Planting petunias in peat tablets
The multicolored, bright, fragrant petunia cascade has become a familiar decoration of our yards, gardens and parks. In order for flowers to delight us until late autumn, you need to properly organize all stages of growing a plant, starting with sowing.
Content:
- Petunia seeds
- Peat tablets
- Sowing dates
- Once again about the rules for planting petunias
- Further care of the plant
Petunia seeds
Have petunias very small seeds that germinate in the sun, which must be taken into account, without burying them in the ground or sprinkling them with earth, leave them on the soil surface. You can only lightly press down the seed with a toothpick or put it on the melting snow, which will slightly tighten the seeds, soaking into the soil.
Watering is carried out exclusively from a sprayer so that the earth on the surface is not washed out, but it is better to pour warm melted or settled boiled water into the pan. It is very convenient to use peat tablets for sowing petunias, which have a mesh as a shell to keep their shape. With the help of scissors, it is carefully removed during planting of seedlings, although this is not necessary.
Peat tablets
Peat tablets swollen in warm water look like miniature stumps, which do not exceed 4.5 cm in diameter. Experienced flower growers recommend sprinkling the top of the peat tablet with a very thin layer of sand to protect the plant from blackening the legs.
It is better to place the tablets in plastic containers from under the cakes, which are exposed on a windowsill lit by the sun, but not in direct sunlight. It is imperative to create conditions for diffused light, blocking the glass on the window with a sheet of paper. The container is thoroughly washed and treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. As condensation drops appear on the lid, ventilate and remove moisture with a clean cloth.
It is important to monitor properly moistened soil, to exercise control by the appearance of a dark speck on the surface of the peat column, avoiding drying out, as well as waterlogging. Excess moisture can be removed with a paper towel by placing it under the peat tablets for a short time. Do not allow the tablets to begin to cover with a green coating or cobwebs of white mold. If foci of fungus appear, it must be removed with a cotton swab dipped in potassium permanganate.
Sowing dates
Sowing times for different varieties of petunias are different, but the conditions for growing seedlings are similar. Back in January is sown petunia ampelousso that she has time to grow her lashes by the flowering period. All varieties petunia terry sown in early February to give it extra time to open the buds. Bush petunia is sown at the end of February, but given that daylight hours are still not long enough, all seedlings need additional lighting.
Feed young sprouts are not needed so as not to burn their delicate roots, especially since peat tablets are filled with a mixture balanced with the necessary nutrients. With optimal light, moisture and fresh air, petunia seedlings grow and develop well.
Once again about the rules for planting petunias
Petunia is loved by most gardeners for its beautiful flowers and long flowering. However, its seeds are very small and it can be very problematic to grow seedlings, and it is expensive to buy it.The solution may be to plant petunias in peat tablets, which are compressed peat wrapped in a net. Trace elements are also added to the peat, contributing to the rapid growth of plants. First, the tablets are placed on a tray and filled with room water. After 5-10 minutes, the tablet will swell and increase in height, turning into a small barrel. Drain the water, and place one petunia seed in each such barrel using tweezers or a toothpick.
It is impossible to deepen the seed, petunia refers to plants that germinate only in the light.
Place the kegs in a container and cover it with glass or plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse. Germination requires high humidity and warmth, so moisten the tablets as they dry by pouring water into the pan. It is better to use snow or boiled settled water, because an excess of mineral salts negatively affects the growth of petunias. The greenhouse must be aired daily to dry out the accumulated condensate, otherwise the seedlings can get sick with a black leg.
Further care of the plant
If the planting of petunias in peat tablets is carried out at the end of February, as is customary among gardeners, then the seedlings that appear in 10 days will need additional lighting, preferably with a fluorescent lamp. Daylight hours should last 12-14 hours. When the petunia gets stronger and a couple of real leaves grow in it, the greenhouse can be opened. Plants are transferred into separate containers only after the appearance of 6-8 true leaves, along with a barrel of a tablet. The soil can be bought with ordinary seedlings.
The root system of the plant, developing very slowly, later becomes branched and recovers well with minor damage during transplantation. It is better to plant plants when they have already bloomed, choosing for this in the evening or on a cloudy day. If you shorten the long shoots in time and remove the fading buds, petunia will delight you with its flowering for a long time.