Aquilegia - growing from seeds

Aquilegia is a flower popularly known as an eagle or a catchment. One of the most popular flowers among gardeners. It is famous for its light small flowers, which are presented in different types and shapes. In the scientific literature, the name stands for "a flower that collects water."

Aquilegia: description, characteristics of the flower

The aquilegia flower develops within two years. The first year of life is characterized by the emergence of a bud, the so-called point of renewal, which is located at the base of the stem. The formation of the rosette at the root occurs in the fall, and in the spring the leaves of the rosette die off and a peduncle forms in their place. During flowering, single flowers are formed on the stems.

Aquileg

The appearance of the flowers of this ornamental plant depends directly on the variety of seeds. There are such varieties as alpine, ordinary, ferruginous and many other species. You can see flowers of different colors and shapes with double petals. It can be either one-color or multi-colored petals. The flower itself can be red, purple, pink, yellow and other shades. The background for such a quivering flower is bright openwork leaves, as well as spurs, thanks to which it is rather difficult to confuse aquilegia with other flowers. The most popular varieties:

• ordinary aquilegia, grows up to 80 centimeters, tolerates cold well, popular varieties are undersized and terry;
• hybrid - can be found more often than others, the most famous variety is called the Snow Queen, it grows about 60 centimeters high;
• Siberian aquilegia, which is found in the forests of Siberia, grows up to 70 centimeters;
• fan-shaped - frost resistance is different, it grows up to 30 centimeters in height;
• small-flowered variety is distinguished by small flowers, grows up to 30 centimeters;
• star - differs in delicate flowers, grows up to 80 centimeters in height.

Aquilegia - growing from seeds

Growing aquilegia from seed is the most famous way to grow this ornamental plant. You can either buy them or assemble them yourself. Collect them after the appearance of the pods on the shoots. If you skip this moment, then the seeds fall to the ground, forming empty small boxes. That is why, if you do not want crosses, then plant aquilegia separately from other flowers. After collecting the seeds, they should be dried at room temperature.

Interestingly, the harvested seeds have a shelf life. After two years, the seeds may not germinate. This should be taken into account when buying seeds as well.

Aquilegia: when to plant seedlings?

The collected and dried seeds can be sown both in boxes for seedlings, and directly into the soil. It is customary to sow seeds almost immediately after harvest - that is, in the fall, because their collection usually begins in August. In the middle of autumn, they can be planted both on seedlings and in the ground. And in early autumn, it is better to plant them only for seedlings.If planting is planned in the spring, then the seeds are best kept in the refrigerator.

Aquilegia: planting seeds

You don't need to be an experienced gardener to figure out how to plant an aquilegia from seed. For planting these seeds, it is worth picking up deep containers. If you do not want to mess with plastic or wooden boxes, then you need to find containers with which the seedlings can be planted directly into the ground. For example, paper bags. Then the planting will be easier, and there will be no need to be afraid that the roots will be damaged during transplantation.

Containers for planting seeds

For aquilegia, you do not need to select a special substrate. It is enough to take a standard substrate or a simple soil mixture.

Conditions for growing aquilegia from seed

In order for the seeds to sprout successfully, you need to adhere to certain growing conditions. You don't need to do anything special. Aquilegia loves light, humidity and air temperature of at least 15 degrees. Also, for a better climb, the boxes with the plant must be covered with foil.

The seedlings need watering. This requires a spray bottle and room temperature water.

Subject to all favorable conditions for the flower, the first leaves should appear on the stems. Then it's time to remove the film and plant the seedlings in separate containers.

Aquilegia - seedlings

As already mentioned, seedlings need to be dived into paper or peat pots. This is the most reliable way, which increases the likelihood that aquilegia will grow, the seedlings will be whole when transplanted. When the pick is done, it is necessary to water the plants and observe all other conditions for growing seedlings.

When and how to plant seedlings in open ground

The seedlings are ready for planting. To transplant it into open ground, you need to make sure that there will be no frosts, since aquilegia is afraid of the cold. Once the temperature has stabilized within 15 degrees, a suitable location is selected.

Before planting, the area where the flower will grow must be dug up and fertilized. Next, small depressions are made at a distance and flowers are planted. After planting, you need to ensure that direct rays do not fall on the plants.

