How to grow a snapdragon. Biotlin will help against aphids and other pests. Short and medium

Fresh flowers bring a feeling of warmth and comfort to the apartment, make the house more residential. What flowers to grow in her apartment, each hostess chooses herself, based on her tastes and preferences. But when planning gardening of your home, you should pay attention to such a plant as snapdragon.

Antirrinum - photo and description of the plant

The flower is really looks like an open lion's mouth... According to legend, it arose thanks to Hercules, who saved humanity from an aggressive lion. The bloodthirsty monster lived in the Nemean Forest, which was in Ancient Greece. Goddess Hera decided to save people from the evil lion and sent Hercules to destroy the animal. The winner successfully completed the task, after which Flora created an amazing flower, which has since been customary to give to brave warriors and heroes.

In the common people, the plant is also called dogs (antirrinum). Snapdragon is a perennial flower of the norichnikov family. But since the plant already blooms and gives seeds in the first year of planting, it is often used as an annual.

Does not require special care, therefore even a beginner can grow it... In nature, snapdragon grows only in North America and Southern Europe. There are about three hundred varieties of plants of various colors (except blue) and height (15-100 cm).

Planting and features of growing antirrinum

Unlike wild species, garden plant has flowers of a larger size and bright color. The flower grows well on neutral fertile soils with a well-developed drainage system... You can also grow snapdragons in room conditions, on the windowsill.

Him popularity among gardeners due to the following factors:

• unpretentiousness;
• flowering in the first year after planting;
• bright colors;
• beautiful flowers of the original form;
• long flowering period.

Growing seeds in pots

For decorating personal plots use the following landing methods:

• Seedling. This method is most common among gardeners. The method consists in preliminary cultivation of seedlings in room conditions. Initially, seedlings are grown from seeds, which are then planted in open ground or pots.
• Landing in the ground. Quite a difficult method of growing snapdragon, as it requires planting in the ground in early spring and the seedlings may simply not have enough heat. In this case, the likelihood of getting a beautiful lush flower bed is significantly reduced.

First you need to select seeds. In a specialized store, you will be helped to choose a mixture of colors of the most incredible colors, and by the picture on the package, you can determine the color compatibility and the location of the plantings.

The main criterion for choosing plants is height. For balcony cultivation, usually choose a shorter (15-20 cm) varietya, in the form of a ball. The plant has low and wide flower brushes, thanks to which, during the blooming period of the dogs, your windowsill will sparkle with fabulous colors.

Hybrid varieties with a stem height of less than 30 cm are also ideal for growing in pots.

It is better to sow seeds for seedlings in April.

For this you need:

• snapdragon seeds;
• sieve;
• small spatula;
• soil mixture;
• container for seedlings (wooden box, plastic flower boxes or separate pots).

An even layer of soil is placed in the container. Ideally, this is not a heavy, loose substrate purchased from a specialized store. Seeds should be placed densely, but not very densely.

With light movements of your fingers, press the seeds into the soil and sprinkle on top with a thin layer of substrate (use a sieve for this).

Moisten.

Cover with cling film.

Germination of seedlings occurs at a temperature of 20-23 ° C. After the emergence of sprouts, hardening can begin. To do this, the greenhouses must be opened for a short time at first, then gradually increase the airing time. As a result, remove the film altogether.

Snapdragon - moisture-loving plant, therefore, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the soil and, if necessary, moisten it.

After about a month, two real leaves will appear, which means it's time to place the seedlings in an individual pot. For more lush flowers, pinch the tops of the plants when they reach 10 cm in height. As a result, side shoots will receive an additional stimulus for growth and development.

If you buy seedlings in a store, be sure to pay attention to it appearance... The root system should be well developed, the stem is strong and not too thin, the leaves should be rich green.

Planting seedlings of antirrinum in the ground

Planting the snapdragon in open ground must be done late spring - early summer... The timing depends on climatic conditions and temperature regime this or that region. In order for the seedlings to endure nighttime cold snaps, it is necessary to pre-grow and harden them.

Planting is carried out in an area protected from drafts and winds, which can be well lit or slightly shaded. The optimal soil composition is a mixture of compost, peat and sand.

The soil must be thoroughly moistened. The distance between plants is determined depending on the variety: undersized species are planted according to the scheme 20 * 20 cm from each other, medium-tall - 25-30 cm, tall - 40-50 cm.

Planted seedlings need periodic loosening of the soil, regular watering and top dressing.

Snapdragon care

Due to its unpretentiousness, the flower does not require any special conditions cultivation and care. To ensure active growth and flowering, you only need to water the plant regularly. Snapdragon is a cold-resistant crop, so do not be scared if it freezes a little at night - during the day, the flowers will acquire their original lush appearance. Watering should be done under the root in the morning.

During the entire flowering period, the plant needs to be fed with complex fertilizers. The frequency of dressing is once every 14 days.

Advice: Antirrinum does not bloom? Cut off the longest shoots and flowering will resume. If you remove faded inflorescences in time, you can significantly extend the flowering period.

Diseases and pests

It is not so difficult to grow snapdragons, but in any case, you must follow the basic rules for caring for the plant, otherwise the appearance of pests is possible and various diseases such as septoria, gray rot and a black leg.

Before starting treatment, the infected flowers should be removed, after which the soil should be treated with an antifungal agent (fungicite, etc.).

Fly larvae, caterpillars, scale insects and butterflies are the main pests of snapdragons. To combat them, special tools are used, which can be purchased at a flower shop.

Collecting antirrinum seeds

It is necessary to collect seeds in a paper bag, so that provide them with adequate ventilation... The seed is harvested unripe and stored in a dry room. The collection is carried out from the lower sections of the peduncle. The tops of the plant are then completely cut off and discarded. The collected seeds are stored at a temperature not exceeding +5 ° C in cardboard boxes.

After collecting seeds, the site should be dug up, the remains of the plant should be burned. If the snapdragon is grown as a perennial, it is necessary to cut the flower, leaving a small shoot. Cover it with a mixture of sand and peat for the winter.

