Balsams are considered unpretentious flowers to grow. But the seeds of this colorful culture require "respectful" treatment.
To sow seeds, you need to buy ready-made soil or prepare it yourself. It should be loose, moisture-consuming and have a neutral reaction (pH 6, 2 … 6, 5). When the soil becomes acidic, the seedlings will "lay down".
Before sowing seeds, the soil must be disinfected. You can apply a solution of potassium permanganate, phytosporin, maxim. Small shoots of balsam are very susceptible to fungal infections (black leg).
Seeds are spread over the surface of a medium-moisture soil mixture and are not sprinkled, only pressed to the surface. From above, the crops are covered with glass (film) so that the seeds do not dry out. They sprout quickly, after a week, if the temperature in the room is about 22 … 24 ° C. At a lower temperature, 18 … 20 ° C, seedlings will appear in a few weeks.
After the seedlings appear, the temperature in the room should not be lower than 18 ° C. Otherwise, if there is excessive moisture in the soil (overflow), then the roots rot at the seedlings, the cotyledon leaves turn yellow. Do not water the "kids" in the afternoon. It is better to organize watering in the morning so that the soil has time to dry out by night. Balsams also do not forgive drying out of the soil.
Illumination is one of the necessary conditions for getting strong seedlings, especially in the first 2 … 3 weeks. When shaded, the seedlings are stretched and long internodes grow.
Seedlings of balsams begin to feed when 2 … 3 true leaves appear. Fertilizers are better to use nitrogen-potassium (potassium nitrate), nitrogen-calcium (calcium nitrate) in low concentration. In the early stages of infancy, phosphate fertilizer may not be used.
Compact seedlings are the golden mean in the rules for growing balsams. Namely, the maintenance of moderate soil moisture, temperature content without sharp fluctuations. Watering only after the top layer of the earth has dried. You can not be careless about watering and allow the soil to completely dry out. This leads to yellowing and wilting of seedlings. Such seedlings may not recover.
If the grown hybrids are intended for shady places, then it is undesirable to expose the seedlings in bright sun.
Transplanting grown seedlings into pots is carried out after 5 … 6 weeks.
As the seedlings grow, they need additional feeding. Soluble fertilizers with a complete set of nutrition are diluted in small doses and fed with balsams. Seedlings are planted in the garden when the threat of freezing from spring cold snaps and frosts has passed.
