Snapdragon (or otherwise antirrinum) is a flowering plant that is loved by many owners of garden and summer cottage plots. It can also often be seen in city flower beds. Growing snapdragons from seeds and subsequently caring for them is not very difficult, so even novice gardeners can grow it.

Botanical description

Snapdragon is a herbaceous plant. The flower has straight stems that can reach a height of up to 1 m. The leaves of the plant have slightly elongated shape, and their color can vary from light green to dark green shades.

The plant received its unusual name because of its flowers, whose appearance resembles an open lion's mouth. The flowers are located in the upper part of the stem, forming inflorescences like a spike. As for the color of the petals, there are white, yellow, pink and red varieties, as well as those combining 2 colors. The structure of the petals can be smooth or terry.

The flowering period of snapdragon covers the entire summer and early autumn and ends with the arrival of frost. Despite the fact that the plant belongs to perennial species, flower growers practice sowing snapdragon seedlings every spring, since it blooms already in the year of planting.

Variety selection

The classification of flowers is based on the height of the plant. In this regard, the following groups of varieties can be distinguished:

1. Dwarf - varieties whose stem length does not exceed 20 cm. They are perfect for decorating borders and flower beds when it is necessary to create the effect of " carpeting" They can also be grown at home in pots. This group includes the Sakura Color variety, which has a pink and white color, and Candy Showers, which comes in a variety of colors.
2. Low-growing - varieties with a stem height of 25 to 40 cm. The central shoot is usually slightly lower than the rest. They are often used to decorate flower beds and front gardens. The most common are Tip-Top soft pink and yellow flowers, Ruby Star with a bright red color and Lampion, which combines several colors.
3. Medium-sized varieties are varieties with stems whose height ranges from 40 to 60 cm. Their feature is increased branching and the same height of all shoots. Such flowers are used for landscape design and for making bouquet arrangements. Varieties include Golden Monk with a bright yellow color, Ruby with pink flowers and Lipstick Silver, which has soft pink petals.
4. Tall - varieties with stems from 60 to 90 cm long. They are often used to create original bouquets. Snapdragon flowers retain their freshness and richness pleasant aroma in a vase up to 7 days. Popular varieties– Canary with bright yellow colors, Anna German with pastel pink shades and Madame Butterfly with double flowers of various colors.
5. Gigantic - varieties whose height can reach 1.3 m. They have a clearly defined central shoot, longer than the others. They are usually grown for cutting. These varieties include Arthur with cherry-colored flowers and Rocket with various shades of petals.

How to collect seeds

The plant is usually propagated using seedlings. Snapdragon seeds can be purchased in specialized stores or collected independently if you have already grown flowers.

It is recommended to collect seed pods before their final ripening. The upper part of the plant with boxes is cut off, placed in a paper or cloth bag and hung in a dry place. The use of plastic packaging is undesirable, as the seeds in it may rot. When the fruits ripen, the grains will fall out of them.

Before you start growing snapdragons from seeds at home, they are advised to be stored in the refrigerator in a paper box. Such stratification has a beneficial effect on plant germination rates. Subject to suitable storage conditions, seeds can retain the ability to germinate for 3-4 years.

Advice! When collecting seeds from your own plot, you can be sure that future flowers will receive a certain color and height, since in stores they are most often sold in mixed types.

How to plant Snapdragon seedlings

The most common method of propagating antirrinum is by planting seedlings. Moreover, if you do not remove the plant for the winter, its seeds can be stored in the soil and germinate the next year.

Growing snapdragons from seeds is possible immediately in open ground, but this method is applicable only in the southern part of the country in places with a warm climate. In regions where the climate is cooler and sudden temperature changes occur, it is practiced to plant snapdragon flowers with already grown seedlings.

When to sow snapdragon

When choosing the timing for sowing snapdragon seedlings, it is necessary to take into account the weather conditions of a particular area and the characteristics of the selected variety.

Thus, tall varieties take longer to germinate, so it is advisable to plant them in the second half of February, medium- and low-growing varieties can be planted during March, and dwarf varieties - until mid-April.

Flower seedlings Snapdragon transferred to the garden bed in the first half of May, when consistently warm weather has already established itself. It should be borne in mind that growing the plant in northern regions with frequent cold snaps is almost impossible.

Preparing soil and containers

For growing snapdragon seedlings from seeds, a regular soil mixture, which is available at any flower shop, is perfect. To facilitate pecking of small seeds, it is carefully sifted and mixed with washed sand. You can prepare the soil yourself: for this you will need to take 2 parts peat, 1 part earth and ½ part sand.

Advice! To minimize the risk of disease and the likelihood of weeds, experienced gardeners It is recommended to steam the soil for 1 hour, and then add ash at the rate of 1 tbsp. per ½ kg of soil mixture.

Wooden or plastic containers with a diameter of at least 10 cm and holes in the bottom for drainage are suitable for planting. Before filling with soil, they can be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Seed preparation

Although even novice gardeners can grow snapdragons from seeds at home, it also has its own difficulties. Home associated with very small size seed material plants, there are approximately 6000-8000 seeds per 1 g. This is also the reason for their high need for lighting - when sowing, they need to be evenly placed on the surface of the soil, almost without sprinkling on top.

If the seeds were collected independently, they must first be thoroughly dried and placed in the refrigerator for a while. The purchased version does not require such preparation.

Immediately before planting, any seeds must be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and then allowed to dry.

Sowing snapdragon for seedlings

Step-by-step instructions for sowing snapdragons for growing seedlings:

1. Prepare soil mixture and containers. Fill the containers with soil, level and lightly compact.
2. Distribute the seeds carefully and evenly over the surface of the soil mixture and lightly sprinkle the top with soil (no more than 0.5 cm).
3. Moisten the soil surface. If as a result some seeds float to the surface, do not worry - this will not affect their germination.
4. Cover the container with film or a transparent lid and place it in a place with good lighting.
5. Comfortable temperature for growing seedlings is + 22-24 °C. The soil must be moistened regularly to avoid drying out.
6. After 6-7 days, as soon as the first shoots appear, the covering film must be removed.

At first, the seedlings grow very slowly - during this period it is important to provide suitable temperature regime(+ 17-28 °C) and avoid excessive humidity (when watering, avoid getting water on the leaves). It is also not recommended to keep seedlings in direct sunlight.

Landless sowing

In addition to the usual sowing technology, there is also a landless method. It is designed specifically for seeds small size. It is more convenient to replant such plants not as individual bushes, but in groups of 3-5 pieces.

To grow snapdragon seedlings using this method, you need:

1. Take a plastic or glass plate, cover it with a napkin or paper towels in several layers and thoroughly moisten it with water (instead of water, you can moisten it with a solution of a special plant growth stimulator).
2. Distribute the seeds on a damp cloth and moisten them again.
3. Cover the plate with transparent film and place in a well-lit place.

Important! When using this method, you must not miss the moment when the seeds have already sprouted, but have not yet become covered with leaves. When this happens, they must be immediately sprinkled with sifted soil mixture, but not more than 0.5 cm.

