Painstaking cultivation of lobelia seedlings
Designers recommend decorating an alpine slide with a living waterfall of sky-blue, blue or purple flowers. Unpretentious lobelia will become the highlight of this paradise. Growing lobelia seedlings on your own makes it possible to get beautiful bushes. The event is held from February 15 to mid-March.
Lobelia: sowing seeds for seedlings
When buying planting material, it is important to pay attention to the date. After 6-12 months, seed germination drops sharply. Since the herbaceous plant develops slowly, the food container is selected not very deep.
It is filled in:
- agroperlite;
- coconut fiber;
- vermiculite;
- peat.
The main feature of such a soil mixture is moisture and breathability. This soil structure prevents stagnation water. Further, the earth is abundantly moistened. When the liquid is absorbed, the lobelia seeds are sown on the surface. Spray them again from the spray bottle (1-2 presses) so that they fixed in the soil.
A mini-seeder is made from a smooth sheet of paper folded in half. Planting material is poured inside. Then the seeds are shaken out with light strokes of the fingers on the upper rib.
The container is closed and placed in a warm place: 18-20˚С. Periodically spray the crops, but so that they are not wet. Light duration days must be at least 12 hours.
Picking lobelia and its subsequent planting in open ground
As soon as 2-3 independent leaves have formed, the seedlings are prepared for a pick. Usually it is carried out a month later, after sowing. Prepare cassettes with nutrient soil (with humus or compost) and drain holes. The transplant is carried out in bundles (4-6 pcs.). The seedlings are slightly pressed so that they are fixed, after which they are sprayed.
The conditions for keeping the dived seedlings remain the same: 18-20˚С, daylight hours up to 12-14 hours. At the same time, flower growers closely monitor the condition of the sprouts. Sometimes they need additional lighting.
After about 1.5 months, the lobelia is transplanted to the garden bed (late May or early June).
Since the herbaceous plant loves fertile and loose soils, they add to the planting holes:
- sand;
- fertile soil;
- compost.
This will provide a good foundation for the seedlings to root. Before the start of the transplant, the cassettes are spilled abundantly with water. After a couple of hours, the seedlings (together with the earthen clod) are removed, sent to the holes (interval - 50 cm) and covered with earth. The surface of the flower bed is covered with mulch, which will protect the sprouts from overheating, as well as exposing the root system. In conclusion, the area is watered abundantly. Now the florist can only monitor the well-being of his "ward".