Ampelous snapdragon planting and care. Growing snapdragon from seeds. What to do after flowering

Ampelous snapdragon planting and care.  Growing snapdragon from seeds.  What to do after flowering
Ampelous snapdragon planting and care. Growing snapdragon from seeds. What to do after flowering

Antirrinum or snapdragon, is widespread in Russia. Its flowers with a variety of colors decorate personal plots, gardens and city flower beds. To grow flowers in pots, breeders have developed hanging varieties. Growing snapdragon from seeds is not a difficult task. The main thing is to grow the seedlings correctly and follow the rules of care.

Description and features of ampelous snapdragon

Snapdragon is a perennial plant, but most gardeners grow antirrhinum as an annual, not knowing that the flower has a powerful root system, which helps the plant to overwinter well in regions with average frosts.

There are 3 varieties of hanging varieties:

  • short;
  • medium height;
  • tall.

Depending on the variety, the ampelous snapdragon forms shoots from 20 to 100 cm long. In the second half of June, the stems are covered with numerous flowers, which fade when the first frost occurs.

Varieties differ from each other in the following ways:

  • flower size and color;
  • shoot length.

Important! If you plant different varieties in one place, then over time they will be cross-pollinated and lose their varietal characteristics.

To turn a plot into a brightly blooming oasis, you need to choose the right varieties that are suitable for the growing region.

Varieties of ampelous snapdragon

The ampelous snapdragon is a recently developed form of Antirrhinum magnus. The most popular varieties are: Lampion, Amulet and Candy Showers.

Snapdragon ampelous Lampion

A rare, tall ampelous variety, the length of the shoots reaches 70-100 cm. The hybrid produces long shoots that are strewn with flowers of various colors. Flowering is abundant and long lasting. The variety is ideal for growing in hanging pots.

Snapdragon ampel amulet

A low-growing variety with evenly growing shoots. The hybrid is light-loving, cold-hardy, and develops well in partial shade. When planted en masse, the variety forms a lush head of multi-colored flowers and lanceolate leaves. For abundant flowering, it is necessary to promptly remove faded flowers and carry out regular fertilizing.

Snapdragon ampelous Candy Showers

The first variety to be grown from seeds. It has flexible but strong shoots up to half a meter long. Flowering is abundant and long lasting. Flowers are fragrant even with short daylight hours.

When to plant ampelous snapdragon seedlings

Growing ampelous varieties with seeds is not difficult; even a novice gardener can cope with this task. According to gardeners, manufacturers fill bags with a small amount of seeds (5-10 pcs.) and, taking into account natural selection during germination, you need to purchase several packages. Seeds for seedlings are planted from late February to early April, it all depends on the region of growth. First, prepare the necessary containers. These can be small peat tablets or cups.

Planting and caring for snapdragon

To grow a beautifully flowering plant, you need to prepare the soil, seed material and properly grow the seedlings. Planting and care are simple, the main thing is to follow the recommendations of specialists.

Preparing soil and seed material

You can buy soil at the store, or you can mix it yourself. To do this, prepare a peat mixture diluted with sand. Before planting seeds, the soil is spilled with boiling water or a disinfectant.

Responsible producers sell seeds that have undergone pre-sowing treatment, so there is no need to soak or disinfect them.

The soil is moistened with a spray bottle and the seeds are laid out. If the seed is covered with a shell, it is torn before sowing. Since the seeds are small, they are sown superficially. The container is covered with film to create a microgreenhouse.

Planting seedlings

The optimal temperature for germination is 20-25 degrees. With good lighting and maintaining temperature and humidity conditions, the first shoots germinate within a week.

In order for the bush to grow healthy and delight you with its flowering, it is necessary to carry out careful care when the first shoots appear. First of all, this is compliance with the temperature and light conditions.

To prevent the seedlings from stretching out, gradually reduce the air temperature to +16 degrees. To do this, move the container with the seedlings to the window and do frequent but short ventilation.

The film is removed gradually so that the plant quickly adapts and gets used to sunlight. The seedlings are ventilated for 30 minutes, adding another half hour every day. After 7 days, the cover is removed.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering the seedlings is carried out only through the pan after the top layer of soil has dried.

Important! For good growth and development, young seedlings should not be over-watered.

Timely application of fertilizers is also important for development. The initial fertilizing is introduced 2 weeks after the first picking. For this purpose, complex mineral fertilizers specially designed for flowering plants are used. Repeated feeding is introduced 10-15 days after the second picking, with the same composition. Fertilizers are diluted strictly according to the instructions, but the concentrate is diluted 2 times.

