The type of flowers that grow by themselves in the wildness
and without any help are defined as "wildflowers". These type of flowers
would only need little or no help at all in their growing process until they
bloom because they have been living on their own for a very long time. There
is a difference between the wildflowers that are found locally, which is
known as "natives", and also wildflowers that are found in the rest of the
world, which are called "naturalized". This article would provide gardeners
some knowledge on how to make the gardening effort fruitful.
1.Wildflower categories
In the flower market
today, there exists three types of wildflowers which are the annuals. perennials
and finally the biennials. The wildflowers included in the
annual flower seeds are red poppy, cornflower and cosmos and they would
germinate, nurture, flower and die in a short period of time because their life
span is very short. Daisy, lance-leaf coreopsis, and dame's rocket are
perennial flower seeds type wildflowers and their growing processes are
slower compared to the annual wildflowers. As for Biennials, for example Queen
Anne's lace, native Black-Eyed Susan and Sweet William wildflower
characteristics are a cross between the first two types if wildflowers. The
biennial wildflowers would sprout during their first year, and later blossom
during the second year and they wilt away.
2.Time period for planting
The timing of when to start
planting the new wildflower seeds depend on the climate and weather. If you
happen to be living in a warm tropical climate country, then it is better suited
if you start planting the
flower seeds before the wet rainy season comes so that when the seeds starts
growing it is right on time to absorb the large amount of moisture when the
rainy season arrives. You should plant the wildflower seeds during the fall or
spring time.
3.Plantation site
You can choose to plant your
wildflowers in a wide area or a small compact area, both with their advantages
and disadvantages. Make sure you choose a location with plenty of sunlight
available and not hidden from the sun and make sure there is enough moisture
available. Wildflowers thrive under plenty of sunlight.
4.Suitable soil for the
wildflowers
Because they
have been living out in the wild and natural environment for a long time,
therefore they can live and grow in any type of dirt and soil. However, if the
garden land is sterile and contains no nutrition at all, then you should try to
find a better site. Wildflowers are tougher compared to the other plants, and
for that reason it can grow in any type of land available. But, if the land you
want to use is sterile, which not one living thing is growing in it, not even
the unwanted weeds, then it is time you consider a new ground.
5.Getting ready the soil
If the
earth at the site is to sandy and too loose to accommodate any living plants or
their seeds, then it is best you add humus first before you plant the seeds. If
the earth is made out of mostly clay, then it is better to add some amount of
sand to loosen the earthen of the ways to make sure the earth and soil is better
prepared for the plantation process is by adding in humus to make the dirt more
compact if you find it too loose and sandy for your liking. If you find the dirt
too hard because it has too much heavy clay in it, then adding sand to the dirt
might solve the problem.
6.Keeping the surface of the loam
clean
The dirt and soil on the chosen grounds for your
wildflower seeds would need to be loosen and any small plants that have been
growing there would need to be cleared of before actually planting the
wildflower seeds. Basically the garden tool you need is the shovel. Make sure
that the garden bed is flat and there is no more grass and weed roots inside the
earth. Make an effort to remove the big rocks but leave the smaller rocks there
if you want to since it would not cause the wildflowers any serious harm.
7.Using fertilizers on the
wildflowers
Doing any
fertilizing efforts is pointless since wildflowers are meant to survive in the
wild against any type of environment. But, if you think that fertilizing is
still a need for your wildflower plants, then choose compost which is low in
nitrogen. The compost must be spread evenly into the earth then you plant the
seeds.
8.
To ensure a heavy bloom, try to sow up to two or three
times the recommended coverage rates for the
wild flower seeds. Too
much would inhibit growth though, so do not overdo it.
9.Dessiminating the wildflower
seeds
After that, just use your own hand
or any relevant equipment you can find to spread the mix evenly around your
chosen garden site. For the remaining seeds just repeat the steps, just that the
second time around spread the wildflower seeds in a different direction from the
first time. By doing this you will be sure that there will be no empty spots
left on the site. Including the sand in the seed mixture would help ensure the
even spreading of the seeds in the garden.
10.Compressing the wildflower
seeds
After planting the seeds, it is important to compact
the seeds into the loam further but avoid using the rake or using compost heap
to cover the flower bed. If your garden covers a lot of area, then using a lawn
mower would help make the task easier for you. If your garden bed covers only a
small area, then you can just walk over it by yourself and that would be enough.
Doing so would help the seeds during their sprouting process.
11.Waiting time
As wildflowers are the same as other flower species, they
each take their own different time to germinate. Some species might only need
slightly more than a week while some might need few months.
12.Moisture
When the seeds are in the germinating process, sufficient
moisture is very important so that the new plants can grow well. For it to grow
in a good environment make sure the moisture level is sustained throughout the
first four to six weeks in the garden soil. When you see the wildflowers growing
up, then you can slowly reduce the water amount in the garden.
13.Mulching
When gardeners do the mulching
process, which includes covering the flower beds with compost, it is to help
keep the moisture in the loam for a longer time. It is better and safer to use
organic materials in the mulching process so use unwanted materials such as tree
barks, old leaves and peat moss.
14.Clearing the
weeds
When the
wildflower seeds start to grow bigger, it is likely that unwanted grass and
other plants would appear. Although the weeds and plants would not cause serious
trouble to the wildflower plants, but the garden would look nicer and more
organized once the weeds and unwanted plants are cleared from it.
15.Trouble from the wild
animals
If you find animals such as birds
visiting your garden, then use any methods to scare them away, if not just let
them roam around. Most animals would not harm your flowers.
16.Flowers start to bloom
Remember to take picture for
remembrance.
17.Cutting away dead and unhealthy parts of the wildflower
By cutting away the dying and unhealthy parts, it will give chances for
the new flowers to grow. If you are aiming for a more luxurious look, then
emphasize the top part of the wildlfower.
18.Replanting new
seeds
After the full bloom period, allow the seeds at least two
weeks to mature. Once the seeds are hardened and turned into brown or black, cut
and leave them on the ground for reseeding.
19.Matching the
various wildflowers
When
growing wildflowers in the garden you will have to make sure that the
combination of the types of wildflowers matches in terms of their shade of color
and their shape. Besides that, adding green grass can also add to the beauty and
elegance of the wildflowers.
20.Storing seeds
For the flower seed that was
not planted, then keep them stored in a cool, dry place where there is no
direct sunlight. The wildflower seeds can be kept for as long as a year to
five years, depending on their type.