Planting lobelia seeds for seedlings: sowing dates in 2021, rules for growing and care

Lobelia is one of the most beautiful border flowers that can decorate any flower bed, thanks to which it is actively used in landscape design.

Growing flower seedlings from seeds at home is not an easy task, the plant requires proper care during the entire growth process.

Choosing seeds for planting lobelia seedlings

First you need to decide which lobelia will bloom in your summer cottage - annual or perennial.

The most popular varieties one-year lobelias are: Blue Fountain, Sapphire, White and Royal Palace, Red Cascade and Crystal Palace.

Perennial Lobelia varieties are represented by such varieties as: Fire, Cardinal, Cozy Corner, Syphilitic.

It is important to focus on the following points:

• Ampelny lobelia need constant care, while they have a rather loose shape and bloom relatively weakly.
• Bush lobelia require much less maintenance than ampelia. But they bloom much more profusely and magnificently, growing in the form of a dense and low ball.

As for the color of lobelia, you should know this:

• White lobelias are very difficult to sprout and develop slowly.
• On the contrary, blue-blue lobelias sprout much faster and are more resistant.
• The most capricious are lilac and purple lobelia - they rarely sprout and do not bloom magnificently.

How to plant lobelia seedlings

Before you start planting lobelia seeds, you need to decide on the timing of planting. Then prepare the soil mixture and planting containers.

When to plant seedlings in 2021

Planting lobelia seeds for seedlings should be at the end of winter - starting from the last week of February and throughout March... However, some particularly advanced gardeners sow seeds as early as January, but in this case, the flower will need additional lighting, otherwise the seedlings will develop very slowly and stretch out. Therefore, the timing and time of planting lobelia for seedlings also depend on the capabilities of the grower.

According to the lunar calendar in 2021

Choosing the optimal date for sowing seeds can help you Moon calendar.

Lobelia can be either an annual (annual) or a perennial plant, each of which has its own dates according to the lunar calendar. However, most often (in cold and harsh winters), it is grown as an annual plant.

So favorable days for sowing annual lobelia in 2021 according to the lunar calendar are:

• in January - 27-29.
• in February - 1-8, 10-20, 25-29;
• in March - 2-8, 10-14, 29-31;
• in April - 1, 2, 5-7, 9, 17-20, 24, 25;
• in May - 2-6, 15-17, 20, 21, 25-31;
• in June - 2-4, 7-9, 11-14, 16-19.

Auspicious days for sowing perennial (biennial) lobelia in 2021 according to the lunar calendar are:

• in January - 27-31;
• in February - 1-8, 10-20, 25-29;
• in March - 4-6, 12-14, 26-31;
• in April - 1, 2, 5-7, 9, 13-15, 24, 25;
• in May - 2-6, 15-17, 20, 21, 25-31;
• in June - 2-4, 6-9, 11-14, 23-25.

Unfavorable days according to the lunar calendar for 2021 for sowing lobelia, the following dates are (days of the Full Moon and New moons, as well as the period when the Moon is in Aquarius, because it is a barren and dry sign - italicized):

• in January - 13, 14-15, 28;
• in February - 10-11, 27;
• in March - 9-10, 13, 28;
• in April - 5-6, 12, 27;
• in May - 2-4, 11, 26, 30-31;
• in June - 10, 24, 26-27;

Capacity and substrate

The capacity for sowing lobelia is not critical. It can be both plastic containers, pots and cups, and special cassettes for seedlings or even boxes of milk or kefir.

Naturally, lobelia can also be planted in peat tablets.

To grow lobelia seedlings, you need a loose, airy and non-acidic soil. If you don't feel like bothering yourself and preparing it yourself, then buy a universal substrate for flower seedlings at a garden store.

By the way! If you are preparing the soil for lobelia seedlings with your own hands, then be sure not to forget it disinfect in one of the ways, however, as well as bought in the store. For example, by steaming in the oven (or in the microwave) and spilling with a solution of the drug Fitosporin (according to instructions).

Recipe for homemade lobelia plant nutrient substrate:

• 1/4 humus;
• 2/4 high peat;
• 1/4 sand.

Direct landing

Sowing lobelia seeds is done very superficially. They should not be embedded inside the soil.

Note! Lobelia seeds are very small, so experienced flower growers recommend mixing them withsandto be subsequently evenly distributed over the planting container.

