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Purslane belongs to the category of rare plants, it has excellent external characteristics and practical value in the culinary field. It can be easily grown in any conditions, it is unpretentious. But growing terry purslane from seeds is best done in a temperate zone.
Description of purslane seeds with a photo
Purslane is best known to people as an addition to certain types of soups, marinades and salads. The plant is divided into several types, each of which contains many vitamins and minerals.
Popular varieties include:
- Purslane terry. This species is considered to be large-flowered. The plant has a low growth. Easy care.
- Garden or annual. Growing purslane from seeds allows you to achieve the appearance of flowers of small sizes. It has a yellow color. The stem is highly branched. Edible, recognized as a medicinal plant.
- Purslane ampelny. This species is a hybrid. Petals can be both terry and simple. The stem is branched. More suitable for the design of alpine slides, loggias and gazebos.
- large-flowered species. Is an annual. This is one of the first representatives that began to be grown in Europe. Buds can be of three colors: yellow, white and red. The height of the stems does not exceed 30 cm.
Any variety of purslane has a long flowering. Buds can please the eye until the first frost. If you plant terry purslane from seeds and grow it in the cool season, then for the winter you can clean it in a warm and well-lit place.
The nuances of growing purslane seedlings
Many people dream of growing purslane from seeds in their country house. There is nothing difficult in this. Most gardeners are of the opinion that it is better to plant a flowering crop in the form of seedlings. But for the whole process to go smoothly, you need to take into account a few nuances.
Many experts say that it is better to sow purslane seeds from February to March. In some cases, plant cultivation is allowed in April.
Seedlings need to be kept warm. Indoor air temperature should not fall below +22 degrees.
Planting purslane seeds for seedlings
Growing purslane from seeds for seedlings is also possible at home. If a favorable environment for the plant is created, then the first seedlings will appear after 7-14 days.
When growing seedlings, it is necessary to periodically moisten the ground – this rule is one of the main ones. Water should be settled, room temperature. Watering is done from below.
When to sow purslane for seedlings
Many gardeners are wondering when is the best time to plant large-flowered purslane and how to grow it from seed. There is nothing difficult in this, because the seedlings are unpretentious in their care.
Planting a flowering crop is best done in February-March. But in order for the seedlings to grow well, it is necessary to install an ultraviolet lamp. You can plant a plant in April-May. Then the seedlings are placed on the windowsill. Thanks to the long daylight hours, the seeds will grow faster.
Tank selection and soil preparation
If you plant purslane seeds for seedlings, it will take a little time. In order for the plant to grow better, it is worth buying a special soil mixture in the store, as it is enriched with the necessary trace elements. To all this, such land has good air and water permeability, friability and lightness. It is not recommended to use black soil, compost and humus.
As a container, you can use bowls, boxes, pots or peat tablets
How to plant purslane seeds
Planting purslane seeds can be done at home. The grains are small. It is not necessary to disinfect them, it is enough to mix them with hot sand.
Some gardeners are of the opinion that seedlings will not grow well without treatment with a manganese solution. Therefore, you need to perform several manipulations:
- Seeds are poured into a bag of gauze folded in 2 layers.
- Then place it in a warm solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes.
- After that, the bag is gently squeezed out, the seeds are dried.
Only after all the manipulations carried out, you can start sowing purslane for seedlings.
The technology for planting grains is as follows:
- Seeds are mixed with sand in equal parts.
- Take a pot, a peat tablet or a cup where there are drainage holes. Fall asleep a layer of gravel. Top with universal soil, preheated in the oven. Watered with settled water.
- Grains are spread on the surface of the soil. There should be a distance of at least 1 cm between seeds.
- Then the grains are carefully introduced into the soil.
In order for the seedlings to grow better, they are covered with polyethylene on top.
Growing purslane seedlings at home
Sowing purslane for seedlings can be done at home. Care consists in periodic watering. This is necessary for the normal growth of seedlings.
When growing such a crop, the introduction of various top dressings is not required, the soil does not need to be loosened and weeded.
Microclimate
At a temperature of 35-37 degrees, the first seedlings will appear in 5-7 days. If the indicator is below 22 degrees, then the purslane may not rise.
Polyethylene or glass is used to retain heat in the soil. After the first seedlings appear, the shelter is gradually removed. First open for a few minutes 5-6 times a day. Each time the time increases. After about 3-4 days, the shelter is completely removed.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Before the first shoots appear, the soil should be treated with a spray bottle. In order for the plant to grow better, watering is done daily through the pan – this option is considered the most optimal for growing purslane.
In this case, the humidity should be moderate. It is impossible to transfuse seedlings, otherwise it will lead to the development of fungal diseases.
Particular attention is paid to water for irrigation. It is better to take the settled liquid. It won’t be as tough and dirty.
Feeding purslane is optional. Some gardeners fertilize the soil with nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers. These manipulations are carried out 1 time in 3-4 weeks.
Picks
After the first true leaves appear on the seedlings, you can start picking. This will happen about a month after sowing.
Although the plant loves heat and light, after picking it is recommended to move it to the shade for a while
Hardening
After the seedlings have acquired sufficient size, it is necessary to begin preparations for transplanting into open ground. To avoid unnecessary stress and premature death of the plant, seedlings should be hardened.
To do this, the seedlings need to be taken out to the balcony or placed on the windowsill with an open window. The main thing is that there are no drafts.
Transplant into the ground
Purslane loves the sun and heat, so it is better to transplant in a well-lit place. The soil should be sandy, sandy or rocky. It is important to avoid standing water. The plant feels better in mountainous areas.
It is necessary to transplant a flower into the ground when the soil warms up to 20 degrees. This time usually falls on May-June. Seedlings are transplanted into holes at a distance of 15-30 cm from each other. In the first 3 weeks, purslane is watered every day, then as needed.
The process of transplanting a plant is recommended to be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening. So the adaptation of the flower will be easier.
Conclusion
Growing terry purslane from seeds will be a pleasure for any gardener. Even a beginner can cope with the plant, because the flower does not require special care. Purslane is considered unpretentious, well tolerated by the adverse effects of various pests. But there are important conditions – this is moderate watering, heat and light. Observing all the rules of planting, it will be possible to achieve the appearance of a beautiful flower garden.