Planting petunia seeds for seedlings - different ways. Growing seedlings on toilet paper

Proper cultivation of seedlings in the spring is the key to obtaining a good harvest in the fall. But how do you manage to plant all the planned plants quickly, with minimal cost and high quality? After all, there is not enough strength for everything. Earlier, traditionally, in the fall, gardeners prepared the soil, then fiddled with it before planting - they calcined it, washed it, and so on. In addition, working with the ground is a lot of garbage and dirt. However, there is a method that will allow you to plant some seeds very quickly and at the same time maintain cleanliness in the apartment. Seedlings on toilet paper feel great, and the summer resident saves a lot of free time and effort, growing it in this way.

A method of growing seedlings on toilet paper appeared recently among summer residents, but it is already very popular. The fact is that he has a lot of advantages that the gardening community did not fail to note. For example, using paper as a substrate saves time and effort. Moreover, in order to implement this technology in life, in addition to the seeds themselves, a minimum of additional materials is needed - directly a roll of ordinary toilet paper, water, a plastic bag, scissors and containers.

Hygiene paper was first used in China in the 600s of our era. And after 700 years, specially created paper sheets were delivered to the emperor’s court every year: especially soft ones for the emperor and his family members, and tougher ones for the courtiers.

In the middle of the 19th century, the first toilet paper appeared in the USA, which was cut into sheets and packaged in a box. In the same century, the production of this simple but brilliant invention began. And only at the beginning of the 20th century did the first roll paper with perforation, which was invented in Germany, appear.

The production of toilet paper is not the easiest process, in the process of creation it must acquire certain qualities:

softness;
ability to tear easily;
colorlessness (absence of chemical dyes in the composition) or staining with certain harmless and hypoallergenic dyes;
high hygroscopicity;
the ability to easily disintegrate into individual fibers in water.

Toilet paper contains waste paper (gray paper) and cellulose (white paper).

On a note! As a substrate for growing seedlings, you can use not only toilet paper. Also suitable (but not perfect) for these purposes are paper disposable handkerchiefs, napkins. The main thing is that the material is soft, easily torn.

Why is paper suitable for gardening?

Toilet paper, due to some of its properties, is excellent for use as a substrate for growing seedlings. It is soft, does not allow the emerging roots to become entangled in itself, and makes it easy to pick. At the same time, the following can be answered to a reasonable question about nutrients: due to natural features, plant seeds do not need additional nutrients and useful elements obtained from the soil during germination. For the first time, what was laid down during their formation and development will be enough for them.

Recall the structure of seeds, which was studied in biology classes at school. In the seeds, it does not matter, dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous, there are special tissues that represent a supply of nutrients - these are proteins, starch, oils. It can be endosperm, cotyledons and other tissues. Thus, it is safe to say that at the beginning of their lives, small plants grow themselves, and therefore the presence of nutrients in the substrate is not necessary. On the contrary, some advise using a less nutritious substrate for these purposes.

Advantages and disadvantages of the “paper” method

The "paper" method of growing seedlings has a lot of advantages that gardeners did not fail to note. It is because of these advantages that the method has become so popular and continues to spread actively among summer residents.

The disadvantages of methods of germinating seeds for seedlings on toilet paper include the following.

Some cultures, for example, sprout very poorly on paper, as they require special conditions for development. For them, it is necessary to carry out pre-sowing preparation without fail - for example, to withstand ash in a solution.
Seedlings after the emergence of roots, it is important to pay a lot of attention. You can not miss the timing of planting sprouts in the ground (picks), otherwise the seedlings will die. For this, crops should be checked every day.
Plants may lack light when planting is very thick.

What can be sown on paper?

The technology of growing seedlings on paper is theoretically suitable for all garden crops - peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, onions. However, it is not always advisable to use it for heat-loving plants in order to save space. The fact is that seedlings of peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers will still have to be dived into pots - after emergence, these crops are not yet ready to move to the greenhouse even in the southern regions of Russia. And bulky pots, and containers with seedlings will still stand on the windowsills and tables of the house. This method is relevant only in certain cases - for example, if you need to germinate seeds with an expired shelf life.