Picking

After 2-3 true leaves appear, the seedlings are transplanted into separate containers. The soil where the seedlings grow is moistened. The seedlings with a lump of earth are carefully removed and transplanted into a larger container. The second picking is carried out at the stage of 3-4 leaves, already in a container of even larger volume.

Advice! To prevent the water from stagnating, subsequent glasses should not be large.

You can see what properly grown snapdragon seedlings look like in the photo:

Transfer

Planting and caring for an adult plant is not difficult, the main thing is to choose the right size pots. Each ampelous variety has a different length of shoots. For short and medium-sized plants, a 3-liter pot is prepared; for varieties such as Lampion, a pot with a volume of more than 5 liters is selected. The transplanted plant is transferred to the open air only after the night temperature is positive. For lush flowering, the soil must be nutritious, with neutral acidity.

Reproduction

The ampelous snapdragon can be propagated by seeds and cuttings. The plant also reproduces well by self-sowing.

Seeds

When grown in the southern regions, the seeds are sown directly in the flower pots. The seeds are laid out superficially on moist soil. To speed up germination, the seed material is covered with film.

The seedling method allows you to wait for flowering much earlier. Seeds for seedlings are sown in mid-March when grown in the Northern regions and at the end of February for cultivation in the south.

You can also sow seeds on a snow cushion:

  1. To do this, the pots are filled with earth, covered with snow on top and the seeds are distributed.
  2. When the snow melts, the seeds are buried in the soil. Seeds take a long time to germinate, seedlings appear in 10-15 days.
  3. Recommended temperature for germination is +23 degrees. This method is good because melt water contains microelements that are necessary for the full growth and development of young seedlings.

Cuttings of ampelous snapdragon

Snapdragon is very difficult to propagate from cuttings. Therefore, gardeners resort to this method extremely rarely. To propagate a plant by cuttings, in the fall the strongest, healthiest of them is selected and cuttings 10-15 cm long are cut. After treatment with a growth stimulant, the planting material is buried in damp sand and covered with a plastic cap to maintain the temperature-humidity regime.

Cuttings must be regularly ventilated and sprayed. After new foliage appears, the cuttings are prepared for planting in open ground. They are transplanted into pots with nutritious soil and hardened. In the spring, when the temperature at night remains positive, the rooted plant can be hung in the open air.

Diseases and pests

If you do not follow the growing rules, the seedlings may be affected by blackleg.

This is a dangerous fungal disease that appears with the following indicators:

  • high humidity;
  • sudden temperature changes;
  • acidified soil;
  • thickened crops;
  • lack of nitrogen fertilizers.

A sign of the disease is the appearance of a dark rim above the root collar of the plant.

The diseased plant is removed from the seedling box, and the soil is spilled with boiling water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

To protect seedlings from blackleg, you need to adhere to the following rules:

  1. Double treatment of the soil in seedling boxes: copper sulfate, boiling water or bleach.
  2. When growing seedlings, observe the temperature and humidity conditions.
  3. Carry out regular watering and ventilation.
  4. Do not thicken the plantings and pick grown seedlings.

Conclusion

Growing an adult beautiful plant from the seeds of snapdragon is not difficult. The main thing is to observe the sowing dates, plant the planting material correctly and follow the rules for caring for seedlings. With a minimum of effort and maximum care, you can get beautiful flowers that will delight you with colorful blooms throughout the summer.

Snapdragons bloom from mid-June until fall. Forms bright spots of color in flower beds. When selecting varieties, it is important to take into account such important factors as flower color, height and degree of branching of plants.

Various forms of antirrinum are used for planting in prefabricated flower beds and ridges, for group and mass plantings, mixborders, and for decorating edges of shrubs.

Low-growing forms are suitable for landscaping balconies, terraces, and for growing in containers and vases. Low and dwarf species are also used as a border plant, as well as for planting in groups against the background of a lawn or in the foreground of flower beds.

Plants such as cosmos or sage are suitable companions for snapdragons.

Snapdragon can be used for forcing in winter.

Tall varieties are used for cutting. Cut flowers stand in water for up to two weeks, during which time all the buds bloom. Plants with buds are taken for cutting when only the first two lower flowers have opened in the inflorescences.

The best plants can be transplanted into pots in the fall. If you place them on a light windowsill, they retain their decorative effect for a very long time.

Use in folk medicine

Snapdragon has been used in folk medicine for a long time.

In the East, its decoction was used as an antidote for all types of poisoning. The same decoction was mixed with lily oil and smeared on the face, “to be pleasant to everyone.”

