Content
Purslane belongs to the category of rare plants, distinguished by excellent external characteristics and practical value in the culinary field. It can be easily grown in any conditions and is unpretentious. But growing terry purslane from seeds is best done in a temperate climate zone.
Description of purslane seeds with photos
Purslane is best known to people as an additive to certain types of soups, marinades and salads. The plant is divided into several types, each of which contains many vitamins and minerals.
Popular varieties include:
- Terry purslane. This species is considered large-flowered. The plant has a short stature. Easy to care for.
- Garden or annual. Growing purslane from seeds allows you to produce small flowers. Differs in yellow color. The stem branches heavily. Edible, recognized as a medicinal plant.
- Purslane ampelous. This species is a hybrid. Petals can be either double or simple.The stem is branched. More suitable for decorating alpine slides, loggias and gazebos.
- Large-flowered species. It is annual. This is one of the first representatives to be grown in Europe. The buds can be of three colors: yellow, white and red. The height of the stems does not exceed 30 cm.
Any variety of purslane has a long flowering period. The buds can be pleasing to the eye until the first frost. If you plant terry purslane from seeds and grow it in the cool season, then you can put it in a warm and well-lit place for the winter.
The nuances of growing purslane seedlings
Many people dream of growing purslane from seeds in their dacha. There's nothing complicated about it. Most gardeners are of the opinion that it is better to plant a flowering crop in the form of seedlings. But for the whole process to go smoothly, several nuances must be taken into account.
Many experts say that it is better to sow purslane seeds between February and March. In some cases, plant cultivation is allowed in April.
It is necessary to keep the seedlings warm. Indoor air temperature should not fall below +22 degrees.
Planting purslane seeds for seedlings
Growing purslane from seeds for seedlings is also possible at home. If a favorable environment for the plant is created, the first seedlings will appear after 7-14 days.
When growing seedlings, it is necessary to periodically moisten the soil - this rule is one of the main ones. The water should be settled and at room temperature. Watering is done from below.
When to sow purslane for seedlings
Many gardeners wonder when is the best time to plant purslane grandiflora and how to grow it from seeds.There is nothing complicated about this, because the seedlings are unpretentious in care.
It is better to plant flower crops in February-March. But in order for the seedlings to grow well, it is necessary to install an ultraviolet lamp. You can plant the plant in April-May. Then the seedlings are placed on the windowsill. Thanks to long daylight hours, the seeds will grow faster.
Selection of container and soil preparation
If you plant purslane seeds as seedlings, it will take a little time. In order for the plant to grow better, it is worth purchasing a special soil mixture in the store, as it is enriched with essential microelements. In addition to all this, such soil has good air and water permeability, looseness and lightness. It is not recommended to use black soil, compost and humus.
You can use bowls, boxes, pots or peat tablets as containers
How to plant purslane seeds
Planting purslane seeds can be done at home. The grains are small in size. There is no need to disinfect them; just mix them with hot sand.
Some gardeners are of the opinion that without treatment with a manganese solution, seedlings will grow poorly. Therefore, you need to perform several manipulations:
- Seeds are poured into a bag of gauze folded in 2 layers.
- Then place it in a warm solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes.
- After this, the bag is gently squeezed out and the seeds are dried.
Only after all the manipulations have been carried out can you begin to sow purslane for seedlings.
The technology for planting grains is as follows:
- The seeds are mixed with sand in equal parts.
- Take a pot, peat tablet or glass with drainage holes. A layer of gravel is poured. The top is covered with universal primer, preheated in the oven. Water with settled water.
- Grains are laid on the surface of the soil. There should be a distance of at least 1 cm between the seeds.
- Then the grains are carefully introduced into the soil.
In order for the seedlings to grow better, the top is covered with polyethylene.
Growing purslane seedlings at home
Sowing purslane seedlings can also be done at home. Care consists of periodic watering. This is necessary for normal growth of seedlings.
When growing such a crop, various fertilizers are not required; the soil does not need to be loosened or weeded.
Microclimate
At a temperature of 35-37 degrees, the first seedlings will appear in 5-7 days. If the indicator is below 22 degrees, then the purslane may not sprout.
To retain heat in the soil, polyethylene or glass is used. After the first seedlings appear, the shelter is gradually removed. First, open for a few minutes 5-6 times a day. Each time the time is increased. After about 3-4 days, the shelter is completely removed.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Before the first shoots appear, the soil should be treated with a spray bottle. To make the plant grow better, water it daily through a tray - this option is considered the most optimal for growing purslane.
In this case, the humidity should be moderate. Seedlings should not be overwatered, otherwise this will lead to the development of fungal diseases.
Particular attention is paid to water for irrigation. It is better to take the settled liquid. It won't be so tough and dirty.
It is not necessary to feed purslane. Some gardeners fertilize the soil with nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers. These manipulations are carried out once every 3-4 weeks.
Picking
After the first true leaves appear on the seedlings, you can start picking. This will happen about a month after sowing.
Although the plant loves warmth and light, after picking it is recommended to move it to the shade for a while
Hardening
After the seedlings have acquired sufficient size, it is necessary to begin preparations for replanting in open ground. To avoid unnecessary stress and premature death of the plant, seedlings should be hardened off.
To do this, the seedlings need to be taken out to the balcony or placed on a windowsill with an open window. The main thing is that there are no drafts.
Transplantation into the ground
Purslane loves sun and warmth, so it is better to replant it in a well-lit place. The soil should be sandy, sandy loam or rocky. It is important to avoid stagnation of water. The plant feels better in mountainous areas.
It is necessary to replant the flower into the ground when the soil warms up to 20 degrees. This time usually falls in May-June. Transplant the seedlings into holes at a distance of 15-30 cm from each other. In the first 3 weeks, purslane is watered every day, then as needed.
It is recommended to carry out the plant transplantation process in cloudy weather or in the evening. This will make the flower’s adaptation easier.
Conclusion
Growing terry purslane from seeds will bring pleasure to any gardener. Even a beginner can handle the plant, because the flower does not require special care. Purslane is considered unpretentious and tolerates the adverse effects of various pests well. But there are important conditions - moderate watering, warmth and light. By following all the planting rules, you will be able to achieve the appearance of a beautiful flower garden.
