What Are the Best Tips for Planting Snap Dragon Seeds?

The best tips for planting snap dragon seeds can depend on the local climate. If the climate is fairly warm and dry throughout the year, then snap dragon seeds can be sown in the fall or winter, and will then germinate in the spring. In cooler climates, the seeds should be planted after there is no longer any danger of frost. It is also possible to sow snap dragon seeds indoors about two months prior to the last frost, so that the seedlings will be ready to go once it is warm enough outside. Snap dragon seeds will not germinate if they are planted too deep, and it can also help to place them in a freezer overnight before sowing.

Snap dragons are plants that have bell shaped flowers, though the petals can also be said to resemble the closed mouth of a dragon. The petals separate when the sides of the blossom are pinched together, and the mouth seems to open. They have been a staple in gardens for hundreds of years, though they were not heavily hybridized until the 1950s. A wide range of snap dragon hybrids have been created through hybridization, resulting in a diverse variety of colors and petal configurations. All of the different varieties of snap dragons can be grown from cuttings or seeds.

There are a number of useful tips for planting snap dragon seeds, some of which are dependent on the local climate. Snap dragons do well in cool weather, so it is typically a good idea to begin growing them as soon as there is no more chance of frost. That means the seeds can actually be sown in the fall if the climate is mild throughout the year. In climates where it does get below freezing in the winter, the seeds should be planted after the ground has thawed and it is unlikely to freeze again.

It is also possible to start snap dragon seeds indoors, which can be useful in cooler climates. The seeds should be planted about two months prior to the last expected frost of the year, which can allow the seedlings to mature enough for transplant. Whether the seeds are started indoors or outside, it is important for the soil to be well drained. The seeds should not be sown too deep either, since they require sunlight to germinate.

Snap dragon seeds also tend to germinate better if they have gotten cold, which will happen naturally if they are sown in the fall or winter. For seeds that are sown indoors, this effect can be simulated by placing the seeds in a freezer the night before they are planted. This is not absolutely necessary, but it is said to improve the germination rate.