And in Germany, antirrinum was a reliable and proven remedy against witchcraft: bags of it were worn around the neck as amulets.

Infusions and decoctions of snapdragons are used in folk medicine for gastrointestinal diseases, diseases of the liver and biliary tract, and jaundice. A decoction of snapdragon is used as a diuretic for urinary incontinence.

Snapdragon is also used for lotions and instillation for eye inflammation and conjunctivitis. Snapdragon helps with sore throat and inflammation of the prostate gland.

Snapdragon is a poisonous plant, so using it internally requires caution and precise dosage.

Climbing kobeya is an ideal option for vertical gardening of a personal garden in a short time. In two to three months, a powerful vine with beautiful leaves grows from a small sprout, which is capable of forming a solid wall on a support, decorated with magnificent bell-shaped flowers, as if carved by the hand of a skilled craftsman.

The ampelous variety is a rare breeding form of Antirrinum major, bred specifically for growing in pots. At the peak of its decorative form, it has well-developed hanging shoots from 20 centimeters to 1 meter long (depending on the variety) and a large number of flowers collected in small racemes. Blooms from late June until late frosts.


Antirrinum ampelous "Candy Showers"

Shoot length: 25-30 cm Description: original ampelous variety. Fragrant inflorescences form bright flower balls and have strong flexible stems. This species is capable of blooming profusely and for a long time with relatively short daylight hours. Interesting: of all the ampelous antirrinums, Candy Showers was the first to be propagated by seeds.


Antirrinum ampelous "Lampion"

Length of shoots: 50 - 70 cm, can reach 1 m. Description: rare ampelous hybrid with drooping shoots for boxes and hanging baskets. Forms a lush hanging beard. Multi-colored clusters will delight the eye all summer.

Antirrinum ampelous "Amulet"

Shoot length: 20 cm Description: has good habit, uniform growth. Flowers of various colors, lanceolate leaves. Photophilous, cold-hardy, blooms well in partial shade. Needs regular feeding.


Antirrinum ampelous "Magic"

Shoot length: 45 - 50 cm Description: large spherical plant with a diameter of 50 - 60 cm. During the flowering period, it is strewn with unusual small glossy flowers. It is recommended to grow in a sunny place.







Growing from seeds

TIP: Considering the small number of seeds per package (5 - 10) and natural selection during germination, it is better to purchase several bags at once.

Usually the seeds are already prepared and treated with antiseptics. There is no need to soak them in water. Snapdragons are planted from mid-March to early April. Some people use peat tablets or disposable cups, but we recommend preparing a peat mixture with the addition of sand. The soil should be of average mechanical composition and slightly alkaline. A day before sowing, treat the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate - this will protect the seedlings from the “black leg”. Level and moisten the surface with a spray bottle. Place the seed and tear the shell, if there is one. There is no need to sprinkle over the top. Cover with film, place in the light and germinate at a temperature of 23 - 25 degrees.



How to grow properly

In a couple of weeks, shoots will appear. It is advisable to illuminate them, because in March there is still not enough natural light. To avoid pulling out the stems, you need to gradually reduce the temperature to 15 - 18 degrees. Just move the seedlings closer to the window. Ventilate by adding 30 minutes every day. After about a week, the film can be finally removed.

Note! Watering is done through a tray when the top layer of soil is already dry. Excessive moisture or drying out can destroy all crops.

Snapdragons are dived when the third true leaf appears. Carefully, without damaging the roots, transfer the seedlings into a larger container, but do not overdo it with the new volume, otherwise a yellow coating will appear on the edges of the pot from watering, which has a bad effect on unformed plants. Carry out loosening carefully so as not to damage the developing root system and the delicate long stem.



Optimal temperature for germination - +18 Optimum temperature after germination +16-18

Stage 1 (days 1-10). Sow seeds in cassettes (288 cassette or larger cell recommended) filled with sterile and well-drained soil. Optimal pH 5.5-5.8. Lightly sprinkle with medium vermiculite to retain moisture and dissolve the granules. The temperature at this stage is maintained at +18.

Stage 2 (day 11-18). The cotyledons are visible and roots are beginning to form. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Temperature +18.

Stage 3 (days 19-27). The first true leaves appear, the roots penetrate deeper into the soil. Between waterings, allow the soil to dry out a little for better root development. Temperature +18-20. Add nitrogen fertilizer (75-100 ppm).

Stage 4 (days 28-35). At the end of this stage, the plants will have 2-3 pairs of true leaves. The temperature should be +15-18. Transplanting into pots. Transplant into sterile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-5.8. The optimal temperature for growth is +15-18 during the day and +15 at night.