Snapdragon flower

INTRODUCING ANTIRRINUM

Taxonomy

Snapdragon is a flower with a funny name, familiar from childhood. Among professionals, its botanical name is often used - antirrhinum (Antirrhinum), or more accurately - large antirrinum (Antirrhinum majus). This is one of 50 species of the genus Antirrinum of the Plantain family, on its basis decorative crop varieties have been created. In nature, snapdragon is a herbaceous perennial that grows in the countries of the Mediterranean coast. In our country, its rhizome cannot overwinter in freezing soil, so the annual cultivation of snapdragon from seeds is simply a necessary procedure if you want to have these wonderful flowers in the garden or on the balcony.

Names

The scientific "antirrinum" translated from Greek means "reminiscent of the nose" ("anti" - similar, "rhinos" - nose). And the flower received the familiar name "snapdragon" for its property when pressing the "throat" to open its "mouth", like a lion's mouth. In English-speaking countries it is known as the “biting dragon” (snapdragon), and in France as “the mouth of the wolf” (gueule de loup). Our grandmothers are more familiar with antirrinum under the affectionate name "dogs". Interestingly, according to legend, he owes his appearance to the goddess Flora, who created him after the victory of Hercules over the lion.

Description

The height of the branchy pyramidal woody bush at the bottom varies from 30 to 70 cm (in varieties from 15 to 110 cm). Very rarely in nature there are 2-meter specimens. The leaves are lanceolate, medium-sized, small at the top. The flowers are bisexual, from 3 to 4.5 cm (in varieties up to 7 cm), irregular in shape, two-lipped, with a closed long corolla, they are collected in large racemose inflorescences. Only bees and bumblebees can get to the cherished nectar, which, with their body weight, can slightly open the lower lip of the flower and penetrate into the “mouth”. After that, the flower closes its lips over them, leaving pollen on the bodies of insects, thus taking care of the appearance of its "offspring" (small numerous seeds).

Snapdragon is traditionally grown in private households, used in urban landscaping of parks, squares, streets. Why is he so good?

5 REASONS TO PLANT ANTIRRINUM IN THE GARDEN

1. A huge variety of varieties for every taste - both in size, and in color, and in the degree of terry.
2. Long and abundant flowering: 3-4 months without interruption.
3. Cold resistance - seedlings and hardened seedlings withstand short-term frosts on soil up to -4 4С, bloom even in October.
4. Opportunity to save queen cells from especially liked varieties. Snapdragon by its own biological characteristics is a perennial plant, like petunia , ageratum , verbena and many others, traditionally used as annuals, crops.
5. Abundant self-seeding - this property is very useful!

HOW TO CHOOSE A VARIETY?

One of the most important characteristics of a snapdragon, in addition to the color and doubleness of the flowers, is the height of its bush. Tall plants (75 to 140 cm) are grown mainly for cutting in specialized nurseries. For amateur flower growers, two other groups of antirrinums are of much greater interest: medium-sized (from 40 to 70 cm) and undersized (from 15 to 35 cm) snapdragon varieties. The last group also includes the latest varieties of ampel antirrinums grown in hanging planters or floor containers - solo or as part of compositions with other colors. So, choose varieties for planting, based on their further use - for cutting, in a flower garden or in a pot culture.

Pay attention to the flowering time of the variety. Early, middle and late varieties of antirrinum bloom with a difference of at least 10 days. Usually the first flowers appear 70-80 days after germination. Having decided on the choice, you can start sowing the snapdragon.

CULTIVATING LIONDRAIN FROM SEEDS

Seedling method - the best option for residents of regions with long winters and cold springs. As a substrate for sowing, you can use light garden soil with the addition of sand and peat, the ideal soil acidity (pH) is not higher than 6.5, otherwise you will face the problem of iron deficiency and, as a result, leaf chlorosis in snapdragons.

When to plant snapdragons for seedlings?

Calculate the timing based on the fact that the age of the seedlings at the time of planting in open ground should be about 6-8 weeks. For middle band sowing in mid-March will be acceptable if it is planned to plant seedlings in open ground in mid-May.

Sowing

So, in sifted and thermally treated soil, sow the seeds on a moistened surface along the marked grooves. Do not plant deeply, only lightly sprinkle with dry clean sand or vermiculite, you can completely spread the seeds over the surface and press them slightly against the soil. Then spray them with a spray bottle. Cover the container with crops with foil or glass / plastic. Seeds germinate in the light at t + 20-22⁰C for 5-7 days, but sometimes the wait stretches up to 2 weeks. Antirrinum seeds are very small and are often sold in granules. During germination, the pellet shell must remain moist, but not wet or dry.

Picking

When the first true leaf appears, pick into small pots or cassettes (up to 7 cm across). Further, the seedlings of the snapdragon should be kept in a bright room at a daytime temperature of +17 to + 22⁰C, and at night about + 16⁰C. The maximum daily temperature limit is + 24⁰C, otherwise the plants will start to stretch.

Seedling care

A week after the dive, the snapdragon can be fed for the first time with a ready-made full mineral fertilizer (Solution, Kristallon, Fertika, etc.), or you can mix 1 tablespoon each. urea, superphosphate and any potassium fertilizer, for example, potassium sulfate, and dilute it all in 10 liters of water. In the future, fertilizing watering can be carried out every week, reducing the concentration by half.

Approximately 1 week before planting in the ground (and this is usually done at the end of April), the seedlings begin to harden. To do this, lower the daily temperature, more often ventilate the plants and reduce watering.

Growing from seed by direct sowing in the ground

Some amateur flower growers prefer to sow snapdragon directly into open ground, this can be done when the daytime air temperature is around + 10-12⁰C. Growing from seeds in this way certainly has a right to exist, although with it you will be able to admire the first flowering of antirrinum not earlier than July, or even August.

Cultivation of snapdragons from seeds is also carried out in late autumn or at the beginning of winter in ridges prepared in advance, along frozen grooves. The sowing depth is up to 1 cm, from above they are sprinkled with dry humus or peat, you can additionally mulch with leaf litter and / or a covering film. Plants grown with winter sowing bloom earlier than others and have enviable health.

