Many summer residents grow flower seedlings in apartments and houses, preferring not to buy it in the market and in a flower shop. It is convenient, pleasant and profitable. Seedlings are grown by many flower crops- buying them with seedlings, at least 10-20 plants of each variety, is expensive, but growing from seeds is easy. In addition, a small seed lowered into the soil gives life big plant, which, growing up, makes the world more beautiful - is this not a joy for a florist.
What quality should be the soil for production flower seedling? Nothing special is required for sowing seeds. There is enough energy in the seeds for germination, therefore, especially if you pre-treat the seeds with growth stimulants, ordinary store soil is enough for sowing. Neutral slightly acidic peat must be mixed in equal proportions with clean river sand (also bought at the store). At the bottom of the seedling containers, you will definitely need drainage.
Advice!
It is best to use agloporite artificial pebbles, designed specifically to create a drainage layer.
It is possible to make sowing soil from three components - peat, leafy soil, sand (1: 1: 1).
Pots or boxes
The second item on the list of things without which it is impossible to grow seedlings is the container. The range of containers, boxes, pots, plastic cassettes, peat pots and seedling tablets is huge. In any container, you can name advantages and find disadvantages, depending on the material of manufacture, size, stage of use.
Another thing is important - different stages of "growing up" of plants and the need for their picking or transplanting require their own, different containers. For growing flower seedlings at the first stage - sowing seeds - it is best to use seedling boxes, but not the largest - medium or small sizes. After picking, it is better to move the seedlings into personal pots, cups, containers - it depends on the size of the future plant.
Seed selection
In addition to choosing from a list ornamental crops, which are preferably propagated by seedlings, you need to know how to choose seeds. Here, the main parameter that you should pay attention to is germination.
Flower seeds, and any other seeds, do not have an expiration date. These are not food, and in the conventional sense, the seeds cannot go bad. But there is such a thing as the germination period. And if it is overdue, then there really is no point in planting seeds - they will sprout poorly and weakly.
Video - what flowers to sow in February
What flower crops are sown for seedlings in February
The last month of winter is the time of sowing almost all flowers that reproduce through seedlings. Not worth it middle lane propagate seedlings with flowers that can be sown immediately into the ground (this is done only for more early flowering). It is advisable to obtain seedlings from the following crops: ageratum, aster, azarina, marigolds, brachicoma, verbena, gazania, carnation, heliotrope, vendium, annual dahlia, delphinium, fragrant tobacco, iberis, cleoma, coleus, left hand, lobelia, snapdragon, nasturtium, petunia , salvia, annual phlox, celosia, cineraria, osteospermum, zinnia.
When to start sowing
Seedlings grow flowers that have a long germination period. When sown with seeds in the ground, they do not have enough time to properly develop and please lush bloom. Such flower seeds are sown in February for seedlings, so that before planting in open ground- from the end of April to the end of May - 2-3 months have passed.
Today, when at the disposal of the florist the latest technology and methods, seedlings can be grown much faster, and quality can be improved. Soil preparation, seed preparation, temperature, water, light conditions (read the article about), timely feeding - provide your seedlings with all the conditions, and start sowing seeds starting from February 15.
How to sow seeds
1. Before sowing, it is a good idea to disinfect flower seeds. Soaking in traditional potassium permanganate, which is usually done with vegetable seeds, is not always a method, because some flowers (petunia, lobelia) have very small seeds. It is easier and more efficient to carry out a disinfecting dusting with a fungicide. How to do it? Pour a pinch of powder into a bag with dry seeds placed in it, close and shake.
2. In the sowing containers, the soil is already prepared, moderately moist, with grooves or pits. For petunia and lobelia, grooves and indentations are not needed - only Smooth surface soil on which seeds are scattered, without covering anything. You can mix small seeds with sand or snow. Medium and large seeds are sown to a depth of 1 to 5 cm and sprinkled with peat. The planting depth of seeds is usually 3-5 times greater than the size of the seed in height.
3. While seedlings hatch, containers with seeds should be protected with a film or glass. Content before germination – at +18°С…22°С. The contents of the containers must be ventilated every day, and the soil should be moistened by spraying. Containers do not need to be illuminated at this stage.
4. After the detection of seedlings, protection, the containers are immediately moved to the light, provide a room temperature of + 22 ° С ... 25 ° С. Water (very carefully) and spray regularly. In low light - illuminate with lamps.