About two weeks after picking, feed the seedlings with complex fertilizer with microelements. Once warm night temperatures return, transplant the grown plants into larger pots and feed again. For replanting, use the same soil as when sowing. You can pre-treat the roots with Energen solution prepared according to the instructions indicated on the package.

After the seedlings take root, the temperature at night can be reduced to +10-13. We fertilize 15-5-15. At a pH greater than 6.5, chlorosis may develop.

Snapdragon is a long-day plant. Providing more than 14 hours of daylight accelerates development and flowering.

Important: snapdragons do not need to be pinched!

Care

The ampelous snapdragon feels good in partial shade; you should not expose it to the open sun. After transplanting into large containers, you need to fertilize every 2-3 weeks with the NPK flower complex. Avoid flooding and be sure to loosen. Care does not require any special procedures, except for plucking faded bunches. When the antirrinum stops blooming, cut off the longest shoots - fresh ones will appear from their axils.

Antirrinum ampelous is quickly gaining popularity and “conquering” new territories both in the garden and in the house. It is used for zoning rooms, decorating doorways and windows, and is also displayed on balconies and window sills. Snapdragons with long, hanging shoots make a great camouflage for a retaining wall or column. Bright shocks of small flowers can decorate a patio, veranda, canopy, trellis or fence. Don't hold back your flight of fancy - and get a luxurious result.

Snapdragon (antirrhinum) is an ornamental plant often found in garden plots. They often decorate flower beds in city parks and boulevards. These flowers are popularly known as “dogs”. The popularity of the plant among summer residents is also explained by the fact that caring for it is not particularly difficult.

Antirrinum is a herbaceous plant whose straight stems grow up to 1 m in height. Elongated leaves can be either light or dark in color. The flowers have a pleasant aroma and are shaped like an open lion's mouth. This is the secret of such an unusual name. Smooth or double flowers growing at the top of the stem are collected in an inflorescence in the form of a spike.

On a note! The flower is grown on balconies and loggias. On the street it is planted both in flower beds and in hanging structures.

There are antirrinums in white, pink, red and yellow colors. Flowering continues throughout the summer and ends in the fall with the onset of frost. The plant is perennial, but is usually replanted every year. Snapdragon blooms in the year of planting. Then the seed pod ripens.

Antirrinum varieties

These plants, depending on the variety, can be either very small or very tall. According to this principle, snapdragons are divided into the following groups.

  1. Dwarf, maximum 20 cm in length. They decorate borders and flower beds. These antirrinums are grown in pots as indoor plants. Among them there are such varieties as “Sakura Color” and “Candy Showers F1”.

  2. short, growing from 25 to 40 cm. They can also be found in borders and flower beds. These include the varieties “Tip-top”, “Lampion”, “Hobbit”.

  3. Average, stretching up to 40–60 cm. Used for landscape design or creating bouquets. The most common are pink “Ruby”, yellow “Golden Monarch” and pale pink “Lipstick Silver”.

  4. High, up to 60–90 cm long. They make wonderful fragrant bouquets or original flower beds. A cut flower can stand in water for more than a week. The best of them: terry varieties “Madame Butterfly F1”, yellow “Canary”, pink “Anna German”.

  5. Giants, reaching 1.3 m. These are varieties such as cherry “Arthur F1” and others.

Breeding methods

Antirrinum is usually propagated using seedlings. Tall varieties will bloom later than their low-growing counterparts. This must be taken into account when sowing.

On a note! Plant seeds can also be sown directly into open ground. This applies only to low varieties of snapdragon. The right time for sowing is the first ten days of May. Flowering should be expected later than for plants planted by seedlings.

If you do not destroy faded antirrinums, then it is likely that, having survived the winter, their seeds will germinate in thawed soil. Such plants produce strong, lushly flowering bushes.

When to plant seeds for seedlings

The time for sowing seeds depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the plant variety. Tall antirrinums are sown in the third ten days of February. Low- and medium-growing - during March. Sowing of dwarf varieties is allowed until April 15.

In the northern regions, snapdragons can only be grown by seedlings. The plant is planted in open ground later due to the fact that cold weather is likely to return throughout almost the entire spring. This must also be taken into account when planting seeds for seedlings. It will not be possible to grow antirrinum as a perennial plant in cold climates.

On a note! Sufficiently developed plants are transplanted into flower beds only in late spring or early summer. During this period, the flowers will not suffer from lower temperatures at night.






Sowing seeds for seedlings step by step

Table. Instructions for growing snapdragons in seedlings.

