Content
Growing osteosperm from seeds is carried out at normal room temperature and good lighting. At first, the plants are placed in a greenhouse, and the containers are covered with film or glass. Then they begin to ventilate and gradually reduce the temperature. And 10-15 days before transferring to open ground, osteospermum seedlings are hardened at low temperature.
Features of growing ostespermum through seedlings
Osteospermum (also called African chamomile) is a heat-loving plant, so it is advisable to transfer it to open ground at the end of May, and in Siberia and other regions with cool spring - at the beginning of June. There are no fundamental differences from growing seedlings, for example, tomatoes or cucumbers.
The seeds are treated and sown in well-loosened, fertile, light soil.Then greenhouse conditions are created, they are planted, fed, and 1-2 weeks before transfer to open ground they begin hardening.
What do osteospermum seeds look like?
Osteospermum seeds (pictured) are shaped like sunflower seeds. They are narrow, with pronounced ribbing, and have a pointed lower edge.
Osteospermum seeds are brown or brown in color, with a dark green tint.
When to plant osteospermum seeds
You can plant osteospermum seeds for seedlings in the spring. Transferring to open ground too early can damage the plant due to return frosts. The sowing period is from early March to mid-April, it mainly depends on the climatic characteristics of the region:
- In the Moscow region and the middle zone, you can sow osteospermum for seedlings in early April.
- In the North-West, Urals, Siberia and the Far East - in mid-April.
- In the southern regions - in the second ten days of March.
Planting osteospermum on seedlings
Planting seeds for seedlings is very simple; to do this, prepare the soil and soak them (for example, on a napkin) 1-2 hours before planting. There is no need to deepen it too much - just apply light pressure with a toothpick.
Selection of containers and soil preparation
You can grow seedlings from osteospermum seeds in individual containers (peat pots, plastic cups) or in cassettes with drainage holes. Picking is undesirable for this plant - its roots are too delicate, so they can easily be damaged even with slight impact. Containers are pre-disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate 1% or using other means.
The soil can be purchased at the store (universal soil for seedlings) or you can make it yourself based on the following components:
- turf soil (surface layer) – 1 part;
- humus – 1 part;
- sand – 2-3 zmen;
- wood ash - 1 cup.
Another way is to mix the following components in equal quantities:
- turf land;
- leaf soil;
- sand;
- humus.
It is recommended to disinfect the soil
For example, soak for several hours in a solution of potassium permanganate, then rinse thoroughly under running water and dry. An alternative way is to keep the soil in the freezer for 5-7 days, then remove it and leave it at room temperature for a day.
Preparation of seed material
The seeds do not need special preparation. It is enough to put them on a damp cloth or towel on the day of disembarkation (for several hours). If this is not possible, you can simply place them in a glass of warm water. It is advisable to dissolve several crystals of potassium permanganate in it to carry out additional disinfection.
Sowing osteospermum for seedlings
Before planting, the soil needs to be slightly dried and thoroughly loosened - osteospermum prefers very light, “airy” soil. Then the soil is poured into containers, after which the seeds are buried literally 5 mm and lightly sprinkled on top. If picking is not planned, you can plant one seed at a time, in other cases - 2-3 pieces per container.
Growing osteospermum seedlings from seeds
If you follow the conditions for growing osteosperm from seeds, the first shoots (pictured) will appear within a week.
Caring for seedlings is simple - the main thing is to ensure an acceptable temperature, water and sometimes feed the seedlings
Microclimate
Osteospermum is a heat-loving plant, so its seeds should be planted at a temperature of 23-25 °C. In the future, it can be reduced a little, but in any case, the minimum temperature in the room should be 20 ° C (i.e., normal room temperature).
To maintain a constant level of moisture and heat, it is necessary to cover the boxes with glass or film, in which several holes must first be made. The greenhouse will need to be ventilated periodically - this is especially important in the case of glass.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering should be regular but moderate. Water is added in thin streams or the soil is generously sprayed from a spray bottle to evenly distribute moisture. Excess liquid is also harmful, so it is important to maintain a balance, for example, water not every day, but 3-4 times a week.
You can feed the seedlings once - immediately after picking. Complex mineral fertilizer is added to the soil, due to which the seedlings will begin to grow faster.
Picking
As already mentioned, when planting osteospermum seeds for seedlings, you can immediately use individual containers so as not to have to replant the plants in the future. However, picking is allowed, but you need to act very carefully. The procedure can be started after three leaves appear. When transplanting, it is recommended to deepen the stem a little so that the seedling takes root in a new place.
Hardening
Hardening of osteospermum is carried out in early May, approximately 10-15 days after transfer to open ground. The temperature can be periodically lowered to 15-18 degrees. To do this, they begin to open the window in the room more often and ventilate it with a draft for several minutes. You can also take the containers out onto the balcony or loggia - first for 10 minutes, then gradually increase to 1 hour.
Another convenient way to help avoid picking is to grow osteospermum seeds in peat tablets
Transplantation into the ground
Growing osteospermum flowers from seeds continues until mid-May, after which the plant is transferred to open ground. In Siberia and other regions with an unfavorable climate, this can be done at the end of May, and in the south - at the beginning of the month. Osteospermum is planted in an open, slightly elevated and well-lit place. In this case, weak partial shade from taller shrubs and garden trees is allowed.
Planting is done in the traditional way. Drainage is placed in a shallow hole (diameter and depth up to 35-40 cm), then a mixture of humus and garden soil in equal quantities. Plants are planted at intervals of 20-25 cm, sprinkled with soil and watered abundantly. It is recommended to immediately mulch the soil - then it will retain moisture much longer. In addition, a layer of mulch (sawdust, hay, peat, straw) will not allow weeds to actively grow.
Bushes are planted at a short distance of 20-25 cm
Possible problems and their solutions
It is not difficult to follow the rules for caring for seedlings. But sometimes gardeners get carried away with watering, which causes the soil to become too wet. If you abuse this, the roots will rot and the plants will quickly die.
Therefore, watering can be divided into morning and evening (give a small volume).Moreover, it is better to spray the soil or pour it under the root so that the drops do not fall on the leaves. It is recommended to pre-settle the water.
Another problem is that osteospermum seedlings begin to stretch out. In this case, you need to pinch the top - and the side shoots will confidently begin to grow.
How to collect osteospermum seeds
Collecting the seeds of this plant is beneficial because it allows you to breed a specific variety. In addition, purchased bags contain only 8-10 grains, while at home you can collect an unlimited number.
The seeds ripen in capsules, and unlike asters, they are located on the outer (reed) petals, and not on the inner ones, which have a tubular shape. Harvesting begins at the end of August or beginning of September. The boxes should be completely dry, and the seeds themselves should acquire a brown-green color.
After collection, the seeds are dried and stored in paper or canvas bags made of natural fabric. You can use other bags, but not plastic bags or containers. For example, you can place the seeds in a candy box and make several holes in it.
The container is placed in the refrigerator and stored all winter at temperatures from 0 to +5 degrees. It is advisable to plant the next season, because after 2 years the germination rate drops significantly, and after 3 years it is zero.
Conclusion
Growing osteosperm from seeds is not as difficult as it seems. Despite the fact that African chamomile is heat-loving, loves moisture and light, you can provide such conditions at home.It is important not to give excess water, to light regularly (especially in the first stages) and not to sow seeds too early.