Additives for germination

Immediately after sowing, Snapdragon can be fed with a solution of ash (2 tbsp per 3 liters of water). 7-10 days after picking, it is advisable to add nitrogen or potassium-phosphorus fertilizers or complex preparations containing all 3 components. Watering with a fertilizer solution occurs both at the root and from above.

Repeated feeding is done a few days after transferring the plants to open ground.

Seedling care

A few weeks after sowing, when 2-3 leaves appear on the plants, it is necessary to pick. From the photo of snapdragon seedlings, it can be seen that it easily tolerates this procedure and quite quickly takes root in a new place.

For picking, the same soil mixture is used, but it no longer requires pre-treatment. It is best to carry out the procedure in the evening, so that the plant gets used to its new location overnight.

Picking technology:

1. The soil must be watered abundantly to facilitate the process of removing seedlings.
2. Use a spoon or tweezers to remove the shoots, carefully separating them from each other.
3. Prepare containers with soil, make small holes and place plants there.
4. Sprinkle the shoots with soil and water a little.

When 4-5 leaves appear on the plants, they need to be pinched, i.e., the upper part of the stem is removed to stimulate the growth of side shoots. Thanks to this procedure, the plants will be more lush and dense after planting on the site.

Video from detailed description technologies for planting snapdragon seedlings and useful recommendations experienced gardeners

Conclusion

Growing snapdragons from seeds is a task that even a novice gardener can do. If you follow simple rules and recommendations, you can get a bright, beautiful plant that will decorate your front garden or summer cottage.

Antirrhinum belongs to the Norichinaceae family. In the Mediterranean, this plant is considered a perennial, but in our harsh, frosty winter latitudes it is grown as an annual.

It is rightfully in demand in gardening and floriculture, although planting and caring for this plant has some distinctive features.

Flowerbed lovers often ask questions:

• Are frosts dangerous for annuals?
• Is pinching important?
• grow seedlings or sow in the ground?

Varieties

The stem of the pharynx branches well, creating a compact, dense bush, reaching a height of 20 to 150 centimeters. The flower is large and shaped like the open mouth of an animal, which is why they are called dogs in conversation. Bright with a pronounced aroma, they are collected in spike-shaped or racemose inflorescences. The coloring is so diverse and depends on the type of antirrhinum. The most popular are white, lilac, yellow, red flowers.

Currently, flower growers are growing about 900 different varieties, which, in turn, , are divided into one and a half dozen groups:

• tall 150–160 cm in height;
• tall up to 100 cm;
• medium-sized up to 60–70 cm;
• short, up to 40–50 cm;
• dwarf up to 20–25 cm.

U tall varieties There is one main distinctive detail - the central stem of the flower rises above the side stems, creating a peduncle with large strong inflorescences.

All medium-growing varieties They branch well and differ radically in terms of flowering time. So, among them you can find early and late species this annual.

Low growing varieties“dogs” have the shape of a ball with many stems, form miniature bushes, the size of the flowers is smaller than those of tall relatives.

All varieties are divided into several classes

They are also traditionally divided according to flowering time., like all other garden flowers:

• early start of flowering, the first flowers open in May;
• medium term, bloom no earlier than July;
• late flowering period, flowers appear closer to August.

Planting and care

Antirrinum is a very light-loving flower, and if there is a lack of heat, it slows down its growth and seed production. Can tolerate light frosts down to -5–0 degrees.

Dogs are grown on any soil, but it has been noted that they grow better in light, fertile soil. When choosing a place for sowing in the front garden, look for a sunny, bright place, protected from drafts.

Growing from seeds

Antirrinum is grown as annual plant method from sowing seeds to seedlings or directly into the ground. Each of these methods has a number of advantages.

Planting seeds in the soil.

This method is suitable for gardeners living near a greenhouse, in their home or in their country house. The easier it will be to monitor sowing and seedlings. Sometimes it seems that planting directly into the ground is much easier, but whether your young animals will survive or not depends entirely on how they are cared for. Antirrinum seeds are sown in the soil in late autumn or in early spring in the beginning of April. It is not afraid of cold weather and also tolerates spring night frosts well.

The seeds are placed into the soil directly into the flowerbed and are not covered with soil. Antirrinum seeds are too small, so for even distribution over the surface it is better to mix them with sand. The bed on which the flowerbed will be located will need care; it needs to be well cleaned of grass and weeds, because it will choke the young shoots. When the first shoots appear, the flower needs care, weeding and regular, careful watering.

Grown flowers are thinned out so that the distance between them remains from 15 to 25 cm. “Dogs” grown in the ground begin to bloom much later, around July, and end early due to the threat of cold weather.

Planting Antirium seeds for seedlings

This concern begins from the first ten days of February until the beginning - mid-April. Seedlings from seedlings will bloom much earlier and already in early May they will delight you with their diversity. The process of growing seedlings Antirrinum has its own distinctive features, which it is advisable for every gardener to know and apply:

Already partially flowered seedlings are planted in the front garden. To provide lush flowering choose the most open and sunny place. Before planting seedlings, it is advisable to flavor the soil with peat and add a little sand for looseness. Leave 20–25 cm between seedlings for free growth. But depending on the type of plant, the distance may be increased.

Snapdragon Care

This flower is a rather unpretentious and unpretentious plant; all you need is weeding, protection from pests and regular watering. Be sure to watch Make sure that the flower is not flooded, as this may cause the roots to become sick and your flowerbed will die. You can control humidity if you mulch the soil with peat, sawdust or old grass.

Feeding an annual flower

Even on poor soils you can grow beautiful and healthy plant, if you fertilize on time. It is advisable to carry out the first feeding 15–20 days after the seedlings have moved to the flowerbed. All subsequent fertilizer applications should be carried out at the same two-week intervals throughout the flowering period. For this purpose, weak solutions of bird droppings or mullein, as well as weed infusion, are suitable.

Reproduction of Antirium

To further grow and preserve your favorite varieties of pharynx in the flowerbed, you need to learn how to propagate it correctly. You can do this in several ways:

• sowing seeds;
• cuttings.

For proper collection seeds for further reproduction healthy and large individuals are chosen. The seeds of snapdragon are very small, and to prevent them from simply scattering on their own, the seed part of the flower is tied with a cloth and the seeds are allowed to ripen. It is better to save seeds for the future in a cool place and for no more than three years.

You need to cut snapdragons in the spring, cutting young shoots from the mother bush, which overwintered indoors, on the veranda or in winter garden. We move the rooted seedlings to the front garden by the end of May. Planting material, obtained in this way, begins to flower much earlier than its brothers, and has a prolonged flowering period.

Diseases and pests of antirium

Quite often, seedlings are affected by fungal diseases:

• blackleg;
• septoria;
• fusarium;
• rust.

To prevent diseases, all damaged bushes are sprayed with biological products, which is repeated after a few days to prevent spread.

Snapdragon is very susceptible to attacks by pests, which, in turn, eat away the buds and spoil the stems and leaves of the flower. The most common cause of damage is the cutworm. Their butterflies lay eggs on nearby weeds, and the larvae then crawl onto flowering bush and damage it. To prevent such damage Regularly weed around flowers. Eaten and spoiled plants are treated with special preparations and infusions several times. Snapdragon can bloom and delight the eye almost until October, if there is no severe frost.

