The snapdragon is one of the oldest cottage garden plants and enjoys unbroken popularity because of its robustness and undemanding nature. The flowering plants are easy to sow and grow yourself. You can find out how to do this in this guide article.
Snapdragons can easily be sown directly outdoors
seed procurement
Snapdragon seeds are available from any well stocked garden store. If you have already cultivated the plant in your garden, you can harvest the seed yourself after flowering. Let this dry for some time on kitchen paper and keep it in small paper bags in a light-protected place until sowing.
Sow directly outdoors
From April you can sow the snapdragon directly outdoors. The substrate should be rich in humus and well loosened so that the seeds can germinate easily. Since the snapdragon germinates in the light, they must not be covered with soil, or at least very thinly. Spread a net over the seeds to protect against hungry birds.
preference in the house
If you want to be sure that as many seeds as possible grow, it is advisable to prefer the snapdragon in the house. Since the snapdragon is a cold germ, self-collected seeds must first be stratified. Therefore, put the seed mixed with some sand in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Then do the following:
- Fill the growing containers with special growing soil and press down lightly.
- Spread seeds on the surface but do not cover with soil.
- Moisten gently with a sprayer. Be careful not to wash away the seed.
- Place in a bright location where temperatures are between 15 and 20 degrees.
- To create an artificial greenhouse climate, it is advisable to put a hood or a transparent plastic bag over the vessel.
- Keep evenly moist.
Under these conditions, snapdragons often germinate after a week. If you don't lose patience, you won't see any green tips yet. Sometimes the snapdragon takes its time and only germinates after about three weeks.
The plants can be transplanted outdoors from the beginning of May. However, in very harsh areas you should wait until after the ice saints as late ground frosts could damage the young plantlets.
tips
If the snapdragon feels comfortable in its location, it often velvets itself. It even thrives wild between stones, in front of dry house walls and in unplanted places in the flower bed.