But cold-resistant crops (for example, onions), which, after germination, immediately land in the ground, just can and should be grown on paper.

Cooking seeds

Many seeds germinate well on paper, but there are those that will not germinate under any circumstances. These are dead grains to be disposed of. In order to sort “living” and “non-living” seeds, they must be kept in a weak salt solution (at the rate of 30 g per 1 liter of water). All bad seeds will float to the surface - they can be collected and thrown away. Then the water is drained, and the remaining seed is dried. After this procedure, it can be planted on paper.

By the way, there are different ways to grow seedlings on paper. Consider the two most common of them.

We grow seedlings in Moscow

Sprouting seeds can be done in a way called “in Moscow” or the method is “self-roll”. In order to implement this method, you will need water (best spring or melt, although you can take ordinary tap water, but it should stand), a syringe or a spray bottle, the seeds of the crops themselves, plastic bags for breakfast, toilet paper and a plastic cup. At the same time, toilet paper should be taken in white or gray color - it is undesirable to use colored paper.

Step 1. Take one plastic bag and spread it flat on the surface of the table.

Step 2 On the surface of the bag, begin to lay toilet paper in layers. In this case, first lay the paper along the top edge, then - on the bottom. And so several times. The entire surface of the bag should be hidden.

Step 3 Be sure to wet each layer with water from a spray bottle or syringe.

Step 4 Gently spread the seeds in a row along the top edge. Back about 1 cm from the edge. Keep 1-2 cm between the seeds.

Step 5 Now carefully roll the “self-roll” into a roll. You can start folding from any edge. Try to make the roll fold evenly and accurately.

Step 6 On the rolled up roll write the name of the crop with a marker, and also indicate the date of sowing and the number of seeds.

Step 7 Pour a little water (about 5-10 mm) into an empty plastic cup.

Step 8 In a glass of water, place a roll of seeds with the bottom edge down (where there are no seeds).

On a note! In one glass to save space, you can put several rolls with seeds.

Step 9 Take another plastic bag and cover it with a cup with a roll. This will save heat.

Clean the cup with rolls in a warm place. The first shoots appear in a few days. The package should be removed when the first "loops" of seedlings appear above the paper. At the same time, the glass is rearranged in a well-lit place. At first you can not add water to the water, but as soon as the roots of the plants reach the liquid at the bottom, you need to start adding it regularly (water).

Video - Tomatoes by the Moscow method

We grow seedlings on paper in a bottle

Seedlings on paper can be grown in a bottle. Using this option of plastic containers, you will immediately receive a mini-bed, and. You will need seeds, water, toilet paper, a plastic bottle and scissors.

Step 1. Unwind several strips of toilet paper, fold them together and cut into small pieces with scissors.

On a note! If the toilet paper is soft and very hygroscopic, then you can skip this step by simply cutting or pulling strips.

Step 2 Cut the plastic bottle into two so that the bottom remains intact, and place pieces of paper on one of the halves.

Step 3 Pour the paper so that it is well wet.

Step 4 Place the seeds on the surface of the moistened toilet paper, cover them with other pieces of paper and write the name of the crop on the surface of the bottle.

Step 5 Use the cap to close the bottle with the seeds sown.

Step 6 Place the bottle in a bag, tie it with an elastic band and place it on the floor under the battery.

Video - Seedling in a Bottle

Seedling Care

When the seeds are sown, it remains to properly care for them and wait for the first seedlings.

Table. Conditions for seedlings when grown on toilet paper.

Conditions, Procedures	Short description
	Seedlings on paper put on a well-lit place after the seeds throw the first "loops". In winter, seedlings should be illuminated with lamps.
	The temperature for seed germination should be about + 25-27 degrees. After the appearance of the inputs, it can be reduced to room temperature.
	Pouring water into a glass or bottle where the seedlings are on paper is worth it as it dries.