Steps, photoDescription of actions


For antirrinum seedlings, a universal soil mixture is suitable, which can be purchased at a specialized store. So that the small seeds of the plant can hatch, the soil is sifted and washed sand is mixed into it. The mixture can also be prepared from soil, peat and sand, mixing them in a ratio of 1: 2: 0.5. To protect seedlings from diseases and weeds, it is recommended to steam the soil mixture using a steamer. Steaming for 1 hour will protect the plant from blackleg. In order to make the soil slightly alkaline, after steaming it is necessary to add half a tablespoon of dolomite flour or 1 tablespoon of ash per 0.5 kg of soil. The soil mixture needs to be slightly moistened.


Fill the container with the soil mixture, level the surface and tamp it down quite a bit. Place the seeds on the fold of a piece of paper and carefully spread over the entire surface. Sprinkle soil on top with a layer of no more than 1 cm.


Use a spray bottle to spray the top layer of soil with water. In this case, some seeds may float to the surface. This is not a problem, since they need more light to germinate.


Cover the container with a transparent lid or plastic bag. Then install it in a lighted place. For seedlings to appear, it is necessary to maintain a room temperature of +21-24°C. The soil must be periodically irrigated with water, otherwise the seeds will dry out and not germinate.


In about a week the shoots will begin to sprout. After emergence, it is recommended to maintain a temperature of +16+29°C. At first, the seedlings grow at a slow pace. At this time, it is especially important not to allow excess water. Watering should be done so that moisture does not fall on the leaves. Frequent ventilation is required. The container lid must be removed after 7 days. Immediately after this, the plants must be protected from direct sunlight.


If the seedlings are too dense, thin them out using tweezers.


Picking is done after the first two true leaves grow. Snapdragon is not afraid of this procedure. In the new place he will feel good almost immediately. The same soil mixture is suitable, but without preliminary sifting and steam treatment. Fill cups or pots with soil and lightly compact the soil. Then you need to make holes so that there is enough space for the roots. Deepen the sprout by 3 mm and sprinkle with soil. Lightly compact the soil, otherwise the sprout may tilt when wet.


After picking, the seedlings must be carefully watered. In this case, it is advisable to hold the sprouts until the moisture is completely absorbed.


It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizer to the soil once every 14 days. Grown seedlings can be pinched between the fourth and fifth pairs of leaves to improve growth and further lush flowering.


In the second decade of May, you can plan to transfer the seedlings to open ground. Snapdragons require a well-lit place. In shady areas, antirrinum will not bloom so profusely. If the seedlings have been hardened, then they are not afraid of even slight frosts. The soil must be loose for good plant growth. Fertile, slightly alkaline soil is suitable (otherwise the roots will not be developed enough). Heavy soil must be diluted with sand, dolomite flour or ash. Before planting seedlings, mineral fertilizer should be added to the soil, including phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.


Holes for planting must be dug at a distance of up to 45 cm from each other, depending on the height of the future plant. The specified distance between plants must be maintained if a tall variety is planted. For medium-sized antirrinums, this interval is 30 cm. And plants of small varieties of snapdragons will get along well at a distance of 20 cm between them.


Planting must be completed with generous watering, after which it is necessary to cover the soil with a layer of peat.

Video - How best to sow snapdragons

Plant care

Further care of the plant does not require much effort. It needs to be weeded periodically, and the antirrinum also needs frequent loosening of the soil. During the period of active growth, the crop should be fed with a complex of mineral fertilizers. It is undesirable to allow both waterlogging of the soil and lack of moisture. Watering should be done moderately. Wilted inflorescences must be removed in a timely manner.

Snapdragon - cultivation and care

Diseases of the snapdragon

If the root system of seedlings is exposed to excess moisture, the antirrinum may develop root rot. This can completely ruin the seedlings. You can cope with the problem with the help of a drug called “Hom”. A teaspoon of the product is diluted with 1 liter of water and the seedlings are treated. Repeated treatment is carried out after transferring the plants to open ground. To do this, take 1 liter of solution per 10 m2 of flower beds. The procedure must be done before flowering.

Cool, damp summers provide suitable conditions for rust development. Red spots quickly spread on the foliage, leading to the death of the flower. It is recommended to combat this disease with the help of special fungicides (Cumulus, Strobi, Abiga-Pik, Polyram) and one percent Bordeaux mixture. Products containing sulfur are effective. Plants affected by the disease must be burned.

On a note! Gray spots with yellow edging on snapdragon leaves indicate infection with septoria. This usually happens in hot but rainy summers. To eliminate the infection, such products as “Skor”, “Previkur”, “Fundazol”, “Acrobat MC”, “Ordan”, “Profit Gold” are used.