After the sprouts have looked out, we expose them to sunlight or artificial light.
5. For the first time, it's time to feed the seedlings of flowers in two weeks. When the seedlings are a month old, the next top dressing is done. Further, you need to fertilize weekly, alternating humic preparations and mineral complexes. In the phase of two sheets, a pick is carried out in personal pots for planting.
February sowing of popular flowers
The most common ornamental flowering crops are petunia, lobelia, and marigolds.
Features of sowing Petunias
If you already want to see multi-colored fragrant gramophones on a balcony or flower bed in June, you can start sowing petunias starting on February 15th. - less than a poppy seed, but it rises for a long time. Petunia can only be sown superficially. Crops must be covered with protective glass or a thick film, creating a greenhouse effect.
Before planting in the garden or permanent flower pots, you need to make at least one transplant into a large container, ideally two - every month. Do not worry if the plant blooms right on the windowsill. Petunia seedlings tolerate transplanting in a flowering state. The main thing is that the seedlings do not stretch out and become thin. For this, when growing, it is necessary to use artificial lighting.
Flower - ampelous petunia
Features of sowing Lobelia
The second favorite of flower growers. Complete opposite petunias by appearance- graceful, with small blue and pink or white buds. Her seeds are also small. Therefore, sowing is carried out in the same way as petunias.
The difference is that lobelia does not like transplanting very much, so it is better to sow several (no more than four) seeds in one small pot. Then the lobelia bushes will turn out to be stronger and lush.
flower - lobelia
Marigold
Tagetes are also grown by sowing directly into the ground, but getting seedlings allows you to have flowers a month earlier, so most flower growers prefer to propagate these cheerful and cheerful yellow-orange-red flowers with seedlings.
Sowing is best done in boxes. Grooves are made in them and seeds are sown in increments of three centimeters. The depth of the grooves is 1-1.5 cm. The crops are covered with a mixture of peat and sand.
Marigolds are very beautiful flowers
Marigolds sprout quickly - sprouts will appear as early as 5-6 days. Sprouts immediately after their emergence need supplementary lighting for at least 12 hours. Marigolds can also be dived into boxes, but larger and in increments of 7 cm. This is done when two true leaves appear on the plant. A month later, you can re-pick. They dive well, even with blooming flowers. In the flower bed, these unpretentious and not capricious flowers take root also perfectly. Therefore, they gained fame and love of flower growers.
Video - what can be sown in February and early March
Growing flower seedlings is low-cost way get a wide variety of flower crops, from which you can make amazingly beautiful compositions on suburban area. Try to grow seedlings of your favorite flowers on your own, following the recommendations for choosing soil, containers, seeds, varieties, seed preparation, sowing rules, and seedling care. You will definitely like the result.
Seedlings can grow many flowers, in fact, sometimes some flowers can only be grown that way. Usually, seedlings are used for weak seeds, which, due to many dangers, cannot survive in ordinary soil. In this way, you can grow both annual and perennial flowers. Perhaps the only limitation here will be the growth of the flower. Seedlings that are too large are more difficult to care for, take up a lot of space, and require special garden supplies.
Planting flower seedlings
First of all, three things will be needed for landing. The first is knowledge, the best option it will be if you have a familiar gardener who can explain everything to you clearly and intelligibly. The second part is garden accessories such as cassettes, boxes, pots, tablets, seedling cups. This includes all the components of the soil (earth, compost, peat, sand, and much more). The last but the main thing that will be needed is seeds, their choice should be approached very carefully, since there are many varieties of them and many of them have special needs. Growing seedlings of flowers is troublesome and takes a lot of time. You will have to follow a certain regimen, plant seedlings and transplant plants on time. You will also have to constantly monitor the seedlings and, in case of trouble, act immediately according to the circumstances.
Seedling of annual flowers
Sowing begins, depending on the type of flowers, from the end of January (for example, Shabo carnation), in February (petunias, balsams, pelargoniums, fuchsias) or in March (Chinese carnation, hybrid verbena, summer left). Mass sowing of one-year-olds most often begins only in March, which is associated with a short growing season. For planting flowers of annuals, you can use various substrates, but there is one condition - they must be fresh, that is, they have not previously been used for planting any plants. The soil for such seedlings should contain nutrients in moderation, and should also pass water well when watering. There are crops that suffer from the black leg even in the seedling period (ageratum, levkoy, asters, and others). To the rest of the same age, one more part of humus or compost land can be added to the composition mentioned above. This mixture should be harvested in the fall. At the bottom of the tank for crops, a layer of sand up to 1.5 cm high should be poured, and the previously prepared earthen mixture should be poured on top. It is very important not to thicken the seed, but you can increase the cold hardiness of the flowers by treating the seeds with changes in temperature.
