What preparation work needs to be done before sowing flower seeds?

  Flowers grown at home should all be sown in flower pots. For pot sowing and raising seedlings, it is best to use a flower pot called a “seedling shallow” as the container. It is a kind of clay tile pot fired by pot kilns specifically for sowing flowers. The upper rim diameter is 30-32 cm, the pot height is only 8-10 cm, and the inner diameter of the pot bottom is not much different from the inner diameter of the upper rim. There are 4 drainage holes in the pot bottom.

  Ordinary clay tile pots or sandy clay pots can also be used for sowing, but because the pot body is relatively deep, the soil temperature cannot rise for a while, which is unfavorable for seed germination, and lifting seedlings is also relatively difficult. Some people use small wooden boxes as sowing containers. They can maintain a relatively stable soil temperature, but after slow-germinating seeds are sown into the wooden box, they cannot emerge for a while. Over time, the wooden box is prone to mold and infect the seeds or flower seedlings.

  Before sowing, first wash the “seedling shallow” clean, dry it thoroughly in the sun, use 4 broken tile pieces to prop up the drainage holes in the pot bottom, first spread a 1.5 cm thick layer of large-grained river sand as a drainage layer, then fill it with surface sand or old pot soil that has been disinfected by sunlight, use a small wooden strip to press the soil firm and level it, leaving a 3 cm high rim above.

  After the pot soil is filled, place the bottom of the “seedling shallow” on the water surface of a large washbasin, and let clear water slowly seep into the pot from the bottom holes of the “seedling shallow.” Once the surface of the pot soil looks moist, immediately lift the “seedling shallow” out of the water and prepare to sow. This method of supplying water is called the “bottom watering method” and can prevent water from a watering can from washing small pits into the soil surface.

  1. Seedling tray

  For seedling raising, it is recommended to use plug trays or seedling trays rather than sowing directly in the ground. If sown directly in the ground, there are more soil-borne pests and diseases, the ground temperature is lower, and moisture and humidity are not easy to control, affecting the germination rate. Raising seedlings in plug trays also makes it easier to count the germination rate.

  2. Seedling substrate

  The seedling substrate requires loose soil, good air permeability, water and fertilizer retention, cleanliness and freedom from disease, and relatively good fertility. Commonly used substrates include peat soil, coconut coir, perlite, and vermiculite, generally used in a mix. For example, peat soil 85% + perlite 10% + vermiculite 5%. The peat should not be too fine. Perlite particles with a diameter of 3-4 mm and vermiculite particles with a diameter of 3-5 mm are ideal. Some fertilizer can be appropriately added to the substrate. Most seeds germinate well in a substrate with a pH value of 5.5-5.8, but scarlet sage, geranium, marigold, and French marigold require a pH value of 6.2-6.5.

  3. Potting

  After the substrate is mixed evenly, put it into the pot. The substrate does not need to be compacted during potting; just gently level it, otherwise the physical properties of the substrate will be changed and its air permeability will be reduced.

  4. Watering

  Use a fine nozzle to water thoroughly from the bottom. The size of the water droplets should be such that they do not impact the soil surface and keep the soil surface level. After watering, water once more with a fungicidal agent. The commonly used agent is chlorothalonil.

  5. Seed soaking

  Proper seed soaking can promote germination and increase the germination rate. Seeds with soft, thin seed coats can be soaked in cold water, seeds with thicker seed coats can be soaked in warm or hot water, and very small seeds do not need to be soaked. For example, sweet pea and black-eyed Susan can be soaked overnight in advance to increase the germination rate and make germination faster. Before sowing, the seeds can be soaked in clear water for 2-3 hours to speed up emergence.