Calibrachoa is a bright, beautiful flower with an exotic name. Although it is most often propagated by cuttings, several years ago calibrachoa seeds appeared on the market, suitable for growing at home. But these plants are quite capricious and vulnerable, so it is important to follow a few tips.
When to plant
In order to plant seedlings in the ground by the season, it is important to plant the seeds on time. Depending on the climate, this is done:
- at the end of January - for southern warm regions (planting seedlings already at the end of April);
- early February - for mid-latitudes (planting in mid-May);
- late February or early March - for the colder Urals and Siberia (planting in late May).
Calibrachoa is a heat-loving flower, so it is planted in a permanent place when the soil has already warmed up after winter.
Seed preparation
Before planting, the seeds should be soaked for a day in a solution of plant growth stimulator, then dried on a napkin. This is important due to the poor germination of seeds. If they are sold in the form of granules, they do not need to be soaked.
Soil preparation
It would be a mistake to plant seeds in ordinary soil. Seedlings need nutrients and loose soil. Therefore, a little sand and mineral fertilizers are added to it for better growth of the root system. Special soil for seedlings is sold in stores, in addition, peat tablets can be used.One of the advantages of using them is that you don’t have to pick the seedlings.
Small plants are very susceptible to fungal diseases, so the soil must first be disinfected. To do this, the soil is calcined in the oven and treated with special biological preparations or a solution of potassium permanganate.
Planting seeds
At the bottom of a container or box (up to 10 cm high), you need to make drainage from pebbles or expanded clay 1-2 cm thick so that moisture does not accumulate and rotting processes do not begin. The seeds are evenly laid out on the surface of the soil, slightly moistened with a spray bottle, and then sprinkled with a small layer of sand and covered with film or glass. If the seeds are not granulated, they need to be planted somewhat thicker, since the germination rate is slightly lower.
Temperature and light
For good growth, calibrachoa needs warmth and sufficient humidity, so the container is placed in the warmest and brightest place. For the first 10-15 days, the temperature should not fall below +20-22 °C or be above +25 °C. Temperature changes or drafts can destroy calibrachoa.
It is necessary to monitor the soil moisture: if it is dry, the plants will not receive enough moisture and will begin to wither. If condensation appears in the container, rot may appear. It is recommended to water the plants 3 times a day using a spray bottle with warm, settled water. Due to the lack of daylight, it is recommended to install a fluorescent lamp. But direct sunlight will harm the seedlings.
Growing calibrachoa from seed requires effort and vigilance.But if you do everything right, these beautiful flowers will delight the eye all summer.