The following pests pose a danger to snapdragons:

  • scoop;
  • slugs;
  • avocado scale insect;
  • root-knot nematode.

To destroy them, the plants and the land on which they are planted should be treated with insecticides. Infected bushes must be removed from the flowerbed and burned.

Until late autumn, snapdragon is able to surprise with its lush color, as it is not afraid of light frosts. If you follow simple rules, every amateur gardener can plant and successfully grow these colorful flowers on their own plot.

The flower called snapdragon (lat. Antirrhinum) or antirrhinum belongs to herbaceous plants from the Plantain family. Includes approximately 50 varieties, among which you can find climbing plants. This flower is found in countries where warm climates prevail, and you can also see it in North America.

Dog flowers photo: names and myths

As has long been the custom, there are many names for plants that grow in one place or another. In Russia they are often called “dogs”, and in Ukraine “mouths”, in romantic France for some reason the name “cleft palate” has stuck, and in Great Britain “biting dragon or snapdragon”. Translated from Greek, where snapdragon appears to come from, “antirrhinum” literally means “nose-like” or “nose-like.”

In ancient Greek mythology, there is a story about the first of the twelve labors of the mythical hero Hercules, in which he was able to defeat the fierce and invincible Nemean lion. For this feat, from the goddess Flora, Hercules was honored to receive a flower created especially for him. She called him “snapdragon.” It is from this moment that there is a tradition according to which all winners are given this unusual flower.

This plant is about 500 years old, but a German scientist first began to develop new varieties only in the 19th century. Nowadays, there are about 1000 varieties of this plant. All of them were bred thanks to a single species called Antirrhinum majus.

Description of the flower

"Rotiki" flowers

Snapdragon Bush

The perennial snapdragon can grow as both a subshrub and a herbaceous plant, the stems of which vary from 15 cm and reach up to 1 meter. Erect or branched green shoots form into pyramid-shaped bushes. Endowed with upper alternate leaves and lower opposite ones. The leaves are light green or dark green with reddish veins. The leaf shape can be either elongated oval or lanceolate.

Depending on which variety you decide to choose, you can enjoy rather large, fragrant, two-lipped flowers, which can be either double or simple. All flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences of white, yellow, pink, light fawn, and also red. In addition, you can find varieties with two-color and three-color flowers. This plant begins to bloom in June and pleases the eye with its bright flowers until the onset of frost. As a rule, bees and other insects always circle around flowers, because they contain nectar that attracts them.

Even though snapdragon flowers are a perennial plant, gardeners grow them as annuals. If you take good and proper care of the plant, it will survive the winter in the garden without much difficulty and will be able to delight you with its unusual flowering for many years to come.

It is used to decorate borders, but looks great in flowerbeds in single and group plantings. In addition, antirrinum serves as a good decoration for terraces and balconies.

The most common types that gardeners like to use are hanging flowers, because plants grown in hanging pots look great in any room.

What types and varieties of snapdragons are found?

Professional gardeners classify snapdragons by their height. So you can find five different types, including:

Gigantic or gigantella

Height from 90 to 130 cm. The central stems are very tall. Shoots of the second order are much lower, while the third order is completely absent.

Favorite varieties:

  1. Arthur – rich cherry color, up to 100 cm high
  2. F1 red XL of the same color growing more than 1 meter
  3. F1 pink XL grows up to 110 cm and its color is correspondingly deep pink
  4. "The Rose" its flowers are distinguished by the exceptional shine of pink pearls
  5. Snapdragon Opus red is the most popular of this extensive series, with colors ranging from pink to lavender

Tall varieties

Can vary from 60 to 90 cm in height. As a rule, these varieties are grown for cutting, as well as as accent flowers in group compositions. The central shoot is quite high in relation to the side shoots. Yellow varieties have an unforgettable delicate aroma. A cut snapdragon of this type will delight you for a week.

Popular varieties:

  1. Mix of varieties Madama Butterfly - double snapdragon of various shades
  2. "Canary" yellow-canary color
  3. "Anna German" flowers mostly in the most delicate shades of pink
  4. "Maxi Orange Wonder" salmon - orange gigantic inflorescences
  5. “Goshenka” fiery orange mouths
  6. "Rocket Lemon" truly lemony
  7. "Rocket Orchid" cornflower blue flowers
  8. "Rocket Bronze" salmon flowers, with unexpected orange tints and yellow intros
  9. "Alaska" green snapdragon with white spots
  10. "Volcano" flowers of various shades of orange
  11. “Swallowtail” a combination of colors, like a butterfly, yellow and crimson
  12. "Velvet Giant" (large and velvety-looking flowers of purple-black tones
  13. "Brilliantrosa" very fragrant pink dogs

Average

Or semi-tall universal varieties, the length of which does not exceed 60 cm, are grown both as an excellent decoration for flower beds and for cutting into bouquets.

