Every gardener loves perennials that are attractive and easy to care for. Snapdragons are one such example. This flower's diverse color palette, as well as its abundant and long blooms, captivate from the moment the first flowers appear, making them a favorite for landscaping. Growing snapdragons from seed, when to plant, and how to care for them—that's what we'll be discussing. How to grow columbine flower.
What types are there?
To grow snapdragons from seeds and determine the planting time (photos and videos), you need to choose a variety. Currently, there are about 1,000 varieties, each differing in stem size. These varieties are divided into four groups based on this criterion. The variety of colors and sizes also provides gardeners with a wealth of choices to suit their garden or flowerbed.
Interesting! Snapdragon bushes can grow in length from 20 centimeters to one meter.
Let's look at four groups of Snapdragon species
Dwarf
The dwarf snapdragon is so named because it never grows more than 25 centimeters tall. This type of flower is most often used in balcony pots.
Medium-sized varieties are also considered low-growing, but they are more commonly used for growing in flowerbeds. Moreover, these varieties of this wonderful flower harmonize well and coexist with other plants. Stem length ranges from 40 to 60 centimeters.
Tall
Tall varieties of snapdragons will never grow shorter than 60 centimeters, provided they are properly cared for. There are also giant varieties, which start at 80 centimeters and can reach up to one meter. Due to their height, these bushes are difficult to branch, meaning they are not suitable for planting in pots.
Ampelous
Trailing varieties of this plant are suitable not only for baskets or planters. They can also be grown in the garden, provided there are columns or a porch trellis nearby.
Snapdragons - growing from seeds and when to plant outdoors practically doesn't depend on the plant variety. Snapdragons are an unpretentious plant, so any work with this flower will be a joy. If you grow scabiosa flower, pay attention to the care features.
When to plant
Growing snapdragons from seeds begins with determining the appropriate time for planting outdoors and for seedlings. To ensure the plant grows to its full potential, it's important to follow these recommended timeframes.
Growing snapdragon seedlings from seeds begins between March and May, depending on your region and climate. There are also earlier varieties that can be planted as early as April. The best guide to planting snapdragons is the weather, as well as the lunar calendar. The best time to start growing snapdragons from seeds is mid-March to early April.
How to plant
To grow snapdragon seeds, you need to know not only when to plant them but also where to plant them. Any container with drainage holes will do. These can be pots, containers, or cups. Any soil will do, except peat, which can increase soil acidity, which is unfavorable for snapdragons. Loose garden soil or potting soil is ideal for seedlings.
It's best if the soil is rich in organic matter. It's bad if the soil is very wet or prone to acidification, as young snapdragons don't like high humidity and will simply die in such an environment without ever producing their luxurious, vibrant flowers.
Once the containers (which must have a drainage system) and soil are ready, moisten the soil. Mix the seeds with fine sand and scatter them over the surface of the soil without digging them in. Next, use a spray bottle to mist the soil surface where the seeds already are.
Place a suitable-sized piece of glass over the container where the snapdragon will grow, or cover the surface with plastic wrap. This will ensure that the seeds don't dry out. Condensation will form on the soil surface, which should be removed daily. If the soil dries out, lightly moisten it.
Snapdragon: Growing from seeds and planting times. You can start the process directly in the open ground if you live in the south. Don't worry about the plant dying from the cold, as it's cold-hardy. However, when planting seeds in the open ground, the first shoots will appear a little later.
If the region is in the temperate zone, growing seedlings is essential. Once the container seedlings have grown and become strong enough, you can transplant the flowers into open ground. The first shoots will appear 15 days after sowing.
Important! To ensure that the plant grows well, you need to ensure that the soil does not dry out and moisten it regularly.
Care Features
There are certain conditions that must be met and provided to the plant to ensure long-lasting and beautiful blooms. The optimal temperature for snapdragons is between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius. As for location, it's best to choose a spot near a window for diffused light. Once the first shoots appear, you can move the seedling containers to direct sunlight.
When the first two leaves appear, the seedlings should be transplanted into individual containers. Do not moisten the soil for 24 hours before planting in open ground; this will ensure easy removal of the sprouts. gravilate plants, you need to know the basic rules.
A week after transplanting, the seedlings should be fed with a special complex fertilizer, which can be purchased at a specialty store. Water the plant right at the roots to protect it from diseases, which are mostly caused by improper watering.
Growing snapdragons from seed is not difficult at all if you know the right planting times and provide the necessary growing conditions. This plant isn't picky, but it's still best not to neglect it.