Planting flower seedlings in February

In February, blizzards are still in full swing, and flower growers begin to work on a colorful summer show. This month is planting time for many flowers with a long growing season. It is necessary to plan which flowers are suitable for each particular garden, purchase soil, containers, seeds. Many beautifully flowering and popular plants can be grown on your own, instead of buying expensive seedlings from the market. But for this you need to sow flowers for seedlings in February.

Flower bed planning

A large offer of seeds in stores makes it possible to make your garden plot your own piece of paradise. You just need to know the timing of sowing various plants, and what flowers are sown in February for seedlings.

Seedlings grow a variety of annuals, biennials and perennials.

For planting seedlings of flowers in February, they are sometimes guided by the lunar calendar. Successful days for sowing are those when the growing Moon passes through fertile signs – Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces. For flowers, the signs of Virgo, Libra, Taurus, Aries, Gemini are also favorable.

When the question arises of what to plant in the first place, we must remember that Shabo carnation and tuberous begonia develop the longest. The period of growth before flowering is extended for six months. Therefore, it is usually advised to sow the seeds of these flowers for seedlings in January. But February is also suitable.

Seedlings of annuals

Plants that have a one-year development period under our conditions are sown for seedlings in winter so that they bloom earlier. Such crops include flowering petunias, zinnias, carnations, asters, phloxes, verbena, marigolds, salvia, nasturtium, levkoy, annual dahlias, snapdragons, lobelia, begonias, ageratum, sweet peas, heliotrope and others. Many flowers in natural conditions grow for more than one year.

Probably, in the middle climatic zone it will be easier to propagate cosmea, calendula, lavater, marigolds, nasturtium and other unpretentious flowers by direct sowing in garden soil than by seedlings.

Reproduction of biennials and perennials

Biennial flowers sown in February for seedlings – daisies, viola, primrose, lupins will be able to bloom at the end of the summer season. In August, they will show how beautiful perennial chrysanthemums and delphiniums grown from seedlings are in bloom. But more magnificent flowering will take place next year. In winter, plants are sown that are grown outdoors and indoors: pelargonium, balsam, fuchsia.

Tips for choosing soil, containers and seeds

For flower seedlings, the seeds of which are sown in February, you need light and nutritious soil.

How to prepare the soil

The soil for seedlings is harvested in autumn from leafy or garden soil, river sand and neutral, slightly acidic peat. All components are taken in equal parts. The land is cultivated to protect flower seedlings from fungal spores and harmful insects that hibernate in the soil.

• The soil from the garden is steamed in a water bath for 50-60 minutes;
• The soil is placed in a paper bag in the microwave for 5 minutes.They acquire ready-made soil, with the addition of minerals necessary for the proper growth of seedlings of flowers. Drainage is placed at the bottom.
• Expanded clay, agroperlite, fragments of shells, gravel, broken brick or ceramics are suitable;
• Recently, they use particles of foam from under the packages. It is valued because of its low weight, and the fact that there is air in the pores. Seedling roots are additionally protected from the cold if the boxes are on the February window;
• Practical use of charcoal. Under its influence, the soil is disinfected, the moisture level is stabilized.

Instead of soil for flower seedlings, other substrates are used:

• Peat or coconut tablets;
• A mixture of sawdust and river sand in a ratio of 2: 1. Then it is necessary to use fertilizers so that the flower seedlings are strong.

How to choose containers and seeds

Flowers are planted for seedlings in February, usually in small containers, so that later the sprouts dive and place in separate pots. Convenient purchased cassettes. Of these, the seedling is easily moved. There are plants that do not tolerate transplanting well. Such flower seeds are sown in pots or paper cups.

Dive sprouts in a container where they will grow before transplanting into the ground. The best choice is peat pots. Air and moisture pass through the porous walls. Flowers are planted in a permanent place along with peat containers.

When buying seeds, you need to look at the germination period. Expired seeds may not sprout or produce weak sprouts.

Care of seedlings

Before sowing, the seeds are treated with growth stimulants. When the seeds of the flowers selected for planting in February are sown, cover the containers with glass or film and create a temperature of 18 to 22 for germination. ⁰C. Every day the film is removed so that fresh air enters and lightly spray the soil with water if it dries up.

With the advent of seedlings, the temperature is raised to 25 ⁰C, containers are kept in a bright place or illuminated. Choose energy-saving lamps or special ones for additional illumination of seedlings. When two true leaves grow, the seedlings swoop down.

Watering

The soil is regularly moistened in the morning. Water in the evening only in an emergency when the morning watering has been missed and the soil is dry. Use settled or melted water.

• Nasturtium, fragrant tobacco, dahlias are often watered;
• Moderately moisturize zinnias, marigolds, asters, phloxes, snapdragons, petunias.

Additional fertilizing

There are many flower fertilizers, including for seedlings. When using, you must strictly follow the instructions.

• For the first time, flowers planted for seedlings in February are fed two weeks after germination;
• The next feeding of seedlings is carried out after 15 days;
• Further, the flowers are fertilized every week;
• It is better to alternately apply complexes of mineral and humic preparations;
• If fertilizers are taken for adult plants, water is used twice as much.

Preparation for disembarkation

Seedlings need to be hardened off. For two weeks, containers with plants are taken out into the air, placed in the shade and sheltered from strong winds. After seven days, the seedlings are already placed in the sun. At first, not for long, gradually increasing the time the flowers stay outside the shelter. Two-month-old, hardened seedlings are placed in flower beds or in hanging baskets.

Features of flower care

Each beautiful flower has its own little secrets that you need to know in order to create a unique fragrant garden.

Petunia

Sowing in February will ensure the dance of multi-colored gramophones from June.

• Seeds cannot be sprinkled with earth, they germinate in 10-14 days;
• The plant loves a lot of light;
• To increase the root system, petunia seedlings are transshipped twice;
• A flowering petunia with a good root ball does not suffer during transplantation.

Lobelia

The flowers are small, white, deep mauve or varying shades of blue, from bright blue to purple.

• Seeds are only slightly pressed into the soil, but do not sprinkle. Seedlings appear after 15 days;
• The plant develops better without picks;
• 3-4 seeds are sown in pots so that the bush is more magnificent;
• In summer, if flowering decreases, the plant is pruned and watered abundantly.

Verbena

Neat multi-colored flowers with a wonderful aroma.

• Seeds, when sown in February, are slightly buried in the soil or laid out on the surface, but covered with a dark film. To germinate in a week, they must be in the dark;
• Seedlings do not like waterlogging.

Clove Shabo

This perennial culture in the south is planted for seedlings in January or February. Flowers are bred in different colors.

• For germination, seeds need to be provided with heat in 7-10 days – up to 24 ⁰WITH;
• Periodically, the stems are sprinkled with earth;
• Pinch the growth point several times so that the bush is compact;
• The plant must be transplanted 2-3 times in order for the bush to grow.

Salvia

Bright red, dark purple and whitish shades of flowers.

• Seedlings dive when there are 4-5 true leaves;
• The plant loves the sun.

Begonia, evergreen

Fireworks of flowers and leaves of different shapes and shades.

• Small seeds are not sown in January or February, but are laid out on moist soil, slightly pressing. They germinate in 10-25 days;
• The plant needs to be illuminated – up to 12-13 hours a day and watered regularly;
• Seedlings dive in 1,5 months.

Growing beautifully flowering plants makes the world warmer.

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