How to grow mallow seedlings at home?
Mallow, or as it is also called the stock-rose, is a beautiful tall flower with both decorative and medicinal properties. The plant is one or two years old, grows more than a meter in height, has beautiful large flowers of various colors and shapes. Mallow propagates by seeds. If it is not a task to achieve flowering in the year of planting, the seeds are sown directly into the open ground. But a more reliable way at home is to grow mallow through seedlings, and then it will bloom at the end of summer.
Rules for growing mallow seedlings at home
It is necessary to sow mallow for seedlings with seeds at the very beginning of spring. In order for the mallow seeds to germinate faster, they must be poured with warm water in the evening and left overnight. In the morning, plant the swollen seeds in peat pots according to the principle: one seed - in one pot.
Three-year mallow seeds will germinate better than seeds harvested later. But it is not recommended to store seeds for more than three years.
For better seed germination, it is better to buy a rather loose soil, or make it yourself from the soil from the garden, sand and humus in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
Since mallow has a rather long root system and does not tolerate transplanting well, pots from peat would be preferable for her to a common container. If suddenly they were not at home, you can sow in a common box, and spread the seeds with a distance of 4 cm.
With general sowing, seedlings will need to be planted early in separate containers - before they are intertwined with roots. Usually seedlings are planted after the formation of three leaves. It is not necessary to bury the mallow seeds, it is enough to lightly sprinkle it with earth on top. Now pour them over and cover with foil to create a mini-greenhouse. The optimum temperature for germinating seeds is 20 degrees Celsius. After the mallow has risen (about two weeks), remove the film and rearrange the seedlings on a light windowsill.
Mallow is a light-loving plant, therefore it needs additional lighting... The sun is still small in winter, the daylight hours are short, and so that the seedlings do not stretch out and get sick, it needs to install artificial lighting.
Caring for mallow seedlings is as follows:
- watering as needed, avoiding complete drying out or waterlogging of the soil;
- gradual stabbing of seedlings in the fresh air.
Planting mallow seedlings in open ground
Seedlings of annual mallow are planted in open ground in May. Perennial mallow is transplanted in late summer or early September. If the seeds were sown in peat pots, they can be planted with them.
Choose a place for seedlings that is well lit and without drafts. The ideal option would be a flower bed along the fence, then you will not need to worry about additional supports for the garter of adult plants.
Care of planted mallow seedlings
Mallow is the perfect flower for those who don't have a lot of free time. The plant is completely unpretentious, it is enough to follow the following recommendations:
- Water as needed, more often in dry and hot weather.
- Weed and loosen the soil around the bush.
- Remove flowers that have dried up.
- Before laying the buds, feed with mineral fertilizer.
To get a perennial plant from annual mallow, experienced flower growers advise cutting off all flower stalks immediately after flowering.