Nemesia: growing from seeds at home

Growing nemesia from seeds at home has been practiced by gardeners for many years. Despite the fact that the plant’s homeland is Africa, and the flower prefers a tropical climate, it takes root well in the flowerbeds of summer residents in the summer. Nemesia is a perennial plant, but in central Russia it is grown as an annual.

Nemesia has more than 50 varieties

Description and photo of nemesia seeds

Seeds for nemesia seedlings are purchased from nurseries or collected independently from last year's seedlings. After flowering, instead of a bud, a box with small grains is formed. They are represented by black grains measuring 2-3 mm in diameter, covered with light hairs.

Important! The flower does not produce the same color in the second generation.

At the beginning of September, the seed material is collected and processed:

  1. Using scissors, carefully cut off the head of the plant.
  2. Remove the top of the box.
  3. Grains are poured onto a white sheet of paper.
  4. Leave them on the windowsill for 2 days to dry.
  5. Pour into a glass or plastic container with a lid.
  6. Leave it in this form until the seedlings are prepared for the next season.

Seed material is stored in a dry place. If moisture gets inside, the material will rot.

Nemesia fruits are covered with a protective fluffy layer

The nuances of growing nemesia seedlings

The timing of sowing nemesia seedlings depends on the purpose of cultivation. If you keep the plant in open ground, then sowing work is carried out in early March. And if you leave flowers in pots to decorate a balcony or attic, then in February.

The process of preparing seedlings includes several nuances:

  1. Seedlings love moisture, but do not overwater them.
  2. Prepare all the necessary materials in advance.
  3. Drainage is placed inside the container and a hole is made at the bottom.
  4. The root tap is dense, it is recommended to use tall cups.
  5. For successful cultivation, it is necessary to create a suitable microclimate.
  6. The later the grains are sown, the later the flowering will occur.
  7. The roots of seedlings do not tolerate frequent picking.
  8. Caring for seedlings is the same as caring for adult plants.

It is advisable to follow all planting and growing rules in order to obtain healthy seedlings. Also, picking is carried out at certain times. If this is not done, the seedlings may become infected with fungus and die.

Nemesia comes in all the colors of the rainbow

How to sow nemesia seedlings at home

From the photo, nemesia seedlings look strong after growing the seeds. To get the same result, follow a number of rules:

  • sowing dates;
  • landing technique;
  • selection of containers;
  • feeding;
  • watering;
  • microclimate;
  • picking;
  • hardening;
  • transplantation into open ground.

Each of the moments has its own characteristics that should be studied in advance. Healthy plants will decorate any flower bed with their varied flowers.

When to sow nemesia for seedlings

Sowing nemesia seeds for seedlings is carried out at certain times. For outdoor cultivation, work begins in early March. By the end of May, the seedlings will be ready for transplanting.

If flowers are left in large pots to decorate the balcony, then the time frame is delayed by 1 month. So the flowering of nemesia will last until the end of September. At home, the plant is grown as a perennial.

Important! To preserve the color of the mother bush, propagation is carried out by cuttings.

The first shoots after sowing appear in 10-14 days

Selection of container and soil preparation

Plant nemesia seeds as seedlings in a common container. Since the grains are small, it is difficult to sow several of them in a small container. After the appearance of two true leaves, thinning is carried out, and the seedlings are planted in separate containers. For the first stage of germination use:

  • cake box;
  • wide pot;
  • Plastic container;
  • cardboard box.

After germination, the seedlings are transferred to other containers. Nemesia does not like frequent pickings; it is advisable to use boxes made of natural material. Suitable:

  • plastic glasses;
  • peat boxes;
  • half of plastic bottles;
  • foam glasses;
  • cardboard containers.

The frame of the container should consist of breathable material, so the root system of the plant will be strengthened and there will be no rot.

