When to plant snapdragon for seedlings and how to do it right

When to plant snapdragons for seedlings

From germination to the beginning of flowering snapdragons, an average of 3 months pass. The beginning of sowing depends on the plant variety. Tall snapdragons begin to be sown the earliest - from the beginning of February to the end of March. Srednerosly and dwarf - from early March to mid-April.

At the same time, in the southern regions, thanks to the warm climate and the early arrival of spring, snapdragons can be sown at all from the end of January. The optimal time for the middle lane is the end of February - the middle of March. It is better for residents of the north to postpone sowing until the end of March.

How to choose snapdragon seeds

First of all, this plant differs in the height of the bush. Tall varieties reach 70-130 cm, medium-sized - 40-70 cm, undersized - 20-40 cm, and dwarf varieties do not grow above 20 cm.

Flowers snapdragons are simple and terry. They are painted in a variety of shades - from white to burgundy. By the way, often in stores you can find mixtures of seeds, where several shades of snapdragon are presented in one bag at once.

How to plant snapdragons for seedlings

The seeds of this plant do not require special preparation, so you can immediately start sowing.

Prepare seed containers

For sowing snapdragons, containers 5–7 cm high are suitable. You can take both ordinary food and special seedlings, which are sold in stores and garden centers. Don't forget to make a few drainage holes in the bottom of the containers beforehand so that excess moisture comes out through them. Fill the container with universal potting soil, leaving 1.5–2 cm to the rim. Firmly compact it with your fingers or a spoon.

Pour the soil with water from a spray bottle so as not to erode the surface of the soil. It should become damp over the entire height of the container.

Sow snapdragons

The seeds of this flower are very small, so it is difficult to sow them in an orderly manner. Tap the bag with your finger and try to distribute them as evenly as possible on the surface of the soil.

It is not necessary to cover the seeds with soil. Cover the container with a transparent lid, cling film or wrap it in a bag. Place the container with crops in a warm place with a temperature of 22 to 27 degrees.

In addition, additional lighting is required for seed germination. At a minimum, it is worth placing the container on a bright windowsill. Better yet, use phytolamps or ordinary fluorescent with a power of at least 36 W per 1 m². Turn them on for 12-14 hours a day.

Wait for shoots

They will appear quite quickly - literally in 5-7 days. As soon as the seeds germinate, remove the cover from the container and place the snapdragon in a cooler place with a temperature of 18-20 degrees, otherwise the seedlings may stretch. Continue to illuminate the seedlings with fitolamps for 12 hours a day.

How to care for snapdragon seedlings

Try to grow a flower at a temperature of 18-20 degrees. Additional lighting under phytolamps for 10-12 hours a day will make seedlings stronger.

Dive the snapdragon

When the seedlings release at least a couple of true leaves, you need to transplant them into separate containers. Take pots or cups with a volume of 100–200 ml and make several drainage holes in the bottom. Fill them to the top with soil (the one used for sowing is suitable).

Remove the snapdragon sprouts from the bowl with a fork.

Make a hole in the soil in the center of the cup, lower the roots of the sprout there. Firm the soil around the stem with your fingers. Water the seedling under the root with a small amount of water using a syringe or douche.

Water snapdragons

This flower is quite hardy and does not require frequent watering. Moisten the soil in seedling cups as its surface dries. At the same time, observe moderation: you should not turn the soil into a swamp, it is enough that it becomes slightly wet.

Feed the snapdragon

5-7 days after picking seedlings feed their solution of nitroammophoska. To do this, dilute 2 g of the product in 1 liter of water and pour the snapdragon under the root. It is better to carry out the procedure in the evening, then turn off the fitolamps so that the fertilizers do not burn the leaves of young plants.

When to plant snapdragon seedlings in open ground

Although this flower is considered quite hardy and endures cold, do not rush to plant it in flower beds too early. Wait until the night air temperature becomes positive and the threat of return frosts has passed. In the regions of the middle lane, snapdragons are transplanted into beds from about mid-May.