Features of growing from seeds of ampel antirrinum

The main difference in this case will be a ban on pinching seedlings, which is recommended for ordinary varieties after planting in the ground. Thanks to the pinching, such plants bush better, bloom longer and do not stretch. For ampelous plants, on the contrary, elongated shoots are important, effectively hanging over the edge of the pots. Pinching will delay their flowering.

WHERE TO PLANT ANTIRRINUM

Snapdragon grows well in a sunny, windless place, but it can tolerate partial shade during the day. The soil for it should be moderately loose and fertile, loam will be the best. When planting, you need to provide good drainage or choose a place where water does not stagnate during rains and irrigation.

LIONDARRY: SUMMER CARE

1 week after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, you need to carry out the first feeding. The key nutrients for snapdragon are nitrogen, calcium and magnesium, and according to some sources also boron. Calcium is needed for the special resistance of the plant, i.e. the strength of its stems, and magnesium is responsible for healthy and elastic leaves. Fertilization rates up to 10 g / m², frequency - every 7-10 days until the beginning of flowering.

Withered inflorescences do not add elegance to the flower garden, moreover, they reduce flowering, so it is better to remove them in a timely manner.

In May and September, snapdragon does not need frequent watering (with sufficient rainfall), in the remaining months, on average, water once or twice a week, soaking the soil to a depth of at least 20 cm. Plants in containers are watered more often. This should be done at the root, preferably without wetting the foliage in order to avoid troubles in the form of fungal diseases.

We must not forget about weeding and loosening the soil around the antirrinum. It is better to tie tall plants to a support so that the wind does not break them. And if the summer is not very hot, flowering will last a long time. In the southern regions, plants often suffer from strong sun and drought, so their growing season is short.

DISEASES AND PESTS

One of the most common diseases of snapdragon is rust caused by rust fungus. Preventive measures are root watering of plants and non-thickening of plantings and, as a result, their good ventilation. In addition, make it a rule, when planting in open ground, to treat all seedlings with any stimulant (Zircon, Epin, HB-101, etc.) to increase plant immunity. The infected plants are removed, and the remaining ones are treated with a suitable fungicide (Maxim, Topaz, etc.), and the concentration of the drug can be increased 1.5 times.

Snapdragon is also affected by downy mildew, fusarium wilting, black leg (at the seedling stage). Of the pests, caterpillars, aphids, thrips and others can cause significant harm, and not at the growth stage (foliage does not attract them!), But at the beginning of flowering. Here we can only advise you to regularly check the plantings, preferably at least 1 time in 3 days, in order to take timely measures to destroy pests.

HOW TO COLLECT LIONDARN SEEDS

Seed ripening occurs on one plant at different times. This is due to the fact that the flowers on the cluster bloom, starting from the lower buds, and the seed pods ripen in the same order. When a yellow-brown color is obtained, the lower 2/3 of the seedlings are collected and the seeds are carefully taken out, which remain viable for 4 years. Remember that seed can only be harvested from varieties, not hybrids. But in this case, one important condition is required. Within a radius of at least 100 meters, and preferably more, only one variety of antirrinum should grow. Otherwise, cross-pollination will occur, and the seeds will not inherit the varietal qualities.

CUTTING THE LION'S PHOTO

If you grew a snapdragon flower from seeds of stunning beauty, but you did not have time to harvest from it (or it was a hybrid with the marking F1), then you can save the mother plant until next spring. How? Easy peasy! In September, dig a bush you like in the garden, plant it in a suitable planter, cut off all thin branches and wilted inflorescences and put it in a cool place, for example, on a closed loggia or veranda), remembering to water it occasionally, BUT! without fanaticism! The optimum temperature for keeping the snapdragon in such conditions is not lower than + 5⁰C.

In January or February, bring the mother plant into a warm, bright room, cut it to a height of 7-10 cm and wait for the emergence of young shoots. They must be cut off or torn off "with the heel"; each cutting must have at least 2 pairs of leaves. The lower leaf blades must be completely removed, and the upper ones must be cut in half.

Dip the cuttings into Kornevin powder or just a crushed tablet activated carbon... Plant the prepared cuttings in a light sterile substrate consisting of peat and sand; for better water retention, you can add a little chopped sphagnum. Arrange a mini-greenhouse by covering the container with cuttings with a transparent cap or lid.

Rooting takes place within 2-3 weeks with daily spraying and airing, and bottom heating will help speed up the process. In a couple of weeks (when a young growth appears), it will be possible to plant the plants in separate containers. By the end of May, the rooted cuttings will be ready for planting in open ground. The mother garden can also be planted in a flower garden, where it will bloom first.

LIONDARNESS IS A PERENNIAL ?!

In our latitudes, it is still a SMALL-year-old. You can try to leave it in open ground for the winter, but success is possible only with a sufficiently reliable shelter and a relatively mild snowy winter. In the fall, the bushes of antirrinum are cut into a stump (up to a height of 8-10 cm), spud with compost or humus, covered with spruce branches or shovel up leaf litter. In early spring, the hillock is removed, and the sprouts that have appeared are planted in the garden or left in the old place. Such plants bloom later than those grown from seeds through seedlings.

On video: beautiful antirrinum

EFFECTIVE CUTTING

Snapdragon is a flower especially attractive in bouquets. Inflorescences can be cut off already at the stage of the dissolution of the first bud, because the rest will quietly bloom in a vase. Antirrinum flowers stay fresh in water for up to 2 weeks.

Video: the use of snapdragon in a flower garden with conifers

USE IN THE GARDEN

Finding a place in the garden for the antirrinum will not be difficult, it will be appropriate in almost any case. Bright snapdragon flowers will decorate the front flower bed, pastel varieties are better suited for a natural-style garden. Plant dwarf and low-growing plants along the edge of the path or in the foreground of the flower garden, and medium-sized and high anti-rhinums in a separate group or in mixed flower beds (in the center or in the background).
For balconies, patios, terraces, ampelous varieties planted in pots or other containers are suitable.