Seedlings of perennial flowers
perennial
Since such plants do not bloom in the first year, they do not have to be sown early. In order to preserve as many seedlings as possible, it is advisable to use only a small amount of seeds. Already in the spring of next year, such seeds can be planted in a permanent place. In many situations, in order to successfully grow seedlings perennial species flowers, gardeners prepare seeds to speed up their germination, this technique is called stratification. -Biennial These plants are sometimes planted earlier, because in some cases they can bloom in the first year.
When to sow flower seedlings
When buying seeds from official representatives, you can see the sowing dates on the packaging, but still, approximately the sowing time for seedlings is limited to the period from February to March, January is often used to revise the seeds and prepare everything you need. The main rule that the gardener should follow when choosing the time of sowing is that at the time of transplanting into the ground, satisfactory conditions are provided for a successful flower plant. However, seedlings and terms are interconnected, that is, the planting time depends on the needs and characteristics of the future flower.
Flower seedlings in January
First of all, in January, an inventory of all available flowers is carried out. Seeds are divided mainly according to the criteria of annual and perennial, as well as regarding the vegetative period. Depending on the seeds, you should draw up a seedling growing calendar. Flowers that can be grown with seedlings as early as January include plants with a long growing season, such as the well-known Shabo carnation. Also early planted tuberous begonia which contributes to better tuber formation.
Flower seedlings in February
Many flowers are planted throughout February, mostly similar to the same plants planted in January. February seedling flowers include: balsams, pelargoniums, fuchsias, hot capsicum, lobelia and petunia. During this period, seeds are also grown, which will require preliminary stratification. Examples are: aquilegia, arizema, rutovniki, breakwort, perennial violets, alpine bluebells and most of the bulbous flowers: primrose, backache, lavender.
Flower seedlings in March
In March, it is most often recommended to sow an annual aster or callistefus, Chinese carnation, hybrid verbena, summer left, cultural dahlia, snapdragons, winged tobacco, chrysanthemums, silver celosia, Drummond's phlox and other species.
In February, almost like in January, not very much favorable conditions for growing seedlings, because there is not enough light and the plants are stretched.
But if you create conditions with desired temperature and the norm of illumination required for growth and development, then it is possible and even necessary to sow some flowers for seedlings:
- blooming in the second year if sown in May
- which have an elongated period of development and I want them to bloom in May/June.
What flowers to sow in February for seedlings to create further flowering planters, flowerpots, borders and flower beds:
- petunia- a recognized favorite for flowerpots and flowerpots. The choice is rich, but ampelous varieties look great in flowerpots, for example, Delightful cascade, Blue Star Avalanche, Yellow Star Avalanche, Angelica, Lilac Surf, Waterfall, Pearl Surf, Wave of Luck. Typhoon series is good from cascade , as well as Silver, Cherry, Rose, Ramblin. Magnificent surfinia hybrids of ampelous petunias of a Japanese company, for example, Salmon Shades Velvet F1
- lobelia- undersized plentifully blooming all over season plant, creeping or spherical, for example: Emperor Willy, Royal Carpet, Erinus. Ampelous varieties are good for planters, for example, Champagne Spray. Lobelia can be planted in March, but then, accordingly, flowering will begin later. It looks great as a border plant or in any flower bed compositions in the foreground.
- verbena- in central Russia, a brightly flowering annual plant of various colors, undersized, creeping, ground cover. A lot of bright and large-flowered hybrids. Ampel varieties are magnificent, for example, Imagination: cold-resistant, drought-resistant, blooms from June until frost.
- alyssum- a ground cover fragrant plant that blooms profusely throughout the season. For example, the large-flowered alissum GIGA, which looks perfect in borders, any planters and flowerpots, takes 9-10 weeks from sowing to flowering, which is why it is sown in February to get the first color in May. Ampel varieties, such as North Face (white) or Princess in Purple (light lilac) with hanging shoots 30-40 cm, are ideal for hanging baskets. It won't hurt anything if you sow alissum directly into the ground in late April or early May: it's just that flowering will begin in July. But, since the seeds are very small, it is best to propagate seedling way in February-March-April.
