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It is not in vain that annuals in the garden are so loved by many generations of flower growers, because none of the perennial flowers can compare with them in terms of flowering time. Starting from the end of spring, they are able to delight the gardener’s heart until the very autumn frosts. And some even after a slight frost are able to maintain a decorative appearance.
But in order to enjoy their flowering as early as possible, you need to think about growing seedlings. Indeed, in the climatic conditions of the middle zone, the choice of annual flowers for direct sowing in the ground is very limited. And, most importantly, flowering from them can be expected only by mid-summer.
While many annuals are not difficult to grow using seedlings. And this can become not only an exciting activity, but also significantly save your budget, and even become a source of additional income in today’s difficult times. After all, the prices for seedlings of annual flowers are not cheap. And not everyone has the time and space in the house to grow a significant amount of seedlings. It is only important to start, gaining invaluable experience, and over time, many things that seemed difficult to you will be taken for granted.
Why seedlings are needed
Of course, the main reason why annuals are grown through seedlings is that you can get a plant with buds just at the moment when it is a favorable time for planting annual flowers in flower beds. That is, you will be able to ensure the early flowering of most annuals. Moreover, among them there are those who, when sown in open ground, will not even be able to develop enough leaves by the end of summer, and not just bloom.
There is another reason for sowing many annual flowers for seedlings indoors. The fact is that it is the first two or three weeks of plant life after seed germination that are decisive. During this period, all the most important vegetation processes are laid. That is, it depends on the conditions in which the seedlings are placed during this period, how large the flowers and the plants themselves will be, how bright the shades will be and how long the flowering will be. When growing annual flowers with seedlings, light, temperature, humidity and other parameters can be easily controlled, which cannot be said about the conditions when growing in open ground.
So, growing seedlings is necessary or very desirable for annuals in the following cases:
- If the flowers are characterized by a long growing season, when from sowing to flowering takes from 80 to 150 days.
- Annuals have a very long flowering period, which can last from May to October.
- If the flowers are very heat-loving, they cannot stand temperatures below + 5 ° C and need bright lighting for full development.
- If there is a desire to bring closer the moment of flowering in annuals for a month or two.
Terms of sowing
It is possible to sow the seeds of some annual flowers for seedlings as early as January. This may be necessary for long-swinging annuals such as Chabot Carnation, Eustoma, Tuberous and Everblooming Begonia, Pelargonium, Fuchsia, and Heliotrope.
In February, the sowing season can be considered already in full swing. Indeed, it is in this month that such popular and beautiful annuals as petunia, snapdragons, viola, verbena, salvia, and lobelia are planted for seedlings.
March is the most suitable month for sowing seedlings for most annuals. For example, we can mention such flowers as: alissum, winged tobacco, Drummond’s phlox, cleoma, carnation, mattiola, helichrysum and others. You can also sow in March for seedlings and seeds from the first group, but then their flowering may be somewhat delayed. In the first half of March, it is also desirable to highlight the growing seedlings, and from the end of March, many plants will have enough light on the southern windowsills.
In April, many annual flowers can be sown for seedlings, this is usually done in order to speed up their flowering time. Usually they sow marigolds, asters, cochia, ageratum, annual dahlias, cellosia, zinnia and others. In April, you can also sow many fast-growing annuals for seedlings, so that they bloom as early as the end of May.
Seeds and features of sowing annuals
Fresh seeds of almost all annual flowers usually sprout easily, quickly and amicably.
Seed germination
On average, the minimum germination of fresh seeds ranges from 75% (for nasturtium, Drummond’s phlox, blue cornflower) to 90% (for aster, ageratum, Shabo carnation, calendula, ornamental cabbage, viola). Over time, germination, of course, decreases, and its percentage already depends on the characteristics of the type of flower.
- For no more than a year, the seeds of Drummond’s phlox and aster remain viable.
- From 1 to 2 years, the seeds of gazania, verbena, godetia, helichrysum, foxglove and cochia can germinate well.
- From 2 to 3 years, the seeds of ageratum, viola, gaillardia, delphinium, annual dahlia, bellflower, calendula, iberis, daisy, mallow, petunia, sunflower, tobacco, scabiosa and lobelia do not lose their germination.
- Up to 5 years, the seeds of alyssum, cosmea, sweet pea, snapdragon, lavater, nasturtium, marigold and salvia germinate well.
- For more than five years, the seeds of cornflower, cellosia and levkoy do not lose their germination.
According to the size of the seeds, the following groups of annuals can be distinguished:
- Small (1 g contains from 5 to 25 thousand seeds) – lobelia, begonia, ageratum, petunia, purslane, daisy, snapdragon.