Antirium in landscape design

In the design of flower beds and alpine slides They use all kinds of snapdragons. A huge variety of varieties and bright colors made it the leader among all annual beauties.

Dwarf and low-growing species The flowers fit and look good in flower beds, they are planted along borders or as colored circles and squares on the lawn. There are types of annual pharynx that can be grown on the balcony in a box or in a flowerpot. Tall species of antirrhinum They are suitable mainly for bouquets and will remain in a vase for up to a half-moon and will delight you with their decorative qualities. Snapdragon flower stalks fit perfectly into many flower arrangements.

Snapdragon flowers

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum), which is also called antirrhinum, is directly related to the genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the plantain family. This genus includes approximately 50 species of perennial plants, including climbers. IN wild conditions these plants can be found in zones with warm climates, and most species are found in North America. In Russia, these flowers are called “dogs”, in England “snapdragon” (biting dragon), in France “cleft palate”, and in Ukraine “mouths”. "Antirrinum" translated from Greek means "nose-like", "nose-like". The ancient Greek myth telling about Hercules, or more precisely, about his first labor, tells how he defeated the Nemean lion, whose ferocity everyone knew. In honor of the victory, the goddess Flora presented Hercules with a gift - it was a lovely flower called “snapdragon”. From that time on, the Greeks had a tradition of giving snapdragons to heroes. This plant has been cultivated for about five hundred years, and German specialists began breeding it only in the 19th century. During this time, they were able to create approximately 1 thousand varieties of snapdragon, and it is interesting that only 1 species was used to create various varieties, namely, Antirrhinum majus.

Features of snapdragon

This flower is represented by subshrubs, as well as herbaceous plants, which have straight, finely grooved shoots, they are branched and colored green color. Their height can vary from 15 to 100 centimeters. The bushes have pyramidal shape. Above sheet plates are alternately located, and from below - opposite. Their shape can be lanceolate or oval-elongated, and the color varies from dark to pale green, with the veins colored red. The fragrant flowers are relatively large in size, they are two-lipped and have an irregular shape. There are both double flowers and simple ones (depending on the variety); they are part of spike-shaped inflorescences. Their color can be yellow, soft fawn, white, pink, red (all shades), and there are also varieties with two- and three-color flowers. The fruit is a two-locular multi-seeded capsule. 1 g contains 5–8 thousand seeds. This plant begins to bloom in July and ends after the first autumn frosts.

Often, snapdragons, which grow as a perennial in the wild, are grown by gardeners as an annual. However, if the plant is well cared for and if conditions are favorable, the frost-resistant snapdragon can survive wintering in open ground. Moreover, next year its flowering will be more spectacular. IN garden design This flower is grown as a border flower, but it can decorate both a flower bed and a green lawn (if snapdragons are planted in groups). This plant is also used to decorate terraces and balconies. Today, ampelous varieties of this flower are becoming increasingly popular among flower growers, for the cultivation of which hanging structures can be used, and they will also become an excellent decoration for galleries and terraces.

Sowing

Reproduction of this plant can be produced by seeds as well as vegetatively. The seeds have good germination for several years. If you live in an area with a relatively mild climate, then sowing the seeds of such a flower can be done directly in open ground. The first shoots can be seen after 2.5–3 weeks, while the seedlings are not afraid of cold snaps that occur at night. In places where spring is relatively cold, this plant is recommended to be grown through seedlings. Growing snapdragons from seeds is very easy.

Seeds are sown in the first days of March. To do this, you will need a bowl with a diameter of at least 10 centimeters, and it should have holes at the bottom for drainage. Coarse sand should be poured onto the bottom, and compost soil mixed with sand should be placed on top of it. Lightly compact and level the surface, then moisten it a little with a spray bottle and distribute snapdragon seeds mixed with sand, pour a thin layer of the same substrate on top. Water the crops using a fine spray bottle, and then cover the container with clear glass. Every day, condensation must be removed from the surface of the glass, while ventilating the seedlings and, if necessary, moistening the surface of the substrate with a sprayer. If the place where the container is located has moderate humidity and warmth (23 degrees), then the first seedlings can be seen after half a month. After the first plants appear, the container must be moved to a well-lit place, but at the same time protected from direct rays of the sun (so that the plants do not stretch out). After the snapdragon begins to emerge en masse (after 3–4 days), the shelter must be removed for good.

Seedling

At first, the plants will grow for quite a long time, and during this period it is especially important to properly moisten the soil. Watering should be done in the morning so that the plants have enough moisture, but not too much. The fact is that waterlogging can cause the development of “black leg”. If the seedling has fallen, it should be carefully removed using tweezers, and the place where it grew should be sprinkled with crushed charcoal or calcined cold river sand should be used for this. After 2 true leaves are formed, the seedlings must be picked into a box or container, and they must be placed so that they are not pressed against each other. You can also use individual pots for picking plants, or you can plant 3 seedlings at once in 1 larger pot. Then the plants should be placed in a well-lit place, but at the same time protected from direct sunlight. After this, you can begin hardening the seedlings. To do this, during the daytime you need to open the window for a while, but you should avoid drafts. When the plant has 4-5 true leaves, it will need to be pinched to increase bushiness, but if the side shoots grow quite quickly, then they should also be pinched.

Planting in open ground

What time should snapdragons be planted?

Snapdragon seedlings should be planted in the last days of May and the first days of June. At the same time, you should not be afraid of cold snaps at night, since these plants tolerate them quite calmly. These flowers can be planted both in a sunny area and in a shaded area, but it is worth considering that it must be protected from gusts of wind and also be well-drained. Suitable soil should be light and rich nutrients. The best mixture for growing such a flower is a mixture consisting of compost, sand, and peat, which are taken in equal proportions. The acidity of the soil should be pH 6–8.

How to plant

The distance between the bushes during planting depends on the variety of snapdragon. So, between dwarf varieties there should be a distance of 15 centimeters, between short-growing varieties - about 20 centimeters, between medium-growing ones - 30 centimeters, and between tall ones - from 40 to 50 centimeters. After a bush transplanted into open ground takes root, it will grow quite quickly and become a spectacular flowering plant. We must remember that seedlings must be planted in well-watered soil.

Features of care

Growing

Such a flower is undemanding in care and only needs timely watering, weeding, fertilizing, and also needs to systematically loosen the soil surface. Watering should be done only during drought, but we must remember that this procedure cannot be carried out in the evening. After watering, it will be necessary to loosen the soil surface and perform weeding; this can be done on the same day or every other day. Experts advise tying tall varieties to a support. After the flower begins to fade, it must be removed from the bush, as it takes away the strength of the plant. In order for such a plant to bloom for a long time, it should not be allowed to set seeds; also, after the last flowers wither, you need to cut off the flower shoot. It is necessary to trim the peduncle under the flower located at the very bottom, only in this case new arrows and flowers will grow. The first time you need to feed the snapdragon is after it takes root after transplanting into open soil, and for this you use nitrophoska and organic fertilizers. The plant needs to be fed a second time during budding, in this case it is used nutrient solution, consisting of potassium sulfate, urea and superphosphate, while 1 large spoon of each substance should be taken per bucket of water.

