Streptokarpus: Seed Reproduction Features

If you like bright unusual plants, we recommend to pay attention to streptokarpus. A beautiful flower will certainly decorate your window sill and bring freshness to the room. In our article we will tell you how to get streptokarpus, the cultivation of which is carried out from seeds at home.

Plant description

The literal translation of the name of the plant - "twisted box". It is fully consistent with the appearance of the flower.

There are about 130 species of plants, which mainly grow in areas with a humid climate. According to the characteristics, all types can be divided into three groups:

• flowers with one leafy stem;
• plants that do not have a stem (a rosette of leaves is present);
• flowers that have a leafy pubescent leaf, the length of which is about 80 cm. These shrubs have well developed flower stalks.

Thanks to the fruitful work of the breeders, various colors and forms of flowers were bred, the number of varieties was increased - in our time there are several thousand. Also to the merits of breeders include:

• creating two-color streptokarpus;
• the creation of fantasy, very unusual textural colors of the petals, forming a mesh;
• removal of terry and semi-double streptocarpus;
• breeding miniature and variegated plants.

Due to the variety of varieties and types of streptocarpus today is very much in demand by collectors. The flower is often found not only in the homes of ordinary people, but also takes part in various exhibitions.

Highlights in seed reproduction

To get a healthy plant that will please the eye, you must adhere to certain rules and recommendations. Only in this case, you can be sure that all efforts will not be in vain.

Landing time

The ideal period for planting seeds is February - April.It is at this time that the sun begins to warm, which will contribute to the rapid growth of the flower.

How to choose seeds

Today, you can buy streptocarpus seeds at any flower shop. A huge variety of varieties allows you to choose a plant to your taste. As a rule, the seeds are packed in a paper bag. Be sure to pay attention to the date, buy only fresh material.

Of course, just picked seeds would be ideal. You can ask them from your friends. As practice shows, it is this material that has the best germination and gives great chances to grow a beautiful flower. The seeds of streptokarpus are very small, in size they can be compared with a grain of sand, therefore, when opening the package, be careful - you can easily scatter them.

Landing technology

Planting streptocarpus seeds - a painstaking process, which should be approached with great attention and accuracy.

Initially, it is necessary to prepare shallow bowls, at the bottom of which it is necessary to make a drainage. Peat mixed with sand is poured over the drainage.

Seeds of streptokarpus very small, so they are sown on the surface. You do not need to cover them with soil. Before planting, it is necessary to moisten the substrate, that is, sow the seeds already on the moist soil. After the seeds are in the bowl, the container should be covered with glass or film. The bowl should be in a warm room with a temperature not lower than 21 ° C. From time to time, the tank should be ventilated, since for the rapid growth of seeds they need fresh air. You need to water the seeds from the pan - when the soil is moistened from above, the seeds will simply be washed away.

To protect the seeds from temperature fluctuations, you can cover the trays with paper. Of course, it is quite difficult to achieve such conditions on an ordinary window-sill, so it is better to purchase or build a greenhouse under the lamps. After the seedlings have the first leaves, it is necessary to gradually accustom them to life outside the greenhouse.

When the real leaves start to grow, you can make the first pick. To do this, you need to choose a larger capacity, planting plants so that they do not interfere with the growth of each other. After the seedlings are distributed, they are watered, covered again with a film and left in a warm place.

Conditions for seedling germination

To seed quickly and properly germinate, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

• monitor the condition of the soil mixture - it is important to maintain light humidity;
• watering can be carried out exclusively through a pallet or using a spray;
• observe the humidity of the air - the optimal rate is from 80%;
• ventilate the seed container every day;
• observe the temperature regime - seeds germinate at + 20-25 ° C;
• ensure that seedlings receive scattered sunny color;
• have patience - germination occurs in 10-20 days.

Do not forget to carry out a picking in time - this stage is very important for the further growth of the flower.

Aftercare for sprouts

After 30 days after the first picking, it is necessary to conduct the second.

It is required to prepare the substrate correctly. For this you need to mix:

• leaf soil - 2 parts;
• sod soil - 1 part;
• sand - 1 part;
• bone meal - 1 tbsp. spoon.

After the second picking, it should take about a month, only then you can plant the plants in separate pots. From now on, streptocarpus can be treated like adult plants. Brief advice on flower care:

• Pay attention to the lighting: the flower likes clear weather and sunlight. In the summer, in the hot season from 10:00 to 16:00 it is better to move the pot to a more shaded place.
• Maintaining temperature is very important for the plant. If the temperature is more than +25 ° C, you can forget about flowering. The optimal rate is + 18-23 ° C.
• The ideal indicator of air humidity is 60-80%.
• Watering is recommended to carry purified water. Moisturizing should be carried out when a light crust has formed on the surface of the soil.

Streptokarpus will leave few people indifferent, and now you know how to plant this unusual flower.Despite the fact that seed reproduction of streptocarpus is rather troublesome, everyone can independently grow a flower at home.