How To Grow and Save Seed of Snapdragon
Latin name Antirrhinum majus is an annual spiked flower beloved as a cut flower as well as for landscaping.
HISTORY
Native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that snapdragons had the ability to protect against witchcraft.
USES
- Ornamental
- Beds, borders, containers, cottage garden, window boxes, small pots, cut flower garden
- Visited by bumblebees
- Seeds germinate in 7-21 days.
- Sow seeds 6-8 weeks before last frost and transplant outdoors after last frost.
- Ideal germination temperature is 60-70 F.
- Prefers full sun.
- Provide rich, well-drained soil. Space plants 6-12 inches apart.
- Pinch the main growing stems when plants are 2-4 inches tall; this helps to keep plants well branched.
PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Leaf spots, rusts and molds can be a result of poor air circulation.
- To avoid, space plants farther apart and keep foliage dry.
- Seeds are easy to collect.
- They are super small and contained within capsules that will turn brown and dry when seeds are ready to harvest.
- Hand pick the capsules individually or snip stalks and shake seeds free into a paper bag.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry, place.