Diseases and pests

It happens that bushes are affected by rust, and red spots appear on their surface. This plant is also susceptible to infection with blackleg, root and gray rot, and septoria. Diseased plants must be destroyed as soon as possible, then the area of ​​soil where they grew must be treated with a fungicidal (antifungal) agent. Pests that pose a danger to snapdragons include fly larvae, scale insects, caterpillars, and butterflies that are capable of laying eggs. It should be remembered that getting rid of diseases or harmful insects is much more difficult than preventing a plant from becoming infected. For the purpose of prevention, it is necessary to follow all recommendations for the care of snapdragons, so it is necessary to promptly destroy diseased and infected specimens with harmful insects; You should not plant flowers very close to each other; it is necessary to water correctly, avoiding waterlogging of the soil; Watering should be done at the root, while ensuring that water does not fall on the surface of the leaf blades.

After flowering

The flowering of such a plant can continue until the first frost in the fall. After autumn sets in, those snapdragon bushes that are cultivated as perennials should be trimmed very short, so that the height of the shoots is about 5–8 centimeters. Then you need to mulch the area, sprinkling it with a layer of dried leaves or sawdust mixed with peat. In the case when you have an annual snapdragon, then after the flowers begin to fade, you should remove them, thereby avoiding self-seeding. After all the flowers on the arrow have withered, it needs to be trimmed as short as possible. This will prevent the seeds from ripening and scattering on the surface of the soil. After the onset of late autumn, it is necessary to dig up the soil where the flowers grew and burn the remains of the snapdragon, as harmful insects can settle on them.

How and when to collect snapdragon seeds

As a rule, most plants collect seeds only after they are fully ripe. However, snapdragon seeds must be collected in the incomplete ripeness phase. Then they are placed in a dry, well-ventilated room for ripening. You need to collect the seeds in a long paper bag (like for a baguette). You need to start collecting seeds only after the fruits located at the bottom of the peduncle have fully ripened. To do this, the top of the peduncle, on which the still green fruits are located, must be cut off and thrown away. On the part of the flower arrow that remains, you need to put a paper bag, tie it with a thread below the fruit. Then all that remains is to trim the stem below the dressing site. Then the inverted bag needs to be hung in a dry and warm place and all that remains is to wait for the ripened seeds to pour out into the bag. Ripe seeds should be poured into a small cardboard box and stored in a dry place where the air temperature will be from 3 to 5 degrees. In this case, the boxes must be protected from water.

Main types and varieties

Today, experts have several classifications of this plant according to various characteristics. The most popular classification is based on the height of the bush. Based on the size of the bush, snapdragon varieties are divided into 5 groups:

1. Gigantic- height of the bush is 90–130 centimeters. This plant has a centrally located stem that is much higher than the second-order stems, while there are no third-order stems. Popular varieties: “Arthur” - bush height from 90 to 95 centimeters, cherry-colored flowers; “F1 red XL” and “F1 pink XL” - the bush reaches 1.1 meters, flowers are red and Pink colour(respectively).
2. High- bush height 60–90 centimeters. They are cultivated for cutting, as well as as a vertical accent in groups or in mixborders. The central stem is much higher than the lateral ones. When cut, the flowers of this plant can last for about 7 days or even longer. Most fragrant varieties are those whose flowers are colored in various shades of yellow. Popular varieties: “Anna German” - the flowers are light pink; "Canary" - deep yellow flowers; a mixture of Madama Butterfly varieties - double flowers can be painted in a variety of color shades.
3. Medium height (semi-tall)- a bush with a height of 40 to 60 centimeters. The varieties are universal; they are cultivated both for cutting and as a decoration for flower beds. They are distinguished by their strong branching. The central stem is not much higher in height than the lateral ones. Popular varieties: “Golden Monarch” - has a yellow color; "Ruby" - deep pink flowers; “Lipstick silver” - painted whitish-pink.
4. Low- height of the bush is 25–40 centimeters. They are cultivated as border or flower bed plants. These varieties have a large number of flowering stems of the second and third order, while the central stem has the same height as the stems of the first order or is slightly lower than them. Popular varieties: “Tip-top”, “Hobbit”, hanging hybrid plant “Lampion”.
5. Dwarf- the height of the bush varies from 15 to 20 centimeters. The varieties are intended for carpet flower beds, ridges, borders, rock gardens. They are also grown as a potted flower. There is strong branching up to the third and fourth order stems, while the central stem is lower or has the same height as the second order stems. Popular varieties: “Sakura Color” - there is a spot on the whitish-pink flowers; "Candy Showers" is a hanging variety.

There is also the very popular Sanderson and Martin snapdragon classification for year-round cut varieties. However this classification is of interest only to those gardeners who grow snapdragons for sale.

Antirrinum or snapdragon is a perennial, annual or semi-shrub herbaceous ornamental flowering plant, native to the warm countries of the Mediterranean. In nature, the flower also grows in North America and Europe. The snapdragon plant is also very popular among gardeners. And this is understandable, because the amazing colors of the buds, bizarre flower shapes and long-lasting flowering can decorate any part of the garden throughout the season.

Snapdragon – description, photo

What does a snapdragon look like? The antirrhinum flower is distinguished by green, straight, finely grooved, large stems, the height of which can be from 15 to 100 cm. The plant has opposite lower leaves and oval or lanceolate elongated upper leaflets. By the beginning of summer, racemose inflorescences with numerous large, two-lipped flowers form on the stem. They have an irregular shape and can be simple or terry. The color of the flowers can be pink, red, dark brown, orange, yellow, white. There are varieties with flowers painted in two or three colors at once. Snapdragon blooms from the beginning of summer until the onset of autumn frosts.

In nature, the snapdragon flower is a perennial, however, in regions with cold winters the plant is grown as an annual. At favorable conditions And good care Antirrinum can be grown in the garden as perennial.

Growing snapdragons from seeds

Sowing seeds in open ground

In regions with warm climates, antirrinum can be grown as a perennial by planting the seeds directly in the flowerbed. Sowing takes place in early spring or mid to late April. It all depends on the weather in your area. Shoots will appear in about three weeks and can survive even a slight cold snap.

Seeds are planted on a bed prepared in advance in a nesting manner, sprinkled with a thin layer of soil, watered from a watering can with a shower attachment and covered with film. The crops are ventilated daily, and the soil is moistened as necessary. As soon as the seedlings appear, the film is removed on warm days. It is better to leave the shelter at night.

Slightly grown seedlings will need to be thinned out, removing the weakest plants. In order not to damage the roots of closely growing bushes, it is better not to pull out unnecessary seedlings, but to pinch them off. When caring for them, watering should be regular, but not frequent. Seedlings are sensitive to soil moisture, and if it is over-moistened, young plants may develop blackleg disease. It is recommended to water in the early morning.

Growing antirrinum (snapdragon) seedlings

At seedling method When growing an annual plant, sowing seeds should begin in early March. For this purpose, seedling containers with drainage holes are prepared. They can be filled with soil mixture from the store or you can prepare it yourself from compost soil and sand.

