We grow aquilegia by seeds: two ways
Unlike most garden plants, which prefer to propagate by division or cuttings, aquilegia is best grown by seed. Despite the fact that this plant has a rather powerful root system (in adult bushes, the roots can reach up to 70 cm in diameter), it does not tolerate transplanting well. In an effort to get a new flower, you can destroy the existing one.
Grow aquilegia from seeds in two ways:
- sowing them directly into open ground;
- growing seedlings first.
Features of sowing seeds in the garden
Aquilegia is sown in open ground in mid-April. To do this, make shallow holes or a long bed and spread the seeds, observing a distance of 25 cm between them. Sprinkle with a thin layer of earth and cover the crops with foil until sprouts appear. Then the shelter is removed and, if necessary, the seedlings are planted after the formation of 2-3 leaves.
To increase the germination of seeds, they are pre-stratified. In addition, the hard shell of the seed can be scratched with sandpaper to make it easier for the seed to peck.
The advantage of this method is that the seeds can be sown before winter. Aquilegia is quite cold-resistant and early shoots tolerate unstable spring temperatures well, but immediately after sowing in the fall, it is recommended to make a shelter in the garden. So the seeds will not be blown out by the wind.
When to sow seeds for seedlings?
They start growing seedlings a month earlier, in March. It is advisable to prepare the soil in the fall, mixing in equal parts:
- deciduous land;
- sand;
- turf.
For seedlings, deep containers will be needed - although the roots of aquilegia are weak, they are long. In the bowls, they will not have enough space for development, and the seedlings will be frail.
The seeds are kept in solution growth promoter and spread on the surface in containers with nutrient soil. Lightly sprinkle with earth on top. Before sprouts appear, the containers are covered with foil to create greenhouse conditions.
Strong and healthy aquilegia seedlings grow under good lighting conditions and a low room temperature (about 17 degrees Celsius). It is dived into separate cups when it grows up, and planted on a flowerbed towards the end of May.