- Waller's balsam(Vanka is wet) with big amount varieties and hybrids of various colors is good because it is undemanding to lighting and continuously blooms all summer in any place, flowerpots and even in vertical beds, for example: Rose Parade, Carousel, Fiesta, Duett have double and semi-double flowers. Seed germination requires light (cannot be covered with earth) and constant moisture, so the seedling method is the most reliable.
- primrose- a wonderful plant in its beauty, having great amount varieties of various forms of leaves and the shape and color of flowers, which is why gardeners and gardeners love it so much. Of course, it is more reliable to propagate with a rosette, but you can replenish your collection only through seeds. For example, today I have acquired two new varieties: Japanese mixture with flower stalks towering 40-50 cm above rosettes and Big Ben with flowers of various colors up to 2.5 cm in diameter, collected in umbrella inflorescences. They are sown in January-February so that the plants do not bloom on second year and at the end of the current one.
- cineraria has a long vegetative period (flower varieties), when flowering occurs after 8-9 months. , but better early if flower beds and flower beds on the site are laid in May.
- bush begonia - a potted plant that blooms all year round, so they like to grow it not only in the house, but also in summer period outdoors: in flowerpots, pots and flowerpots.
- Carnation Shabo sown in January-February to get flowering this year (five months after sowing). There are a lot of Shabo carnation varieties of the most diverse colors, and since this flower looks great in a bouquet and stands for a long time in the cut, it makes sense to grow it. Yes, and in the landscape of the site, it will be magnificent. For example, such varieties: Dionysus - pure white color with a delicate aroma, Maria - terry, amazingly yellow with a diameter of 8-9 cm, Grenada - bright red flowers with a diameter of 4-6 cm on high peduncles ...
- tagetis good because it blooms all season, so you want to grow it early. There are so many varieties that your eyes run wide: for every taste and color, large (tall) and small (undersized), terry and star-shaped, spherical and cloudy ... The summer collection is easy to expand for a very short period, because after growing marigolds from purchased seeds, in autumn you can already collect your seeds in large quantities. This is a universal flowering plant that is used by amateurs to decorate their site and professionals for decoration entrance groups shops and office buildings, urban flower beds and mixborders: in flowerpots and borders. Therefore, it would be good to sow it earlier, if there is a place where to grow seedlings, in order to plant low-growing varieties in flowerpots in May.
- gazing- a very beautiful annual, not tall, compact, used in the design of borders and discounts, in flowerpots and containers due to very beautiful and large in size (12 cm in diameter) flowers of the same color or vice versa, with bright and varied stripes that bloom after 12 - 13 weeks after sowing. May also be sown in March-April. For example, Pink and White, Triad, Dawn F1, Muse, New Day…
- very capricious, the seedlings need care and attention, so it is sown starting in February. There are a lot of varieties: Lilac Spiral, Snow Lace, Princess Caroline, Black Raven, Pink Sunset and about 450 more ...
Perhaps someone is growing seedlings of flowers for sale, since many summer residents are happy to buy ready-made seedlings and, most likely, when there are already flowers or buds on the plant. Seedlings at this age are most in demand, because, as they say, "goods face."
Even if the seedlings of flowers are intended for themselves, then what a pleasure it is to admire blooming flower beds and hanging flowerpots with hats of bright inflorescences already at the beginning of summer ...
The list of what flowers to sow in February for seedlings can be expanded or shortened depending on personal plans. In any case, February is the month when mass sowing for seedlings begins for the upcoming season.
Tags:
- The seedling method can grow almost any flower. annuals, biennials and perennials. The only exceptions are plants that do not tolerate transplantation well. Annuals are sown for seedlings most often when they have a long growing season or when they want to get early flowering.
- The seedling method of growing is optimal for flowers with very small seeds.. Their seedlings are thin, weak, can easily die in open ground, and seedlings - guaranteed way grow beautiful and healthy plants from such seeds. Small seeds need good lighting from the time of sowing. But the big ones have hard shell and develop slowly, so they are moved to a bright place only after the appearance of sprouts.