Petunia seeds are so small that to sow them in the open ground is to throw money away, literally. The smallest stream of air, and where to look for these tiny grains? It will not blow away by the wind, so it will wash it off in spring rains. Or so deeply buried in the ground that they will not have enough strength to germinate. And even if the natural elements do not destroy the seeds, it will only be possible to wait for flowers with this method of cultivation by the end of the summer season. In this case, how to grow bush petunia without incurring material and moral costs? The only possible way to get beautifully flowering plants is through seedlings. There are many options for how to grow petunia at home undersized. It is better to arm yourself with the knowledge of all, and which one will be loved - time and experience will show.

It takes about 90 days to get a strong, suitable for planting seedlings of petunia from seeds or from a capsule. In this matter, there are several immutable rules, the non-observance of which leads to a deplorable result or even to its absence. All the intricacies of planting and care should take place "as if by notes", clearly and constructively.

Seedling in a box - an old proven way

Many people associate a vertical flowerbed with something unusual. In fact, a construction of this kind may look completely different. Pyramids, arches, screens, columns are all varieties of a vertical flower garden.

We carry out a bed for petunias

Out of the bag

The presented option is easy to do with your own hands.

A tight bag is taken. Sew pens to it. The tank is filled with soil.
On one side, cuts must be made every 20 centimeters. Plants are planted in them.
Then the bag is installed on a wall or other place.
In order that the soil does not fall out, the inner surface is laid out with a film, and the canvas is quilted.

Instead of a bag, old bags can be used. You can also use a canvas to create a living wall with your own hands, and sew rows of pockets on it.

From the bottles

The presented option is easy to make. You will need washed plastic bottles without labels. The covers are loosened so that water can drain if necessary.

A vertical flower bed is collected according to the following algorithm.

the bottle is cut in half;
on its upper part do fastening from a wire or rope;
soil is poured into the upper part with a lid - a flower will be placed here;
a plastic container will be installed in the bottom of the bottle;
Then the structure is fixed to the decorated surface.

If desired, the product can be decorated.

How to make a vertical flowerbed from bottles (video)

Application of car tires

The flower bed for vertical type petunias can be made from a conventional car tire. The frame in this case is not required. Moreover, it is possible to install tires so that they get different sizes and shapes. For greater decorativeness, tires are painted with acrylic paint.

Classic version

Mostly gardeners prefer to make a simple version of a flower bed for vertical type petunias.

A metal mesh is taken. A cylindrical frame is made from it. It is inserted into the pot, which is suitable in diameter.
Agrofilm is placed inside the frame. The result should be a tower.
Agrofilm should be fixed. Before filling the soil, a tube with holes is inserted into the frame, watering will be carried out through it.
Soil is poured into the tower. Then it is watered so that the earth settles. So the frame is filled from the inside.
In the pot, it is also necessary to compact the earth.
Further, the material is cut in the form of a “plus” (vertically and horizontally). Flowers will be planted in the holes. It remains only to plant a petunia!

Looks like a finished flower garden, you can see in the photo.

Screen made of flowers

A great option for making a vertical flower garden is horizontally fixed pipes. If you use heating pipes, it will be necessary to drill holes for the petunia, if drainpipes, side plugs are required.

Pvc pipe

This option is ideal for growing petunias. The design includes two pipes. Holes are drilled in them. The inner tube will be used to supply fertilizer and moisture, and the outer one to plant flowers.

The pipe intended for irrigation is closed on one side with tape. Among other things, it must be wrapped with non-woven material.

Watering is inserted into the outer pipe. Then claydite and earth are placed. Plants are planted in the holes.

Use of a cache-pot

Any containers or planters are a great option for growing petunias. On a reinforced base, the containers are strung through a drainage hole in a checkerboard pattern. How the design looks, you can see in the photo.

Use of old pallets

This method is suitable for decorating a patio, balcony or pergola.

The base is made of plastic or wooden boxes, pallets that you no longer need.
On the back of the box set non-woven material or mesh, for the compaction of which straw is used.
Next, soil is poured into the container.
Then you can plant the plants.

Important to remember, that when planting in a vertical flower garden, petunias and other soil plants get a little. It is necessary to select plants, the conditions for which are approximately the same. The best option is unpretentious species, such as stonecrops, alpine flowers, moss, ivy, bindweed.