Sowing procedure:

Features of caring for snapdragon seedlings

The air temperature for seedling growth should be +20…+23 degrees. They are moistened in a timely manner, and after two true leaves appear, they are placed in disposable cups or other containers. You can use spacious pots by planting three bushes in them at once.

When transplanting seedlings, you can use a special spatula or a simple fork, with which the plants are taken out along with a lump of earth and carefully placed in a pot filled with earth. Antirrinums do not tolerate transplantation well, so everything must be done so as not to damage the roots. The planted plants are carefully watered.

Grow pruned seedlings in a well-lit place, otherwise, with a lack of light, the stems will begin to stretch. When watering the bushes, you should keep in mind that snapdragons do not like waterlogged soil. Constantly wet soil can lead to rotting of the roots and the appearance of a disease such as “blackleg”. However, you cannot overdry the soil.

To stimulate the growth of side shoots of seedlings 10 cm high, pinch the top. At this time they should have 4 or 5 true leaves. After this procedure, the snapdragon will turn into a beautiful, lush bush. If the regrown side shoots begin to grow too actively, they can also be pinched.

About two to three weeks before planting antirrinum in open ground, the seedlings begin to harden. On warm days it is placed in the garden or on an open balcony. On the first day, plants are hardened for one hour. Every day the time spent by seedlings in the fresh air increases. In the last days before planting, the seedlings should be outside for 24 hours.

Planting snapdragons in open ground

For the antirrinum, a sunny or slightly shaded area is selected, which should be protected from strong winds.

When to plant snapdragons?

Hardened and grown seedlings can be planted in a flower bed in the garden at the end of May or beginning of June. The weather should be warm, however, the plants can survive small, short-term night frosts.

How to plant snapdragons?

The soil for antirrinum should be well-drained, nutritious and light. It is best if it consists of compost, sand and peat (1:1:1).

For each bush, a separate planting hole is made, the distance between which depends on the height of the plant:

1. Dwarf antirrinums are planted in a flowerbed at a distance of 15 cm from each other.
2. There should be a gap of 20 cm between low-growing specimens.
3. Tall snapdragon bushes are planted at a distance of 40 or 50 cm from each other. Immediately during planting, it is recommended to install supports near the tall specimens, to which the grown plants will need to be tied.

After planting, the seedlings must be watered.

Snapdragon - care

Snapdragon belongs to unpretentious plants, which do not require much attention during the season. The bushes will bloom magnificently and for a long time if you follow simple recommendations for caring for them:

1. In dry and hot weather, plants require watering. This should be done early in the morning. It is not recommended to water snapdragons at night. If it rains, there is no need to water the flowers.
2. After rain or watering, it is recommended to remove weeds and loosen the soil around the plantings approximately once a week. This procedure will prevent the formation of a crust on the soil, and air will flow to the roots of the plants.
3. After about two weeks, when the seedlings take root and begin to grow, they are fed universal fertilizers for flowering plants.
4. During budding, it is recommended to feed the bushes with a solution prepared from a mixture of potassium sulfate, urea and superphosphate. To prepare it, take a tablespoon of each fertilizer. The mixture is diluted in 10 liters of water.
5. Wilted flowers should be removed regularly so that new buds form more quickly.
6. After flowering, fruits begin to form and ripen on the peduncle. If you do not need the seeds, then cut off the faded peduncle under the lowest flower. In this case, after some time, new arrows will appear on the bush and begin to grow, which will soon bloom.
7. In regions with not very cold winters, where snapdragon is grown as a perennial plant, in the fall, with the onset of cold days, you need to cut off the plant's stem. The remainder of the stem should have a height of 5 to 8 cm. After this, the bushes are covered with dry leaves or peat mixed with sawdust.

Pests and diseases of snapdragon

By following all the rules for caring for antirrinum, the plants will not be afraid of any diseases or pests. Preventive measures include:

1. Moderate moisture of the area.
2. Planting bushes at a distance from each other from 15 to 50 cm (it all depends on the variety of snapdragon).
3. Specimens affected by pests and diseases must be removed immediately.
4. You should water the bushes only at the roots so that water does not get on the leaves.

If pests have settled on the plants, the bushes are treated with insecticidal preparations. Among the pests that are dangerous for snapdragons are egg-laying caterpillars and butterflies, fly larvae, and scale insects.

Among the diseases, a flower can be affected by gray or root rot, blackleg and septoria. All these diseases cannot be cured and they quickly spread to other plants. Therefore, diseased bushes are pulled out and burned. The soil on which they grew must be shed with fungicidal antifungal drugs.

The profusely flowering beautiful plant antirrinum (snapdragon) will decorate the garden with its bright or delicate flowers. Its low-growing varieties can be planted in a box or flowerpot and decorated with a balcony or loggia.

Snapdragon (antirrhinum) - often found on garden plots ornamental plant. They often decorate flower beds in city parks and boulevards. These flowers are popularly known as “dogs”. The popularity of the plant among summer residents is also explained by the fact that caring for it is not particularly difficult.

Snapdragon

Snapdragon: growing from seeds, when to plant

Peculiarities

Antirrhinum is herbaceous plant, whose straight stems grow up to 1 m in height. Elongated leaves can be either light or dark in color. The flowers have a pleasant aroma and are shaped like an open lion's mouth. This is the secret of such an unusual name. Smooth or double flowers growing at the top of the stem are collected in an inflorescence in the form of a spike.

Snapdragon flower

On a note! The flower is grown on balconies and loggias. On the street it is planted both in flower beds and in hanging structures.

Gorgeous flower bed with antirrinums

A riot of colors of multi-colored snapdragons in a hanging planter

There are antirrinums in white, pink, red and yellow colors. Flowering continues throughout the summer and ends in the fall with the onset of frost. The plant is perennial, but is usually replanted every year. Snapdragon blooms in the year of planting. At the same time, the seed pod ripens.

Antirrinum varieties

Snapdragon large

These plants, depending on the variety, can be either very small or very tall. According to this principle, snapdragons are divided into the following groups.

1. Dwarf, maximum 20 cm in length. They decorate borders and flower beds. These antirrinums are grown in pots as houseplants. Among them there are such varieties as “Sakura Color” and “Candy Showers F1”.

   Snapdragon Candy Showers F1 Orange

2. short, growing from 25 to 40 cm. They can also be found in borders and flower beds. These include the varieties “Tip-top”, “Lampion”, “Hobbit”.

   Snapdragon ampelous “Lampion”

3. Average, stretching up to 40–60 cm. Used for landscape design or creating bouquets. The most common are pink “Ruby”, yellow “Golden Monarch” and pale pink “Lipstick Silver”.

   Snapdragon (Antirrinum) Golden Monarch

4. High, up to 60–90 cm long. They make wonderful fragrant bouquets or original flower beds. A cut flower can stand in water for more than a week. The best ones: terry varieties“Madame Butterfly F1”, yellow “Canary”, pink “Anna Herman”.

   Snapdragon F1 “Madama Butterfly”

5. Giants, reaching 1.3 m. These are varieties such as cherry “Arthur F1” and others.

Tulips and snapdragons in one flowerbed

Breeding methods

Antirrinum is usually propagated using seedlings. High grades will bloom later than their low-growing counterparts. This must be taken into account when sowing.

