Growing aubriets from seeds and transplanting into open ground
Lovers of ground cover plants do not pass by shaving. Growing it from seeds at home consists in observing three requirements: lighting, soil composition, and the amount of moisture. Aubrieta is a rather demanding plant, but its lush bloom pays for all the gardener's efforts.
Sowing terms and rules
Aubrieta does not tolerate transplanting and dividing the bush, in this way it is extremely difficult to propagate it. If the divisions take root, then in a small amount. But the seed method of reproduction is quite affordable.
Aubriet seeds are small brown grains of sand. To hatch, they need 2-3 weeks. They are sown in early or mid February, depending on the temperature in the region. The warmer it is, the earlier you can sow.
Before planting, you need to carry out a disinfection procedure: the seeds are soaked for 1 hour in a solution of potassium permanganate. To accelerate germination, the seed is treated with a stimulator solution (soaking in Epin's solution for a day is suitable).
The soil for seedlings is selected light, special for flowering plants. It can be supplemented with a sand layer, mixed with peat or replaced with vermiculite. Additionally, sawdust is introduced. Aubrieta develops well in sandy loam soils, and clay soils are not suitable for it.
For the first stage of cultivation, a regular pot or disposable plastic cups are taken. A prerequisite is drainage holes at the bottom. Experienced summer residents prefer to sow seeds in separate containers, since when picking, the woven roots are difficult to separate from each other without damaging them. On a dish with a diameter of 15 cm, no more than 4 seeds are sown.
Before sowing, the soil is loosened and moistened, a drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the box. Finally, the surface can be lightly covered with sand.
Due to their small size, the seeds are not covered with earth during sowing. They grow on the soil surface in good lighting conditions. Seeds should not be watered for the same reason; it is enough to spray them with water from their spray bottle. A jet of water can push light seeds into the soil. The seed box is covered with plastic wrap or a transparent lid to keep warm. After emergence, the film is gradually removed.
The best way to grow seedlings from seeds is peat tablets. These devices exclude picking, like plastic cups, but at the same time they contain a maximum of useful substances and are breathable to ensure excellent germination, and the seedlings will not be exposed to diseases.
Seedling growing stages
The box with seedlings is placed in a sunny place, since the aubrieta is a light-loving plant. However, direct sunlight during the seedling stage should be avoided. The optimum temperature for germination of seeds and development of sprouts is from +18 to + 21 ° C. It is desirable to additionally illuminate with a lamp in the evening hours.
Periodically, the room with seedlings needs to be ventilated. It is not necessary to expose the box to a draft; it is enough to slightly lower the temperature of the air for hardening.
Seedlings are regularly watered in the evenings with warm, settled water as the top layer of the soil dries up. A dry crust must not be allowed to form.
Picking is done about a month after sowing, from the moment 3-4 pairs of true leaves appear. The day before transplanting into a new container, the soil is abundantly moistened. The sprout is transferred to new dishes by transferring. It is poured in with a teaspoon, carefully removed and immediately placed in new soil.
Transplantation to the site takes place at the end of April - mid-May, by which time the soil should warm up enough.
Adult shave care:
- To maintain flowering, you need to fertilize the obrieta with a mineral complex (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) every 10 days. Aubriet growing on fertile soils is enough 3 dressings within 2 months. Potassium humate is introduced between the main dressings, but not more often than twice a month.
- Every month the soil around the bush is loosened.
- All weeds are removed as needed.
- The soil is mulched with sand and sawdust on average once every 10 days. This will prevent decay.
- Frequent watering is not required, but in dry times, you will need to moisten the soil twice a week.
Aubrieta bloom begins in May-June and lasts for about 1.5 months. There is a way to prolong it: after the first stage, cut off the faded shoots at the root, this stimulates the emergence of new flowering shoots. It is recommended to moisturize, fertilize and mulch the soil to support the plant. This is how gardeners maintain their flower cover throughout the summer.
Autumn pruning is not carried out as it weakens the plant. To preserve the shaving for the next season, it is enough to cover its roots: a heap of dry leaves will do. Aubrieta does not shed its leaves during the winter and remains green. Only sharp frosts down to –30 ° C can harm it.
Sowing seeds in open ground
Aubrieta seeds can be sown both for seedlings and immediately in open ground, either in spring or autumn. In spring, seeds are sown in mid-May, in autumn - in September-early October. In the latter case, seedlings will appear in the spring. May plantings germinate after 10-15 days.
The requirements for the site are the same as when moving seedlings into open ground. The seeds are not sown too thickly. The optimal distance between the bushes is 15-20 cm.
When sowing in the fall, while digging the soil into it, it does not hurt to add humus and wood ash. Seeds in the open field are placed on a damp area and sprinkled with a mixture of peat and sand.
If you want to see flowering on the site already in May, then the seeds are grown in seedlings from February. This measure is also necessary for planting in cold regions where there is a risk of spring frosts. Growing by the seedling method is also convenient in those cases when you need to make a certain flower arrangement. The distance and pattern can be controlled by planting seedlings according to a pre-planned pattern.
Growing difficulties
What makes Arieta sick:
- Common flower diseases are powdery mildew and root rot. The problem is caused by fungi, which actively develop in conditions of waterlogged soil. Powdery mildew is a brown coating on stems and leaves. Root rot is unpleasant brown spots. Spraying with a 0.3% solution of colloidal sulfur helps against fungus. Watering should be stopped. Damaged plants are removed to avoid contamination of the remaining plantings. In extreme cases, professional anti-fungal agents are used - fungicides.
- A lover of harm to shave is an aphid insect. It settles on the back of the leaf and feeds on the sap of the plant, weakening it. To combat the pest, insecticides are used as a last resort. An effective folk method is spraying with nettle infusion: for 1 kg of dry leaves - 10 liters of water, leave for a day. To prevent aphids, when planting seeds in the ground, it is customary to add wood ash.
Aubrieta is a worthy decoration of any site. She will find a place in any corner of the garden. Despite the whimsicality of the plant, even a beginner can grow it from seeds at home. The rules of planting and leaving are not complicated, they just need to be carefully followed.
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