Content
Petunias are usually grown from seedlings. There are several ways to sow seeds; one of the most interesting is sowing on snow. It has some advantages over the conventional method that most gardeners use. The timing of sowing petunias in the snow for seedlings will depend on the region.
Is it possible to plant petunia in the snow?
There are several benefits to planting petunia seeds in snow. For example, small brown seeds are easier to sow because they become clearly visible on a white surface. They can be laid out evenly and where needed, whereas if you sprinkle them on dark ground, this often cannot be done correctly.
When the snow melts, it will moisten the soil and fill it with melt water, which is much more useful than usual. It is believed that it perfectly stimulates the germination of seeds after sowing and the growth of seedlings, while plain tap water does not have such properties.
When the first shoots appear, you need to ventilate the plantings 1-2 times a day
Sowing time
You can plant petunia seedlings in the snow at the end of winter - in February or in the first half of March.Sowing dates may vary depending on the climatic and weather conditions of the region and depend on the expected date of planting flowers in a greenhouse or in flower beds in open ground. Usually it takes 2-2.5 months from germination to transplantation. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate so that sowing takes place 2.5 months before the day when it will be possible to transfer the seedlings to a permanent place. The plant loves warmth; transplanted bushes can die from the spring cold snap, so they should be planted in the ground only after the frosts have subsided.
When to plant petunia in the snow for seedlings at home also depends on whether it is possible to provide it with all the growing conditions indoors: temperature, humidity, and most importantly, lighting. At the end of winter and beginning of spring, there is still not enough natural light; it is necessary to illuminate the seedlings using phytolamps or fluorescent lamps.
The quality of such seedlings will be low, and the beginning of flowering will be delayed.
How to properly sow petunia in the snow for seedlings
Before sowing petunia seedlings with snow, you need to prepare everything you need:
- seeds of a suitable variety;
- thin plastic containers (food grade can be used);
- substrate;
- snow.
The seeds do not need to be treated or soaked in any way before sowing; they must be dry. Containers - approximately 10 cm in height, small volume. A universal substrate is quite suitable, but it is best to take a special one - “for surfinias and petunias.” You can buy it at any vegetable growing store. It is already ready for use and does not require any preparatory treatment before sowing.
If there is no ready-made substrate, you can make it yourself.You need to make a mixture of good clean turf or leaf soil, fresh wet peat and coarse sand. Take the components in a ratio of 2:1:1. Mix everything thoroughly. Before planting petunia in the snow on such soil for seedlings, it must be spilled with a pink solution of potassium permanganate to destroy pathogens and pests that may be there. Leave for a day, then dry before use, the substrate should not be too wet. The second way to disinfect the soil mixture before sowing is to heat it in a warm oven for 0.5 hours.
How to sow petunia in the snow step by step can be seen in the photo:
- Pour the substrate into the container, without filling it to the top edge by 2-3 cm. Place a layer of snow 2 cm thick on top, compact it with a spoon.
- Carefully sow the seeds at a distance of 1.5 cm from each other. If one of them falls in the wrong place, you can move it with a toothpick or match.
- Sign the label with the name of the variety, cover the container with a transparent lid and place it on a bright windowsill.
There is no need to sprinkle the seeds on top with a layer of substrate. When the snow melts, they will settle and take the required position themselves.
The flower shoots should appear in about a week or a week and a half. While it is cold outside and there is snow, you can melt it and water the plants with melt water. It is much healthier for plants than tap water. The water should be warm, heated to room temperature.
Video about the sequence of planting petunia seedlings in the snow:
How to sow petunia in granules on snow
Seeds of varietal plants are sold not only in colorful paper bags, but also in small plastic flasks. They usually contain coated seeds.Dragees are brightly colored granules. They are also small, but much larger than ordinary seeds. The dragee shell is a specially selected mixture of growth stimulants, disinfectants and nutrients. They help plants grow faster and protect them from infection by fungal diseases.
It is easier to sow granulated petunia on snow than untreated petunia; the pellets are very large, placing them according to the pattern will be much easier. The sowing process itself looks exactly the same as in the case of ordinary seeds:
- Prepare planting containers, substrate, seeds and snow.
- Fill containers with soil mixture. There is no need to moisturize it.
- Place a layer of snow on top, level it and compact it.
- Distribute the seeds over the surface at a distance of 1.5 cm from each other. There is no need to sprinkle soil on top.
- After sowing, cover the container with a lid and place it in a well-lit place.
Then everything will happen, as in the first case: the snow layer will gradually melt, the seeds will settle down. The shells on them will gradually dissolve and the germination process will begin. You can also expect germination in about 1-1.5 weeks. When caring for plants, you can water them with warm melt water, rather than chlorinated tap water.
Granules or dragees are much more convenient to sow
Conclusion
Petunias are sowed in the snow for seedlings at the end of winter or early spring. Melt water stimulates seed germination and the growth of small seedlings. To get the best result, you must adhere to the rules of sowing and then caring for seedlings.
