The scientific name of some flowers is often unknown to amateurs. When they hear the word “Antirrinum”, they rarely think of snapdragons or “doggies”.
Although it is the same plant. The flower is very popular, it is loved by adults and children. Usually, pyramidal antirrinum bushes of different colors are planted in flowerbeds to create a composition. But not everyone knows that there is an ampelous snapdragon. This variety of flower was recently bred by breeders, and is still considered elite and rare. Beautiful hybrids also received the corresponding names – “Candy Showers”, “Lampion”, “Magic”, “Amulet”.
The usual form of the flower refers to perennial plants, produces seeds and blooms in the first year after planting. It is grown by summer residents as an annual, although snapdragons can winter well. It forms a powerful bush with the same strong root system and safely tolerates medium frosts. There are varieties of varieties:
- dwarf;
- medium height;
- tall.
The ampelous form forms hanging shoots of different lengths. This parameter depends on the variety and ranges from 20 cm to 100 cm. The shoots are strewn with flowers in large numbers. Plants begin to bloom at the end of June, and end the flowering period with the onset of frost. Ampel species are designed for growing in pots and are not suitable for open ground in the middle lane.
Varieties of the ampelous form of a flower
All modern types of ampelous plants are bred by breeders from one species – antirrinum large. Varieties of snapdragon differ:
- the size of the flowers;
- length of hanging shoots;
- coloring.
If different species grow in very close proximity, then they pollinate and the purity of the variety is lost. To choose the right variety, let’s get acquainted with the description and photo of ampel snapdragon.
The first on the list will be snapdragon ampelous “Candy Showers”.
The plant has branches 25-30 cm long and a very large range of colors. The stems are flexible but strong. Inflorescences have a pleasant aroma and look like flower bright balls. It blooms very profusely and for a long time, even with a short daylight hours, which is considered a feature of the species. This is the first variety of ampelous antirrinums, which began to be propagated by seeds.
Snapdragon ampelous “Lantern”
characterized by long branches that can reach 1 meter. The average length of one shoot ranges from 50 cm to 70 cm. This is a hybrid variety, quite rare and very beautiful. It blooms all summer, forms bright drooping shoots. Grown in hanging baskets and planters. Gardeners compare the variety with a lush flower beard.
Snapdragon ampelous “Amulet”
characterized by uniform growth and relatively short shoots. The length of the branches is about 20 cm. The flowers on the plant have a variety of colors. Distinctive characteristics of the variety:
- cold resistance;
- lush flowering in partial shade;
- the need for regular feeding.
Variety of ampelous antirrinum “Magic”
has branches of medium size – 50 cm. The plant is large and interesting spherical shape. It reaches 60 cm in diameter. The flowers are small, glossy, but in large quantities. Demanding on lighting, so it is recommended to place the pots in sunny places.
Growing seedlings of ampelous varieties
Growing from seeds of ampelous snapdragon varieties has its own nuances, but it is quite accessible even to novice flower growers. Gardeners who decide to grow ampel varieties of antirrinum on their own purchase them in specialized stores. According to summer residents, a bag contains no more than 10 small seeds of an ampelous snapdragon, so it’s better to buy 2-3 bags at once. Given the natural losses in growing seedlings, this number of seeds will be the most optimal.
Ampel seeds undergo pre-sowing treatment at the manufacturer, so steps such as soaking or disinfection can be safely skipped. When the seeds are purchased, it is necessary to determine the timing of when to plant ampelous snapdragons for seedlings. The best time for sowing ampel varieties is the second half of March – the beginning of April. In Siberia – the middle of March.
For tender seedlings of ampels, it is necessary to prepare a container. It is convenient to grow seedlings in peat tablets, but for antirrinum it is better to prepare a suitable soil mixture.
Plants prefer medium loose fertile soil with a light structure. This is important because the seeds of the snapdragon varieties are very small and easily sink into the depths. The main thing is that the soil is slightly alkaline or neutral and nutritious. Flower growers prepare a peat mixture, add some sand and soddy soil. In this case, you need not get carried away with the amount of humus. It needs quite a bit so that the soil does not turn out to be “rotten”. Some prefer to purchase ready-made soil for flower seedlings.