Snapdragon seedlings

On a note! Plant seeds can also be sown directly into open ground. This applies only to low varieties of snapdragon. The right time for sowing - the first ten days of May. Flowering should be expected later than for plants planted seedling method.

If you do not destroy faded antirrinums, then it is likely that, having survived the winter, their seeds will germinate in thawed soil. Such plants produce strong, lushly flowering bushes.

Vibrant variety of snapdragons

When to plant seeds for seedlings

The time for sowing seeds depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the plant variety. Tall antirrinums are sown in the third ten days of February. Low- and medium-growing - during March. Sowing dwarf varieties allowed to be produced until April 15.

Snapdragon seeds photo

In the northern regions, snapdragons can only be grown by seedlings. The plant is planted in open ground later due to the fact that cold weather is likely to return throughout almost the entire spring. This must also be taken into account when planting seeds for seedlings. It will not be possible to grow antirrinum as a perennial plant in cold climates.

On a note! Sufficiently developed plants are transplanted into flower beds only in late spring or early summer. During this period, the flowers will not suffer from lower temperatures at night.

Sowing seeds for seedlings step by step

Table. Instructions for growing snapdragons in seedlings.

	For antirrinum seedlings, a universal soil mixture is suitable, which can be purchased at a specialized store. So that the small seeds of the plant can hatch, the soil is sifted and washed sand is mixed into it. The mixture can also be prepared from soil, peat and sand, mixing them in a ratio of 1: 2: 0.5. To protect seedlings from diseases and weeds, it is recommended to steam the soil mixture using a steamer. Steaming for 1 hour will protect the plant from blackleg. In order to make the soil slightly alkaline, after steaming it is necessary to add half a tablespoon of dolomite flour or 1 tablespoon of ash per 0.5 kg of soil. The soil mixture needs to be slightly moistened.
	Fill the container with the soil mixture, level the surface and tamp it down quite a bit. Place the seeds on the fold of a piece of paper and carefully spread over the entire surface. Sprinkle soil on top with a layer of no more than 1 cm.
	Use a spray bottle to spray the top layer of soil with water. In this case, some seeds may float to the surface. This is not a problem, since they need more light to germinate.
	Cover the container with a transparent lid or plastic bag. Then install it in a lighted place. For seedlings to emerge, it is necessary to maintain a room temperature of +21-24°C. The soil must be periodically irrigated with water, otherwise the seeds will dry out and not germinate.
	In about a week, the shoots will begin to hatch. After emergence, it is recommended to maintain a temperature of +16+29°C. At first, the seedlings grow at a slow pace. At this time, it is especially important not to allow excess water. Watering should be done so that moisture does not fall on the leaves. Frequent ventilation is required. The container lid must be removed after 7 days. Immediately after this, the plants must be protected from direct sunlight.
	If the seedlings are too dense, thin them out using tweezers.
	Picking is done after the first two true leaves grow. Snapdragon is not afraid of this procedure. In the new place he will feel good almost immediately. The same soil mixture is suitable, but without preliminary sifting and steam treatment. Fill cups or pots with soil and lightly compact the soil. Then you need to make holes so that there is enough space for the roots. Deepen the sprout by 3 mm and sprinkle with soil. Lightly compact the soil, otherwise the sprout may tilt when wet.
	After picking, the seedlings must be carefully watered. In this case, it is advisable to hold the sprouts until the moisture is completely absorbed.
	It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizer to the soil once every 14 days. Grown seedlings can be pinched between the fourth and fifth pairs of leaves to improve growth and further lush flowering.
	In the second decade of May, you can plan to transfer the seedlings to open ground. Snapdragons require a well-lit place. In shady areas, antirrinum will not bloom so profusely. If the seedlings have been hardened, then they are not afraid of even slight frosts. Land for good growth plants should be loose. Fertile, slightly alkaline soil is suitable (otherwise the roots will not be developed enough). Heavy soil must be diluted with sand, dolomite flour or ash. Before planting seedlings, you should add mineral fertilizing, including phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
	Holes for planting must be dug at a distance of up to 45 cm from each other, depending on the height of the future plant. The specified distance between plants must be maintained if a tall variety is planted. For medium-sized antirrinums, this interval is 30 cm. And plants of small varieties of snapdragons will get along well at a distance of 20 cm between them.
	Planting must be completed with generous watering, after which it is necessary to cover the soil with a layer of peat.

Snapdragon in composition with other flowers

Arrangement using snapdragon flowers

Video - How best to sow snapdragons

Plant care

Further care of the plant does not require much effort. It needs to be weeded periodically, and the antirrinum also needs frequent loosening of the soil. During active growth the culture should be fed with a complex mineral fertilizers. It is undesirable to allow both waterlogging of the soil and lack of moisture. Watering should be done moderately. Wilted inflorescences must be removed in a timely manner.

Antirrhinum (snapdragon). Types and timing of work during cultivation

Snapdragon - cultivation and care

Diseases of the snapdragon

If the root system of seedlings is exposed to excess moisture, the antirrinum may develop root rot. This can completely ruin the seedlings. You can cope with the problem with the help of a drug called “Hom”. A teaspoon of the product is diluted with 1 liter of water and the seedlings are treated. Repeated treatment is carried out after transferring the plants to open ground. To do this, take 1 liter of solution per 10 m2 of flower bed. The procedure must be done before flowering.

Diseases and pests of antirrinum

Cool, damp summers provide suitable conditions for rust development. Red spots quickly spread on the foliage, leading to the death of the flower. It is recommended to combat this disease with the help of special fungicides (Cumulus, Strobi, Abiga-Pik, Polyram) and one percent Bordeaux mixture. Products containing sulfur are effective. Plants affected by the disease must be burned.

"Strobe"

"Abiga Peak"

On a note! Gray spots with yellow edging on snapdragon leaves indicate infection with septoria. This usually happens in hot but rainy summers. To eliminate the infection, such products as “Skor”, “Previkur”, “Fundazol”, “Acrobat MC”, “Ordan”, “Profit Gold” are used.

"Fundazol"

The following pests pose a danger to snapdragons:

• scoop;
• slugs;
• avocado scale insect;
• root-knot nematode.

To destroy them, the plants and the land on which they are planted should be treated with insecticides. Infected bushes must be removed from the flowerbed and burned.

Snapdragon - beautiful flower, which is undeservedly forgotten by many gardeners

Until late autumn, snapdragon is able to surprise with its lush color, as it is not afraid of light frosts. If you follow simple rules, every amateur gardener can plant and successfully grow these colorful flowers on their own plot.

Snapdragon cannot be called refined or sophisticated garden plant, other epithets are suitable to describe it - bright, joyful, amazing with its splendor and variety of colors. In the flowerbed summer flower claims to be the main role, his more modest neighbors are suitable as partners, setting off his striking beauty.

Due to the fact that the plant has been in cultivation for a very long time, is grown everywhere and is capable of propagating by self-sowing, many classify “dogs” as too simple country flowers, not even suspecting how far modern selection has come. Looking at new varieties and hybrids of snapdragon, you never tire of being amazed by the bizarrely shaped inflorescences, amazing shades and special life-affirming principle that this flower possesses.

