Planting petunias in peat tablets and growing
Petunia is a very beautiful and widespread plant. It is kept both at home and in gardens, parks and squares. There are many varieties of petunias. They all vary in color, size and height. It is quite possible to grow them on your own and you do not need to be an experienced florist for this. Today we will analyze in detail how to properly plant this flower in peat tablets, and then properly care for it.
Features of peat tablets
Many people have heard of garden supplies such as peat tablets at least once in their lives. They are small cylindrical discs. They are made from several types of peat using pressing. A starter set of trace elements and regulators necessary to improve the growth of planted seeds is most often added to their contents.... In addition, due to the components present in peat pellets, young shoots are initially provided with all the substances necessary for their growth.
From the outside, all peat pellets are packed in a special cellulose net.
They are impregnated with special antibacterial substances that protect the seed from the penetration of any infections. In addition, the mesh helps the pill not lose its cup-like shape during the next moisturizing.
Simply put, modern peat tablets used for planting seed can play the role of both a container for future seedlings and sterile breathable soil. In such conditions, the plants will be provided with all the trace elements necessary for them, which contributes to their rapid rooting and active growth later. That is why it is possible to preserve even the most capricious and demanding flowers in peat tablets, which not every novice florist can handle.
It should be noted that using peat tablets is very easy and simple. To do this, you do not need to have special knowledge or have extensive experience in working with such things. With peat tablets you can save a lot of free time. They do not leave mountains of dirt and debris, so they can be safely placed in the conditions of an ordinary city apartment. Another feature of peat tablets is that seedlings can grow in them for a long time. Of course, a lot here depends on the immediate size of the tablets and the specific type of planted culture.
As soon as the plant has taken root, and its roots have begun to actively break through the limits of the additional grid on the cups, the seedlings, together with the tablet itself, move to their permanent place.
Pros and cons of landing
Many flower growers nowadays prefer to plant a petunia charm using high-quality peat tablets. This common method is insanely popular because it has many significant advantages. Let's take a look at them.
- The main advantage of this landing is that it is done simply and clearly. Even a person who has not encountered anything like this before will be able to cope with this matter.
- Peat tablets are "clean" elements. They do not leave mountains of dirt, debris and earth. That is why they can be safely kept in apartment conditions, without fear of making the home dirty and disorderly.
- As mentioned above, petunia seedlings can for a long time to be in the conditions of a peat tablet. Of course, a lot here depends directly on the type of plant you have chosen.
- Planting flowers in peat tablets is very convenient. They are multi-tasking, because they serve as planting containers for the further development of seedlings and perform the function of an ideally suitable soil enriched with useful components, in which the plant is as comfortable and safe as possible.
- If you use peat tablets, there will definitely not be liquid stagnation. This is a good quality, as the remaining liquid can cause rotting of the plant roots.
- During the movement of the grown sprout to a new place, the roots are practically not injured, if you use peat tablets. These elements are simply moved to a new and more spacious place, without unnecessary picking, and then they are covered with an additional layer of earth and grown further.
- Various peat tablets can be found on sale. First of all, they differ in their direct dimensions and diameter. This suggests that these elements can be selected for petunias of any type and size.
From all of the above, we can conclude that it is very convenient and easy to grow petunia in peat tablets. It will turn out to save a lot of time, without causing serious harm to the condition of the flower rhizomes. However, it must be borne in mind that this landing method is far from ideal and has its drawbacks. Let's deal with them.
- Many growers consider it a significant disadvantage of this method of planting plants. price... If we are talking about planting large volumes of seedlings, then the use of peat tablets can "cost a pretty penny."
- It is not always convenient to keep petunias in peat tablets, since the latter subject to quick and easy drying out... That is why experienced flower growers argue that when using such things, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the seedlings.
- Cheaper peat tablets can be found in storeswithout a special protective mesh. Of course, from the point of view of the budget, such options may seem more profitable, but it is not recommended to buy them, because the useful properties of such products turn out to be too insignificant.
- If petunia is planted in a peat pot, then it will have to be watched even more carefully and more responsibly. This requirement is due to the fact that it will be necessary to keep the moisture level of the planting under control.
Sowing rules for seedlings
Flowers with small seeds usually grow rather slowly. In most cases, the entire cultivation stage takes at least 3 months. Sowing must be done in late February or early March. By this time, the peat tablets should already be in "full combat readiness." The scheme of actions here will be simple. Let's analyze it step by step.
- The first step is to properly soak the peat tablets for the further planting of petunia seeds. The containers are immersed in water and left there for about one or two hours.
- Further, the already swollen cylindrical containers will need to be put on a strong plastic pallet. Be careful not to damage anything.