A popular and rather interesting way of planting lobelia seedlings is sowing seeds on snow. It is very simple to do this (if, of course, you have snow outside your window): you just need to place the seeds on top of the snow. The snow will begin to melt gradually, and the seeds themselves will be pulled into the ground.

Another intricate way: moisten the tip with water toothpicks, then we dip into the seeds and every 2 cm, slightly turning the toothpick, touch them to the ground.

A more traditional planting method is to shed seeds from earlier folded sheet of paper.

Whichever way you sow the seeds, the last step is shelter pre-moistened soil with a spray bottle with crops with a plastic container lid or plastic wrap (you can even cover it with glass if you like).

Important! You need to put the container only on a warm and not ventilated window sill. Young lobelia crops should not be disturbed by drafts.

Video: how to grow lobelia from seeds - planting

How to care for lobelia seedlings after planting

It takes from 5 to 10 days to wait for the first friendly shoots of lobelia, although it usually takes less than a week if you did everything correctly when sowing.

Experienced gardeners advise in the first days after the emergence of lobelia shoots, it is imperative to use special lamps for additional lighting. These can be both expensive phytolamps and more economical LED ones.

The temperature at which lobelia seedlings grow well at home is +20 - .. + 22 degrees.

By the way! Remember to regularly remove condensation water that collects on the lid.

As the seedlings grow, the cover (film) should be gradually removed. Starting from 10-20 minutes in the morning and in the evening, gradually bringing this time to several hours, and then, when the sprouts are finally strengthened, it can already be completely removed.

Lobelia is a very moisture-loving plant, but you should know that it has very fragile roots, which, moreover, are located in the uppermost layers of the earth.

Video: how to grow lobelia - seedling care

Watering and feeding

The correct watering of newly appeared lobelia sprouts is carried out with a small spoon along the edges of the container, in no case on the plants (therefore, the use of a spray bottle in the first days of the plant's life is not recommended).

Do not forgetthat the water for irrigation should be settled and warm.

Do not let the earth dry out, otherwise the small plant will not be able to survive and will quickly die.

It is very convenient to monitor the moisture content of the sand.

Advice! Watering methods for lobelia seedlings:

• from the pharmacy syringe by removing the needle.
• medical syringe;
• pouring water into the pan.

As a rule, young crops of lobelia seedlings do not need feeding and fertilization. However, the growing seedlings should be protected from diseases with the biological product "Glyocladin", which suppresses various infections in the soil. Application rate - 1 tablet for 300-400 ml. soil. The tablet is laid directly in the ground with seedlings in a free area.

Worth knowing! Excessive soil moisture can lead to the appearanceblack leg, which can no longer be cured, you can only get rid of the affected seedlings as soon as possible in order to save the seedlings untouched by the disease.

Picking

A pick of lobelia seedlings should be carried out when 2-3 leaves appear. This is definitely done bundles 5-10 shoots each. As a tool, you can use the most common teaspoon or any other device.

By the way! The site already has a detailed article about lobelia's pick.

For better survival of the cut seedlings, it can be shed with a preparation "Energen"... Consumption - 1 ml. means (or 15 drops) for 2 liters of water.

Video: picking lobelia seedlings

Important! The site already has a detailed article about lobelia's pick.

Pinch for lush bloom

When the height of lobelia seedlings reaches 5-7 cm and it already has 5-6 true leaves, you can pinch the tops of the plants, which will have a beneficial effect on the more magnificent formation and flowering of bushes.

Advice! Moreover, it is better not to pinch, but to cut it with sharp scissors.

When and how to plant lobelia seedlings outdoors

Before planting lobelia seedlings in open ground, you need to take care of its hardening. When the air temperature warms up to + 11-14 degrees, start taking the planting containers outside, first for 20-30 minutes, and then for longer periods.

Lobelia seedlings can be planted both in open ground and in pots or balcony boxes. Or you can sit down and leave at home. Planting is carried out, as in the case of a pick, that is, in groups (beams), at a distance of about 15-20 cm. The timing of planting lobelia seedlings in open ground differs depending on the climate of the region. That is why you can start planting it from the end of May to mid-June.

Note! Please note that the flower does not tolerate direct sunlight and severe drought. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right place for its further maintenance and cultivation.

Thus, growing lobelia from seeds at home is not a trivial process, but it will more than pay for itself in the future. The seedlings that have gained strength during the growth period will certainly delight you with their colors throughout the summer.