It differs from other varieties by excessive branching. In addition, unlike its predecessors, it has a central stem of almost the same height as the side shoots.

Common varieties:

  1. Ruby "Rubi" hot pink tone
  2. Lipstick silver “’Lipstick Silver” soft pink and white
  3. Snapdragon Day and Night "Tag und Nacht". It has contrasting white and red flowers - dogs that do not fade under the scorching rays of the sun or fall from gusts of wind. Another name is Queen of the Night.
  4. "Rosella" and "Wildrose" pink snapdragon
  5. 'Libesglut' red-ruby blenny flowers
  6. "Scarlet Monarch" blood burgundy color
  7. "White Monarch" snow-white flowers
  8. Golden Monarch "Golden Monarch" yellow royal flowers
  9. "Bizari" hybrid snapdragon blooming with yellow flowers with dots and streaks of a darker tone

short

The height of these plants can vary from 25 to 40 cm. They serve as a good decoration for flower beds and borders. The shoots located in the second and third order are endowed with many flowers. The central part of the plant is almost the same height as the stems of the first order.

Popular varieties:

  1. Hobbit "Hobbit" with its very open mouth - the flowers can be of different colors: white, pink, and also peach, orange, mostly all sunny
  2. Tip-top, delicate pink color with a edging the color of real yolk
  3. “Peach and cream” are compact and sturdy, blooming with lovely flowers of a creamy-peach tonality.
  4. “Lemon sherbet” frost-resistant specimens blooming with fragrant flowers, painted in lemon-canary color
  5. “A ray of sunshine” throughout the entire summer season this plant produces fragrant, rich yellow flowers.
  6. Ampelous hybrid snapdragon undersized – Lampion
  7. Snappie orchid - a pinkish flower with a bright spot in the middle, looks like a magnificent orchid
  8. Rainbow mix "Rainbow" all kinds of colors.

Dwarf snapdragon

Plants do not exceed a height of 20 cm. They are planted to decorate borders, carpet beds and alpine slides. In addition, you can grow them in pots and decorate your balcony or terrace. A distinctive feature of this species is that the central shoot is slightly lower than the stems of the second category. Shoots of the third and fourth order are endowed with excessively branching branches.

Popular varieties:

  1. Sakura color - pinkish-cream variety with a white spot in the center
  2. Candy Showers – ampelous snapdragon
  3. "Magic Carpet" two-color flower dog
  4. Dwarf Floral show Bicolor two-color yellow-red “dogs”
  5. “Chimes” cherry lilac
  6. Snapdragon Floral Showers colors vary from lemon to orange
  7. 'Tom Thumb' produces lemon flowers with dark flecks

You can also find another group of plants called the Sanderson and Martin classification. It is suitable only for those plants that are grown for cutting and are used by gardeners who breed plants for sale.

  • Azalea or original double plants. The series is represented by varieties of Twinnie varieties: Violet, Rose, terry Twinnie Peach.
  • Ruby star. A variety characterized by rich, star-shaped cherry blossoms.

How to grow seeds in pots

If you want to decorate your garden plot, then you should use the following methods for breeding snapdragons:

Snapdragon growing from seeds: when to plant

This method is complex, since in order for the seedlings to germinate, they require careful care. If the seeds do not receive enough heat, the seedlings will not be able to sprout, which means that you will not be able to get a beautiful flower garden with blooming antirrhinum.

Sowing of seeds is carried out in March and for this you will need:

  • Seeds of the selected variety.
  • A small spatula and a regular sieve.
  • Soil mixture.
  • A special pot in which the seedlings will be sown.

It is necessary to fill the selected container with soil. The soil should not be heavy; you can buy it at any store. Place the seeds densely and press them down lightly with your finger. Be sure to cover with a thin layer of soil substrate using a sieve for this purpose. After planting, the seedlings must be moistened and covered with film.

In order for seedlings to germinate for sure, they need a temperature of at least 20-23 degrees. As soon as the first borings appear, be sure to harden them. Open the film on the containers each time, increasing the hardening time. Over time, the film should be completely removed.

When and how to sow dogs video review:

Growing using seedlings.

The most common way. Seedlings are grown indoors, and as soon as the seedlings appear, they must be transplanted into open ground or a container.

When should antirrinum seedlings be planted in the ground?

