Timing and rules for sowing lobelia seeds - the seedlings will be strong and healthy

This flowering plant from the bellflower family is not particularly demanding. However, to get healthy and beautiful flowers as early as possible, you should sow its seeds indoors to start seedlings, then transplant them to a permanent location in a flowerbed. First, decide on the timing, taking into account the 2024 lunar calendar, your region, the plant variety, and the weather forecast for the coming weeks.

Peculiarities

For landscape design, choose annual plants. Annual lobelia blooms more profusely. Perennial varieties have less colorful and less vibrant flowers. You can also find species used in folk medicine.

They are suitable for combating:

• cold;
• inflammation in the bronchial area;
• lung disease.

Lobelia is a flower that belongs to the plants:

• low species up to 20 cm, however rare varieties can grow up to 150 cm;
• with a spherical bush shape;
• with many thin stems of a branched type

The bush takes on a spherical shape. The plant consists of thin, branched stems starting from the base. The leaves are lanceolate. The variety of colors is striking. The flowers are small (up to 2 cm), but they form in large numbers on the shoots.

There are approximately 300 varieties of Lobelia worldwide. Choosing the right one depends directly on the site, the regional climate, and the gardener's personal preferences. Annual varieties grow only for one year during the warmer months. In Russia, annuals are predominantly grown.

The most popular types can be identified:

1. With bright blue and purple colors.
2. The finest variety with flowers of blue, white and lilac colours.
3. Vigorous. It has a powerful stem, luxurious foliage, and vibrantly colored flowers.

Annuals are divided into trailing and bushy. The latter can be considered ornamental. They grow only up to 15 cm in height and bloom profusely. ampelous The rosettes are directed downwards, and the shoots grow up to 35 cm. At the bottom, you can see many small flowers.

Deadlines

The celestial night light can have both a negative and a positive effect on seedlings. Lobelia seedlings are delicate sprouts with thin stems. All manipulations should be carried out carefully.

If you heed the astrologers' advice on favorable days in 2024, you'll be able to grow strong, viable seedlings. Basic agricultural practices are essential.

Days that are not included in the table are considered neutral.

The optimal sowing period is February-April. This will ensure early flowering.

Seed planting dates by region:

1. Siberia and the Urals. These are the coldest regions of the country. Mid- to late March.
2. St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. Cold, rainy weather prevails. March 10th-20th.
3. Moscow region and central Russia, including Ukraine and Belarus. Early March.
4. The southern regions have a mild climate. Flowers are planted outdoors earlier than in other regions. Seeds are planted in pots in February.

Growing small seedlings in garden beds is difficult. Climate and rainfall vary across cities and regions. Before calculating the date, it's important to consider weather forecasts and the variety's biological characteristics. Trailing varieties develop slowly. To ensure uniform germination with bush varieties, the former are sown earlier.

Features of cultivation

The plant is transferred to open ground after the weather warms up. The flowers have no special soil requirements. They prefer sunny locations. Prolonged exposure to direct ultraviolet rays is undesirable.

The optimal average length of daylight is 14 hours.

What kind of soil should I take?

Loose soil with excellent moisture and air permeability. Low acidity is unacceptable; a neutral pH is preferable. It's best to buy ready-made substrate. A classic flower potting mix is ​​suitable.

For self-preparation, preference is given to:

• turf and garden soil;
• humus or compost;
• clean river sand;
• not sour peat.

The components are mixed in a ratio of 2/2/1/1. A simpler recipe is available: 2 parts high-moor peat, 1 part compost, and 1 part sand. If the soil is highly acidic, wood ash or dolomite flour is added before planting. The soil is treated, regardless of whether it is purchased or homemade.

The following must be completed:

• sifting through a sieve;
• disinfection by baking in an oven or steaming for 60 minutes over steam.

These measures will improve air permeability and remove pathogenic microorganisms.

Step by step process

During planting, it's important to handle the seeds properly. The seeds are very small. Some compare them to dust. To avoid over-seeding a single hole, use a matchstick:

1. The tip is moistened.
2. It is dipped in seeds.
3. The seeds are transferred to a container with soil.
4. The box is covered with film or glass cloth.
5. The vessel is placed in a room with high air temperature.

During this period, the soil surface should be inspected. Watering should be done using a sprinkler system. Excessive condensation will cause the seeds to become waterlogged, causing them to be buried too deeply. After germination, the covering should be removed.

Caring for seedlings

Only strong and healthy seedlings will produce beautiful, lushly blooming adult plants. Proper, comprehensive care is essential. This will help Lobelia transform from a small sapling into a luxurious shrub.

Below are some growing recommendations:

1. Special conditions are prepared for seed germination. Once the seeds are sown in the container, it is covered with glass, a lid, or film.
2. The box is placed in a room where it is warm, light and the air temperature is +20+23 ^OC. Temperature fluctuations are prohibited.
3. Maintains optimal humidity levels.
4. Regularly remove condensation from the bottom surface of the lid on the container or covering material.
5. The seedlings are aired daily. The covering is removed and the soil is left for 20 minutes. This procedure is repeated in the morning and evening hours. This will prevent excess moisture, which can damage the seedlings early in their development and kill them. Following this technique will help sprout within 7-9 days.
6. Until the sprouts appear, irrigation is chosen rather than watering.

Avoid over-drying or over-watering the substrate. Moderate humidity is essential for good growth and development. Seedlings require ample sunlight at any stage of growth. A sunny windowsill is the best location.

If the sun's rays are scorching and too hot, shade the window with a special film or spunbond. The ultraviolet rays will burn the young leaves, and they will wilt within the first day. Alternatively, simply remove the containers with the seedlings at midday.

In this case, additional lighting is essential.

Use the same phytolamp. LED lights are suitable. Leave a distance of 7-10 cm between the lamps. In cloudy weather, supplemental lighting is also provided during the day.

As soon as the sprouts begin to grow, gradually remove the covering material:

1. The film is removed in the mornings and evenings.
2. First, the period of time without a lid is 15 minutes.
3. Every day the time is increased by 10 minutes.

Watering should be done carefully. It's important not to overwater or damage the fragile root system. It's recommended to use a syringe, baster, or spoon. Water only the soil. Avoid getting water on the plant. This flower's seedlings are moisture-loving. Regularly inspect the soil for signs of drying out.

Plants are pricked out when the stems reach a height of 4 cm. Upper shoots are pinched. This technique will ensure lush flowering in the future. Avoid drafts, cold, and soil freezing. If there is frost, keep the seedling containers off the windowsills for as long as possible.

If this is not possible, foam rubber, polystyrene foam, or foil are placed between the containers and windows.

At this stage of growth, the use of chemicals to prevent fungal, rot, and insect attacks is prohibited. If the first signs of blackleg are detected, the affected seedlings should be removed and treated with fungicides. Otherwise, all plantings will die.

Additional recommendations

Lobelia can be planted alongside low-growing plants. With tall bushes, the flowers will simply be invisible. The best companion plants include:

• geranium;
• daisies;
• violas;
• chamomile;
• delphinium;
• irises.

This crop has strong immunity and resistance to various diseases. However, if mistakes are made during cultivation and care, its resistance will be reduced. The most common problems are listed below:

1. Excessive moisture. Not every species can thrive in a humid environment. Water only when the soil is dry. Otherwise, fungal diseases, such as blackleg, can develop. Removing the affected shoot is sufficient to treat the problem. Treat the remaining plantings and soil with biofungicides.
2. This flower is often attacked by spider mites. These sucking insects target the plant's sap, drawing out nutrients. As a result, the foliage begins to wilt. Insecticides are used to combat this problem.