Nature generously splashed colors on this flowerbed

Anachronism or floral classic?

Antirrinum is a plant of southern origin, most of its species (about 50 in total) grow in Asia, Southern Europe, and America. According to botanical characteristics it is a herbaceous perennial of the Plantain family; some varieties become woody over time and form a subshrub.

Despite its diversity, only one species has taken root in culture and provided genetic material for selection - A. large. Due to its ability to produce full-fledged seeds in the first year, snapdragon is grown as an annual plant, although it can be grown as a biennial plant or perennial.

During the growing season it forms a pyramidal bush consisting of straight branched stems. The height depends on the variety and varies in the range of 15–100 cm. The leaves are dark green, round in young sprouts, and elongated oval in adult form.

The main distinguishing feature of snapdragon flowers is the bizarre two-lipped shape, which, in addition to the antirrhinum, can be observed in clasp, oregano, salvia, and orchids. The corollas, similar to the slightly open mouth of an animal, are collected in lush brushes. One plant, in addition to the main peduncle, expels several lateral ones, up to the fourth order. Flowers in a raceme bloom gradually, upward; each of them takes 10–12 days from opening to pollination. These features provide snapdragon bushes with a continuous flowering period from the beginning of summer until frost.

The color of all the colors of the rainbow, bright, in many varieties variegated, repels connoisseurs of noble shades - rich, deep, one tone. They consider the flower somewhat outdated, although this can be argued. In correctly arranged flower arrangements the plant looks quite organic, acting as a key accent.

This is interesting! The tubular flower, framed by lips, is not easy to pollinate - a difficult task only bumblebees can do. It is pollination that serves as a signal for the corolla to wilt and the seeds to ripen - which is why antirrhinum blooms for so long.

A sweet treat available to few: a bumblebee tries to get to the nectar

Types and varieties of antirrinum

Snapdragon has hundreds of varieties of domestic and foreign selection. Classification is carried out according to the height of the bush and ripening time.

Tall

The group includes varieties traditionally cultivated for cutting. The main peduncle starts from 65–70 cm; some gardeners separately distinguish gigantic antirrinums (90–100 cm). Distinctive feature- a powerful central shoot and several lateral shoots, much smaller in size. The brushes are large, multi-flowered, medium and late varieties, blooming from the second half of June. The following tall hybrids are popular among gardeners.

• Snapdragon from the Madame Butterfly series is a giant with lush double inflorescences, the appearance of which resembles an azalea. The height of the compact bush is up to 75 cm, the shade scale is from pure white to dark burgundy. Typically sold in a mixture of colors.
• Another popular series is the American hybrids Rocket F1. Bushes grow up to a meter high. The inflorescences are multi-flowered, the colors are traditional red, purple, pink and unusual - greenish-yellow, golden-orange, lavender.

Double inflorescences of Madama Butterfly

Semi-high

This is a group of universal Antirrhinum grandiflora. Compact pyramidal bushes 40–60 cm high are suitable for cutting and creating flower arrangements.

• The legendary Dutch Liberty Classic series. Among the attractive characteristics are excellent shoot habit, uniform flowering, and rich color.
• The La Bella intermediate group is popular among gardeners. Strong plants with excellent lateral branching produce a large number of double flowers - white, yellow, purple, red and white.
• The Black Prince variety is distinguished by its restrained and noble beauty. Velvety burgundy inflorescences spike against the background of dark green foliage. Their deep, rich color makes them ideal as the centerpiece of a flower bed.

Bronze shades of the Liberty Classic series

The photo shows the Black Prince variety

Low-growing and ampelous

A feature of low-growing varieties (25–40 cm) is the formation of a branched hemispherical bush without a pronounced central shoot. The inflorescences, although smaller in size than those of the cutting groups, benefit from quantity.

• Antirrinum Bronze Dragon got its name because of the color of the foliage - dark green with a bronze tint. The bushes are small - up to 20–25 cm, and are strewn with purple-white clusters of flowers all summer.
• As a container crop, gardeners like to plant the late variety Crimson Velvet with medium-sized dark red inflorescences.
• An unusual variety of snapdragon is the ampelous variety Lampion, which forms drooping shoots up to a meter long.

In the foreground is the ampelous form of the antirrhinum.

Dwarf

The group of dwarf varieties of snapdragon is represented by highly branching bushes up to 20 cm high with small double flowers. Examples of series and hybrids.

• The Bels series of Dutch producers are strong plants with good basal branching and 8 shades, including a mix. The flower shape is open, used for growing in pots.
• The early Montego group is also suitable for container plantings; flowers planted along the edge of the flower bed form an elegant border. The color is clean, rich, there are two-color varieties - yellow-orange, burgundy and white.
• Dwarf hybrids Twinnie F1, Happy F1, Floral are in demand.

Bright colors of hybrids of the Happy F1 group

The many faces of antirrinum in garden design

Snapdragon is such a colorful crop that amateur gardeners often have the question of what flowers to combine it with so that the flowerbed does not look flashy. It all depends on personal preferences and the style in which the garden is decorated.

• Mixtures of colors are suitable for mixborders and flower beds in a natural (rustic) style. They can be combined with both bright (zinnia, dahlias) and more modest plants (cosmos, lobularia).
• For compositions in subdued tones, it is better to use a plain antirrinum with a rich burgundy, white, or lavender color.
• Group plantings and tapeworms will perfectly bloom the greenery of the lawn, a garden area with conifers or decorative deciduous perennials.
• Planting dwarf and ampelous forms of snapdragons in closed ground (containers, flowerpots) will become a real decoration of the yard, balcony, gazebo.

The natural environment for snapdragons is an elegant flower bed, where it dominates

Features of growing at home

Snapdragon is a small-seeded crop; the main difficulty in growing it is timely planting and proper care for sprouts on initial stage growing season. Having grown stronger, the plants have enviable vitality and growth energy, so caring for them does not present any special problems.

Location, soil

When choosing a place for snapdragons in the garden, give preference to sunny places; it is advisable to protect the planting of tall varieties from gusts of wind and drafts. The shadow has a depressing effect on culture. The bush, of course, will not die, but it will bloom less, less often and will not reach its full potential.

The same can be said about the soil. Snapdragon loves loose, nutritious, drainable soil, so if, when planting, you fertilize it with humus, fluff it with peat and regularly loosen it when caring, the grateful plant will respond a hundredfold.

The annual plant is propagated by seeds, although some fans propagate their favorite varieties by cuttings.

Seeds ripen in these unusual boxes that look like skulls.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

The main charm of snapdragon is its early and long-lasting flowering, but this is only possible when grown through seedlings. Seeds sown immediately in open ground will begin to germinate when stable warm weather sets in, i.e. not earlier than the end of April, but will bloom in the second half of summer; accordingly, the plant will not have time to fully realize its potential.

The optimal sowing time is late February - early March. The soil substrate you need is light, consisting of turf soil, humus and baking powder (peat, vermiculite). Before planting, it is advisable to etch it with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. There are several sowing options.

