A Guide to Snapdragon Care in Pots

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Proper care for the snapdragon flower in pots and containers is not that difficult, but you have to be careful. The snapdragon flower is one of the most popular choices for people who are interested in growing different kinds of colorful flowers.

There are more than 13 different types of flowers that you might not know about. Not only this, but there are more than 30 cultivars of the snapdragon plant.

You can easily arrange it in a myriad of different ways, and while the plant looks incredibly beautiful, you should know that it does require a bit of care and maintenance.

Snapdragon flowers can be easily grown in containers. They are perennial flowers, and are usually grown year round. Even though it is commonly grown in beds, you should know that the ones grown in containers are great for your patio or your garden.

They can make for striking floral combinations.

How to Grow the Snapdragon

These plants are generally undemanding, and will grow best in colder weather. They are usually found in areas that are slightly cool. These flowers are also deer-resistant, though they demand care.

If you want to grow the snapdragon in containers, the first thing that you need to do is fill peat pots with a soilless medium. You need to fill this up the night before you plan on planting the snapdragon in the pots.

More importantly, after adding the medium to the soil, you should allow it to drain at least a few times. This is going to turn the soil-seeding medium to a dark brown color.

It will also begin to feel a bit moist when you touch it. Once the seed starting medium has been prepared, you can then move the pots into a room that is around 60 to 70 degrees.

Throughout the night, the temperature will eventually drop to normal levels.

Then, you need to scatter the snapdragon seeds in the center of the peat pots. You should also lightly press the seeds to make sure that they are in the medium.

Make sure you leave the snapdragon seeds uncovered, as the plant needs a bit of light to germinate properly. If you have a few seeds only, you should cover each pot in a clear plastic bag, especially if you have just a few.

Or, if you have a tray, you can just place the tray on the pots. Water them regularly and make sure that the humidity remains at a higher level.

For the next two weeks or so, you have to carefully observe the seeds. Once you notice that at least 75% of the seedlings have emerged from the ground, you can then remove the plastic bags.

Move the snapdragon flowers close to a sunny window, and then water them on a regular basis. For the next six to eight weeks, you have to follow this routine as the plants require a considerable amount of water to prevent them from getting completely dry.

Within a few days, your snapdragon will start to grow. Now, you have to learn how to properly care for the plant in the pots.

Light

Unlike most other plants, snapdragons generally prefer the full sun. During the spring season, the plant will bloom very quickly when it is exposed to the full sun, which gives it the maximum amount of sunlight.

As the temperature continues to rise during the summer months, the plants will stop blooming completely. That way, you can just plant them in partial shade and make sure that the plant receives a considerable amount of water.

This is going to lead to another flash bloom for the plant, and as the fall season hits, you might notice a full bloom again. The good thing about the snapdragon plant is that it establishes very quickly, so you can easily replace them every season.

Soil

Snapdragons generally prefer a neutral soil that is between 6.2 and 7.0 pH values. These are generally plants with a relatively short life, so you can’t expect them to be heavy feeders.

However, adding organic matter to your plants is a great idea and will significantly improve the quality of the blooms. More importantly, it will also improve the health of the plant.

Water

The thing about snapdragons is that they need a bit of watering. As mentioned above, when the plant is growing, you will have to make sure that the potting medium remains completely wet around the clock.

Once the plant has been established, you should know that the plant requires an inch of water on average per week, primarily when there isn’t any rainfall.

You should always water near the crown of the plant to prevent overhead watering and make sure that the soil does not dry out during the watering.

Temperature and Humidity

Another critical component for the growth of plants is the temperature and the humidity. Snapdragons generally like the cooler temperatures and they usually grow best during the nighttime.

The temperature in the night usually remains in the low 40s, whereas the day time temperatures are not really suitable for the plant. Once the plant has established and hardened, they can also withstand sub-zero temperatures.

If you live in an area that receives considerably low temperatures for long periods of time, the best thing that you can do is cover the snapdragon with pine straws.

On the other hand, if the seedlings are growing indoors, they will also need to be hardened off. It will take about 10 days for the plant to completely harden, and you can then plant it in the garden.

Fertilizer

When the plant first starts giving off flowers, you should add a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Always add around three pounds for every 100 square feet of the flower bed, and you will be able to keep the plant in prime condition.

These are just a few things that you should know about caring for your snapdragon.

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