Plant, maintain, multiply and more

Plant lion muzzles correctly

For snapdragons, the starting shot for the planting time will be given in mid / late May at the earliest, as the young plants are extremely sensitive to the cold. Place the potted root balls in a jar of soft water while you proceed to prepare the soil in the sunny location. According to the desired number, dig small planting pits at a distance of 20-25 cm and mix in the soil with compost and horn shavings. Plant one copy at a time so deep that the root ball is just below the surface of the earth. Please do not step on the substrate, just press it with your hands in order to pour in a generous amount.
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Care tips

With this simple care program you can guide your snapdragons through a blooming summer time:

• If the earth has dried on, water it alternately with soft and normal water
• In the bed every 3-4 weeks fertilize with compost; pamper in the pot with liquid fertilizer every 2 days
• Do not fertilize from September if wintering is planned
• Cut off withered flower stems to a hand's breadth above the ground to attract a second bloom

Are you cultivating a hardy variety or is your garden in a region that is mild in winter? Then just dare to overwinter your Antirrhinum. Leave the leaves on the plant until spring and add a thick layer of leaves, fixed with fir fronds. After pruning, potted flowers should preferably be moved to frost-free winter quarters.
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Which location is suitable?

Snapdragons unfold their abundance of summer flowers in a sunny, warm and sheltered location. Partially shaded locations are tolerated, but are accompanied by a reduced flower volume. The majestic varieties are in good hands in a sheltered place so that their long stems are not overturned. The Graces do not have any special requirements for the quality of the soil. The flowers thrive in any good garden soil that is rich in nutrients, humus and, above all, permeable.
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The correct planting distance

You can draw magical garden pictures with the snapdragon if you arrange the flower in small groups. Due to its slim shape, we recommend a planting distance of 25-35 cm, regardless of the expected height. An exception are the majestic Antirrhinum majus, which take on a corresponding circumference at a height of up to 120 cm. Here we recommend a planting distance of 50-60 cm.

What soil does the plant need?

So that the snapdragon can spread its strong root system unhindered, it depends on a loose, humus-rich and well-drained soil. In waterlogged locations with compacted Clay soil you will wait in vain for the lavish flower candles. A neutral to slightly acidic pH value of 5.5 to 6.5 is beneficial for vitality and abundance of flowers. For cultivation in pots and Flower box(€ 149.00 at Amazon *) we recommend Rhododendron soil or a mix of flower and bog soil, enriched with Lava granules, Pumice or perlite respiratory flakes.

When is the flowering time?

The mighty flower candles are in the limelight from June to October / November. Please cut off wilted stems to just above the ground to encourage the growth of new flower spikes. You leave the down-to-earth foliage because it takes care of the re-flowering. Now your summer flowers will gratefully accept a portion of compost or liquid fertilizer to sprout again with renewed strength.
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Cut the lion's mouth correctly

Cut off a wilted flower candle in good time before the plant begins the debilitating growth of the capsule fruits. Place the scissors just above the leaves at the base from which the next floral column will rise. Allow sufficient time for the autumn flowers to self-sow before you cut them to a hand's breadth above the ground. This ensures that the flowering show will continue into the next year should a harsh winter ruin the plans for multi-year cultivation. Then cut the retracted leaves in early spring so that the next generation of Antirrhinum can flourish unhindered.
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Water the lion's mouth

Thanks to their strong root system, snapdragons are well equipped for brief periods of drought. However, this burden should be the exception. Constant soil moisture is beneficial for growth and abundance of flowers. Water the flowers when the soil is dry. Experience has shown that this is more often necessary in pots and balcony boxes than in beds, where Mother Nature takes part in the water supply with downpours. Ideally, you water alternately with soft and normal water so that the lime content in the substrate does not accumulate to undesirable levels.

Fertilize Loewenmaeulchen properly

In the bed, organic fertilizers are excellent for supplying nutrients. Work compost, horn shavings, bark humus every 3-4 weeks from June to September, guano(€ 9.82 at Amazon *) or horse manure with the rake lightly into the earth and pour it again. In pot culture, we recommend the application of liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Diseases

With their lavish floral and leaf dressing, snapdragons are welcome prey for the mushroom spores of mildew represent. However, the disease can only cause actual damage if the plant is weakened by neglect of care. In the early stages of infection, a mix of water and fresh milk in a ratio of 9: 1 has proven itself as a home remedy. At an advanced stage, cut off the infected plants and quickly sow them directly in the bed. In the middle of summer, germination proceeds rapidly.