• Seeds, like petunia and lobelia, are sown on the surface of the soil, lightly sprinkled with vermiculite and sand, and moistened with a spray bottle.
• A layer of snow is placed on top of the prepared soil mixture, and seeds are sown on it. When snow melts, it will draw small grains into the soil.
• Place a damp paper napkin with seeds on a small layer of soil. After pecking, they are sprinkled with a thin layer of soil. Sprinkling is done several times as the seedlings grow.

After sowing, the container is covered with glass or polyethylene and placed in a warm, bright place. The interval from sowing to germination is approximately 2 weeks. When grown for seedlings, snapdragons need picking, and this is the next stage of work.

Advice! After sowing, ventilate the container with the seeds and periodically moisten the substrate, but do not allow it to become soaked. The planting container should be opened once a day for 10–15 minutes. Keep the greenhouse for some time after the seedlings appear, until they get stronger.

Shoots that have reached the age of picking

Picking seedlings

Snapdragon seedlings of the low-growing and intermediate groups grown from seeds are pricked once, and tall-growing ones - twice. Picking is carried out after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, replanting not one sprout at a time, but in small groups so that the fragile seedlings support each other. Where can you plant seedlings?

• In a larger container, planting at a distance of 5–6 cm, in separate plastic cups.
• In cassettes for growing, followed by transplantation into peat pots.
• In a diaper. Place a little soil and a seedling on a piece of film and roll it into a roll with an open bottom. Rolls with seedlings are placed on a moist substrate.
• Growing snapdragons in peat tablets. You can either pick seedlings in them or immediately sow seeds.

After the transplanted plants begin to grow, they begin to be fed. For these purposes, a weak solution (1 g/l) of complex fertilizer, for example, ammophoska, nitrophoska, is suitable.

Seedlings planted in diapers

Advice! Many people are interested in whether it is necessary to pinch the snapdragon. Yes, for better branching, after 5–6 pairs of leaves appear, the central shoot is cut off above 3–4 pairs. The resulting cutting with two internodes is an excellent cutting that is easy to root by simply sticking it into the soil.

Landing at a permanent place

When the time comes to plant snapdragons outdoors, you will have strong, hardened seedlings, possibly with buds.

Important! To get early abundant flowering, it is advisable to illuminate the seedlings with fluorescent lamps (up to 14–15 hours in total). Lack of light can lead to stretching; this may be the reason why snapdragons do not bloom profusely, but only throw out a few meager clusters.

In the European part of Russia, snapdragons are planted in open ground at the end of May or early June, adhering to the following planting scheme:

• high – after 40–50 cm;
• intermediate – 30 cm;
• short – 20 cm;
• dwarf – 10–15 cm.

You can plant such seedlings

Care

Snapdragon requires the most basic care - weeding, regular loosening to enrich the roots with oxygen and retain moisture, and watering. Before flowering, the annual plant is fed several times. complex fertilizers. Tall hybrids need to be tied to a support. To prolong flowering, it is recommended to remove faded brushes, thereby provoking the growth of new lateral flower stalks.

Diseases and pests

When thickening plantings, waterlogging, watering cold water Snapdragons are susceptible to fungal diseases and pest attacks. Most often, the plant is affected by blackleg (in the seedling phase) and rust. To combat infections, in addition to agrotechnical measures, it is recommended to use antifungal drugs (Fitosporin) and promptly remove diseased bushes. Effective method combating aphids, mites, thrips - spraying with insecticides.

Sowing seeds for seedlings:

The beautifully flowering snapdragon, which decorates flower beds for a long period of time, owes its name to large, irregularly shaped flowers that resemble a lion's mouth. If you believe the legend, then the appearance flowering plant associated with the victory of Hercules over the Nemean lion, after which the goddess Flora presented the winner with a beautiful antirrhinum.

Description of species and varieties

Antirrhinum from the Plantain family is represented by semi-shrub plants with branched, erect stems, the height of which varies from 15 to 100 cm. Elliptical or lanceolate leaf plates, alternate on top and oppositely located in the lower part of the plant, are colored green. During the period of prolonged flowering, lasting from the beginning of summer until the first frost, spike-shaped inflorescences are observed, consisting of large, two-lipped flowers that exude a pleasant aroma. The color can be either monochromatic or include up to three colors.

In the natural growing environment there are approximately 50 varieties of antirrinum. However, in front gardens, varieties and hybrids are cultivated based on a single species known as Antirrhinum major.

Many varieties are divided into 5 classes according to the classification based on the height of the subshrubs:

• Gigantic - representatives of the class, the height of which can vary between 90-130 cm, are distinguished by the significant excess of the central stem over the shoots of the second tier. Common forms: cherry Arthur, scarlet and raspberry XL hybrids.
• Tall - the class includes varieties with a stem length from 60 to 90 cm. Among the most decorative, pinkish Anna German, yellow Canary, and terry form Madame Butterfly stand out.
• Medium-sized - the distinctive characteristics of subshrubs are height from 40 to 60 cm and a slight excess of the main stem over the side shoots. Popular: yellow Golden, Monarch, pink and white Lipstick Silver.
• Low-growing - subshrubs not exceeding 40 cm, distinguished by the abundant formation of flowers on the shoots of the second and third tiers. Interesting shapes: Hobbit, snapdragon ampelous Lampion.
• Dwarf - lush bushes for decorating borders, alpine hills with a height of 15 to 25 cm. Varieties with abundant flowering: pinkish Sakura Color, ampelous Candy Showers.

If you want to plant it in the garden and get early, long-lasting flowering, then you should sow the seeds in mid-late March. The deadline is early April.

Sowing

The seeds of snapdragon are small. And they need to be sown almost on the surface of moist, loose soil, lightly sprinkled with soil on top. Seeds begin to sprout after 10...12 days at room temperature 20...23оС. Since seeds take a long time to germinate, during this time it is necessary to ensure constant soil moisture. It should not be dry or over-moistened.

Like most flower crops Small snapdragon seedlings grow slowly. They should be watered carefully. When true leaves grow, the seedlings are fed with seedling fertilizer in a low concentration.

Grown seedlings dive when 3...4 leaves appear. Snapdragon seedlings are planted in flower beds at the end of May. A week before planting, the flowers are hardened off and introduced to cool conditions. In general, there is nothing overly complicated about growing snapdragon seedlings.

Planting in flower beds

Snapdragon has different varieties With different heights plants, from 20...25 cm to more than 70 cm. Therefore, when planting seedlings in the garden, this nuance must be taken into account so that the feeding area is sufficient for long-term flowering. Plants are planted from 12...15 cm to 30...40 cm from each other. Flowers will grow well in a sunny place, in loose, nutritious, non-acidic soil.

During dry times in summer, snapdragons need abundant watering. And weeding, loosening and fertilizing will contribute to prolonged flowering.

Snapdragon flowers bloom from bottom to top, remaining decorative for almost two weeks. They stand well when cut. Low-growing varieties look good in the foreground in flower beds, on balconies, and in flowerpots. You can collect seeds for yourself in the fall. You just can’t get a pure variety anymore. The flowers are cross-pollinated and it is possible to get your own unique snapdragon colors.

In terms of decorative qualities, flowering until autumn frosts, snapdragons are not inferior to many annuals, they will decorate any flower garden and become a highlight in the garden.