Seedlings grow at home for 3 months

Planting nemesia seeds

The flower grains are small and it is difficult to plant them individually. The color of the grains is black and they are easily lost in the light. Experienced gardeners have come up with a way out of this situation:

  1. The required amount of soil is poured into the container for planting.
  2. A layer of snow is poured on top.
  3. Scatter the grains evenly onto the surface.
  4. Leave the snow to melt.
  5. Cover the plantings with transparent glass or cling film.
  6. Leave it like this for 14 days.
  7. Ventilate the container daily for 30 minutes.
  8. Thinning is done, all weak shoots are removed.
  9. After the appearance of the second true leaf, the seedlings are planted in separate glasses.

This is a lightweight option for planting grains. There are gardeners who prefer to grow nemesia directly in small containers. Step-by-step instruction:

  1. A hole is made at the bottom of each glass to drain excess moisture.
  2. A drainage layer in the form of expanded clay or peat is laid at the bottom.
  3. Fill the container with soil to the top, leaving 1 cm from the edge.
  4. Lay out a layer of snow.
  5. Take a simple pencil, moisten the flat side in water and dip it into the grains.
  6. Place a few grains on it and puncture the soil.
  7. Cover with transparent glass or cling film.
  8. Remove the film after emergence.
  9. Leave in this form until transferred to open ground.

3 weeks after planting, young seedlings are thinned

There is a lazy sowing option. However, the germination rate of grains using this method is lower than the first two. Instructions:

  1. Take a large container, fill it halfway with drainage and soil.
  2. The remaining soil is mixed with grains and water, and the top layer is sealed.
  3. Cover with transparent glass or cellophane film.
  4. I perform the same manipulations as in the first instructions.

The first two weeks the seedlings are sprayed with water. There is no need to water the plantings; you can wash the seeds onto the surface.

How to grow nemesia from seeds

At home, nemesia seedlings quickly gain green mass. Seedlings require certain care during this period.

Microclimate

When the seedlings get stronger and grow, the film is removed from the surface.The seedlings are transferred to a well-lit place with diffused light. The room temperature during this period should not exceed + 10 0C. On day 30, increase the air temperature to 13 0C. Constantly monitor the condition of the soil; it should not dry out.

Important! Low temperature in the place of storage will help to avoid stretching of seedlings.

Watering and fertilizing schedule

Planting nemesia seedlings includes watering and fertilizing. On the 30th day after emergence, the plants are watered. A mixture of potassium and phosphorus is added to the water. You can use special mineral compositions that are sold in stores.

Watering is carefully monitored; the soil of the nemesia must not be allowed to dry out. She reacts sharply to this, the seedlings may die.

Nemesia loves moisture, water it every day at the root or by spraying

Picking

Young seedlings are planted in separate containers after two or three true leaves appear. This is done carefully so as not to damage the root system. Before planting, moisten the soil generously.

Hardening

2 weeks before transferring to open ground, nemesia is hardened on the balcony. They do this gradually. On the first day they are taken out for 1 hour, on the next day - for 2 hours. Increase the time daily until it reaches 12 hours.

Weak plants will die, only strong flowers will remain. These are the ones that will be transplanted into the flowerbed in the future.

Transplantation into the ground

Nemesia is transferred to open ground at the end of May or beginning of June. By this point, night frosts have completely receded, and the earth is warming up. Instructions:

  1. Digging up a flower bed.
  2. Remove all stones and plant roots.
  3. Apply mineral fertilizers.
  4. Dig holes 15 cm in diameter, leaving a distance of 20-30 cm between them.
  5. Pour water into the hole and wait for it to be absorbed.
  6. Transfer the nemesia into the hole along with a lump of earth.
  7. Close up the roots.
  8. Water it with water.
  9. Place a layer of mulch around to retain moisture.

Nemesia quickly absorbs moisture, so the plants are mulched to retain water at the roots. This also helps avoid frequent weeding.

Conclusion

Growing nemesia from seeds at home is not difficult. Tropical plants quickly germinate and gain green mass. Nemesia is unpretentious in terms of soil composition. The flower has a variety of colors in all shades of the rainbow. It is often used in landscape design.

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