- After that, pelleted petunia seeds can be planted in already prepared and swollen tablets.
- The seeds will need to be very carefully laid out in small and not too deep pits. It is advisable to place them in the central part of cylindrical containers. Do this at the rate of one seed per tablet.
- Try not to burrow the seed too deeply. It will be enough to slightly press it down.
- After that, you will need to cover the pallet with a small transparent plastic container or film.
As you plant it, it is recommended to heed some helpful advice from experienced growers.
- Pay attention that the coating does not adhere tightly to the tablets themselves. Plants should "breathe" without hindrance due to a high-quality air gap.
- As a result, the entire resulting structure should look like a mini-greenhouse. It is desirable to place it in a warm place where drafts do not "walk".
- The air temperature in an improvised greenhouse should not exceed +25 degrees. If, nevertheless, the temperature regime is more severe, then petunia simply will not rise.
- The humidity level of the air must be kept at a level not lower than 70%.
The technology of planting petunia seeds in peat tablets is very simple and straightforward. The main thing is to competently prepare all the necessary components and provide the seedlings with ideal conditions for keeping. Then you can expect good and healthy seedlings.
Further care
Whichever variety the petunia belongs to, it will need proper and regular care in any case. Only if this important rule is observed can you count on growing really healthy and beautiful flowers that are not prone to frequent ailments and attacks of parasites.
If you take care of the seedlings in peat tablets correctly, then literally after a week you will be able to see the first shoots.
It should be borne in mind that young sprouts are very fragile and vulnerable, therefore, during the first time, they will need to be given as much attention as possible. Be sure to ensure that there is sufficient lighting. A moderate humidity level is important, as well as the optimal temperature indicators indicated above.
Be sure to make sure that the peat tablets do not dry out or, conversely, become waterlogged. Watering should be done with warm and settled water. Top dressing is not needed here at all. It is necessary to ensure that condensation does not form on the material that covers the containers. If it does appear, then you need to immediately remove it and then repeat the procedure for airing the room.
It is allowed to open seedlings only on the 5th day of growing a flower. If you do not follow the simple rules of watering and do not provide the necessary flow of oxygen, then the tablets can easily become moldy.
The spread of serious fungal diseases can be stopped if the plantings are sprayed with a special composition - "Fitosporin".
If you transplanted petunias into tablets by the end of the winter season, then the subsequent seedlings that are formed in the early days of March will need to be illuminated in an additional order using a fluorescent lamp. Petunias must be provided with high-quality lighting for 12 hours a day. It is permissible to open the greenhouse as soon as the flower becomes stronger and more stable, and several leaves appear on it, albeit very small.
Helpful hints and tips
The net that is present on the outside of the peat tablets is impregnated with a special solution designed to protect both the inner and the developing layer of rhizomes from the appearance of all sorts of pathogenic organisms, as well as the ingress of dangerous parasites through the walls on the sides. That is why options without such a grid should not be taken - it will be more difficult to grow good and healthy seedlings in them. The tablets should only be purchased well packaged. Carefully check that they have a protective polyethylene mesh. It is better not to take the goods without its presence.
It is necessary to plant seedlings in peat tablets carefully, without rushing, acting step by step. It is not necessary to immediately pour water sharply into the plastic tray where the seedlings will be located, because the liquid that gets on the peat can wash out all the nutrients that are present there. Having planted seeds in peat tablets, in no case should you sprinkle them on top with another layer of earth. You just need to very carefully and effortlessly squeeze the seedlings into the ground. If you sprinkle them, then very soon they will begin to rot and simply will not sprout.
Please note that seedlings germinate mostly in the light.
You can see the first shoots in about 5-15 days. Sometimes, of course, less time passes, but, as a rule, all the planted material has good results regarding germination. It is very important to keep in mind that the dimensional parameters of the peat tablets themselves are inextricably linked with the uniform and gradual development of the root system of seedlings. So, in too miniature containers, most likely, the roots will be cramped and not very comfortable.
In too large options, there is also no special sense. You need to choose the perfect specimens. Under no circumstances should you encounter hints of condensation. If you do notice it, then the room needs to be quickly ventilated until the wet droplets disappear completely. Otherwise, active rotting of seedlings or the formation of mold may begin. After transplanting the petunia into a new pot, you need to allocate about 10 days to her, during which she will adapt to other conditions for her. Scattered light should fall on the plant, but direct sunlight should not fall on the flower. You can darken the petunia a little so that it does not get burns from exposure to aggressive ultraviolet radiation.
For information on how to properly plant petunia in peat tablets, see the next video.
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