- Medium (1 g contains from 500 to 600 seeds) – aster, verbena, iberis, salvia, levkoy, tagetes, cellosia.
- Large (1 g contains from 100 to 300 seeds) – calendula, zinnia, mallow, lavatera, kosmeya, cornflower.
- Very large (from one to 1 seeds are placed in 30 g) – nasturtium, sweet pea, sunflower.
seed germination conditions
Absolutely all annual seeds for successful germination need to create a certain combination of temperature, humidity, access to oxygen and light. Humidity is the easiest thing to do – all seeds need to create a moist environment to swell.
But with the temperature, the situation is already somewhat more complicated. Many heat-loving annuals require temperatures above +22°C for successful germination, some even up to +28°+30°C. Others are quite successfully able to germinate even at +10°C, but if the temperature is around +20°C, then the germination time will noticeably decrease. Therefore, the general recommendation for sowing seeds of annuals for seedlings is to place them in an environment with room temperature.
As for the light, everything is quite difficult here.
There are flowers whose seeds germinate: only in the light, only in the dark and in any conditions.
Most often, light for germination is needed for those annuals that have small seeds and, accordingly, a small supply of nutrients. For example, petunias, snapdragons, begonias, mimulus, alyssum, lobelia, purslane. The seeds of these flowers must be sown exclusively on the surface of the soil and placed under a lamp or in another bright place for germination.
Other annuals germinate well only in the dark and must be sprinkled with earth. These flowers include: Drummond’s phlox, marigolds, verbena, castor oil and some other annuals with large seeds. Seeds can be buried in the ground to a depth not exceeding three sizes of the seed itself.
Interestingly, there are flowers that can germinate in any conditions, both in the light and in the dark. Fortunately, these annuals are the majority.
It should be noted that some annual flowers, in addition to general conditions, have special requirements for germination. Many large seeds require obligatory soaking during the day (nasturtium) and even scarification, that is, mechanical damage to the seed coat (sweet peas).
Seeds of all annuals (except the smallest) for better germination, it is desirable to process (soak for several hours) before sowing in growth stimulants (Epin, Zircon, Energen, HB-101).
Features of sowing
The method of sowing annual flowers for seedlings depends primarily on the size of the seeds. All small seeds of the same species are traditionally sown in two main ways:
- By mixing them with sand beforehand;
- Through the snow.
Usually a small flat container is taken, filled with light breathable soil. Moreover, the topmost layer, 0,5 cm thick, is poured from a fine substrate sifted through a sieve. When using the first method, annual seeds are mixed with calcined river sand and evenly distributed over the surface. From above, they are lightly sprayed with water from a spray bottle.
In the second method, a small layer of snow is laid on the surface of the substrate and seeds are placed directly on top of it. Since even the smallest seeds are clearly visible on the snow, they can be placed more or less evenly. The snow melts, slightly draws the seeds into the ground and provides them with good adhesion to the ground.
After sowing, the container can be covered with polyethylene, glass or any other transparent cover and placed in a warm place for germination.
Medium to large seeds are often sown in grooves or individual nests that can be marked with a match on the ground surface.
The largest seeds are often sown in individual cups. They can be placed in a pallet and covered with a transparent bag on top to create a greenhouse effect.
Growing of annuals
Shoots usually appear a week or two after sowing. But it is better to regularly inspect the plantings after three days and, if possible, open the lid to ventilate the seedlings. When the first sprouts appear, containers with seedlings move to the brightest place. It is better to lower the temperature immediately after seed germination by a few degrees if possible, even for the most heat-loving flower seeds, such as balsam, petunia or verbena.
When growing seedlings of annuals, picking is usually necessary. This is the name given to transplanting sprouts at such a distance from each other that they can provide the necessary feeding area. Often seedlings dive in separate containers.
Some annuals, such as begonia, lobelia, carnation Shabo, planted at the earliest possible date, in January and February, dive even twice. One – 7-10 days after germination, the second – about a month later.
For annuals planted for seedlings in March and April, one pick is enough. Usually it is carried out at the time of the appearance of the first pair of true leaves in seedlings (not to be confused with the first cotyledon leaves).
A week after picking, seedlings need to start feeding. It is best to dilute any liquid flower food twice the norm so as not to burn the delicate roots.
Two weeks before planting in a flower bed, seedlings begin to be accustomed to open ground conditions, taking it out into the air for several hours at first and shading it from direct sun and wind. Every day, the time spent on the street is gradually increased.
Seedlings of most annual flowers can be planted in open ground in late May – early June.
Growing seedlings of annuals is an interesting and educational process that can teach you a lot. And as a result, you will have the opportunity to plant your site with a diverse palette of flowers that will delight you throughout the summer until late autumn.
