Iberis seedling picking: when is it needed and how it is carried out
Small Iberis bushes have a very developed root system in the form of a long rod. In this regard, the picking of Iberis seedlings causes many controversial opinions. Some growers argue that it is extremely undesirable to do it, while others calmly carry out a transplant. Indeed, the elongated spine can be easily damaged during a dive. It will then become strong, but for now it is a fragile thread. If possible, it is better to sow the seeds immediately in separate containers. Then the grown seedlings can be passed directly into the ground, bypassing the pick.
But on the other hand, Iberis has small seeds and it is more convenient to sow them first in a common bowl. The main thing is not to let the seedlings outgrow. If you make a pick on time and carefully, the risk of breaking the roots will be minimal. Perhaps there will be some losses, but in general the seedlings take root well. So if you sowed Iberis in a common pot, when it forms a couple of real leaves, feel free to start picking.
Soil for growing seedlings
For sowing seeds, a light peat mixture with the addition of sand is most often used. For the further development of seedlings, a more nutritious soil mixture is needed, but at the same time it is also loose. So, it is advisable to add leafy soil to the peat.
The "seasoning" of fertilizers will also be beneficial. You need a few of them, but to get a balanced composition. For example, for each kilogram of the finished soil mixture, you can add the following fertilizers:
- 4 g of potassium sulfate;
- the same amount of double superphosphate;
- 2 g ammonium nitrate;
- 2-3 st. l. wood ash.
Iberis seedlings picking
The picking process must be carried out when real leaves appear. Practitioners of the seedling method of flower growers note that the Iberis is very stretched. At the same time, the stalk itself is quite dense, so that the seedlings can be easily removed without breaking. It is better to do this with a spatula, prying the seedlings along with a lump of earth. For a pick, tall glasses are needed so that the bushes have the opportunity to further develop the root system. Having filled them with soil, you should make a depression and put a seedling in it.
If the seedlings are strongly stretched, you can lay the stalk, deepening it into the ground to the leaves. As a rule, Iberis in this form also takes root.
Thus, the timely picking of the Iberis seedlings will allow avoiding injury to the delicate roots. If there is free space, the bushes will grow stronger. This means that they will more easily transfer planting to open ground and will bloom more abundantly.