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In February, blizzards are still in full swing, and flower growers begin to work on a colorful summer show. This month is the sowing time for many long-growing flowers. It is necessary to plan what flowers suitable for each specific garden, purchase soil, containers, seeds. Many flowering and popular plants can be grown on their own instead of buying expensive seedlings from the market. But for this you need to sow flowers on seedlings in February.
Planning flower beds
A large supply of seeds in stores makes it possible to make your garden plot your own paradise. You just need to know the timing of sowing various plants, and what flowers are sown in February for seedlings.
A variety of annuals, biennial and perennial crops are grown by seedlings.
For planting seedlings of flowers in February, sometimes they are guided by the lunar calendar. Good sowing days are those when the growing Moon passes through the fertile signs - Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces. For flowers, there are also favorable signs of Virgo, Libra, Taurus, Aries, Gemini.
When the question arises of what to plant in the first place, one must remember that the Shabo carnation and tuberous begonia develop the longest. Their growth period 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 coming up.
Seedlings of annuals
Plants, which in our conditions have a one-year period of development, are sown for seedlings in winter so that they bloom earlier. Such crops include lush petunias, zinnias, carnations, asters, phloxes, verbena, marigolds, salvia, nasturtium, levkoy, annual dahlias, Snapdragon, lobelia, begonia, ageratum, sweet peas, heliotrope and others. Many flowers grow in natural conditions 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 into garden soil than seedlings.
Reproduction of biennials and perennials
Biennial flowers sown in February for seedlings - daisies, viola, primrose, lupine can bloom at the end of the summer season. In August, they will show how beautiful perennial chrysanthemums and delphiniums grown by seedlings are in bloom. But more lush bloom 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, seeds of which are sown in February, light and nutritious soil is needed.
How to prepare the ground
The soil for seedlings is harvested in the fall 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 get ready-made soil, with the addition of minerals necessary for the correct growth of seedlings. Drainage is placed at the bottom. - Expanded clay, agroperlite, shell fragments, gravel, broken brick or ceramics are suitable;
- Recently, they have been using foam particles from under the packaging. It is prized because of its light 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.
They get ready-made soil, with the addition of minerals necessary for the correct growth of seedlings. Drainage is placed at the bottom.Instead of soil for seedlings of flowers, other substrates are used:
- Peat or coconut tablets;
- A mixture of sawdust and river sand in a 2: 1 ratio. Then it is imperative 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 can be dived and placed in separate pots. Convenient store-bought cassettes. Of these, the seedling moves easily. There are plants that do not tolerate transplanting well. These flower seeds are sown in pots or paper cups.
The sprouts dive in containers, 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 together with peat containers.
When buying seeds, you need to look at the germination time. Expired seeds may not sprout or sprout poorly.
Seedling care
Before sowing, the seeds are treated with growth stimulants. When the seeds of flowers selected for planting in February are sown, cover the containers with glass or foil and create a temperature for germination from 18 to 22 0C. Every day the film is removed to allow fresh air and lightly spray the soil with water if it dries up.
With the emergence of seedlings, the temperature is raised to 25 0C, the containers are kept in a bright place or supplemented with light. Choose energy-saving lamps or special ones for supplementary lighting of seedlings. When two true leaves grow, the seedlings dive.
Watering
The soil is regularly moistened in the morning. In the evening, water only in an emergency, when the morning watering has been missed and the soil is dry. Use settled or melt water.
- Nasturtium, fragrant tobacco, dahlias are often watered;
- Moderately moisturize zinnias, marigolds, asters, phloxes, snapdragons, petunias.
Top dressing
There are many flower fertilizers, including those 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 in 15 days;
- Further, the flowers are fertilized every week;
- It is better to alternately use complexes of mineral and humic preparations;
- If fertilizers are used for adult plants, twice as much water is used.
Preparing to disembark
Seedlings must be hardened. For two weeks, containers with plants are taken out into the air, placed in the shade and sheltered from strong winds. Seven days later, 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 provide a dance of multicolored phonographs from June.
- Seeds cannot be sprinkled with earth, they sprout in 10-14 days;
- The plant loves a lot of light;
- To increase the root system, petunia seedlings are reloaded twice;
- A blooming petunia with a good root ball does not suffer during transplantation.
Lobelia
The flowers are small, white, deep mauve or in various shades of blue - from bright blue to purple.
- The seeds are only slightly pressed into the soil, but not sprinkled. Seedlings appear in 15 days;
- The plant develops better without picks;
- 3-4 seeds are sown in pots so that the bush is more magnificent;
- In the summer, if the flowering decreases, the plant is pruned and watered abundantly.
Verbena
Neat multicolored flowers with a wonderful aroma.
- When sown in February, seeds are slightly buried in the soil or laid out on the surface, but covered with a dark film. To germinate after a week, they must be in the dark;
- Seedlings do not like waterlogging.
Carnation Shabo
This perennial culture in the south is planted for seedlings in January or February. Bred flowers of different shades.
- For germination, seeds need to be provided with heat in 7-10 days - up to 24 0FROM;
- Periodically, the stems are sprinkled with earth;
- Pinch the growing point several times so that the bush is compact;
- The plant must be transplanted 2-3 times 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.
Ever-flowering begonia
Fireworks of flowers and leaves of different shapes and shades.
- Small seeds are not sown in January or February, but are laid out on wet soil, slightly pressing. They sprout in 10-25 days;
- The plant needs to be supplemented with light - up to 12-13 hours a day and watered regularly;
- Seedlings dive in 1.5 months.
Growing flowering plants makes the world a warmer.
