When to plant lobelia for seedlings and how to do it correctly
Miscellaneous / / April 02, 2023
Detailed instructions will help grow lush bushes that will bloom until the autumn frosts.
When to plant lobelia for seedlings
You can sow this flower for seedlings from the end of January to the end of March. True, with early sowing, plants will need additional artificial lighting. If you do not have special fitolamps or powerful fluorescent ones, reschedule the procedure for March, when daylight hours become long and lobelia can be grown on the windowsill.
You can also focus on the climate in your area. In the south, lobelia is sown early - from the end of January to the end of February, in the regions of the middle zone - from the end of February to mid-March, in the north, sowing is carried out in the second half of March.
How to choose lobelia seeds
Lobelia is of two types. Bush varieties grow in a compact lush hat and are suitable for growing in pots, on flowerbeds, and also well complement other plants in flower arrangements.
Ampel lobelia forms dense cascades of shoots that can grow up to half a meter in length. It looks spectacular in hanging planters, and in the open field forms a lush flower carpet.
Most often, lobelia flowers are painted in rich shades of blue and purple. There are also plants with white, blue and pink flowers.
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Blue lobelia. Frame: Perfect World / YouTube
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Purple lobelia. Frame: Clan of flower girls / YouTube
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White lobelia. Frame: Clan of flower girls / YouTube
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Pink lobelia. Frame: Clan of flower girls / YouTube
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White and blue lobelia. Frame: Clan of flower girls / YouTube
Lobelia seeds are very small and resemble dust. To make life easier for gardeners, manufacturers began to produce them in the form of multi-drugs. One ball contains several seeds at once, which greatly facilitates sowing.
How to plant lobelia seedlings
Seeds of it flower do not require additional preparation, so you can immediately start sowing.
Prepare containers for seedlings
Pots or plastic cups with a volume of 100–200 ml are suitable for sowing lobelia. You can also take seedling cassettes with many cells. Fill the containers to the top with universal potting soil, compact it well with your fingers or a spoon. Water the soil with water so that it becomes moist from top to bottom.
Sow Lobelia
Take a dry cotton swab. Dip it in a bag of lobelia and pick up a small amount of seeds.
Tapping your finger on cotton stick, spread the seeds on the surface of the soil in the center of the cup. To get a more lush bush, do this twice.
If you bought lobelia in a multi-drug, just put one ball in the center of the cup. For convenience, you can pick up the seeds with a toothpick dipped in water.
Lightly moisten the crops with water using a spray bottle.
Cover the pots with cling film or wrap them in a transparent bag and tie it to make a greenhouse.
Place the lobelia on a bright window sill, and even better under phytolamps or conventional fluorescent lamps with a power of at least 36 W per 1 m². Turn them on for 10-12 hours a day. The room temperature should be around 18-20 degrees.
Wait for shoots
Lobelia sprouts quite quickly - usually within 5-7 days from the moment of sowing. In anticipation of the first shoots, do not allow the surface of the soil in the seedlings to dry out and, if necessary, gently moisten the soil with water from a spray bottle. After germination, air the lobelia daily, removing the shelter for 15 minutes. A week later, a package or film can be completely removed.
How to care for lobelia seedlings
Continue to grow lobelia on a light windowsill or keep it under phytolamps for 10-12 hours a day. To prevent seedlings from stretching, maintain the temperature in the room within 15-20 degrees. At the same time about top dressing lobelia need not worry. They are carried out only after planting plants in open ground.
Water your lobelia
Lobelia is very sensitive to moisture, so it should be watered regularly and plentifully, as soon as the surface of the soil dries slightly. At first, until the sprouts get stronger, use a syringe, syringe or spoon for watering. At the same time, pour water around the edges of the cup, trying not to get on the plants. As the lobelia grows, you can moisten the soil with a watering can or bottle. The main thing is to keep the balance: keep the soil always moist, but do not turn it into a swamp.
Trim your lobelia
This is an optional procedure, but it helps the lobelia form more lush "stuffed" bushes. When the seedlings reach a height of about 10 cm, shorten the tops with scissors by 5–6 cm.
The main thing is to pre-disinfect the blades of the tool with alcohol or vodkaso as not to infect plants with bacteria and fungi. After shearing, the lobelia will begin to actively produce side shoots.
When to plant seedlings of lobelia in open ground
In most regions, lobelia is moved to the street from late May to mid-June. At this time, a stable positive air temperature is usually established and there are no return frosts. In the south, due to a warmer climate and early spring, lobelia is transplanted into open ground as early as early May.
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Text worked on: author Victoria Kuracheva, editor Alina Mashkovtseva, proofreader Elena Gritsun