We grow abutilon from seeds at home
Home flower abutilon is a plant native to the tropics. Abutilon belongs to the malvaceous family, the prominent representatives of which are the stock-rose, beloved by summer residents, and indoor plants hibiscus... Abutilon is grown from seeds, perhaps by cuttings or the acquisition of seedlings. In domestic conditions, it is rather a home indoor flower that lives on the balcony in summer. In warm zones, abutilones grow in flower beds and are used in landscape design.
Abutilon as a houseplant
The abutilon plant or indoor maple grows well on light, fertile soil with good lighting, but without direct sunlight. When leaving, the moisture balance of the earthen coma should be observed, since the plant sheds foliage with a lack or excess of moisture. Winter maintenance should be carried out at 10-15 0, at a very moderate watering.
Reproduction of abutilon by seeds
The best breeding method is to grow abutilone from seeds. The seeds can be obtained at home or purchased at a specialty store. Saplings are on sale much less often, and rooting is not always successful. In addition, it is always interesting to try to grow a beautiful plant from scratch in order to give it to someone close to you.
Getting seeds is possible if there are several plants located nearby. Pollination in natural conditions occurs through the transfer of pollen by insects and wind. For indoor use, use a soft-haired brush to transfer pollen.
As a result of pollination, a capsule is formed with seeds covered with a hard shell. Seeds remain viable for no more than two years. When growing hybrids, varietal traits can be split when sown with seeds.
The peculiarities of sowing and growing abutilone from seeds must be taken into account in order to get a strong healthy plant. These include:
- soil requirement for sowing:
- preliminary preparation of seeds;
- temperature and watering regimes;
- timing of germination, picking;
- especially in the care of seedlings.
For sowing, a substrate is used, like a usual mixture for growing seedlings of garden crops, but sand and perlite are added to it. Experienced flower growers advise to steam the substrate for disinfection, put a drainage layer on the bottom, which can be expanded clay, pebbles or even crushed needles from conifers. Plants sown in peat pills.
The soil mixture is poured into a box, it will stand until germination in a warm and bright place. If abutilon is grown for the street, in order to get flowering in the summer, seeds should be sown at the very beginning of January. Flowering will come six months after sowing.
Seed preparation consists in the destruction of the upper shell. For this, the seeds are treated with a fine sandpaper or other hard tool. This should be remembered, since without the destruction of the upper shell with a skin or other method, seedlings will not appear.After that, the seeds should be soaked for a day in epine, root or other stimulants. The sprout will not appear soon. Therefore, it is better to expect the result by wrapping the seeds in a moderately damp cloth and wait for the seeds to ripen.
If the plant is grown for indoor use, then the best time to grow seedlings will be spring, when nature wakes up. The jar into which the seeds of abutilon are sown should be shallow, the sowing is superficial, the soil is sprinkled with only 5 mm. Be sure to install the box in a warm and bright corner, covered with glass. Room temperature is good for germination. During the development of the seedling, the soil is moistened from above, preventing it from drying out.
Seedlings will appear in two to three weeks. Following the classical scheme for the development of cotyledons, so that there is no elongated stalk, in the first week the plant must be placed to the window, but at the same time the earthen lump must be warm. Maybe with a thick napkin under the bottom.
When the first true leaf appears, the plants dive into cups 7 cm in diameter. The seedlings spend 3 months in them, filling the entire substrate with roots. With proper care during this time, the seedling turns into a young bush, which, after being transferred to a large container, will begin to bloom.
Pros and cons of growing abutilone from seeds:
- seeds can be purchased by choosing your favorite variety;
- self-grown plants from seeds are more resistant to the room conditions of the apartment where they originated;
- by growing several plants, you can get seeds and grow a completely new hybrid.
However, you should be aware that the germination period of abutilon seeds is limited, sowing should be carried out as soon as the material was purchased. Not always hybrid varieties from seeds have the same decorative effect.
You need to transfer indoor abutilone annually, each time increasing the capacity of the pot. If you use a container for growth, not only flowering will be delayed, but also the growth of the green mass until the earthen lump is filled with roots.
Keeping the plant outdoors
With good care, the abutilon plant will begin to bloom in the fourth month. Exposure to direct sunlight can cause the leaves to lighten and fall off. However, rays that strike the plant for a short time are useful. If the indoor maple begins to lose leaves, then you need to look for the reason in leaving or settling pests.
In summer, homemade abutilone on the balcony feels much better than in the room. In this case, the bush should be shaded from direct sunlight and monitor soil moisture. When leaving in the summer to the country, there will be no problems with a home flower. The plant will delight with its beauty in an open space. Abutilion in the country should be placed in the shade of trees, in a place protected from wind and direct sunlight. If you dig a plant in a pot, then in the fall you can prune the crawled roots, transplant it into a large bowl. These plants cannot stand winter in the garden.