- Seedlings are grown in greenhouses, on windowsills or glazed balconies . To make it strong and healthy, you need to have germinating seeds, a high-quality substrate, create favorable conditions for the growth of seedlings and ensure proper care for seedlings.
All plants have a different rate of development, so the seeds of slow-growing flowers are sown for seedlings already in January-February, with average speed development - in March-April, and fast-growing ones can be sown in May immediately in open ground.
The group of flower crops with a long period of development includes both annual and perennial "slow" plants, which take 130 - 180 days, or even more, from sowing to flowering. If they are sown for seedlings in winter, annuals will delight you with flowering in May - June, and perennials - in the first year of their life! If the seeds of slow-growing plants are sown directly into the ground in May, flowering can be seen in best case at the end of summer, at worst - only the next year.
Sowing seedlings in January
In the first half of January Shabo carnations are sown on seedlings (blooms 5-6 months after sowing), as well as tuberous and ever-flowering begonias (they need 5.5-6.5 months from germination to flowering). In tuberous begonia, sown in December - January, tubers form better and are stored longer than those sown in March.
During this period, seeds are sown for seedlings, which must necessarily undergo stratification - stimulation with low temperature. These include aquilegia, spring and stemless gentian, arizema, clematis, princes, swimsuit, alpine bellflower, Carpathian bellflower, rutovnik, jeffersonia, perennial delphinium, perennial violet, primrose, penstemon, prolomnik, backache, irises, many bulbous, lavender, primrose .
Our advice:
In January, it is also necessary to sow tight-looking perennial seeds with a dense thick shell (otherwise they will have to be scarified - mechanically break or remove the seed coat).
In the second half of January zonal and ivy-leaved pelargonium, lobelia, primula, heliotrope, calceolaria, meconopsis and graceful ragwort (graceful cineraria) are sown on seedlings.
Sowing seedlings in February
From the beginning of February quite a lot of flowers with a long germination period can be sown on seedlings: antirrinum (snapdragon), Turkish carnation, sponge, kermek, coleus, spherical craspedia, gray left, sparkling salvia, fragrant tobacco, tigridia, seaside cineraria, Wittrock's viola, daisy, passionflower , narrow-leaved lavender, etc.
It is not too late to sow the seeds of the Shabo carnation and the ever-flowering begonia.
In addition, it is time to plant plants that feel good both in the garden and at home - fuchsias, gloxinias, cyclamens, New Guinea balsam and Waller.
Now seedlings are sown for seedlings early term flowering for hanging baskets decorating loggias, balconies and glazed terraces, - verbena, petunias, tunbergia. At this time, they also continue to sow pelargonium and lobelia.
At the end of February nemesia, gazania and marigolds are sown for growing in containers.
Features of growing seedlings of some types of flowers
Germination test
The seeds of most of the plants mentioned do not require seedbed preparation, but before sowing, they must be checked for germination and preferably treated with a growth stimulator (to obtain the maximum number of seedlings).
If the seeds germinate for a long time and unfriendly (like verbena or levkoy), they must be soaked in a growth stimulator before sowing (epin, zircon, HB101, agate, etc.). This will accelerate seed germination and increase the resistance of seedlings to adverse conditions.
Additional training
Carefully read the instructions on the package of purchased seeds, they may need stratification or scarification.
- If the seeds must pass stratification, you will have to withstand them for several months in loose, moist soil at a low temperature (aquilegia, primrose, etc.).
- Scarification need seeds with a hard shell (pelargonium). To carry it out, gently rub the seed coat sandpaper. Seeds with a thick shell germinate better if they are soaked in advance for 12-24 hours, changing the water 2-3 times, or put in a thermos with warm water overnight.
Seeding depth and density
It is very important to observe the depth and density of sowing.
- Large seeds are evenly distributed over the substrate and planted to a depth of 1-2 cm.
- Medium(cloves, verbena, salvia) - sown in the same way, but close up to a depth equal to twice the thickness of the seeds.
- small(balsam, petunia) and very small seeds (begonia, heliotrope, gloxinia, lobelia, calceolaria) are mixed with sand before sowing, evenly distributed over the surface of a moist substrate and simply pressed against the soil without embedding (surface sowing). They are germinated in the light, but not in direct sunlight.
Our advice:
Some amateur flower growers sow small seeds of many crops (begonia, gloxinia, primrose) directly on the snow. When it melts, the seeds fall into the soil well moistened.