On video: Snapdragon (antirrinum) terry Twinny F1

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum), which is also called antirrinum, is directly related to the genus of herbaceous plants belonging to the plantain family. This genus unites about 50 species of perennial plants, including climbing plants. In the wild, these plants can be found in warm climates, and most species are found in North America. In Russia, these flowers are called "dogs", in England "snapdragon" (biting dragon), in France "wolf's mouth", and in Ukraine "mouths". "Antirrinum" translated from Greek means "nasal", "like a nose." In the ancient Greek myth telling about Hercules, or rather, about his first feat, it is said about how he defeated the Nemean lion, the ferocity of which everyone knew. In honor of the victory, the goddess Flora was presented to Hercules with a gift - it was a lovely flower called "snapdragon". Since that time, the Greeks have developed a tradition of giving the heroes a snapdragon. This plant has been cultivated for about five hundred years, and German experts took up its selection only in the 19th century. During this time, they were able to create about 1,000 varieties of snapdragons, while it is interesting that only 1 species was used to create various varieties, namely, large antirrhinum (Antirrhinum majus).

This flower is represented by half-shrubs, as well as herbaceous plants, which have straight, finely grooved shoots, they are branched and painted in green color... Their height can vary from 15 to 100 centimeters. The bushes have a pyramidal shape. Above, the leaf plates are alternately located, and below - opposite. Their shape can be lanceolate or oval-elongated, and the color varies from dark to pale green, while the veins are colored red. Fragrant flowers are relatively large, they are two-lipped and have an irregular shape. There are both double flowers and simple ones (depending on the variety), they are part of the inflorescences that have the shape of an ear. Their color can be yellow, pale fawn, white, pink, red (all shades), and there are also varieties with two- and three-colored flowers. The fruit is a two-celled polyspermous capsule. 1 g contains 5-8 thousand seeds. This plant begins to bloom in July, and ends after the first autumn frosts.

Often, snapdragons, which grow as a perennial in the wild, are grown by gardeners as an annual. However, if the plant is well cared for, and if conditions are favorable, the frost-resistant snapdragon can survive the winter in the open field. Moreover, next year its flowering will be more spectacular. In garden design, such a flower is grown as a curb flower, but it can decorate both a flower bed and a green lawn (if the snapdragon is planted in groups). Terraces and balconies are also decorated with such a plant. Today, ampelous varieties of such a flower are gaining more and more popularity among flower growers, for the cultivation of which you can use hanging structures, and they will also become an excellent decoration for galleries and terraces.

Growing snapdragon from seed

Reproduction of this plant can be done by seeds, as well as vegetatively. The seeds have a good germination capacity for several years. In the event that you live in an area with a relatively mild climate, then sowing the seeds of such a flower can be done directly into open soil. The first shoots can be seen after 2.5–3 weeks, while the seedlings are not afraid of the cold snaps that occur at night. In the same places where the spring is relatively cold, this plant is recommended to be grown through seedlings. It is very easy to grow snapdragons from seeds.

Seeds are sown in the first days of March. To do this, you will need a bowl with a diameter of at least 10 centimeters, and at the bottom it should have holes for drainage. Coarse sand should be poured at the bottom, and on top of it compost soil mixed with sand. Lightly tamp and level the surface, then moisten it slightly with a spray bottle and spread the snapdragon seeds mixed with sand, sprinkle a thin layer of the same substrate on top. Water the crops with a fine spray bottle, then cover the container with clear glass. Every day, condensation must be removed from the glass surface, while airing the seedlings and, if necessary, moistening the surface of the substrate from the sprayer. If in the place where the container stands there is moderate humidity and warmth (23 degrees), then the first seedlings can be seen after half a month. After the first plants appear, the container must be transferred to a well-lit, but at the same time protected from direct sunlight, place (so that the plants do not stretch out). After the snapdragon begins to emerge en masse (after 3-4 days), the shelter must be removed permanently.

At first, the plants will grow for a long time, and during this period it is especially important to properly moisten the soil. Watering should be done in the morning so that there is enough moisture for the plants, but it would not be too much. The fact is that waterlogging can cause the development of a "black leg". If a seedling has fallen, then it should be carefully removed using tweezers, while the place where it grew should be sprinkled with chopped charcoal or used for this calcined cold river sand. After 2 real leaves are formed, it is necessary to pick the seedlings into a box or container, while they must be placed so that they are not pressed against each other. Also, for picking plants, you can use individual pots, or you can plant 3 seedlings in 1 larger pot at once. Then the plants must be placed in a well-lit, but at the same time protected from direct sunlight, place. After that, you can start hardening the seedlings. To do this, in the daytime, you need to open the window for a while, but drafts should be avoided. When a plant has 4–5 true leaves, it will need to be pinched to increase bushiness, but if the side shoots are growing quite quickly, then they should also be pinched.

When to plant snapdragons

Snapdragon seedlings should be planted in the last days May and the first - June. At the same time, you should not be afraid of cold snaps at night, since these plants tolerate them quite calmly. These flowers can be planted both in a sunny area and in a shaded area, but it is worth considering that it must be protected from gusts of wind, and also be well drained. A suitable substrate should be light and rich in nutrients. A mixture consisting of compost, sand, and peat, which are taken in equal proportions, is best suited for growing such a flower. The acidity of the soil should be pH 6–8.

How to plant

The distance between the bushes during planting depends on the variety of snapdragons. So, between dwarf varieties there should be a distance of 15 centimeters, between undersized varieties - about 20 centimeters, between medium-sized ones - 30 centimeters, and between tall ones - from 40 to 50 centimeters. After the bush transplanted into open ground takes root, it grows rather quickly and becomes spectacular flowering plant... It must be remembered that it is necessary to plant seedlings in a well-watered soil in advance.

Care features

Such a flower is undemanding to care for and it only needs timely watering, weeding, feeding, and it is also necessary to systematically loosen the soil surface. Watering should be done only during a drought, but remember that this procedure cannot be carried out in the evening. After watering, it will be necessary to loosen the soil surface and weed, this can be done on the same day or every other day. Experts advise, to make a garter of tall varieties to the support. After the flower begins to fade, it must be removed from the bush, as it takes away the strength of the plant. In order for such a plant to bloom for a long time, it should not be allowed to set seeds, and after the last flowers wither, you need to cut off the flower arrow. It is necessary to cut the peduncle under the flower at the very bottom, only in this case new arrows and flowers will grow. It is necessary to feed the snapdragon for the first time after it takes root after transplanting into open soil, and for this they use nitrophoska and organic fertilizers. The second time it is necessary to feed the plant during budding, in this case, a nutrient solution consisting of potassium sulfate, urea and superphosphate is used, while 1 large spoonful of each substance should be taken in a bucket of water.