Petunia grows well indoors. The most successful option is the creation of multi-tiered vertical flower beds. They are composed using several separate elements. You can use a wooden screen by fixing horizontal containers on it.
A convenient option is a flower tower. It is a landing section, set one on top of the other. You can take a few flowerpots and fix them on an arched frame made of metal.
Roomy containers should be selected. It is also worth ensuring that they have drainage holes.
To grow petunia in closed ground is somewhat more difficult than in open soil. The fact is that the plant gets a limited amount of substrate. Ampelic petunias require 3 liters of soil, bush - about two. A number of ampelous petunias grows in length up to one and a half meters, so a large capacity of 5-10 liters is required. We are talking about such varieties as "Opera", "Typhoon" and "Tornado".
It is important not only to make a flower bed for petunias, but also to properly care. The plant requires watering and fertilizing. Watering on hot days is carried out once a day (in the evening or in the morning).

Ideas for your garden - vertical flowerbed (video)

Performing a vertical flower bed for petunias is quite simple. Moreover, the design can be absolutely any shape. The soil in the vertical flower bed must be compacted. Petunia is planted with other plants with similar requirements. It is important to timely water and make top dressing.

Reviews and comments

(No ratings yet)

Elena 09/11/2015

I liked the option of planting flowers in sections of a black film. In general, I really love petunias, on the site I built a flower bed of three tires lying on top of each other. But I have to wait a very long time until the flower grows and closes the rubber. Here you can just plant more often seedlings and thin out over time, so that the roots have enough space, just cutting off individual plants.

Alena 09/18/2015

I like these vertical flower beds, but I haven’t had to do this yet. It’s just that hands haven’t reached yet, yet you need to spend time, which is chronically lacking in the country. But next summer I'll try, I wonder what other flowers besides petunias are suitable for such flower beds? Maybe someone tried curly flowers, what came of it?

Masha Maslennikova 02.01.2016

My mother grows petunia seedlings for sale and landscapes some organizations. It is necessary to offer her such a flowerbed. It bothers me a little if the petunia will rot under such a dense shelter, I want the aeration to be tolerable, the air flow to the flowers to be good, otherwise I won’t get a decent look. Again, there may be problems with the availability of watering, because you need to water from above. How high can such a flower bed be made and how laborious is it to care for?

Natalia 10/07/2016

Instead of a black film I use acrylic, you can water it while the seedlings are growing not only from above, but also to the flowerbed.

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Most flower lovers prefer petunias, as it is quite beautiful, and also not whimsical, that is, it can be, or in the country, and it will bloom equally. But you should know that for the cultivation of this flower all the same, certain skills are needed.

Types of Petunias

Ampelic
Cascading
Multi-flowered
Large flowered
Surfinia.

Most often, it is large-flowered, with a flower size of up to twelve centimeters, and multi-flowered, with a flower size of not more than five centimeters.

Large-flowered petunia is the most popular among flower growers, as it has a large number of different shapes and colors. Also, flower growers also distinguish hybrid varieties of a given flower, the most popular of which are: Polaris, Storm, Ultra, Dream, Hit parade.

Cascade and ampelous petunia: differences

Differences between varieties of petunias: cascading and ampelous

The main distinguishing ampel varieties from cascading there is a property for growth:

Cascade varieties strongly grow, characterized by long lateral shoots. They are grown in large on terraces, balconies, gazebos, etc., planted in large containers. The most popular varieties of cascading petunias: Silver, Rose, Cherry, Ramblin
Ampelic petunias(mainly hybrids) are characterized by long flowing shoots and do not grow much. Accordingly, they are planted in hanging planters, on flower beds.

There will be no difficulties with the purchase of seeds of this plant, as they are sold in any flower shop. Typically, a package contains five or ten seeds. You need to know that the seeds of this flower are quite small. Also on the packaging rarely appears the dragee inscription, which means that the seeds will not take root without water. But if you stored the seeds in a dry and hot place, then water will not help.

Cascade grade

Petunia seedlings

Almost all flower growers claim that this type of flower should be grown in an apartment on the windowsill, if possible. As a container, you can use a five-liter bottle for water, you can also use a container where ice cream or cookies were stored.