Moisture and watering
Containers with sown seeds are covered on top glass jars or plastic wrap so that soil moisture does not evaporate. Until the emergence of seedlings, containers with seeds are kept in a warm place. The substrate should always be moist, but not too wet, otherwise the seeds may suffocate and rot. When drying, the soil is sprayed with water from a sprayer. Normal watering at this time is unacceptable, since the soil with seeds can be eroded from water jets.
Banks and film are turned over from time to time so that an excessive amount of condensate does not accumulate on them, and with the advent of seedlings they are generally removed. After that, the plants are watered regularly and very carefully using a sprayer or watering can with a fine sieve.
Dive
The grown seedlings must dive. When the first leaf appears on the delphinium, pelargonium, calceolaria, meconopsis, they dive into seedling pots. For getting strong seedlings seedlings of begonia, carnation, heliotrope, salvia, petunia, viola are recommended to dive 2-3 times, last time- in separate pots.
Our advice:
Plants that do not take root well during transplantation (levkoy, kobeya) should be sown immediately in pots (1-2 pieces each) in order to avoid picking and once again not injure the root system.
Topping
In the phase of five pairs of leaves, seedlings of most plant species are pinched to enhance branching (balsams, verbena, carnations, coleus, petunias, kobe, salvia, etc.). It is advisable to pinch Kobe, ampel varieties of petunia and verbena several times during the growing season.
What difficulties can arise with early sowing?
For plants sown for seedlings in January - February, it is very important to provide comfortable conditions for development.
What can negatively affect the development of plants with early sowing:
- lack of light due to short daylight hours;
- sharp fluctuations in temperature (this can generally destroy fragile seedlings);
- increased likelihood of fungal diseases (blackleg) due to the combination high humidity(needed for normal seed germination and development) and a sufficiently cool temperature.
How to help plants in this difficult period for them?
- Irrigate the soil before sowing.
- Control air temperature
- Install lamps to illuminate seedlings in a greenhouse or on a windowsill and turn them on in the mornings and evenings to extend daylight hours and thus prevent plants from stretching.
What lamps are better to use and how to properly organize the backlight?
- Incandescent lamps they are categorically not suitable for this, since they emit too much heat, but give little light (they emit rays of the red-yellow spectrum, which are characterized by poor light output). The choice must be made between induction energy-saving lamps and LED phytolamps.
- Energy-saving lamps with a warm spectrum are suitable for illuminating seedlings that have entered the flowering phase, and with a daylight spectrum they are suitable for additional illumination of seedlings throughout the entire cycle of its cultivation. Install the lamps perpendicular to the boxes with seedlings.
- Among the colossal number of phytolamps for supplementary illumination of seedlings, the most commonly used LED, halogen, sodium and fluorescent.
- Fluorescent lamps are commonly chosen by flower growers as they generate little to no heat, consume little electricity, and emit a full spectrum of colors.
- LED lamps are also energy-saving, but their main advantages are durability and the ability to emit red and blue colors, which stimulate the rapid growth of seedlings.
- Halogen lamps - their heat transfer level decreases over time, so they are used much less frequently.
- Sodium lamps are installed to illuminate seedlings of small volumes. For example, to illuminate seedlings located on a one and a half meter windowsill, one such lamp with a power of 100 watts is enough.
Our advice:
If it is not possible to provide constant illumination for seedlings, you can shift its sowing to the end of February - the beginning of March, even if we are talking about the seeds of "long-playing" flowers. Otherwise, you will get elongated weak plants that are unlikely to survive to transplant into the ground.
But still, try not to put off sowing your favorite flowers for seedlings, get down to business right now - and then you can enjoy their flowering with the first rays of spring. By the way, growing seedlings of annual flowers can bring a good income and support the family budget in times of crisis. In this case, you need to hurry up with sowing so that the seedlings have time to bloom and withstand competition during the spring sales period.
Svetlana MASHKOVSKAYA, Candidate of Biological Sciences, National Botanical Garden. N. N. Grishko NAS of Ukraine
© Magazine "Ogorodnik"
Photo: depositphotos.com
For many summer residents, seedlings of flowers begin to be sown in February, isn't it too early? Absolutely not experienced growers It is recommended to start growing seedlings of flowers in winter. What flowers to sow for seedlings in February? You can sow both annuals and biennials, perennials. Let's consider them in order.
