The uniqueness of growing a flower from seed is that you can grow your own copy that does not look like a parent plant. Reproduction is a complex process that requires maximum concentration and knowledge of some nuances.
The article will give step by step instructions on how to prepare for sowing seeds, show them the photo.
Breeding methods
There are only two main ways: seed and vegetative (using cuttings, dividing the bush). Pelargonium hybrids that have been grown from their own seeds do not possess the properties of a parent. To preserve the necessary characteristics, they are propagated solely by vegetation.
It is interesting for experienced flower growers to independently grow one or another variety of pelargonium from seeds. You can use your purchased grain. A flower grown from seed blooms more abundantly and longer than the one that grew from a cutting.
Features of planting material
It looks like flower seeds resemble coffee grains. They are located in the seed box. One of the sides is slightly convex, and the second is flat, with a marked dividing line. Color - rich brown. A small downy umbrella acts as a dense shell covering the seeds. After ripening, the box bursts and fruits appear in its place.
At emergence of flowers on a pelargonium, it is worth taking care of seeds. Possible option of artificial pollination. You can transfer the pollen using a needle or tweezers. In the very center of the plant there are 10 stamens and 1 pistil with a stigma. It is necessary to carefully take the pollen from one flower and transfer it to the stigma of another pistil, which was supposed to bloom a few days before. Pollination by a similar method can be done many times.
Now how to collect the ripened seeds. After pollination has occurred, after 4-5 days, the bar begins its growth. The fruit is a box - pointed and elongated. The fruit will burst immediately after the seeds ripen. Slightly oblong seeds, which are covered with light villi, hang on thin and dense threads.
Harvesting takes place when the grains are fully ripe. Dry open boxes are considered to be witnesses of maturity.
Attention! It is necessary to ensure that the seeds do not fall out and do not germinate, because in this case, their storage will be impossible.
We offer to watch a video about the collection and features of planting material:
A photo
In the photo below you can see what the seed looks like.
How to grow a flower?
When to sow?
Pelargonium sowing at home can be carried out even all year round. The main thing is to provide additional light. The optimal period for the procedure is the end of February or March. Later sowing threatens to overstretch the shoots, and flowering will not appear earlier than in 9-10 months.
Soil and Seed Preparation
There are several options:
- Mix equal portions of sand, peat, compost and humus.
- Combine 2 parts of garden land with 1 part of peat and sand.
- Peat diluted with perlite 1: 1.
Before sowing, the substrate must be disinfected: ignite a couple of minutes in the oven. This is done to avoid infection. Also for processing fungicides or manganese are taken.
Careful selection of material for planting, guarantees the growth of a flower quickly and without problems. When selecting seeds, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Colour. Bright brown shade - a sign of high-quality grains. Matte color is allowed.
- The form. A healthy seed has an elongated shape, and on its sides are small depressions.
The size. Large material is selected for planting.- Shell The texture of the seeds is leathery and dense.
The size. Large material is selected for planting.Seeds that have the following characteristics are not suitable:
- Small in size.
- The presence of various deformations.
- Flat.
- The surface of the seed is stained.
How to plant?
Sowing with peat tablets
- You need to take a pill of medium size.
- Put them in a rather deep container and fill with warm water.
- Wait until they increase 5-6 times.
- Place a seed in a special hole, and then slightly cover up with peat from a tablet.
- Next, the container is placed in a warm place, pre-covered with glass or thick film. Over the next 1-2 weeks, the first shoots will appear.
Pot Selection
To germinate pelargonium, you need small pots, 3-4 cm deep. Such a container can be bought at a flower shop or made yourself. Growing takes place in a box, pot. Select the capacity should be in accordance with the size of the roots. It is not necessary to repot until the plant becomes crowded.
It is recommended to plant a flower in clay pots, as they freely let in fresh air and moisture. Plastic is better not to take, because it can lead to decay of the underground part of pelargonium.
Soil selection
The land should be fertile and loose. Clay, loamy and acidic soils are not suitable. Experienced growers are advised to independently prepare the substrate. In store soil, saplings are weaker, late shoots, bushes grow thin, on the contrary, thick stems, flowering is not luxuriant and faded.
Aftercare
Moisture mode
Too wet soil adversely affects the flower. May cause a disease called "black leg". It instantly develops and destroys the plant. In order to avoid this ailment, there must be a layer of drainage in the pot and an opening through which excess fluid will flow.
How to water young shoots?
Watering mode is definitely worth to follow. For the formation of a beautiful and healthy bush requires timely watering. The procedure is carried out only after the top layer of soil dries. After picking into separate containers - watering no more than 2 times a week. In winter, the frequency is reduced to 1 time in seven days.
Growing pelargonium at home from seed allows growers to get a richly flowering plant. Important conditions are the selection of seeds, compliance with all recommendations for planting and proper care for young shoots. Now you know everything about planting and caring for pelargonium.
