Content
Godetia is a small, lush blooming bush. The plant is unpretentious, stress-resistant, therefore, the cultivation technique is not difficult. Growing godetia from seeds at home allows you to enjoy the magnificent flowering of satin inflorescences of the most incredible shades throughout the summer season (up to the very frost).
Large Godetia flowers give flower beds and flower beds a special charm and elegant charm
Description of godetia seeds + photo
At the end of the growing season, in place of the faded godetia inflorescences, fruits are formed - cylindrical seed pods with four even edges. They contain small seeds. The germination capacity of seed material when stored correctly (in a dry, dark place) lasts up to 4 years.
At home, growing godetia from seeds is possible in two main ways: seedling and sowing in open ground.
Sowing seed in open ground is most preferable for southern regions with a warm climate. Direct cultivation of godetia from seeds in the ground is a simple and less traumatic method for plants, since due to careless handling of crops, part of the seedlings die during picking and transplanting to beds. Sowing work is carried out before winter in November or May. Flowering occurs in 80-90 days (presumably in August) and continues until frost. This method of growing allows for a later flowering, so many growers prefer to self-sow godetia for seedlings.
The seedling method is a preliminary sowing of seeds at room conditions in March, followed by transplantation into open ground after a stable ambient temperature has been established without noticeable night frosts in May. This method is suitable for the central and northern regions of Russia. The flowering of godetia bushes, grown by seedlings, begins in July and, until late autumn, delights with the incredible splendor of the inflorescences.
Various hybrid varieties of azalea, terry, dwarf, bushy Godetia are grown only from seeds
The nuances of growing godetia seedlings from seeds
Planting godetia seeds and caring for young plants is a classic algorithm. To get healthy seedlings, you should familiarize yourself with the important nuances of growing:
- it is necessary to select a suitable soil (godetia prefers neutral loamy or slightly acidic);
- since godetia seeds are very small, for a more even distribution in the soil, they are mixed with fine river sand and sown in prepared containers;
- for seed germination, it is necessary to create a greenhouse effect;
- crops must be ventilated every day (remove the shelter for a short time, remove condensation on glass or film);
- before transplanting into open ground, the seedlings are gradually hardened for 2 weeks.
Crops should be moistened with caution, using a spray bottle
How to plant godetia seedlings
Planting godetia seeds for seedlings is a rather laborious, but most suitable method for most flower growers, which allows you to get an earlier flowering culture (in July). Under indoor conditions, young plants develop until May.
Hardened and matured under indoor conditions godetia sprouts are transplanted into open ground with the onset of stable warm weather
When to plant godetia seedlings
Godets are planted for seedlings in March. At this time of the year, a daylight hours that are quite comfortable for seed germination are established (12 hours).
Experienced growers recommend sowing godetia seeds for seedlings in late March or early April.
The choice of capacity and preparation of the soil
To grow godetia from seeds, you need to choose shallow wooden or plastic containers (up to 15 cm high) for sowing seedlings. Before filling with soil mixture, the boxes are disinfected. A sufficiently high drainage layer must be laid at the bottom of the container, since the culture does not tolerate stagnant moisture.
The seedling soil should be loose, rich in nutrients. You can prepare a soil mixture at home from equal parts of peat, garden soil and river sand. For the prevention of fungal infections, the soil must be spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate or disinfected in another way.
Godetia prefers slightly acidic soils on saturated alkaline soil
Seed preparation
Culture is an unpretentious plant that is resistant to pathogens. But before sowing godetia seeds, they should be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The smallest grains are placed in textile bags, left for 1 hour in water slightly colored with manganese (1.5% solution).
Since the seed material of godetia is extremely small in size, for greater efficiency in placement in the ground, they are mixed with sifted river sand, and then spread over the surface of the seed box.
Disinfection of seeds, soil and planting containers should be given special attention
How to sow godetia seedlings
It is necessary to sow godetia seeds for seedlings according to the general algorithm:
- the soil in the seedling container is pre-moistened;
- after complete absorption of moisture, godetia seeds, mixed with fine river sand, are carefully spread over the surface of the soil;
- the seeds are sprinkled with a small layer of peat (up to 0.5 cm), without pressing.
After placing the seeds in the soil, the greenhouse effect necessary for germination should be ensured.
How to grow godetia seedlings
You can plant godetia seeds for seedlings at home, since an ornamental plant does not require complex, professional care. It is enough to provide a comfortable microclimate, proper watering and fertilization, and to dive the sprouts in a timely manner.
From the moment of sowing seeds for seedlings to transplanting into open ground, 2 months pass
Microclimate
The most comfortable room temperature for germination of godetia seeds under a film coating or glass is up to + 22 ⁰С.
Sprouts will appear faster if the crops are placed in a bright and warm place.
Drafts are categorically unacceptable for godetia seedlings. Plants can die at the slightest drop in temperature.
When the first shoots appear, the shelter is removed.
Condensation that accumulates on a film cover or glass should be removed daily and the seedlings should be ventilated regularly.
Watering and feeding schedule
For seedlings of godetia, gentle watering is required as the soil dries out. To prevent the seeds from being washed into the deeper layers of the soil, moistening is carried out using a spray bottle. Seeds will germinate faster if you water the soil with warm water.
As a top dressing, you can use complex seedling formulations with a low nitrogen content. Fertilize 1-2 times a month.
Godetia seedlings need moderate watering
Picking
When two or three true leaves appear, the seedlings are dived into separate pots up to 20 cm high. You can dive at the same time, 2-3 plants in one container. Seedlings are carefully removed from the box along with a lump of earth, lightly shaken off the soil, and the roots are released. The central root is shortened by ¼ of the length, the plants are transplanted into a disinfected soil mixture. Root pruning helps stimulate healthy root growth.
The pick is carried out 2-3 weeks after sowing.
Transfer to the ground
Transplanting seedlings into open ground is carried out in May. Before moving the seedlings, the plants are gradually hardened for 2 weeks.
The height of godetia seedlings at the end of May or at the beginning of June reaches 6 cm. By the time a stable warm average daily weather is established, the matured and hardened seedlings of the ornamental culture are ready for rooting at their permanent place of residence.
Choose a cloudy day for transplanting.
The most preferable for godetia is loamy soil, well-sunlit areas.
The scheme for planting a culture in the ground is 25x25 cm.
After transplanting, the following agricultural techniques should be observed:
- moderate irrigation without waterlogging;
- regular mode of soil loosening and removal of varietal grasses;
- adherence to the fertilizing schedule with mineral fertilizers (containing potassium and phosphorus) during the period of inflorescence formation.
Transplant the godetia outdoors before flowering.
Collection and storage of seeds
The seeds enter the phase of maturity one month after the inflorescence wilting and the formation of the seed pod. Ripe grains turn dark.
Boxes with seeds are cut, dried naturally in a dry, well-ventilated place without exposure to sunlight at temperatures up to + 30 ⁰С.
The dried boxes are folded into textile bags, kneaded in hands to remove the peri-seed coat. The seeds freed from the capsule are stored in paper bags at room temperature in a dry place.
Seeds of hybrid Godetia varieties should be purchased from specialized stores, as home-harvested seed does not preserve varietal traits.
Conclusion
Growing godetia from seeds is available even to novice growers. Godetia appeared on Russian beds and flower beds in the middle of the 19th century. During this time, decorative culture has taken its rightful place as a dominant element of landscape design.
