WINTER SEEDING NUANCES

What flowers to sow in December

December is an unconventional period for crops (I usually start in February-March), because most seeds need light to germinate, which is sorely lacking in winter. But if the seeds fall into the hands before spring, then I sow without delay. This is especially true for those who quickly lose germination., let's say, abutilon. A big plus of winter sowing - bottom heating on a radiator is available. For overheating, I put a foam plate under the bowl.

TRAINING

Hard seeds (date palm, dates, strelitzia, likuala, caesalpinia) I definitely scarify - I file, breaking the outer shell, but without damaging the insides. Then the seeds are from 3 mm and more I soak on 2-3 hours in a warm pink solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. Then I change it to warm water with "Epin": 2 drops on 100 ml, to speed up germination. Soaking times for each plant are individual: eg,strelicii — 12 hours, plumeria — 8-12, passionflower, ficus - day, likualy — 2-3 days. If you need to soak for a long time, then I change the water periodically, since it should be warm. For very small and dusty seeds, I spray the soil with "Epin" before sowing.

What flowers to sow in December

I use clean containers: small clay or plastic pots, for a large number of crops - wide low bowls. Drainage holes are required. At the bottom I put small expanded clay or pieces of foam. Then I pour in an earthen substrate - universal soils with the addition of a baking powder (vermiculite) level and slightly crush. I spill it with a pink solution of potassium permanganate and let it dry. Or I pre-calcify the soil in the oven 15-20 minutes at 200 city, and cool.

Sprinkle the seeds with earth, following the rule: the layer should be twice as thick as the size of the seed. But this does not apply to very small seeds. (gloxinia, me-dinilla, cifia). I lay them out on the surface of the ground.

I moisten crops from a spray bottle, which does not cause waterlogging of the substrate and lodging of seedlings.

I sprout seeds in a greenhouse in the light (for any plants, only if there is no note in the instructions, that it takes darkness to germinate, eg, as in asparagus). In winter I put crops under supplementary lighting, if there is a place or seedlings have already appeared. To create greenhouse conditions, I use bags or the top of a plastic bottle. Every day I take shelter on 15-20 minutes, so that the earth does not grow moldy. Removing condensation: I wipe the bottle, I wipe the bag and, turned inside out, I put it on the pot with the dry side. When the seedlings are released 3-4 list, I start to gradually increase the airing time.

Seedlings with 3-4 I dive with leaves into small plastic pots or disposable plastic cups with drainage holes and drainage at the bottom. I use a toothpick for transplanting - I gently dig around the stalk at a distance 1-1,5 cm and transfer the plant with a clod of earth to a separate container.

I don’t feed crops and seedlings.

WHAT ROOM FLOWERS TO SOW IN DECEMBER – VIEWABOUT

© Author: Inna KRAVCHENKO, collector, @crazy_pottedjungle