Photos and names of flower crops will help you understand whether you want to have them in your front garden, whether you can take into account all the nuances to get high-quality seedlings. In our selection, there are only such plants that even flower growers without experience can grow at home and whose seeds are sold in all regions.
What flowers are planted with seedlings?
The most common flower crops have a long growing season, and early planting will allow them time to prepare for summer flowering. February is the time to start sowing flower seeds for seedlings.
If needed good seedling flowers, in February, the following crops begin to be sown:
- Annuals - petunia, lobelia, verbena, begonia, cineraria, carnation shabo.
- Biennial, perennial pansies, viola, lupine, daisies, primroses, chrysanthemums, delphinium.
Annual flowers for seedlings in February
Petunia
If you want to see flowering gramophones as early as June, sowing seedlings of flowers should be done in winter. Petunia seeds are very small, so it should be planted only superficially, moistened from a spray bottle and covered with film or glass.
Before landing in open ground, it is necessary to make one, and preferably two, transplants. The latter is better - in separate cups.
Don't worry if your petunia blooms already on the window, even flowering seedlings of flowers will survive the transplant perfectly.
Lobelia
Meet the graceful beauty with small buds of blue, white and shades of pink. Lobelia seeds, like those of petunia, are very small, so they have the same planting method.
Only planting lobelia is worth three or four plants in one cup, to get more lush bushes.
Verbena
Pere you not only a beautiful, but also a fragrant plant. Since the seeds of verbena are quite large, when planting they need to be slightly buried in the soil.
Although you can leave the seeds on the surface. In this case, it is necessary to cover the container with seeds with a black film, since darkness is necessary for germination of verbena seeds.
Begonia
This is due to the fact that at the end of winter the day lengthens noticeably, especially towards the beginning of March. Seeds are small, planted superficially and always under glass or film.
Cineraria
If you plant this flower for seedlings in February, then by June it will grow beautiful silvery bushes.
When planting, cineraria seeds are slightly deepened and covered with a film. Otherwise, care for flower seedlings and watering is the same.
Carnation Shabo
This beautiful plant it takes up to six months to bloom. Keep this in mind when planting flowers in February.
Seedlings of carnations must be dived several times, then by the time they are planted in a permanent place, they will begin to bush. The seeds are sown in the usual way, under film.
Biennial and perennial flowers through seedlings
Unlike annuals, perennials with a short development period are planted in February, which will allow you not to wait for flowering until next year, but to see it already in late summer or early autumn.
Viola or pansies
If you plant the seeds of this plant in February, then at the end of July the first buds will appear.
Although viola seeds are quite small, they should still be buried when planting. Since seeds left on the surface with excessive moisture can become moldy.
Lupine
At early landing plants will bloom by the end of August. For faster germination, seeds should be soaked for a day before planting. Deepen by about 5-8 mm. Since lupins do not tolerate transplanting well, they should be planted in separate cups or pots.
If the cups are small, by the time of disembarkation, the entire earthen ball will be entangled in roots, and it will be easy to take out entirely. This will allow you to plant the plant without injuring the root system.
Daisy
With a strong desire, you can see its flowering in the fall, if you plant a daisy with seeds in early February.
It must be borne in mind that if the summer is hot and dry, it will not be possible to see full flowering. Instead, single buds will appear on thin stems, most likely non-double.
Primrose
It is planted superficially, under glass. In order for flowering to come in September, the primrose is planted in a slightly shaded place.
The plant loves to be watered abundantly and fed several times over the summer.
Chrysanthemum
This perennial will definitely bloom in the year of sowing, since the most important condition for the formation of buds is a decrease in daylight hours.
Planting flower seeds for seedlings in February will ensure that sufficient vegetative mass and roots are built up so that the plant also successfully overwinter.
Delphinium
If you have purchased rare seeds and you can't wait to see them bloom as soon as possible, then plant delphinium seeds in February. At good care The peduncle will appear at the end of summer.
Be prepared that in the first year the delphinium will not bloom very brightly. In all its glory, the plant will open only next year.
As you can see, the range of flower crops for planting in February is not so small. There are many more of them, we have indicated the most unpretentious ones - such that even novice flower growers can get seedlings of flowers at home.
Choose names, photos, see what will fit well in your summer cottage and feel free to buy everything for growing flower seedlings at home. Good luck!