Working with flowering plants in the month of February
It is not at all difficult to imagine a winter landscape when the earth is wrapped in a dazzling white blanket, a cold wind blows and frost crackles. The full-fledged owner of February does not give up its positions, keeping the plant world in the grip of numbness and peace. But this is only on the street. Under the roof of the house, where it is cozy and warm, incomparable flowers bloom on the windows, which are full of strength and charm. What is the secret to creating this splendor? Continuous work of lovers of flowering plants. Read:chrysanthemum in a pot - home care after purchase!
Forcing flowers is a manifestation of love for people
Despite the fact that February is outside the window, flower lovers create real flower masterpieces in their homes. To do this, they use forcing, a process that causes a plant to bloom at an inappropriate period for it. Most often, bulbous plants of the following types are chosen for this purpose:
Preparation for forcing begins long before the start of the process itself. In the spring, when greens appear, suitable specimens are selected for distillation. Observing the plant, summer residents pluck the buds, so they do not have time to bloom. In order for the flowers to develop successfully, they are regularly watered and fed. As a result, the bulb absorbs a large number of useful elements, which remain in it until the time of distillation.
Planting material is stored under strict temperature conditions established by biologists. In July - no higher than 23 degrees, in August - up to 17. If it is impossible to create it at home, it is better to purchase the bulbs in specialized retail outlets.
Large, regular-shaped bulbs are suitable for the forcing process. Before planting, they are freed from dried scales. Soil is collected in the pot, consisting of earth mixed with sand (1: 1). Then the bulbs are planted in 3 or 5 pieces at a distance of 1.5 cm. They should sit tightly, without touching each other. The depth of the soil under them is not less than 8 cm.The top layer is approximately 2.5 cm.
The planting material, which will be used for forcing in February, is artificially cooled. It is kept at 9 ° C for 4 or 6 weeks.
After watering, the pots are taken out to a cool room with a temperature of 5 to 9 degrees. There they are until the appearance of greenery, after which they are transferred to a warm room. The first 10 days they stand in the dark to accelerate the growth of shoots. For this, the flowers are covered with a black paper cap. In order for them to bloom by the beginning of spring, the rooted bulbs are put up for forcing in early February. And then, to show love for dear women, it is quite possible with a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Special care for indoor plants
Wherever people live on the planet, they try to decorate their homes with indoor plants. Flowers require attention at any time of the year, especially when February is outside the window. Right now their "spring awakening" begins.
Plants that grow in tubs or large pots are transferred to spacious rooms where there is a lot of light. These can be insulated verandas or loggias. At this time, the flowers are sprayed and watered with a solution from mineral fertilizers... To prepare it, take 10 liters of water and 15 grams of top dressing. Stirred and used as a watering solution.
In February, it is advisable to inspect the top ball of soil in flower containers. If moss or algae greens are found, it is advisable to remove them. For prophylaxis, the surface is covered with pebbles or small stones.
It's time to transplant abundantly overgrown flowerpots into new containers. This is indicated by the roots extending outward from the hole in the bottom of the pot. Some young flowers are transplanted regularly. These include:
- dieffenbachia;
- monstera;
- ficus.
Plants that bloom in winter should be moved to new pots just in February. During this period, they are at rest, gaining strength.
When transplanting a flower, the soil is abundantly moistened so as not to damage the root system. In order for the flower to take root quickly, it is placed away from direct sunlight and sprayed regularly.
The transplanted flowerpots are carefully trimmed, giving them a beautiful shape. In addition, February is a suitable month for grafting indoor flowers. It is during this period that young stems appear in the uterine chrysanthemum, suitable for reproduction. They are carefully cut and then rooted in separate containers. Having worked hard at the end of winter, you can “rest on your laurels” amid the lush flowering of indoor plants all year round.
Secrets of preparing flower seedlings
When spring is just around the corner, fans of street flowers start thinking about their favorites in February. They try not to waste precious time, but to sow flower seeds for seedlings. For this, it is important to choose high-quality planting material and successfully grow young seedlings.
Before sowing, the seeds are soaked in a special solution consisting of a weak concentration of potassium permanganate with the addition of boric acid. The seeds are lowered there and left for 12 hours at room temperature. Then, the dishes are placed in the refrigerator for the same time. The procedure is continued until green shoots appear.
Since the seedlings grow very slowly, they are sown in February in order to catch the spring warming. Most often during this period, flowers are grown such as:
To achieve the ultimate goal, it is important to consider the main points of growing flower seedlings.
Suitable containers
For sowing a large number of flowers, use low (about 5 cm) wooden boxes with a removable bottom. Such containers save space, but it is extremely inconvenient to extract seedlings from them. Some summer residents sow seeds in old bowls, pans, cardboard boxes. But in such containers, soil acidification or stagnation of water can occur.
It is best to sow flowers for seedlings in peat containers, plastic cups, special pots. The main thing is to preserve the root system of the seedlings when transplanting into new containers.
Fertile soil
The successful growth of seedlings depends on the quality of the soil where the seeds are sown. The best option is to buy it at a store. Some summer residents prepare the soil on their own. For this, 1 part of sod land is mixed with sand of the same amount, plus 3 parts of peat. Fine gravel or coarse-grained version of sand is used as drainage material.
In no case should you use the land on which such plants used to grow. It contains spores of various fungi, worm larvae and weed seeds.
Ideal for seedlings
Sown seeds are initially grown in complete darkness until green shoots appear. Then the containers are placed in a room with lots of light. The ideal place is a windowsill, a veranda or a heated loggia.
Regular watering and feeding
Watering the seeds is carried out using a spray bottle or a narrow-necked jug. Initially, the plants are moistened with a weak solution of potassium permanganate in moderation so that the sprouts do not suffer from excessive moisture.
Until the seedlings are planted in open ground, they need feeding.You can prepare the solution yourself using 1 part mullein to 20 parts liquid. Some gardeners use ready-made mineral fertilizers for plants.
Applying such simple tips in practice, you can successfully grow flower seedlings, despite the fact that February is in charge on the street. When it is cold and a blizzard outside the window, and a flower lover does not sleep on the stove, he will meet spring surrounded by lush greenery. And this is the true joy of their labors.