It happens that the bushes are affected by rust, while specks of red color appear on their surface. Also, this plant is susceptible to infection with black leg, root and gray rot, septoria. Diseased plants must be destroyed as soon as possible, then it is necessary to process the soil area where they grew with a fungicidal (antifungal) agent. For snapdragons, such pests are dangerous as: fly larvae, scale insects, caterpillars, as well as butterflies that are able to lay eggs. It should be remembered that getting rid of diseases or harmful insects is much more difficult than preventing plant infection. For prevention purposes, it is necessary to follow all recommendations for caring for snapdragons, so it is necessary to timely destroy sick and infected with harmful insects specimens; flowers should not be planted very close to each other; it is necessary to water correctly, avoiding waterlogging of the soil; watering should be done at the root, while ensuring that water does not fall on the surface of the leaf plates.

The flowering of such a plant can continue until the first frost in the fall. After the autumn is established, it is necessary to cut those snapdragon bushes that are cultivated as perennials very short, so that the height of the shoots is about 5-8 centimeters. Then you need to mulch the area, sprinkling it with a layer of dried foliage or sawdust mixed with peat. In the event that you have an annual snapdragon growing, then after the flowers begin to fade, you should remove them, thereby avoiding self-seeding. After all the flowers on the arrow have wither, it should be cut as short as possible. This will prevent the seeds from ripening and scattering on the soil surface. After the onset of deep autumn, it is necessary to dig up the soil where the flowers grew, and burn the remnants of the snapdragon, since harmful insects can settle on them.

As a rule, for most plants, seeds are harvested only after they are fully ripe. However, the collection of snapdragon seeds must be carried out in the phase of incomplete maturity. Then they are placed in a dry, well-ventilated room for maturation. Collect the seeds in a long paper bag (like for a baguette). It is necessary to start collecting seeds only after the fruits located at the bottom of the peduncle are fully ripe. To do this, the top of the peduncle, on which there are still green fruits, must be cut off and thrown away. On the part of the flower arrow that remains, you need to put on a bag of paper, tied with a thread below the fruit. Then it remains only to cut the stem below the dressing site. Then hang the inverted bag in a dry and warm place and you just have to wait for the ripe seeds to spill out into the bag by themselves. Ripe seeds should be poured into a small cardboard box and stored in a dry place where the air temperature will be from 3 to 5 degrees. In this case, the boxes must be protected from water ingress.

Today, experts have several classifications of this plant according to various characteristics. The most popular classification is by the height of the bush. By the size of the bush, snapdragon varieties are divided into 5 groups:

1. Gigantic - the height of the bush is 90-130 centimeters. This plant has a centrally located stem much higher than second-order stems, while there are no third-order stems. Popular varieties: "Arthur" - bush height from 90 to 95 centimeters, cherry flowers; "F1 red XL" and "F1 pink XL" - the bush reaches 1.1 meters, the flowers are red and pink colour (respectively).
2. High - the height of the bush is 60–90 centimeters. They are cultivated for cutting, and also as a vertical accent in groups or in mixborders. The central stem is much higher than the lateral ones. In the cut, the flowers of this plant can stand for about 7 days or even longer. The most fragrant varieties are those whose flowers are colored in various shades of yellow. Popular varieties: "Anna German" - flowers are painted in light pink; "Canary" - flowers of a rich yellow color; a mixture of varieties "Madame Butterfly" - double flowers can be painted in a variety of colors.
3. Medium (semi-tall) - a bush with a height of 40 to 60 centimeters. The varieties are versatile, they are cultivated both for cutting and as flower bed decoration. They are distinguished by strong branching. The central stem is slightly higher in height than the lateral ones. Popular varieties: "Golden Monarch" - has a yellow color; "Ruby" - deep pink flowers; "Lipstick Silver" - painted in whitish-pink color.
4. Low - the height of the bush is 25–40 centimeters. They are cultivated as border or flower bed plants. These varieties have a large number of flowering stems of the second and third order, while the central stem has the same height as the stems of the first order or slightly below them. Popular varieties: "Tip-top", "Hobbit", ampel hybrid plant "Lampion".
5. Dwarf - the height of the bush varies from 15 to 20 centimeters. The varieties are intended for carpet flower beds, ridges, borders, rock gardens. They are also grown as a potted flower. There is strong branching up to stems of the third and fourth order, while the central stem is lower or has the same height as stems of the second order. Popular varieties: "Sakura Blossom" - there is a speck on whitish-pink flowers; Candy Showers is an ampelous variety.

There is also a very popular classification of the snapdragon of Sanderson and Martin for year-round cut varieties. However, this classification is of interest only to those growers who grow snapdragons for sale.

Flowers snapdragon (lat.Antirrhinum), or antirrinum, - a genus of herbaceous plants of the Plantain family, covering about 50 species of perennials, including climbing ones, common in the warm zones of the Earth, but mostly in North America. The Russians call this plant "dogs", the English call it "snapdragon" (biting dragon), the French call it "wolf's mouth", and the Ukrainians call it "mouths." From the Greek language the name "antirrinum" is translated as "nasal", "like a nose."

The ancient Greek myth tells about the first feat of Hercules, when he defeated the Nemean lion, famous for its ferocity and invulnerability. Goddess Flora presented Hercules with the one she created in honor of his victory beautiful flower, which she called "snapdragon". Since then, it has become a tradition in Greece to give snapdragons to heroes. In culture, the snapdragon flower has existed for about five hundred years, and breeding work was started by German scientists in the 19th century, and today about 1000 varieties of snapdragons are grown in the gardens of the planet, and most interesting of all, the basis for this variety of forms and hybrids was a single species - large antirrhinum (Antirrhinum majus).

