How to Care for Fresh Cut Snapdragon Flowers
Let me share with you some tips on how to care for fresh cut snapdragon flowers and the cultivation methods for snapdragons, which are very useful knowledge. It is recommended to save this information for future reference!
The scientific name of snapdragons: Antirrhinum majus L; Common names: Snapdragon, Common Snapdragon, Garden Snapdragon; Alias: Dragon Head Flower, Rabbit Flower, Dragon Mouth Flower, Foreign Colorful Finch, Lion Flower. Snapdragons belong to the family Scrophulariaceae and are annuals in temperate regions and perennial herbs in warm areas. In the flatlands of Taiwan, they are usually annual herbs due to the high temperature in summer, while in cold areas, they can be perennial herbs, mainly used for cut flowers and flower beds. The flowers are paniculate inflorescences that stand upright, making them an important cut flower in early European and American greenhouses.
(I) Propagation
In the early days, snapdragons were almost entirely propagated vegetatively, but due to rust disease, they were later changed to self-pollinated lines and then developed into F1 hybrid seeds. The seeds are black and tiny, with about 6350 seeds per gram. The optimal germination temperature is between 21-27°C, taking about 1-2 weeks to germinate. They are photoblastic and do not need to be covered or slightly covered with fine stone after sowing to prevent infection by Pythium and Rhizoctonia. Choose a clean and well-ventilated soilless medium. After 3-4 weeks of sowing, when the first set of true leaves is fully developed and about 2-3 cm in size, they can be transplanted. Do not plant too densely in the seed tray, with about 1.5 plants per square centimeter, or use plug trays for direct sowing to save labor. In winter, when sunlight is insufficient, artificial light sources can be supplemented to cultivate robust seedlings.
(II) Temperature and Light
Snapdragons are not absolutely long-day plants, and long days can promote the formation of flower buds. They are most sensitive to day length when they have 10-12 leaves, are 5-20 cm tall, or 5-7 weeks after sowing. Snapdragons prefer cool temperatures, with an optimal growth temperature between 10-27°C. Seedlings can grow at higher temperatures, but after planting, the temperature needs to be lowered. Cultivating at 15°C can result in higher-quality cut flowers. Abroad, a night temperature of 10°C is the standard cultivation temperature. Snapdragons do not require vernalization to bloom, and low temperatures can delay the formation and development of flower buds. Plants become short and thick at low temperatures, and the flower spikes become smaller. If they encounter excessively low temperatures after flowering, the flowers can be damaged, and at 0°C for more than 3 hours, they can cause all buds to fall off or the plant to freeze. A day-night temperature difference of more than 15°C can also cause bud drop. Therefore, snapdragons are best sown in the south of Taiwan in autumn for ideal winter and spring cut flowers.
(III) General Cultivation
Snapdragons should be planted after the development of 3-4 pairs of true leaves. Planting too late can cause excessive growth or lignification of the stems, reducing quality. For cut flower cultivation, the spacing for single-stem plants is 10 cm x 15 cm, and for multi-stem plants with pinched tops, it is 20 cm x 20 cm. Single-stem production can save labor by not pinching, and harvesting time is 3-4 weeks earlier than pinched plants, with uniform flowering time. When the plants reach 15-20 cm in height, the first layer of netting can be set up, and the second layer when they reach 30-40 cm. The flower net uses a 12 cm square grid and is gradually raised as the plants grow.
How to Care for Fresh Cut Snapdragon Flowers
(IV) Disease and Pest Control
Pests that commonly affect snapdragons include wild insects, thrips, red spiders, and nocturnal pests. These can be controlled with Ekatin 2000x solution or Padan 1000x solution. Seedlings are prone to damping-off disease caused by Pythium fungi in the soil and should be thoroughly disinfected before planting and well-ventilated. During the growing period, they can be affected by gray mold (Botrytis), wilt (Wilt), rust (Rust), and Rhizoctonia. To reduce the harm of these diseases, control the humidity in the field, keep the leaf surface free of moisture, and maintain good ventilation. Infected plants should be destroyed immediately to prevent the spread of pathogens. Methylthiophanate 1000x solution is commonly used for chemical control.
(V) Harvesting and Handling
Harvest when 1/2 to 2/3 of the small flowers on the flower spike have opened (for distances further from the sales location, harvest when 1/3 of the flowers are open). After harvesting, immediately place them in water. The inflorescence has geotropism, so during packaging and transportation, it should be placed upright to prevent bending. They can be stored at 5°C and are sensitive to ethylene, which can cause flower drop. The vase life is about 1 week, but can extend to 3 weeks with a preservative. Use 300mg/L 8-HQC + 1.5% sugar treatment, which can enhance the color of the small flowers.
The above (Green Plant Enthusiast Network) introduces how to care for fresh cut snapdragons and provides a comprehensive introduction to the cultivation methods of snapdragons, hoping to bring some knowledge about green plants to green plant enthusiasts.