock down the base from the boards or beams;
2. Cut the shelf boards to size;
3. Decorate or simply paint the bases and shelves as desired;
4. Place the shelves on the bases, fix as needed.

Glass

Glass racks are usually built with metal bases from pipes or corners, sometimes plastic pipes are used. It is quite easy to assemble such shelves for violets on the windowsill with your own hands:

1. Measure the dimensions of the required glasses;
2. Cut or order glass;
3. Depending on the base, holes are cut in the glasses for pipes;
4. If the base from the corners needs to be welded, but holes in the glass are not needed;
5. The shelves are assembled with the help of special fasteners, or the pipes are cut into pieces, and thin tubes are inserted between them, which are threaded into the glass holes.

Glass stand.

Glass coasters look more aesthetically pleasing, but heavy pots should not be placed on them, and you should also be careful when placing Saintpaulias on wick irrigation, because this is additional weight

Plastic

Plastic shelves are made like wood shelves. Often the bases for them are made of metal or plastic (pipes or corners). The shelves themselves are made from plastic plates, grates or shallow drawers.

The manufacturing procedure corresponds to the selected base, and completely repeats the sequence of one of the first options.

Conclusion

Saving space is important for many flower growers, but when trying to place a maximum of pots on one windowsill, it is important not to violate the rules of maintenance. With the right placement and content, you can expand your collection to much larger sizes with coasters and shelving.

Many housewives and plant lovers alike grow flowers at home. But, as you know, in small apartments it is difficult to do what you love because of the lack of free space. Therefore, in order to grow flowers in a small room, it is necessary to install shelves for violets in free places, for example, a windowsill or on the surface of a wall. In addition, these plants have their own requirements, which must be taken into account when installing racks and shelves, and in dark places, do not forget about lighting.