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Planting and caring for snapdragons (in brief)

• Landing: in warm climates by sowing seeds in the ground in April or before winter. Seeds are sown for seedlings in mid-March, seedlings are planted in open ground closer to mid-May or early April.
• Bloom: from mid-summer to late autumn.
• Lighting: bright sunlight or partial shade.
• The soil: well fertilized, breathable, light loamy soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0, cultivated to a depth of 30-40 cm.
• Watering: only in dry mornings, abundant.
• Top dressing: 2-3 times before flowering with full mineral fertilizer.
• Reproduction: seeds and cuttings.
• Pests: aphids, root nematodes, spider mites, scoops, thrips, slugs.
• Diseases: late blight, fusarium, verticillosis, black leg, septoria, sclerotinosis and peronosporosis.

Read more about growing snapdragons below.

Snapdragon flower - description

The snapdragon plant is a shrub or herbaceous plant with straight, branched, green, finely grooved stems from 15 cm to one meter high, forming pyramidal bushes. The upper leaves of the snapdragon are alternate, the lower ones are opposite, in shape they are elongated-oval or lanceolate, color from light green to dark green with red veins.

The flowers are fragrant, rather large, irregular, two-lipped, depending on the variety, simple or double, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences, they are painted in white, yellow, pink, pale fawn, all shades of red, but there are also two-color and even tricolor varieties. The fruit is a two-celled polyspermous capsule, in one gram from 5000 to 8000 seeds. Snapdragon bloom usually begins in June and ends with frost.

Most often, perennial in nature snapdragons in gardening are grown as annual plant, but with good care and favorable conditions, cold-resistant snapdragons can successfully overwinter in the garden and bloom more beautifully the next year. In garden design, antirrinum is grown as a curb plant, although snapdragons look great both in a flower bed and planted in groups against a green lawn. Snapdragons are often used to decorate balconies and terraces.

Of particular interest among flower growers today are ampelous forms of snapdragons, which can be grown in suspended structures for decorating terraces and galleries.

In the photo: Snapdragon blooming in the garden

Growing snapdragon from seed

Sowing snapdragon

Snapdragon reproduces in generative and vegetative ways. Snapdragon seeds retain the ability to germinate for several years. If you live in a warm climate, you can grow snapdragons from seeds, sowing them directly into the ground, and they will sprout in two and a half or three weeks, without any problems surviving even a slight night cold snap, which is common in spring, but in areas where it is warm comes gradually, it is better to use the seedling method of growing snapdragons. How to grow snapdragons from seeds using seedlings? This process is neither complex nor labor-intensive.

So, sowing snapdragon: early March pour coarse sand into bowls with a diameter of at least 10 cm with drainage holes, and on top of the sand - compost soil mixed with sand, compact it, level it, sprinkle with water from a sprayer and distribute seeds mixed with sand on its surface, which we then cover from above with a thin layer of the same substrate, moisten it from a fine spray bottle and cover the sowing dish with glass.

We remove condensate from the glass every day, let the crops breathe and, as necessary, moisten the soil from the sprayer. At a temperature of 23 ºC and moderate humidity of the substrate, sprouts will appear in a couple of weeks. As soon as this happens, move the bowl to a bright, non-sunny place so that they do not stretch out, and as soon as the emergence of seedlings becomes massive (after 3-4 days), remove the glass.

Pictured: Growing snapdragon from seed

Snapdragon seedlings

The seedlings will grow slowly at first, and your task during this period is to monitor the correct moisture of the soil by watering the soil in the morning so that there is plenty of moisture, but not in excess, as this can lead to seedlings becoming ill with a black leg. "Fallen" sprouts should be removed with tweezers, and the place where they grew should be powdered with crushed coal or sprinkled with a small amount of calcined and cooled river sand. After the appearance of a pair of real - not cotyledonous - leaves, the seedlings dive into a container or box, positioning them so that they grow freely.

You can plant seedlings in personalized pots, or, for example, dive three sprouts into larger pots.

Place the cut seedlings in a bright place, protecting them from direct sun rays, and begin to gradually accustom them to the environment and temperature in which they will find themselves after transplanting into open ground: open the window for a while during the day, but make sure that the seedlings are not in a draft... After the development of 4-5 leaves, the central shoot of each seedling must be pinched to enhance tillering, but if the lateral shoots are also growing too actively, pinch them too.

In the photo: Red snapdragon

Snapdragon planting

When to plant snapdragons

In late May - early June, grown, matured and hardened seedlings are planted in open ground. And do not be afraid of the last night cold snaps: your young "lion cubs" will calmly survive them. The snapdragon area can be sunny or slightly shaded, but always well-drained and protected from strong wind... The soil requires light and nutritious. Best primer for snapdragons - a mixture of sand, compost and peat in approximately equal proportions. The optimum pH of soil for snapdragon is pH 6-8.

In the photo: Snapdragon in a flower bed

How to plant snapdragons

The planting of snapdragon flowers is carried out according to the following scheme: tall varieties are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other, medium-sized varieties - at a distance of 30 cm, undersized ones - after 20 cm, dwarf ones - after 15 cm.As soon as the snapdragon takes root, it starts very grow quickly and develop into a lush flowering bush. You should know that snapdragon planting is carried out in well-moistened soil.

Snapdragon care

How to grow snapdragons

This plant is unpretentious and needs only what any garden flower needs: watering, loosening the soil, removing weeds and feeding. You will have to water the plants only in dry times, when there is no rain, but not at night. The next day after watering or on the same day in the evening, it is advisable to loosen the ground and weed out the weeds. It is advisable to tie tall varieties of snapdragon to a support. It is better to pick off wilted flowers so that the plant does not expend energy on them.

If you want to achieve long flowering from the snapdragon, do not let it set seeds, remove the flower arrow as soon as the last flowers have wilted. You need to cut the peduncle under the lowest flower, then new arrows and new flowers will appear.

As soon as the plant after planting takes root in the soil, it needs to be fed with nitrophos and organic matter, the second feeding is carried out when the snapdragon begins to form buds, and in this case, a urea solution, potassium sulfate and superphosphate are used at the rate of one tablespoon of each ingredient per 10 liters water.

On the picture: Pink flowers antirrinum

Snapdragon pests and diseases

Sometimes red spots of rust appear on the plant, septoria, snapdragon, black leg, gray or root rot can be affected. Sick specimens must be immediately removed and burned, and the soil in the place where they grew must be treated with an antifungal agent (fungicide).