Do not forget to make holes in the container for drainage, then you need to put a three-centimeter layer of small pebbles, expanded clay is still suitable. On top of the first layer it is necessary to sprinkle the soil with a layer of not more than five centimeters. By the way, the composition of the soil does not make much difference, but if it is available ready for seedlings, then it is better to use it.

Flower photo

The made greenhouse should be placed over the container and watered abundantly with a potassium permanganate solution, best of all quite thick. In this case, do not forget to ensure that moisture flows from the drainage holes, if this happens very slowly, then the size of the holes should be increased.

After this, the greenhouse should be left overnight in the same position so that all the water glass. After this, you need to start sowing seeds, they must be laid out at the same distance. To take root the flower was easier, the seeds should be pressed to the ground, but not very much. It is not recommended to fall asleep because petunia is very fond of light. Next, with the help of a spray gun, it is necessary to spray the seeds and cover the greenhouse.

It is important to choose the right place where the greenhouse will be located. The main thing is that direct sunlight should not fall on the flowers. It is also important to maintain a certain temperature within twenty-one degrees, until the shoots appear. After that, the temperature should be maintained within seventeen degrees.

Do not forget to air for fifteen minutes, it is best to do this in the evening. It is also worth monitoring the condition of the soil, that is, not letting it dry.

Two weeks later, it is necessary to remove the lid from the greenhouse, and at this moment it is recommended to add coarse sand calcined in the oven to the plant, only it needs to be cooled before adding. Doing this is necessary to get rid of excess moisture, to protect the plant from the black leg.

It is necessary to dive the petunia at the moment when two real leaves appear.

Feeding seedlings

Plant should be fed every ten days. It is best to purchase a liquid complex mineral as a top dressing, which should contain not only the basic elements, such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, but also additional trace elements.

Seating should be done after three or four leaves appear. But before seating, be sure to remove the cover for a few days, for about a couple of hours, within a few days. On the fourth day, the cover can be removed forever. In order for petunia to bloom in May, sowing seeds should be done in February.

The plant is best transplanted into a box where the soil has already been prepared with top dressing. Do this in order to preserve the flower in winter. If the plant is in a sunny place, then it will bloom until the end of the year. In the last winter month, you will need only thorough pruning.

For cultivation without soil, you need to find a film on which layer to put toilet paper, moisten it with a spray bottle, and then spread the seeds at a distance of about three centimeters. Next, the seeds must be covered with another layer of toilet paper, and moistened again.

Then cover again with a film and twist into a roll. It must be placed in a jar, or a glass of seeds up. The container must be filled with water with a layer of not more than four centimeters.

You can also plant seeds in peat tablets, see photo below:

Petunia in peat tablets in stages with a photo

Watch a useful video.

In this case, you need to use a regular toilet roll instead of snow. Planting is done in the same way as in the snow: you put paper on the soil, spray it well and scatter the seeds of petunia from above.

Planting Petunia Seeds in a Hydrogel

All these methods have been tested by me. I practically did not know the problems with growing petunia seedlings. But these methods of planting petunias have one minus - petunias need a pick! And this is a very laborious task. The next variant of planting petunias for seedlings saved me - and now you - from the painstaking work of picking a petunia.

After planting the seeds, wrap the container with petunia in polyethylene and place it in a warm place. You can not worry about 7-9 days, petunia rises at 22 - 23 ° C. As soon as the shoots appear - immediately expose the mini-greenhouse to the light. If you plant early in the spring, then you will need lighting, at least 15 hours a day; but I plant seeds for seedlings in the first decade of April. Flowers have time to grow and bloom before planting on a permanent place on June 10.

If you want to get more abundant flowering, then pinch the first bud on the petunia.

Do not overfill the petunia - it can tolerate some dryness of the soil, but it will die from high humidity. High humidity provokes a disease such as a black leg.

And the last one. In order to protect the petunia from diseases and to grow stubby stems that are not elongated, I spray the seedlings of petunias with a solution of Baikal EM with Zircon: 1 ml of rain water Baikal and 0.1 ml. Zircon