Antirrhinum

The genus Antirrhinum includes more than 40 annual and perennial plant species. The most common of them is antirrhinum large, or Snapdragon large (Antirrhinum majus). The leaves of this plant are of two different types: the lower ones are petiolate oblong - lanceolate opposite; the upper ones are sessile linear-lanceolate alternate. From July to the end of autumn, pink flowers of racemose inflorescences bloom. There are many varieties and hybrids, large flowers of which are painted in any color. According to the height of the main stem, they are divided into 3 groups. Tall (60-120 cm) specimens are grown mainly for cutting. The medium-sized group (40-60 cm) includes plants that are mainly used for flowerbeds. The group of undersized and dwarf (20-35 cm) includes dwarf varieties recommended for borders and stony gardens.

Cultivation

Antirrhinum, or Snapdragon, can be grown in the open ground or in a pot. On balconies and terraces, plants are placed in pots or bowls filled with properly prepared peaty soil, filled with a full mineral fertilizer at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of water. In the garden, plants are planted in April-May in light, well-drained soil. If there are signs of wilting of the plant, apply organic fertilizer. For the development of Snapdragon, the microelement boron is necessary, its absence causes dwarfism, so it is important that the fertilizer, among others, contains this element. A week after the final potting or planting in the open ground, fertilizers are periodically applied every 2 weeks. Plants are pinched, limiting growth, and thus contribute to branching - this is true for both potted and flowerbed flowers.

Antirrhinum, or Snapdragon, can be grown in the open ground or in a pot. On balconies and terraces, plants are placed in pots or bowls filled with properly prepared peaty soil, filled with a full mineral fertilizer at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of water. In the garden, plants are planted in April-May in light, well-drained soil.

If there are signs of wilting of the plant, apply organic fertilizer. For the development of Snapdragon, the microelement boron is necessary, its absence causes dwarfism, so it is important that the fertilizer, among others, contains this element.

A week after the final potting or planting in the open ground, fertilizers are periodically applied every 2 weeks. Plants are pinched, limiting growth, and thus contribute to branching - this is true for both potted and flowerbed flowers.

Location

Snapdragon prefers a Sunny place.

Temperature

In the spring and summer period, there are no special problems: the ideal air temperature is 15-20 °C, the minimum is 7 °C.

Watering

Watering is done when the soil in the pot begins to dry out. The garden is often watered only during the hottest period.

Transplant

Carry out in the spring, using a pot of larger sizes than the previous one.

Care

Antirrhinum does not require much care: it is enough to remove withered flowers and leaves.

Reproduction

Sowing is carried out in boxes in February-March in a warm room or greenhouse; previously, very small seeds of antirrhinum are mixed with talcum powder or fine sand, so that it is more convenient to spread them evenly. Soil, which is a mixture of sand and peat, is moderately fertilized at the rate of 10-15 g of mineral fertilizers per bucket of water. The air temperature is maintained at about 20 °C. When the seedlings grow up so that they can already be held in their hands, they dive into containers filled with the same soil as for seeds, and the temperature is maintained at 10-12 °C. Then it is transplanted again, in 8-10-centimeter pots and, before planting in a permanent place, allowed to get stronger in a protected cool place.

Sowing is carried out in boxes in February-March in a warm room or greenhouse; previously, very small seeds of antirrhinum are mixed with talcum powder or fine sand, so that it is more convenient to spread them evenly. Soil, which is a mixture of sand and peat, is moderately fertilized at the rate of 10-15 g of mineral fertilizers per bucket of water. The air temperature is maintained at about 20 °C.

When the seedlings grow up so that they can already be held in their hands, they dive into containers filled with the same soil as for seeds, and the temperature is maintained at 10-12 °C. Then it is transplanted again, in 8-10-centimeter pots and, before planting in a permanent place, allowed to get stronger in a protected cool place.

Diseases

During the emergence phase, plants are particularly susceptible to fungal diseases. The most dangerous infection for snapdragons is Puccinia antirrhini, although hybrids that are resistant to this pathogen have already been bred. Powdery mildew causes white rot on the surface of the leaves. There is also gray rot, which provokes the twisting of leaves into tubes, followed by drying. From Puccinia antirrhini get rid of the treatment of plants with fungicides (can not be produced during flowering). When signs of powdery mildew appear, treatment with sulfur-containing preparations is carried out. The appearance of gray rot can be prevented by avoiding excessive humidity. In General, for the prevention of fungal diseases, it is necessary to constantly monitor soil moisture and air temperature. The causative agent of Verticillium wilt - Verticillium aibo-atrum appears in the potted or garden substrate and causes unexpected weakening of plants. This disease is incurable, so the only thing that can be advised is to use only high-quality, disinfected soil. Pests of the lion fix the annoying caterpillars of moths and some beetles, a threat to leaves and flowers. Aphids and mites weaken and deform the plant, and nematodes infect both the aboveground part and the root system, causing serious damage. All these pests are eliminated with the help of appropriate drugs available on the market.

During the emergence phase, plants are particularly susceptible to fungal diseases. The most dangerous infection for snapdragons is Puccinia antirrhini, although hybrids that are resistant to this pathogen have already been bred. Powdery mildew causes white rot on the surface of the leaves. There is also gray rot, which provokes the twisting of leaves into tubes, followed by drying.

From Puccinia antirrhini get rid of the treatment of plants with fungicides (can not be produced during flowering). When signs of powdery mildew appear, treatment with sulfur-containing preparations is carried out. The appearance of gray rot can be prevented by avoiding excessive humidity.

In General, for the prevention of fungal diseases, it is necessary to constantly monitor soil moisture and air temperature.

The causative agent of Verticillium wilt - Verticillium aibo-atrum appears in the potted or garden substrate and causes unexpected weakening of plants. This disease is incurable, so the only thing that can be advised is to use only high-quality, disinfected soil.

Pests of the lion fix the annoying caterpillars of moths and some beetles, a threat to leaves and flowers. Aphids and mites weaken and deform the plant, and nematodes infect both the aboveground part and the root system, causing serious damage. All these pests are eliminated with the help of appropriate drugs available on the market.

Acquisition

Seeds and seedlings can easily be found in gardening centers, flower nurseries and shops. You should choose well-formed compact seedlings that are not infested with pests.