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Snapdragon or Antirrhinum is a perennial herbaceous plant of the plantain family. In culture, this flower has existed for over 500 years. Snapdragon breeding was first undertaken by scientists from Germany in the 19th century. Today, about 50 species and over 1000 varieties of antirrinum have been bred. Snapdragon is currently growing in all warm corners of the Earth.

Plants vary in type, height and many other characteristics. The antirrinum color scheme covers almost all colors, except for blue and light blue shades.

Snapdragon is a perennial plant in nature. In horticulture, this flower is most often grown as an annual. To preserve a flower for the winter, it needs special conditions, good and proper care... The plant is used for group plantings on the lawn, for decorating flower beds, borders, terraces and balconies.

Types and varieties of snapdragon with photo

Snapdragon flowers are large in shape, can have a two-lipped or non-mesium-like, bell-shaped, penstemon-like, azalea (double) shape.

Antirrinum varieties are divided into:

• universal,
• cutting,
• casing.

Plants of compact form and large inflorescences (medium-sized varieties) are universal varieties.

For cutting, plants with large flowers and long legs (gigantic and tall varieties).

Casing varieties are distinguished by the compactness of the bush and the duration of flowering (dwarf and undersized varieties).

There are several classifications of antirrinum, but the most common classification of antirrinum is the classification by height. Varieties are divided into 5 groups in height:

They are distinguished by increased stem formation up to shoots of the third and fourth orders. The main shoot is placed on the level or under the second order shoots.

• Candy Showers is a weaving (ampelous) variety of snapdragons,
• Sakura blossom - pink and white plant with a speck,
• Magik Karpet - pink-yellow color,
• Tom Tamb, Pixie and others.

Plants are intended for decoration of rock gardens, ridges, borders, carpet flower beds and growing in pots.

Low varieties grow up to 25-40 centimeters. These varieties have many shoots with flowers of the second and third orders. The central shoot runs at or below the level with first-order shoots.

• Kimozu,
• Hobbit,
• Wunderteppich,
• Lampion (ampelous hybrid) and others.

These flowers are used to decorate flower beds, borders, hanging baskets, containers, balcony boxes.

Medium-sized (universal) varieties and hybrids grow up to 40-60 centimeters... The plant is highly branched. The main shoot runs slightly above the lateral shoots.

• Scarlet Monarch - red and burgundy,
• Golden Monarch - yellow color,
• Ruby is a hot pink flower
• Lipstick Silver - white-pink color,
• F1 Bizari - with a variety of colors, strokes on the yellow (main) color,
• grade Day and night, and others.

These varieties are grown in different flower beds and are suitable for cutting.

High (cut) varieties with a height of 60-90 centimeters. Their central shoot rises above the secondary (lateral) ones.

Varieties:

• Brilliantrose - a flower of bright pink color,
• The canary is bright yellow
• Alaska is greenish white
• Anna German - pale pink,
• F1 Rocket Lemon - soft lemon shades,
• F1 Goshenka - orange shades,
• Machaon is a bicolor variety of raspberry-yellow color,
• varietal terry mixture Madame Butterfly - a flower of various shades,
• Dzhuliva - open penstemone or gloxiniform flower,
• varieties Pink, Rubin, Admiral and others.

Yellow shades have a more pronounced aroma. Plants are suitable for decorating mixborders, group compositions, grown for cutting. Cut flowers in a vase are worth over a week.

Giant (giant) varieties reach 90-130 centimeters in height... Bushes are narrow pyramidal. The main shoot of the flower rises strongly above the shoots of the second order, and the shoots of the third order are absent.

Varieties:

• F1 Red XL - bright red color,
• Arthur - with large, cherry-colored flowers, plant height 90-95 cm,
• F1 Pink XL - deep pink color, the height of both is 110 cm,
• University of California - Mix of shades, 95 cm high,
• Maximum Uniqulis,
• Start F1 and others.

Snapdragon propagates by dividing a bush or using seedlings. A feature of this flower is that the seeds in the ground can be stored for more than one year and then grow by themselves.

When planted in warm soil, the first shoots appear in two weeks, but this method is suitable for southern regions. In places with a cooler climate, antirrinum is planted in open ground with grown seedlings.

Sowing seeds in seedling containers or greenhouses is done in late February or early March. In the middle lane, sowing is done in late April - early May. Snapdragon is not grown in northern latitudes.

After the seedlings get stronger, they can be transplanted into the ground. Snapdragon blooms 85-110 days after the first shoots appear - The plant blooms in June-July and blooms until the first autumn frosts.

The first shoots appear on the 7-10th day. After 3-4 weeks, the plants are picked. Planting plants in open ground can be done only after the end of frost and soil warming. By this time, the snapdragon should have formed a small bush.

Snapdragon - Planting and Care

Sowing seeds for seedlings allows you to speed up the growing process and get an earlier flowering. For planting, you will need seeds of the selected varieties, a growing container, a fine and coarse sieve and a shovel.

For seedlings, take a seedling box, container or long pot with a pallet, about 10 centimeters high. The seedling container must have holes for removing excess water.

A drainage layer of expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite, pebbles, coarse sand is poured onto the bottom. Then you can start preparing the land.

Land preparation

For sowing, a loose, light substrate is suitable, which can be purchased at the store or made on your own. To do this, take: 1 part of turf, part of sand, part of peat, part of rotted humus and wood ash. The soil is mixed and sieved on a coarse and fine sieve.

Large screenings are poured on top of the drainage, and small screenings come from above. The soil is watered with a solution of potassium permanganate and left to stand indoors for 2 days.

The ground should be moist when planting, but not wet.

Seed preparation

The seeds can be bought at the store, and the variety, height and color of plants are easily selected. When choosing, you need to take into account the storage conditions and the shelf life of the seeds.

After collecting and drying, self-collected seeds are placed in a plastic bag, and then in the refrigerator until spring. In the refrigerator, the seeds are stratified and this improves their germination. Before sowing, the seeds are disinfected in a pink solution of potassium permanganate. They are taken out and dried on a napkin. Then you can start sowing.

