Some flowers are worth sowing in January because they are . In practice, this means that they usually need more time (even several months) to turn from tiny seeds into strong plant seedlings, which will later be filled to the brim with buds.
If you forget to take care of them now, they will probably not shine with their full beauty in spring. So don’t delay, because then they will have less time to develop a strong root system, as a result, they will be less resistant to transplanting and will be less pleasing to the eye.
Do you want to know what flowers we sow in January? Under covers, in greenhouses and on window sills it is now worth starting to grow annual flowers, which have a long growing season.
These are species that start flowering in May and June, which include: ever-blooming begonia, shiny sage, Mexican ginseng, garden petunia and Cape lobelia.
This is the so-called “greenhouse five” (gardeners call them this way because they need several months to bloom, and early sowing shortens the waiting time for flower buds).
Apart from flowers, which are referred to as the classic “greenhouse five” in January you can also start your adventure with growing other popular plants. This is a good time to sow border geraniums or Peruvian heliotrope.
It is also worth remembering about garden verbena. This is a good way to obtain strong seedlings that will be ready to be planted into the ground in May.
Remember that sowing flowers in January can only be done under cover: at home, on a well-lit, bright windowsill, or in a heated greenhouse. Seedlings need a temperature ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, access to light and a light, permeable substrate.
A common mistake of beginners is covering small seeds with soil. They should not be covered with water, but only gently pressed to the ground and sprinkled regularly so that the earth is constantly moist. However, do not overdo the water supply, as this may lead to damping off of the seedlings.
It is worth covering the pots with foil or a lid. Before sowing geraniums, the seeds must be soaked in lukewarm water, and after placing them in the ground, lightly cover them with sand and cover with foil. Some people also believe that heliotrope seeds should be cooled in the refrigerator before sowing.
The time to prune the plants will come only after 2-3 proper leaves have developed, and to transplant them into the ground in mid-May. However, it is worth hardening them beforehand by leaving the pots outside a warm room for a few hours a day.
