Growing clariki seedlings and seedless methods: planting and care

Bright variegation and simultaneous lightness of the inflorescences of clarke beckons to look closer to the wondrous annuals. In the garden, they resemble multicolored clouds, which for some unknown circumstances entangled in the green stems of low grass. Closer it seems as if someone purposely strung on delicate pubescent twigs of delicate roses of scarlet, purple and purple tones.

It turns out that, despite the visual appeal, the plant does not require special conditions for its growth. After a long reading of special literature and communication with experienced growers, we know all about clarke and will be happy to share this knowledge with you.

Growing through seedlings

The best way to get clarke many call seed breeding. Planting seeds is very simple and does not cause any difficulties even for beginners.

Some flower growers first grow seedlings, while others immediately plant seeds at a permanent place in a flower bed. We will understand in more detail when to plant Clarky on seedlings and how to do it correctly.

Optimal timing

In the wild, Clarkia dissolves its lush inflorescences in May and June. From the beginning of the growing season to flowering takes about two months.

Given this feature of the culture, sowing seeds for seedlings should be planned no later than the first weeks of March, but if you want the buds to appear a little earlier, you can sow in late February.

Soil selection

In relation to the composition of the soil, the clarke has its own requirements, and if they are not taken into account, the flower cannot develop. The substrate must be light, loose, moist and slightly acidic.

Therefore, in cases when you are dealing with heavy earth, in order not to destroy the flower, be sure to add the same part of the sand.

The ideal option for planting seedlings is a mixture of equal parts of peat, sand, rotted humus and twice the amount of sheet soil. All you need to mix well to avoid lumps.

For disinfection of the prepared substrate from fungal and bacterial pathogens, it should be calcined in the oven or steamed in a water bath.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

First you need to take care of the presence of wide shallow boxes with special divisions for each germ. When everything is ready, fill the tank with earth, level it and scatter the seeds on top, slightly pressing them with a spatula to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. Then sprinkle your “bed” with clean warm water from a spray bottle and cover with glass.

Some housewives share the experience of planting seeds on seedlings in peat tablets. They are placed in small plastic cups, watered and deepen into the grain.Then, to create a greenhouse effect, cover with other cups. With such agrotechnics, Clarkia develops much better, and besides, when transplanting into open ground, seedlings do not injure the root system.

Conditions for germinating seeds

The first shoots of planted seeds will appear in two weeks. Therefore, it is important to immediately create a comfortable environment for their germination. To this end, remove the box with the "bed" or plastic cups in a warm place away from direct sunlight. The room should have good ventilation and dry air, and the soil in the container should be sprayed on time.

Care of entrances

After sprouting sprouts and the appearance of 2-3 leaves on them, you can not cover the seedlings with glass, but do not remove the container from the previous place. For further development of the shoots are important heat and moisture. Make sure that the earth com does not dry out.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Clarion seedlings should be transplanted to open ground. as soon as possible. Sprouts at an early age do not react so painfully to a similar procedure. But do not forget about the temperature of air and soil. We will understand in detail.

Optimal timing

Clarkia is a cold-resistant culture, and this fact should be taken into account when growing seedlings from seeds. As soon as the soil warms up sufficiently, which reduces the risk of bacterial diseases of the roots, you can begin to transplant sprouts into a flower bed. The best period for this is the last two weeks of April.

Selection and preparation of the site for planting

An ideal place for a plant in a garden or a flower garden is a dry area filled with sunlight, on which nothing will cast a shadow. Preparatory work on a specific area is recommended to begin 14 days before the planned transplant of seedlings.

For this purpose, carefully dig up the soil and feed it with a mixture of superphosphate, potassium sulfate at the rate of one and a half tablespoons per square meter of land. Peat will be useful - 1 kg is enough for the same area.

It is important to check the substrate's reaction before planting the pH, because clarinet will not forgive such errors. In cases of oxidized soil, sprinkle the top layer with dolomite flour, and when alkaline, pour with citric or oxalic acid.

The scheme of planting seedlings on the site

On open areas, seedlings are planted not singly, but solid clumps. It is important not to bury the root neck and keep the distance between the stems in the range of 20-40 cm.

This is done in order not to thicken the bushes of grassy annuals, because they are prone to strong branching. Professionals advise to install slats near each of the clarke lakes - the growing stalks will soon need support.

Clark cultivation by seedless method

If for some reason the seedling method does not suit you, you can do without it, sowing the grain straight into the open soil. Flower growers note the positive aspects of this method in strong and healthy shoots. But, unfortunately, they bloom much later than grown from seedlings. Let's analyze the order and sequence of actions.

Optimum time for sowing seeds straight into the ground

Sowing seeds should be planned for the first decade of May, when the earth is already well warmed, and bypassing the spring sharp temperature drops.