Doggy flowers

After the seedlings have been hardened and thoroughly strengthened, they must be planted in open ground. This procedure is carried out at the end of May days or at the beginning of June days. There is no need to worry about the slight cold that is still present at night, because your hardened plants will cope with them without much difficulty.

The plant prefers to grow in sunny or slightly shaded areas, where there are no strong winds that can break the delicate, although quite flexible, branches.

The only main condition for successful flower growing is thorough soil drainage.

Light, nutrient-rich soil is suitable for planting.

For the snapdragon to feel great, it will need soil consisting of:

  • vegetable compost
  • river sand
  • peat

All of them are used in equal quantities.

How to plant snapdragons correctly

Snapdragon seedlings

Depending on the variety you choose, the distance at which the resulting snapdragon seedlings are planted depends. This is done to avoid unnecessary bald spots or, conversely, excessive thickening of the planting area.

  1. If you decide to decorate the garden with tall flowers, then they should be located at a distance of about 40-50 cm from each other.
  2. Medium-sized plants are planted at a distance of approximately 35 cm.
  3. Low-growing plants should be placed in the ground, keeping a distance of 20 cm between plants.
  4. For dwarf flowers, 15 cm will be enough.

After sowing the seeds, be sure to loosen the soil, remembering to moisten and feed it. The soil must be neutral or slightly acidic. Also, do not forget about the drainage layer, which is required when planting snapdragons.

Do not forget that planting is carried out only in soil that has been well moistened in advance.

The plant has a taproot, so before planting the seedlings, be sure to dig up the soil to about 35 cm.

Prefers to grow in sunny areas, but does well in partial shade. But it is worth considering that if you plant the plant in a shaded place, its flowering will not be so lush. Water the plant only on dry days.

Snapdragon planting and care

As soon as you plant a flower, be sure to monitor the soil moisture, since it needs moisture to adapt to a new place.

On dry days, the plant should be watered in the morning. When the flowers bloom, it is also necessary to moisten the plant.

But, you should not overdo it with moistening the soil, since stagnation of water and watering carried out in the evening can harm your flower.

If you want the flowering to be lush and last a relatively long time, then you need:

  • Don't forget to loosen the soil and remove weeds. This procedure is carried out in the evening. Remember, the less grass there is next to the snapdragon, the fewer pests and diseases it will attack.
  • Tall plant species must be tied up to protect them from bad weather and wind.
  • If you want to prolong flowering, then all faded flowers should be removed. In order to collect seeds from a plant, you need to leave a few flowers in its lower part.
  • The plant should be fed. The first time you need to apply fertilizer 10-15 days after planting is completed, using organic matter or nitrophoska. After the buds appear, you need to feed them a second time with mineral fertilizers.

What diseases can affect antirrhinum

Gray rot, nasty black leg and septoria can attack snapdragons at any time; to cope with them you will need special drugs. First, get rid of all the flowers that have been affected and be sure to treat the soil with antifungal agents.

The main pests that can attack antirrhinum are caterpillars, fly larvae, butterflies and scale insects. To get rid of insects, visit a specialized store and purchase the appropriate product.

How are Antirrhinum seeds collected?

All seeds are enclosed in fruits, which are a multi-seeded capsule. Seeds must be collected before they are fully ripe. Fully ripe seeds are colored black. They must be stored in a paper envelope. This will allow enough air to penetrate to the seedlings. Dry the seeds and place them in the refrigerator until spring. Seedlings that are grown from seeds may differ from their parents.

The plant blooms until frost. You must decide for yourself whether snapdragon is a perennial or an annual.

If you want to grow it as a perennial, then cut off the shoot, leaving a shoot no more than 8 cm high above the ground. Do not forget to cover it with ordinary peat, dry fallen leaves or sawdust. If antirrhinum is grown as an annual plant, then it is necessary to promptly remove wilted inflorescences that can sow seeds. After all the flowers on the shoot have faded, cut it as low as possible to the soil. This procedure will certainly prevent the seeds from spilling onto the ground. With the onset of deep autumn, the soil where the snapdragon grew must be dug up and the dried plant itself must be burned to avoid a new encounter with pests that could have settled in it.

Snapdragon application in landscape design:

Those who once decided to decorate their plot with snapdragons will no longer be able to refuse this amazing and unusual flower. Its beautiful and bright blooms fascinate others. The variety of varieties allows the plant to be used both in single pattern plantings and in mixed group installations.

Antirrinum will allow its owners to enjoy flowering for a long time, and its original slightly sweet aroma will be remembered until the next season.

Snapdragon in a flowerbed with other flowers video: