|
Bedding plants are types of plants grouped together with other plants to enhance or maximize visual appeal or impact in a plot or garden. Bedding plants are typically annuals and are changed yearly as they are considered more as temporary flora. They can be planted in between immature plants and shrubs to add color and variety. They are also typically fast growing and relatively cheap to procure.
Types of bedding plants include spring, autumn and summer annual plants. Polyanthus or Pansies are examples of annual bedding plants that grow best during spring or autumn as both have good frost withstanding abilities. On the other hand, Lobelia, Marigolds, Impatiens, and Gazanias are ideally planted during summer.
Most bedding plants except for a few hardy ones like begonias are relatively easy to grow. In germinating seeds, one just needs a seed pot or tray with a polyethylene bag as cover for the seeds. Rarely do bedding plant seedlings need to be contained in a greenhouse for germination.
Seedlings for sale are generally available with only two or three leaves growing in them and are normally purchased by mail order. Start-up sets come in trays of 50 to 500 plants. After delivery or receipt, seedlings should be immediately transferred to seed trays or pots.
Bedding plant plugs on the other hand have gone past germination and are thus ready for planting. It is best to order plugs for bedding plant seeds that are difficult to germinate. With bedding plant plugs, be sure to check for good root growth. Leaves and shoots should be intact and show no signs of mold. To grow bedding plants in this stage, place them into individual pots before transferring each to a greenhouse. Be careful not to touch the stem when placing a plug into a pot as it is fragile and could break easily.
Make sure that plugs are watered regularly. You can use a liquid feeder for this purpose for ease and convenience. Two to three weeks before actual planting, plugs should be placed in cold frames for hardening.
For individuals who don’t have the time or adequate gardening experience, there are bedding plants available for immediate planting. Wholesale bedding plants can offer cost savings for mid to large scale plots but their roots are known to be more prone to damage when pulled for planting. Plants bought in individual modules have independent root systems and are thus more compact and sturdier.
At this stage, they are quick to grow and mature as long as they receive proper care and hydration.
|
Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about annuals and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
Didn't really find what you were looking for?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
![[Valid RSS feed]](images/rss.gif "Subscribe to our XML Feed for RSS")
(Read 500+ times)