One day before the scheduled date of sowing seeds of ampels, the soil is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate to prevent infection of the seedlings with the “black leg”.
Seedlings at the beginning of growth are very small and tender, so you should not take 0,5 liter cups. It is necessary to sow the seeds of ampelous antirrinum varieties in small containers, and then gradually increase the volume.
The container is washed with a disinfectant, dried and filled with soil. Level the surface, moisten with a spray bottle.
Now the seeds of ampelous varieties of snapdragons are laid on the surface of the soil.
The seed coat is destroyed to release future shoots. This applies to the granules in which the planting material is located.
When all the seeds of the ampelous antirrinum varieties are laid out, the container is covered with a film. Provide the necessary parameters – air temperature 24 ° C-25 ° C and good lighting. If all conditions are met, the first shoots can be seen after a week and a half.
Video on how to properly sow the seeds of ampelous antirrinum varieties:
flower seedling care
As soon as the first sprouts appear, you need to give them maximum attention. There are nuances of growing flower seedlings.
The first is that the seedlings of the ampels are sure to light up. At this time, natural light is not enough for seedlings due to the short duration of daylight hours. So that the seedlings do not stretch (it is already thin), during the week the ambient temperature is gradually reduced to 16 ° C-18 ° C.
The second – do not immediately remove the film after the emergence of shoots. First, seedlings begin to ventilate every day for half an hour, daily increasing the ventilation time by 30 minutes. After a week, the seedlings are ready to grow without shelter. Seedlings are watered only through the pan and when a dry top layer forms on the ground.
The next critical stage is diving. The first time it is carried out no earlier than a month after the date of sowing. By mid-April, two pairs of true leaves will appear on the sprouts. This will be the signal to start the dive. The soil is moistened a little in advance, then the plant is transferred with a clod of earth into a larger container. The difference in volume should be small so that water does not stagnate in the cups. The second time they dive in the phase of three or four leaves. This is what a healthy snapdragon seedling looks like after picking (see photo).
Seedling nutrition. Starting top dressing is recommended to be carried out 14 days after the first picking of seedlings. For ampelous snapdragon varieties, any complex NPK mineral fertilizer for flowers is suitable, which should contain trace elements. Dilute it according to the instructions, but reduce the concentration by 2 times. Repeat the procedure 2 weeks after the second dive with the same composition. For seedlings of ampelous antirrinum varieties, two top dressings will be enough; plants do not like frequent fertilization.
Some flower growers practice cuttings of ampelous snapdragon. To do this, cuttings of at least 10 cm long are cut from the shoots, the lower cut is dipped in the Kornevin solution and placed in clean water. When lateral branches appear from the sinuses, the cuttings are sent for growing.
Adult flower care
Planting and caring for adult plants of ampel snapdragon does not cause any particular difficulties. It is important to choose the right size of a hanging planter or pot. Depending on the variety, plants have shoots of different lengths. For small ampels, a volume of 3 liters is prepared, but the Lampion variety with long shoots must be planted in a flower pot of 5 liters or more.
The transplant is scheduled for the end of May – the beginning of June, depending on the climatic conditions of the region. On the street, the nightly positive temperature should be established.
- The soil mixture is prepared with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH value. Before planting, it is recommended to dip the roots of the plant in a solution of the Energen preparation so that the seedlings take root well.
- The cache-pot is placed in partial shade. The ampelous antirrinum blooms from June until the start of frost. Some summer residents then take the plants to the city and equip them on insulated balconies. Watered with warm water, and the next spring again transported to the country.
- A couple of weeks after transplantation, the ampels are fed with NPK complex fertilizer for flowers. During the flowering period, top dressing is repeated with an interval of 2-3 weeks.
- Water only under the root in moderate doses. The ampelous antirrinum does not tolerate overflow, but it withstands short dry periods well.
- It is necessary to loosen, only special care is required so as not to damage the roots.
If flowering has stopped, it is recommended to cut off the longest shoots. In this case, new ones will begin to grow and bloom from the lateral sinuses.
Pinching ampel varieties of snapdragon is not required. You can pinch the seedlings once when they reach a height of 10 cm.
Ampelous antirrinums with gypsophila and lobelia look good in one flowerpot.