Ignoring these nuances can provoke frostbite of still weak leaves and the death of sprouts, as well as the calamity of the black leg and other bacterial and viral infections. If the weather allows, sowing can be done in the last days of April.

Selection and preparation of a site for sowing seeds

When planting grains in open ground, as well as when transplanting seedlings, in order to grow Clarky safely, it is important to take care of the condition of the selected area in advance.

Firstly, it must be well loosened, which will ensure the free penetration of oxygen to the roots of the grass. Secondly, we need a suitable substrate with a weak acid reaction. And, thirdly, we fertilize the land with peat or organic matter, because under such conditions it will be much easier for the plant to develop.

Clarkia refers to hardy annuals, therefore, will be able to adapt even in clay areas with constant drafts. But these inconveniences will affect the intensity of growth and flowering of the culture.

Sowing seeds in open ground

In open areas, sowing of clariki grains is carried out into the grooves made at a distance of 20 cm from each other. If tall varieties are planted that are pulled up to 60-70 cm, 30 cm should be removed from the previous seeds.

This is due to the fact that soon compact rounded bushes are formed from small sprouts. In cases of non-observance of the specified intervals between plants, the emerged shoots will have to be thinned out so that they do not turn into a thread.

Care and cultivation of Clarkia in the garden

Further cultivation of this attractive plant does not differ in the care of either the seed or seedling methods. The flower is important timely watering and fertilizer, the formation of the crown, disinfection from diseases and pests. How and when to do all this, consider next.

How to water the plant

Moisture clarification for soil recommended moderately based on the drying of the upper layer of the earth.In no case should it be allowed to dry out and remoisten.

The fact is that an excess of moisture will immediately lead to the development of root rot, and a lack of water in the substrate will lead to the death of the roots.

Therefore, when watering these flowers is important sense of proportion. If summer is generous with heavy rains, the gardener can relax at all without bothering to organize watering.

In dry hot weather, a few sprinkles a week are enough, which are best done in the morning or evening. In addition, grown bushes do not need constant moistening of air. Comfort for them will provide the sun and space.

How to conduct dressing

Fertilizer planting is carried out twice a month. For this purpose, purchased mineral and complex fertilizers for flowering plants are used. They are easy to use and do not harm the bees. Some gardeners are alternatively using a 1:15 chicken droppings solution.The tool is very effective in the initial stages of biomass development in the bushes.

How to extend the flowering period

Peduncles appear on the stems of the culture at the end of May (in the case of the seedling method) and in the beginning of July. Flowering lasts until the beginning of autumn, but every gardener wants his bed to be as long as possible to please the eye with colored buds.

True, not everyone knows what to do. The secrets of extending the life of flowers, revealed to us flower growers, in whom the clarke is practically not derived from the farmsteads.

The first step is to contribute to tillering sprouts. To do this, on 10-cm seedlings gently pinch off the top. This trick will entail the rapid formation of buds in copious amounts.

Further, when the flowers appear, it will be necessary to remove the dried-out dry buds and ovaries. After such manipulations, each plant begins to intensively grow flower stalks.

How to deal with pests and diseases

While admiring the motley pet of your garden, do not forget to inspect its petals for harmful insects and pathogens.

For example, grayish spots with black edges on the foliage or whitish pubescence in the form of bloom and brown spots on the stems indicate the appearance of fungal diseases.

You need to fight them with fungicides. Biological preparations “Trichodermin”, “Hamair”, “Alirin-B”, “Fitosporin-M”, and also fungicides “Abiga-Peak” have proven themselves well.

As a preventive measure recommend treatment with the drug "Green Soap". There is no need for too frequent disinfection, since the culture is characterized by increased resistance to various diseases and attacks of pests. Such problems can appear unless in cases of the wrong agrotechnology of flowers.

Among parasitic insects, Clarkia bushes are most often annoyed by a garden flea. Its appearance is manifested by the retarded development of young seedlings. Insecticides will help to save them: "Aktara", "Fufanon", "Bi-58", "Karbofos".

When to harvest and how to store seeds

When removing all faded inflorescences, it is important to determine the peduncles that will be left for seed ripening. Grains appear immediately after pollination of the ovaries. Outwardly, these are very small brown grains hidden in small oblong boxes. In 1 g placed more than 3 thousand seeds.

Their maturation occurs in a month.Understand that it is time to collect the grain, you can on the brown shade of seed boxes. You can store seed no longer than four years. After this period, the grains lose their ability to grow.

Combinations with other plants

If you did everything right and the crops are not too rare, the clarkey will not disappoint you. Most often, the plant is planted along the alleys or near the fence. These flowers look original in compositions with phloxes, asters, roses and even coniferous crops.

If you do not plan to collect the seeds, you can combine different varieties and colors of buds. It all depends on your imagination and desires. Create yourself and others in pleasure!