Transplanting aquilegia into the ground

How to grow aquilegia from seeds

Small aquilegias require special care. In order that other vegetation does not interfere with their growth, flowers need to be weeded regularly. It is also necessary in order to loosen the ground around the stem, especially after large amounts of rainfall.

Young aquilegia need fertilization with minerals, which should be done mainly in summer.

Aquilegia will begin to bloom fully in the third year. To prolong its flowering, you need to pick flowers that have faded.

Planting and caring for aquilegia in Siberia

Since aquilegia can be found in nature in all regions of Siberia, it is very easy to grow it in this climate. By itself, it is unpretentious, frost-resistant and not afraid of the cold.

Siberian aquilegia

For planting aquilegia in Siberia, it is worth remembering that wild it can be found in a birch forest, there are the best conditions for it. That is, in the shade, where loose, moist earth.

Siberia does not need any special conditions for planting such an ornamental plant as a catchment. It will feel great in the soil rich in humus, and with proper care it will bloom for more than one year.

Aquilegia: reproduction

Reproduction of the catchment occurs by seeds, as well as by dividing the bush and cuttings. A young bush can be safely divided into several parts and planted. But the old bushes are difficult to tolerate division, because with this method of reproduction, it is very easy to damage the roots. If this happens, the plants get sick.

Also, in open flower beds, reproduction can occur by self-seeding. If the seeds are not collected in time, then they crumble and are sown throughout the site. To prevent crossings and unnecessary bushes, most of the seed pods must be cut off.

Seed propagation

The easiest way to propagate a catchment is by seeds. For a good harvest, they need to be collected and stored correctly on time. Seeds can be planted either in the spring for seedlings, or in the fall directly into the ground.

For good germination, seeds must be stratified. Stratification is the impact of low temperatures on seeds. Therefore, if the collected seeds lie before planting, then in the middle of spring they are mixed with soil and placed in the refrigerator. It is also possible to sprinkle the seeds with snow..

Seeds

Aquilegia: how long does it bloom

Aquilegia begins to bloom in June or July, depending on when it was planted. It blooms profusely, mostly for about 30 days.

What to do with aquilegia after flowering

Aquilegia has faded what to do next:

• stems that have faded and lost their appearance should be cut off. They are cut off mainly at the most sockets;
• what is cut can be used for compost, if the flower was healthy, if the bush was sick, then it is better to take the remains away, and it is better to burn it so that healthy plants do not become infected;
• the catchment has faded - it's time to collect the seeds by cutting the seed pods from the stem;
• also if the plant is propagated by division, then this should be done exactly when the flowering has stopped.

How to collect aquilegia seeds

As already mentioned, you can collect seeds yourself. Harvesting takes place mainly in early August. This is done by cutting the bolls after flowering. The boxes are cut, dried, and then, pressing on the bases of the boxes, the seeds are collected. Store them in a dry and cool place.

Propagation by cuttings

One of the ways to propagate aquilegia is by cuttings. Cutting is much easier to do than messing with seeds and seedlings.

There are certain rules for grafting:

• in the spring, before the leaves bloom, you cut off young shoots and process the cut with a product that stimulates growth;
• the cut shoot is planted in the ground or placed in a container and covered.

You need to find a suitable place for the cutting:

• the cutting, like seedlings, is planted in soil with humus;
• a place in the garden should be chosen darkened and with sufficient moisture.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

The division method is used only for plants that have been growing for at least three years. This is done in early autumn, so that the plant has time to take root before the frost sets in.

The procedure for dividing the bush:

• a bush is dug up;
• the root of the bush is divided with a knife, into as many parts as possible;
• the cut is lubricated with activated carbon;
• bushes are planted in a new place with suitable soil and are well watered;
• the surface around the bush is covered with mulch.

Aquilegia: transplant to a new location

Aquilegia eventually needs to be transplanted to a new location. The transplant is carried out after five years of flowering. Only young bushes can be transplanted.

How to transplant aquilegia to another place

When transplanting, certain rules must be followed. Need to:

• dig out a bush for transplant;
• choose a suitable place for transplant;
• loosen the soil in this place and water;
• plant a bush without shaking off an earthen lump from the rhizome;
• water and compact the soil around the plant.

Namely:

• plant a flower in humus-enriched soil;
• protect the plant from direct sunlight;
• fertilize the soil with mineral additives;
• feed the plant with vitamins;
• make a transplant on time.

And the flowers will not hurt, and from year to year they will delight the eye with exuberant flowering.