Things to Consider Before Growing Snap Dragon

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Beautiful snapdragon flowers blossom plentifully throughout winter in saturated colors. These are available in almost every hue. The snapdragon flower can increase the beauty of a fall and spring garden. The flowers bloom from the bottom of the stalk and slowly move upward. Remember, snapdragons stop blooming in mid-summer because of heat. If you want to perk up your snapdragon flowers to carry them through the fall, keep them appropriately watered.      

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Things to Consider Before Growing Beautiful Snapdragons

If you want to grow snapdragons, you can get the advantage of grow bags. Feel free to grow them in numerous heights and colors. Winter season can be an excellent period to grow undemanding snapdragon flowers. These tender perennials can repeat bloom during the season. They can repeatedly bloom all over the season. Deadheading may increase the buds, and they have a long bloom duration. 

In numerous areas, these are annual plants. They may not bloom robustly in other seasons as compared to the first season. For this reason, people consider them biennial. They must form seedpods in the first year. Sometimes, they can self-sow with seedpods. 

Diseases or pests can affect snapdragons. Fungal infections and rust may be an issue in wet seasons. If you are living in humid or damp areas, check for resilient varieties. Snapdragons can attract aphids.            

Light Needs

The snapdragons can bloom profusely in the sun and partial shades during the spring season. With the increase in temperature, they can stop flourishing altogether. During the summer season, you can plant them in partial shades and keep them well watered. They can establish quickly and easy to replace snapdragon plants every season.

Soil for Snapdragons

For snapdragons, you will need neutral soil with a pH of 6.2 to 7.0. These plants are not hefty feeders. By adding them to organic matter, you can keep them blooming and healthy. 

Water

Remember, snapdragons need sufficient water. Try to keep your snapdragon moist for initial weeks. These may need almost one inch of water weekly without rainfall. Make sure to water near the crown of the plant and avoid watering overhead for the health of your plant. The soil must be 1-inch dry before watering.   

Humidity and Temperature

Snapdragons need cool temperature. To increase their growth, the nighttime temperature must be lower than the 40s, and daytime temperatures can be 70s Fahrenheit. Once flowers established in the bed, they can endure sub-freezing temperatures. Try to keep them well watered during cold spells and feed them with pine straw mulch. Use pine straw to cover snapdragons.

Fertilizer

Once the plants start producing flowers, you have to apply fertilizer. Use a well-balanced and standard all-purpose fertilizer like 10-10-10 product for every 100 square feet of the flowerbed. Make sure to use sufficient water to decrease the risk of nitrogen burns. It may allow fertilizers to nourish the roots.   

Propagating Snapdragons

Snapdragons are winter sown, so you have to toss the seeds out in late fall. Numerous plants may germinate in the spring. Feel free to start them indoors, 8 – 10 weeks before the last date, purchased as sprouts or grown from clippings. If you are starting from seeds, press the seed on the potting soil. These seeds need the night light for germination.

Wait until seedlings develop almost six leaves and pinch off the top of the stem to encourage a fuller plant and branching. Get the same with purchased seedlings. Remember, snapdragons are poisonous for humans. At the same time, these are nontoxic to horses, cats, and dogs. 

Pruning

Regular pruning (deadheading) may increase the age of snapdragon blooms. They may not need extra care in spring, but mulch can be an excellent choice to keep the soil moist and cool. It is an excellent way to handle the summer heat.