Sowing seedlings

Seeds for even distribution must be mixed with dry sand. Seeds are sown in even paths with an interval of 2-3 centimeters. For convenient distribution, you can use a paper envelope with a corner cut off.

In this case, sand with seeds is poured out in a neat path. Sand paths for a tighter fit of the seeds need to be pressed slightly with your palms. On top, using a sieve, a thin layer of soil mixture is poured.

Then the soil is sprayed with a spray bottle.

The seating container is covered with glass, transparent film and placed in a room with a temperature above 18 degrees Celsius. The film shelter is removed every day (for ventilation). When dry, the soil is sprayed with a spray bottle.

Shoots appear after 10 days.

The container with seedlings is exposed in a bright place (a window without direct sunlight). A week after the germination of the seeds, the film (glass) is removed from the box. It is not recommended to remove the glass immediately. This should be done gradually, starting at 20 minutes and beyond.

After 3-4 weeks, the first true leaves will form on the plants. When 2-3 sheets appear, the seedlings need to be opened.

For picking, cassettes, peat pots or cups with a diameter of 8-10 centimeters are used. When planting in large containers, a gap between plants of 5 by 5 centimeters is observed. The first 2-3 days, the seedlings are covered from sunlight.

When planting in a box, after the plants grow up, another planting is carried out in more spacious pots with an interval between plants of 10 by 10 centimeters.

Intermediate replanting increases the bushiness of the flower. For better branching and flowering, the upper part of the grown plants is pinched.

Seedlings are grown at 23 degrees Celsius. Plants are provided with good lighting, regular watering. An excess of moisture can lead to germ diseases and watering should be done only after the soil surface has dried.

When any type of rot appears, the seedlings are treated with Fitosporin (10 drops of the drug are taken for 1 liter of water), crushed charcoal is scattered over the soil.

Snapdragon is planted in the ground after the end of frost. Depending on the region, this takes place from early May to mid June.

The best soil for planting is loam, sandy soil with good air and water permeability. Flowers are not demanding on the soil.

But for a more lush and long-lasting flowering, you need to add

• wood ash (1 glass per square meter),
• nitrophosphate or complex fertilizer for flowers (tablespoon per meter)
• a small amount of humus (3-4 kilograms of humus)
• peat (1 kilogram per meter).

The earth is dug up and loosened up. The place should be light, a dark area for planting is not suitable. Plants in the shade practically do not bloom, in partial shade the flowering is less lush.

The transplant should be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening. Planting gap:

• dwarf varieties should be 15 by 15 centimeters,
• low grades 20 by 20 centimeters,
• between the average - 30 by 30 centimeters,
• between high from 40 centimeters.

In the prepared holes, seedlings from the pot are lowered along with an earthen clod. The plant deepens to the cotyledonous leaves. The soil around the plants is slightly pressed with palms and watered.

If different varieties are planted closely, cross-pollination may occur and new plants for the next year may differ from the parent varieties.

For better flowering and moisture conservation in the ground, the bushes need to be mulched with sand, sawdust, straw.

A month after the transplant, when the snapdragon takes root, the first feeding is done with complex fertilizer for garden annual flowers or nitrophosphate. The following dressings are carried out every 2-3 weeks throughout the summer.

In heavy soil, for good growth bushes, you need to carry out regular feeding, loosening, tying high varieties. Loosening protects the root system from leaching and disease. Without tying, tall plants can break off and die in windy weather.

Snapdragon does not like drought, but it starts to hurt with excess moisture. Based on this, watering should be regular, but moderate.

Pinching the main and side shoots up to the 2nd order increases the splendor of the bush.
For long-term flowering, buds that have already bloomed are removed. Flowering lasts 3-3.5 months.

Pests and diseases

Snapdragon has low resistance to stemworms, miner flies, aphids, ticks, minerals, thrips, slugs, butterflies.

Pests appear when flowers are overgrown with weeds or when bushes are planted close to each other. Timely weeding protects plants from insects.

Stem moths (caterpillars) settle at the bottom of the stem. They gnaw through the longitudinal passages in the stems and they wither. When a pest appears, it is necessary to make a low cut of damaged bushes. The cut stems are burned.

All weed around is removed. Healthy plants are sprayed with chlorophos. Preventive spraying is carried out from the time of planting until autumn.

When flowers are damaged by any pests, special chemicals are used.

Most often, with improper care, snapdragon is affected root-knot nematode root system and fungal diseases. An excess of moisture leads to the appearance of septoria, rust, verticillosis, fusarium, false powdery mildew, black leg.

Mosaic causes mottling (mottling) leaves without necrosis. Flowers become smaller and become variegated. When a disease appears, all plantings are removed and burned.

Rust affects a fully formed plant. Dusty pustules appear on the bottom of the leaves, on the seed pods and sepals brown... Spots appear on the top of the leaves and they wither.

When signs of a disease appear, the bushes and the root circle are treated with a solution of Bordeaux liquid, copper oxychloride and Tsineb's solution. Processing is repeated in a week.

For the prevention of diseases, you can use Zircon (5 drops of the drug per liter of water). Fungicides are used to combat these diseases.

The seed pod holds about 8 thousand seeds. Ripe seeds are shiny, black, like poppy seeds. The most beautiful plants with large flowers are selected for seeds. The inflorescences need to be shortened by one third.

After that, large seed pods are formed in place of flowers. It is not necessary to wait for the yellowing of the lower seed pods; for ripening, the inflorescences need to be cut and dried indoors.

Seeds from the opened boxes must be shaken out into a paper bag. Then dry on a saucer and put in a plastic bag until spring.

The collected seeds remain viable for 4-6 years.

Snapdragon is a perennial plant and, if desired, even in the middle lane, flowers can be saved and left to winter in the open field. In autumn, all shoots are cut off, and the roots are covered with peat, grass, dry foliage.

In spring the plant grows and can be sprouted or left in place as a lush bush. Flowering the next year is more lush.

Snapdragon. How best to sow, how to properly care: video

Many gardeners are afraid to grow snapdragon because of many factors, for example, poor germination, the need for preventive and protective work against diseases, pests and other problems. But with the right approach, all these problems are solved quite quickly and flowers delight with their beauty and uniqueness.