Overwinter

Competent breeders have the desire of hobby gardeners for perennial snapdragons to heart and developed hardy hybrids such as 'Pretty in Pink' or the stable F1 Mix 'Sonnet'. If your garden is in a region with mild winter or the plants are in a niche with mild micro-climates, most Antirrhinum majus are suitable for perennials Cultivation. How to maneuver the flowers healthily through the cold season:

• Before the first frost, cut off the withered flower stalks down to the native foliage
• Pile up a 20 cm high layer of autumn leaves on the root disc, covered with needles
• Cut the leaves in early spring

Pots and Flower boxes(€ 149.00 at Amazon *) with snapdragons move to frost-free winter quarters, such as the unheated staircase, the bright basement room or the garage. Here the plants are watered from time to time so that the root ball does not dry out.
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Breeding lion muzzles

The flower candles that have not been cut back produce clearly visible capsule fruits in autumn, bulging with seeds. Collect these, remove the seeds and, after a short drying phase, store them in the screw jar in the cool cellar until spring. So the propagation succeeds by means of sowing:

• Between February and March the seeds on more humid Sowing soil sow
• Do not cover the light germs, just press them on with a board
• Place in the heated indoor greenhouse in the partially shaded location
• At 20-25 degrees Celsius, germination begins within 10-21 days

The strongest seedlings are pricked into 8 cm pots if they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. Now it is important to place the little snapdragons a little cooler and gradually get used to the full sunlight. In the middle / end of May, plant the offspring in the bed, in the tub or in the flower box.

Loewenmaeulchen in the pot

The cultivation in the pot is just as uncomplicated as for snapdragons in the bed. Rhododendron soil or a mix of commercially available soil are suitable as a substrate Potting soil and bog soil. Add a few handfuls of perlite or lava granules for good permeability. A few pottery shards above the bottom of the pot prevent damaging waterlogging. How to properly care for Antirrhinum:

• Water alternately with soft and normal water as soon as the soil has dried
• Apply liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks from June to September
• Cut off wilted flower candles down to the basal leaves for a second bloom

Before the first frost, move the cut back plants to frost-free winter quarters. At temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius you pour significantly less and do not give any fertilizer.

Is the lion's mouth poisonous?

Already its visual appearance indicates the botanical relationship with numerous speedwell plants. Thus the snapdragon is not completely harmless in terms of its ingredients. In fact, the summer flower is assigned to the weakly poisonous plants, since various glycosides and alkaloids are in the sap and in the seed heads. Cultivation should therefore be avoided within the reach of small children and pets.
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Nice varieties

• Twinny Appleblossom: Magnificent Antirrhinum majus with double, pinkish-white apple blossoms; Height of growth 25-30 cm
• Pretty in Pink: Rare, hardy snapdragon in bright pink for borders and vases; Growth height 50-60 cm
• Royal Bride: Majestic, white flowering noble variety that exudes a bewitching scent; Growth height 80-90 cm
• Black Prince: Compact Antirrhinum nanum that presents its deep red flowers in beds and tubs; Height of growth 45 cm
• Rembrandt: Picturesque noble variety that inspires with two-colored, orange-gold flowers; Growth height 45-50 cm
• Bronze Dragon: A feast for the eyes with almost black leaves and purple-white marbled flowers; Growth height 30-35 cm
• Circus Clowns: Colorful mix of medium-high snapdragons for the bed and balcony; Growth height 40-45 cm
• Lucky Lips: Tightly upright large snapdragon with pink-white flowers; Growth height 80-90 cm
• Madame Butterfly: Adorable, double-flowered, long-stemmed premium variety, ideal for the vase; Height 75-80 cm
• Chinese Lanterns: Innovative breeding of hanging snapdragons for traffic lights and flower boxes; Growth length up to 50 cm