Snapdragon: How to Grow It

Antirrhinum It is a genus that includes plants native to the Mediterranean area, annual or perennial depending on the species. They vary in size and grow erect, with heights ranging from 20 cm to over a meter. The flowers display a range of colors from yellow to red, from pink to white. Dwarf varieties are very suitable for gardens rocky while the others are grown in pots. One of the best known is Antirrhinus major, Also called common snapdragon.

Snapdragon has a fleshy stem, woody at the base, with green, lanceolate leaves. The most beautiful feature are the tubular flowers, and it is precisely this geometry that gives the plant its name: the flower It is formed by a corolla with two lobes, which roll up in a way similar to lips. The varieties of a plant that adapts very well even in small spaces, in a jar There are about forty of them, either on the balcony or in the garden, but we can classify them into three groups: the dwarf snapdragon, less than 30 centimeters tall; the medium snapdragon, from 30 to 70 centimeters tall; and the tall snapdragon, which can reach up to 120 centimeters.

Index of topics

Climate exposure

The plant resists the cold very well and prefers exposure to full sun, to ensure good flowering, But it can also grow well in partial shade. During the winter, it's best to protect the plants by covering them with non-woven fabric.

Land and cultivation care

The ideal soil is rich in organic matter and well-drained, although it must be said that snapdragons have the characteristic of growing well anywhere. Immediately after transplanting, it's best to fertilize with mineral superphosphate.

Watering

It requires very frequent watering from spring to early autumn. During the winter, however, it's best to limit watering, only when the soil feels dry.

Sowing and flowering

Sowing takes place in a hotbed between February and March, or even between April and May. If we purchase seedlings, we can plant them in the north from April onwards, and in the south from March onwards. The distance between plants should be between 10 and 30 centimetres. Flowers appear in early summer and late winter. Other species, however, bloom in winter and spring.

Cultivation in pots

Growing snapdragons in a pot is easy. Simply mix 80 percent potting soil and 20 percent coarse sand. To ensure proper drainage, add some gravel to the bottom of the container.

Problems and remedies

The snapdragon's worst enemy is the ruggine, which is treated with copper sulfate. It is also susceptible to fungal diseases that develop due to waterlogging, which causes leaf rot: in this case, treat with a fungicide. To prevent rust, especially during the summer, it is essential to avoid waterlogging.

How to grow snapdragons in the garden or in a pot